The Orioles need to have a better offseason, especially after striking out with their top signings in free agency last year.With a new manager in Craig Albernaz and full support from ownership, this is the season to turn things around. The pressure will be on Mike Elias to find the right players this year who will be immediate contributors to this team. They spent over $106 million on free agents last season, and one could argue that only the Ramon Laureano signing panned out for the team. The trio of outfielder Tyler O’Neil and pitchers Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano was a bust this past season, with O’Neil returning to the team after opting in to the remaining two years of his $33 million deal. The pressure is on the front office to spend wisely this year, and Orioles owner David Rubenstein said there will be no constraints on spending. “We don’t have any particular constraints. We’re going to try to get the best players we can. Mike (Elias) is leading that effort and has already talked about a number of possibilities with us,” Rubenstein said at the introductory press conference for Albernaz.There are a couple of big-name free agents available this offseason, but the Orioles will have to reach deep in their pockets if they hope to get any of them. It seems like the front office has the support from ownership and should be more aggressive than last season. Here is a look at some free agents who would make a big splash if they signed with the Orioles. Kyle Tucker – outfielderThe top free agent in this class is outfielder Kyle Tucker. The 28-year-old played with the Chicago Cubs last season after spending the first seven years of his career with the Houston Astros. He has a 27.3 wins above replacement rating, third among hitters with eight years of experience, and is a four-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove-winning outfielder. He will be the most sought-after free agent and will most likely garner a 10-plus-year deal worth over $400 million. That kind of money may seem outrageous for most Orioles fans, but that is the market for a top player in the prime of his career. The Orioles would be competing with big-market teams with more resources, like the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and even the Toronto Blue Jays, who are rumored to be interested in Tucker. Signing a player of Tucker’s caliber could represent a new all-in mindset from the front office.Cody Bellinger – outfielderAnother option in the outfield for the Orioles is Cody Bellinger. The former MVP with the Dodgers in 2019 was with the Yankees last season. He hit .272 with 29 home runs while playing in 152 games, the most since his MVP season. He should be slightly cheaper to sign than Tucker, with an average salary expected around $30 million a season. He is only 29 years old but has an injury history that could shorten his contract length. This could be perfect for the Orioles, who could offer a short-term deal to Bellinger of three to four years at $100 million to $120 million. That may not be enough, as Bellinger will be sought after by several teams and could return to the Yankees or go across town to the New York Mets. It has been rumored that the Yankees are making him their No. 1 priority this offseason, so it may be tough to steal Bellinger from the pinstripes. Framber Valdez – starting pitcherThe Orioles have made it known that they are interested in a frontline pitcher over the past couple of seasons. They traded for Corbin Burnes before the 2024 season, but were unable to re-sign him last offseason, as he signed a six-year $300 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Framber Valdez could be an option for the club and should not cost as much as Burnes did. The 31-year-old pitcher is a two-time All-Star and a World Series-winning pitcher with the Houston Astros in 2022. He is a workhorse who has averaged 30 starts the past four seasons and has led the majors in complete games twice. Valdez will be the top left-handed starter on the market and will demand a salary of around $30 million per season. With his age, the Orioles may be able to entice him with a short-term three-year, $100 million deal. Dylan Cease – starting pitcherCease could be a perfect fit for the Orioles. He is still in his prime at 29 years old and has been reliable for the past five seasons, when he has not missed a start. He has been inconsistent throughout his career, with two Cy Young-level seasons sandwiched in between two down seasons with an earned run average above 4.00.He is a power pitcher, leading the league in strikeouts per nine innings twice, as well as leading the league in fewest walks allowed. He is coming off a disappointing season with the San Diego Padres with an 8-12 record and a 4.55 ERA. This could be perfect for the Orioles, as he may not be as expensive as Valdez or Burnes last offseason. The Orioles have been rumored to be interested in Cease for the past two trade deadlines but were not able to pull the trigger on a deal. Now, they can sign him without giving up any prospects and could get him for an affordable deal.
BALTIMORE —
The Orioles need to have a better offseason, especially after striking out with their top signings in free agency last year.
With a new manager in Craig Albernaz and full support from ownership, this is the season to turn things around. The pressure will be on Mike Elias to find the right players this year who will be immediate contributors to this team.
They spent over $106 million on free agents last season, and one could argue that only the Ramon Laureano signing panned out for the team. The trio of outfielder Tyler O’Neil and pitchers Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano was a bust this past season, with O’Neil returning to the team after opting in to the remaining two years of his $33 million deal.
The pressure is on the front office to spend wisely this year, and Orioles owner David Rubenstein said there will be no constraints on spending.
“We don’t have any particular constraints. We’re going to try to get the best players we can. Mike (Elias) is leading that effort and has already talked about a number of possibilities with us,” Rubenstein said at the introductory press conference for Albernaz.
There are a couple of big-name free agents available this offseason, but the Orioles will have to reach deep in their pockets if they hope to get any of them. It seems like the front office has the support from ownership and should be more aggressive than last season. Here is a look at some free agents who would make a big splash if they signed with the Orioles.
Kyle Tucker – outfielder
Getty ImagesMatt Dirksen
Outfielder Kyle Tucker
The top free agent in this class is outfielder Kyle Tucker. The 28-year-old played with the Chicago Cubs last season after spending the first seven years of his career with the Houston Astros. He has a 27.3 wins above replacement rating, third among hitters with eight years of experience, and is a four-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove-winning outfielder.
He will be the most sought-after free agent and will most likely garner a 10-plus-year deal worth over $400 million. That kind of money may seem outrageous for most Orioles fans, but that is the market for a top player in the prime of his career. The Orioles would be competing with big-market teams with more resources, like the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and even the Toronto Blue Jays, who are rumored to be interested in Tucker. Signing a player of Tucker’s caliber could represent a new all-in mindset from the front office.
Cody Bellinger – outfielder
Getty ImagesDaniel Shirey
Outfielder Cody Bellinger
Another option in the outfield for the Orioles is Cody Bellinger. The former MVP with the Dodgers in 2019 was with the Yankees last season. He hit .272 with 29 home runs while playing in 152 games, the most since his MVP season. He should be slightly cheaper to sign than Tucker, with an average salary expected around $30 million a season. He is only 29 years old but has an injury history that could shorten his contract length.
This could be perfect for the Orioles, who could offer a short-term deal to Bellinger of three to four years at $100 million to $120 million. That may not be enough, as Bellinger will be sought after by several teams and could return to the Yankees or go across town to the New York Mets. It has been rumored that the Yankees are making him their No. 1 priority this offseason, so it may be tough to steal Bellinger from the pinstripes.
Framber Valdez – starting pitcher
Getty ImagesDuane Burleson
Pitcher Framber Valdez
The Orioles have made it known that they are interested in a frontline pitcher over the past couple of seasons. They traded for Corbin Burnes before the 2024 season, but were unable to re-sign him last offseason, as he signed a six-year $300 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Framber Valdez could be an option for the club and should not cost as much as Burnes did.
The 31-year-old pitcher is a two-time All-Star and a World Series-winning pitcher with the Houston Astros in 2022. He is a workhorse who has averaged 30 starts the past four seasons and has led the majors in complete games twice. Valdez will be the top left-handed starter on the market and will demand a salary of around $30 million per season. With his age, the Orioles may be able to entice him with a short-term three-year, $100 million deal.
Dylan Cease – starting pitcher
Getty ImagesOrlando Ramirez
Pitcher Dylan Cease
Cease could be a perfect fit for the Orioles. He is still in his prime at 29 years old and has been reliable for the past five seasons, when he has not missed a start. He has been inconsistent throughout his career, with two Cy Young-level seasons sandwiched in between two down seasons with an earned run average above 4.00.
He is a power pitcher, leading the league in strikeouts per nine innings twice, as well as leading the league in fewest walks allowed. He is coming off a disappointing season with the San Diego Padres with an 8-12 record and a 4.55 ERA. This could be perfect for the Orioles, as he may not be as expensive as Valdez or Burnes last offseason. The Orioles have been rumored to be interested in Cease for the past two trade deadlines but were not able to pull the trigger on a deal. Now, they can sign him without giving up any prospects and could get him for an affordable deal.
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