Since hiring new manager Craig Albernaz on Oct. 27, the Baltimore Orioles have done their best to arm him with a competitive roster entering 2026. Here are the major moves they’ve made so far, per their transactions page:
Acquired right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge from the Chicago Cubs
Acquired left fielder Taylor Ward from the Los Angeles Angels
Signed right-handed reliever Ryan Helsley
Signed star first baseman Pete Alonso
Acquired right-handed starting pitcher Shane Baz from the Tampa Bay Rays
Kittredge has a 3.40 ERA along with 67 holds and 21 saves over 309 career games. The 35-year-old started 2025 with the Orioles before they dealt him to the Cubs at the trade deadline. Baltimore got him back on Nov. 4 for cash considerations.
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The Orioles shipped right-handed hurler Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels in exchange for Ward. Rodriguez has a 4.11 ERA over 43 career starts and missed 2025 due to an elbow injury. Meanwhile, Ward was tied for 10th in baseball with 36 homers and tied for 11th with 103 RBIs last season. The 32-year-old also sports a .766 OPS over 704 career games.
Baltimore handed Helsley a two-year, $28 million contract. The 31-year-old recorded a 4.50 ERA over 58 games for the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets last season, but has a 2.96 ERA over 298 career appearances. He also has 105 saves and 23 holds.
Alonso was the blockbuster move, as the Orioles signed him to a five-year, $155 million deal. The 31-year-old finished eighth in baseball with 38 homers, second with 126 RBIs, and 11th with an .871 OPS in 2025. He’s also the Mets’ all-time leader in home runs (264).
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Finally, Baz notched a 4.87 ERA over 31 starts for the Rays last season, but he recorded a 3.06 ERA over 14 starts in 2024. Baltimore is banking on the 26-year-old bouncing back over the next three seasons, as he’s under team control through 2028. The club gave Tampa Bay outfielder Slater de Brun (Orioles’ No. 6 prospect), catcher Caden Bodine (No. 10), right-handed pitcher Michael Forret (No. 11), outfielder Austin Overn (No. 30), and the No. 33 overall pick in the 2026 Competitive Balance Round A Draft, per MLB.com.
Baltimore Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso (20). © John Jones-Imagn Images
After firing previous manager Brandon Hyde and falling to last place in the AL East in 2025, Baltimore is giving Albernaz the tools to guide the club to a bounce-back 2026 campaign. Whether or not these moves will work out will partially depend on how he performs as manager. It’s his job to not only deploy the best lineups depending on the matchups each game, but to coach the squad through the ups and downs of the 162-game season.
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The Orioles are putting faith in their short-term capabilities, as giving up Rodriguez and several prospects could backfire in the long run. However, those moves will be worth it if they win a title anytime soon.