Baltimore Orioles Preview: Will Busy Offseason Lead To Better 2026 Season?

At the conclusion of the 2025 season and entering this past offseason, the Baltimore Orioles recognized they were bereft of star talent. Adley Rutschman, when healthy, is one of the better-hitting catchers in the league. Ditto for Gunnar Henderson for shortstops and Trevor Rogers for starting pitchers. But it was clear that the team needed more, based on both its 75-87 record (last in American League East) and how said division is expected to once again be one of Major League Baseball’s best.

It was understandable why Baltimore set its sights on spending the big bucks on some star talent. Pete Alonso. Taylor Ward. Chris Bassitt. Sprinkle in a few more transactions like signing Reliever Ryan Helsley and trading for Starting Pitcher Shane Baz, and the Orioles now look like a franchise that is ready to contend for a playoff berth. But the question is, will this new look team be better than last season?

Orioles Infielders/Offense Dealing With Injuries, Could Be Good When Healthy

The Baltimore Orioles could sport one of the better offenses in the American League. However, we will not be able to see how formidable they can be from the beginning because of injuries to the infield. 22-year-old Second Baseman Jackson Holliday had surgery on his hand last month to repair a right hamate bone. Holliday has since been able to take batting practice and has a goal to return sometime in the middle of April. That would mean Holliday will miss at least the first couple of weeks to begin the year.

Another infielder who caught a case of the injury bug is Third Baseman Jordan Westburg. Unlike his teammate, Westburg could miss an extended period of time as he deals with a partially torn UCL in his right elbow. This will likely put him on the shelf for at least the first month of the season, if not longer. While the two infielders recover, the Orioles are expected to use Blaze Alexander and Coby Mayo.

The rest of the offense should see considerable improvement. And that is an understatement. Alonso comes over from the New York Mets after inking a five-year deal worth $155 million. He is one of the new players who will add power to the lineup. Baltimore blasted 191 home runs a year ago, tied for 11th in baseball, but did not have a single batter eclipse or reach the 20-home-run mark. The Orioles anticipate the first baseman will feast while at the hitter-friendly ballpark that is Camden Yards.

The best part about Alonso is his durability. He has played all 162 games in each of the last two seasons, and excluding the shortened 2020 season, he has never sat out more than 10 games in his career. Fans of the Orioles have to be ecstatic over what the five-time All-Star will offer the ball club.

Speaking of hitters feasting, Taylor Ward figures to be in the party as well. Ward is coming off a year in which he had a career year with 36 home runs and 103 runs batted in with the Los Angeles Angels. Like Alonso, Ward has shown dependability as well, only missing 11 games combined in 2024 and 2025. The two have the makings of a potent duo in the Orioles lineup.

Finally, there are the holdovers, Henderson and Rutschman. Henderson, who was on the roster for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, had a “down” year by his standards. The 2023 AL Rookie of the Year had an OPS of .787 (.893 in 2024) and a WAR of 5.4 (9.1 in 2024). With the additions to the lineup, Henderson is in a position to reach his 2024 form and potentially surpass it.

Rutschman (9 HR, 29 RBI) also did not have his best year for the Orioles. Injuries limited the catcher to 90 games, but he is a couple of seasons removed from a 2024 campaign where Rutschman was selected to his second consecutive All-Star Game. Having turned 28 years old last month, the Silver Slugger should also reap the benefits of adding Alonso and Ward.

Orioles Pitching Could Also Take a Leap

The Orioles ranked 26th in team ERA (4.61), and their starting pitchers had 54 quality starts (league average was 56) in 2025. The additions of proven starters Bassitt and Baz to go along with Helsley, who figures to start as the closer on Opening Day, could morph this unit into average. Maybe above average if some pitchers can round back into form.

Rogers is the unquestioned ace of the Orioles. Rogers only made 18 starts, but he posted a career-low 1.81 ERA. The potential is immense, and it will be interesting to see what a healthy 2026 could bring for the 28-year-old right-hander.

Bassitt comes over from a three-year stint with the Toronto Blue Jays and brings consistency and reliability to the starting pitching staff. He made more than 30 starts in all three years in Toronto, posting earned run averages between the mid-3.00s and low-4.00s in the process. Likely to fill in as the No. 3 starter, Bassitt will undoubtedly provide a boost to the rotation.

The Orioles are banking on getting the Baz from the 2024 Tampa Bay Rays, minus the durability concerns. Baz pitched to the tune of 3.06 ERA but in only 14 starts. In 2025, the righty was available for 31 starts, but he saw his ERA balloon to 4.87. But he did post 176 strikeouts in 166 innings, proving there is some untapped potential in that right arm.

Closer Félix Bautista (rotator cuff) was recently moved to the 60-day injured list, and there is no timetable for him to pitch in 2026. This is the role the O’s brought in Helsley to fill, and he is more than capable. He had a solid first half to last season with the St. Louis Cardinals (21-for-26 in save opportunities, 3.00 ERA), but his season took a nosedive once he was traded to the Mets (7.20 ERA).

There is evidence that suggests Helsley can produce as the ninth-inning man; he posted 49 saves and an ERA a smidge north of 2.00.

Prediction

The Orioles could be a fun team to watch this year. They have an interesting balance of young and veteran players, which could spell an exciting 2026. Once they are at full strength, I anticipate Baltimore will be a thorn in the side of its rivals, even if it doesn’t equate to a postseason appearance.

This is a tough call to make because I do like what the O’s did during the offseason. Ultimately, I do believe they will have a better year, but they will fall just short of the playoffs.

Final Prediction: 86-76, no playoffs