What will the Baltimore Orioles’ 40-man roster look like come the opening of spring training in February?
The winds of change are blowing through all 30 MLB franchises. Players are being released, tendered contracts, traded, free agents getting signed, and the managers’ merry-go-round still has a vacancy in Colorado to fill.
In this season of transactions, the Orioles appear to be revving up their roster, which hopefully will improve on last season’s output. After appearing in postseason play in both 2023 and 2024, Baltimore not only didn’t earn a chance to play beyond the regular season, but also finished dead last in the American League East.
Mike Elias, Orioles’ president of baseball operations who also doubles as the club’s general manager, is already showing signs he’s refusing to settle for another sub-successful 75–87 season like 2025.
Working on bringing stability to the roster, so that when the training camp doors swing open at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida, first-year skipper Craig Albernaz has a clear understanding of who’s on first, and at the other seven positions in the field, plus pitching, and who the everyday designated hitter will be.
Recently, Elais, who was hired in his present role in 2018, made what promises to be the first of many trades before Opening Day.
In a 1-for-1 transaction, Baltimore shipped starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez to the Anaheim Angels for outfielder Taylor Ward. The Orioles are in need of a right-handed bat, and with Ward coming off his best offensive numbers of his eight-year MLB career (31 doubles, 36 home runs, and 103 RBIs), the move seems to favor Baltimore. If there is a downside to acquiring Ward, it’s that he is eligible for free agency after the 2026 season.
Rodriguez can be viewed as an “iffy” choice for the Angels. The former top draft pick hasn’t pitched an MLB game since July 2024. Shoulder and elbow issues, along with a lat strain, became too much of a medical risk for the Orioles. He is, however, expected to be ready to pitch come spring training in Arizona.
Along with welcoming Ward into “Bird Land”, Elias has tendered a contract to first baseman Ryan Mountcastle. Now, whether Mountcastle, who has seen his offensive numbers drop significantly since his 2021 rookie campaign, makes the final cut for Opening Day on March 26, 2026, at Camden Yards against the Minnesota Twins is another story. There appears to be a log jam at first base as of now, but at least Elias is keeping his options open.
Once next month’s Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida, commence, Elias and his staff are expected to get busy speaking with available free agents.
Expected to be joining Elias in Orlando is Craig Albernaz. After serving as bench coach and associate manager with the Cleveland Guardians over the last two seasons, Albernaz, 43, is bringing a fresh look and approach to analytics to Baltimore baseball.
Part of the youth movement among MLB managers, Albernaz’s resume included only two minor league stints, including managing the Tampa Bay Rays’ Single-A team. The Orioles have named Miguel Cairo, a two-time interim MLB skipper with Washington and the Chicago White Sox, as Albernaz’s bench coach.
Ten managers who began the 2025 MLB season have since been replaced. Three clubs chose a new manager with MLB experience. Only the Colorado Rockies have yet to name a manager for 2026.
Unlike some clubs that approach each season with severe financial limitations, Baltimore ownership hasn’t traditionally been stingy. In fact, last season, the Orioles were ranked 15th among MLB’s 30 clubs in team payroll.
Owner David Rubenstein saw his team’s payroll surpass that of five franchises that qualified for postseason play. Baltimore topped the Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, and the Guardians in 2025 payroll. Spending doesn’t guarantee winning, and spending wisely offers hope for a club in the hunt for a winning season.
When Elias was brought in to revamp the Orioles, it was his expertise in building a contending team from within that attracted ownership. His success in drafting players either ready or close to being elevated to the MLB roster is what excited Baltimore management.
Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Jackson Holliday lead the list of success stories recruited by Elias. With the Orioles winning 101 games and the American League East flag in 2023, Elias was named MLB Executive of the Year.
Thinking long-term for coverage at first base and catcher, last August, Baltimore signed Samuel Basallo, 21, to an eight-year contract extension worth $67 million. Along with a nucleus of Holliday, Colton Cowser, and Jordan Westburg, barring any serious injuries to position players, good times are on the horizon for the Orioles in 2026. Most importantly, Elias and his Baltimore staff aren’t being bystanders this offseason when it comes to assembling the roster.
