Rival GMs Urge Orioles to Make a Play for Contention This Offseason
Despite a challenging 2025 season for the Baltimore Orioles, rival general managers believe the team possesses the foundational elements to contend in the upcoming season. The presence of players like Samuel Basallo, Gunnar Henderson, and Adley Rutschman fuels optimism that Mike Elias, the Orioles' general manager, can orchestrate a quick turnaround.
Executive Opinions on the Orioles' Future
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB Network, rival executives are advising the Orioles against a complete rebuild, despite their active roster purge at the trade deadline. These executives emphasize the team's solid organizational standing.
"The Orioles are still in great shape organizationally. They have talent at the Major League level and a deep farm system. They do need to improve their defense and continue to stockpile pitching depth; if they can do that, they should be right back in postseason contention next year." - National League Executive
While the team has a strong core of position players, concerns persist regarding their pitching staff. The Orioles chose not to replace Corbin Burnes last offseason, prompting questions about whether Elias has learned from this perceived oversight.
Addressing Past Mistakes and Focusing on Pitching
The prevailing sentiment is that the current Orioles core is too talented to squander. After losing Burnes to the Diamondbacks, Elias seemingly anticipated a full-strength return from Grayson Rodriguez. However, a late spring training injury and subsequent elbow surgery sidelined Rodriguez, ruling him out until next spring training.
To truly contend next season, the Orioles must prioritize addressing their starting rotation. Factoring Rodriguez into those plans is not realistic at this point. Acquiring a top-tier pitcher like Dylan Cease or Framber Valdez could position the Orioles as a prime candidate for the most significant turnaround in 2026.
Additional Orioles News
Recent reports suggest that the Orioles might consider shopping Adley Rutschman this winter. This is a drastic notion to consider for a player held in such high regard.
Samuel Basallo, a top prospect within the Orioles organization, recently delivered a walk-off blast, showcasing his potential and clutch performance ability.
SAMUEL BASALLO WALK OFF BLAST 💥
The @OsPlayerDev No. 1 prospect delivers in the clutch 😤
(🎥@MLB) pic.twitter.com/h1TS3axnjt
