Baltimore Orioles extension season could just be starting

The Baltimore Orioles have already locked in a pair of young pieces to their core. They may not be done.

Andy Kotska of the Baltimore Banner reported that Orioles owner David Rubenstein had a message for the locker room: that the front office is open for business. They will be looking to lock in as many pieces of their future core as possible.

The Orioles began locking in their core when they signed catcher Samuel Basallo to an eight-year, $67 million extension in August. Basallo had appeared in just four games at the major league level before signing his extension.

Baltimore Orioles have several intriguing options for potential extensions

The Orioles' second extension came on Friday. Pitcher Shane Baz and the Orioles reportedly agreed to a five-year, $68 million extension, which will buy out his arbitration years and two years of free agency. Baz had been acquired by the Orioles during the 2025-26 offseason and had yet to appear in a regular-season game before signing his long-term deal.

The Orioles have several potential candidates for extensions. Infielder Gunnar Henderson has emerged as a star and could be atop the Orioles list. Fellow infielder Jordan Westburg has been impressive when he has been able to stay on the field. Catcher Adley Rutschman and pitcher Trevor Rogers could be candidates for an extension as well.

Baltimore flexed their financial muscle in the offseason by signing first baseman Pete Alonso. Extending Basallo and Baz made sense as they look to lock in their core. Those moves may only be the beginning.