Baltimore Orioles Hat (Image Credits: Imagn)

MLB Insider Sees Baltimore Orioles Parting Ways With All-Star Slugger

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Paranjoy Goswami | Last updated Apr 1, 2026 9:59 AM ET

The Baltimore Orioles are keen to bounce back strongly after failing to challenge for the playoffs in a disappointing 2025 campaign. A five-year, $155 million contract for Pete Alonso was the chief acquisition of the offseason. The Orioles also tied up Shane Baz with a five-year, $68 million extension last week after trading for the starting pitcher this winter.

Although the Baltimore Orioles are locking up some of their top players to long-term contracts, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic says they are unlikely to do the same with Gunnar Henderson. The Orioles shortstop has Scott Boras as his agent. Like most of his clients, Boras would want Henderson to head into free agency to maximize his earning potential.

“Scott Boras in general, not always, prefers his clients to go to the open market. Why? Because he’s been very successful in getting big deals for top players on the open market,” Rosenthal told the Foul Territory podcast. “I’d say the odds of the Orioles signing Gunnar Henderson long-term are extremely low.”

The odds of Gunnar Henderson signing a long-term extension with the Orioles are likely "extremely low," says @Ken_Rosenthal. pic.twitter.com/HPYG7tKO08
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) March 31, 2026

The Orioles are undoubtedly well aware of the situation with Gunnar Henderson. They signed shortstop prospect Cooper Pratt to an eight-year, $50.75 million extension on Tuesday.

Ken Rosnthal Expects Futile Attempt From Baltimore Orioles to Extend Gunnar Henderson

MLB insider Ken Rosenthal believes the Baltimore Orioles may hand a contract extension to Gunnar Henderson to appease their fans. They are unlikely to offer the All-Star slugger what he can earn as a free agent, so Henderson is not going to sign such a deal.

Gunnar Henderson (Image Credit/Imagn)

“They could offer him, I don’t know, $250 million tomorrow, leak it, and say we tried,” Rosenthal said. “We all know it’s not going to be easy for them to, one, make that off and two, get it done at that number. At some point, it just becomes window dressing— eyewash.”

Henderson has an $8.25 million pre-arbitration deal with the Orioles for 2026. The 24-year-old will become a free agent at the end of the season.

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

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