Orioles Facing Gunnar Henderson Decision After Message From Ownership 

The backdrop puts extra weight on what ownership has been saying publicly. When asked if the extensions of Samuel Basallo and Shane Baz signal the organization’s willingness to pursue further deals, Orioles owner David Rubenstein was direct. 

“We’re open for business,” Rubenstein said (h/t Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner). 

Henderson, for his part, is not closing the door either. 

“Any time they want to come my way, I’m open ears,” Henderson said. “But also my first priority right now is to win ballgames and do whatever I can to bring a championship to the Orioles. All of that [contract stuff] is secondary right now.” (h/t Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner). 

The two sides paint a picture of mutual interest without urgency, which may be what Henderson’s agent Scott Boras prefers. Boras clients typically prefer to test the open market rather than sign team-friendly deals, and given Henderson’s trajectory, a record-breaking contract would very well be in play. 

Henderson signed a one-year, $8.5 million deal in January to avoid arbitration and remains under team control until he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2029. Fortunately, this gives Baltimore time to get a deal done, but also gives Henderson and Boras little incentive to act before then. 

Baltimore will have to be quick to make a decision. Henderson established himself as one of the best young players of the American League, and the cost of a long-term extension will only rise if the Orioles wait. Other extensions around the league for elite shortstops have pushed well past $300 million, a number that they will have to be prepared to meet if they are serious about keeping their cornerstone in place. 

Baltimore’s payroll has climbed significantly under Rubenstein’s ownership. The looming question is whether the Orioles are willing to make the kind of investment it would take to keep Henderson off the market heading into the new season.