Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

After Hiring a Manager, the Orioles Need To Buy Outs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Oct 29, 2025 4:58 PM ET

Highlights:

The Orioles hired Craig Albernaz to take over a team loaded with talented hitters that underachieved last year.
Albernaz was the first step in what needs to be a very busy offseason for the Orioles front office.
The Orioles need to sign a top-line starter, trade for a front-line starter and bulk up the bullpen.

The Baltimore Orioles made the smart first move, hiring Craig Albernaz, but that was the easy part of this offseason for Mike Elias and his front office. The heavy lifting is doing the work he neglected last winter: fixing the Orioles' pitching.

In 2025, Baltimore went 75–87 with a team ERA of 4.61. The path forward is pretty obvious. The Orioles need to buy a top-four starter or two and reliable bullpen arms. They need to use the surplus of prospects they have hoarded over the years into arms.

Orioles 2025 pitching snapshot

Too many short starts, middle-of-the-pack strikeouts, and constant traffic killed the Orioles' season. Felix Bautista's shoulder surgery turned the ninth from weapon to question. The bridge thinned at the deadline. They sent Gregory Soto to the Mets and Seranthony Dominguez to the Blue Jays.

The fix is simple, but Mike Elias needs to do the work and spend the money and prospects so that Craig Albernaz isn’t managing a fire drill every night.

Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez is one of the top pitchers expected to be hitting free agency this winter. © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Best free-agent fits for Camden Yards

Framber Valdez (LHP) — Heavy ground-ball profile fits the park geometry; he’s expected to hit the market with a qualifying offer. It’s worth it for an Opening Day ace.
Zac Gallen (RHP) — The consensus seems to be that he will get a qualifying offer and a real free-agency test. Even coming off a mixed year, he’s a rotation anchor with strike-throwing and shape diversity.
Late-inning hammer: Ryan Helsley or Devin Williams (RHP) — Top-tier swing-and-miss closers who struggled last year are available in this class. One check, not as big as it would have been off great seasons, could solve a hundred late-inning problems.

Trade avenues that actually move the needle

Freddy Peralta (Brewers) — He has $8M club option for 2026; Milwaukee is expected to at least field offers. That’s a No.2 or 3 starter with experience missing bats.
Sandy Alcantara (Marlins) — He’s guaranteed through 2026 with a 2027 club option; his name has surfaced in believable reports. Miami needs to trade the former Cy Young winner to feed their rebuild; it’s just a matter of timing.
Hunter Greene (Reds)-Multiple outlets have floated Baltimore as a fit if Cincinnati listens. Greene’s club-friendly deal runs through 2029, and his high-octane stuff is attractive.

Where Baltimore can trade from depth

Corner Outfield: Colton Cowser struggled at the plate and with injuries but retains tools and control; he’s either your CF in 2026 or a headline chip. Heston Kjerstad was optioned mid-year, but his bat still carries name value.
40-man/Rule 5 crunch: The Orioles have to make decisions on their 40-man roster soon, they have a surplus that they can deal from Creed Willems (C), Jud Fabian (OF), and a group of right-handers (e.g., Cameron Weston, Trace Bright, Keagan Gillies, Carlos Tavera, Juan Nunez). This is what the Orioles have been building for; now is the time to cash in.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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