12 Mailbag Leftovers: Morning Answers for Orioles and MLB Fans

The Baltimore Orioles are navigating a surprisingly methodical 2026 offseason. They’re balancing patience with ambition as another competitive year approaches.

With arbitration deadlines looming and spring training dates coming up fast, roster decisions still feel wide open. The organization keeps hinting that major moves could be on the horizon—even if the winter has felt a bit too quiet for some fans’ liking.

Orioles Offseason Activity Remains Measured

So far, the Orioles’ biggest move is signing veteran starter Zach Eflin to a one-year, $10 million contract that includes a mutual option. It’s a safe, stabilizing addition—not exactly a headline-grabber, but it does reinforce the sense that the front office is waiting for the right moment instead of forcing the issue.

That patience hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially with plenty of rumors swirling about bullpen upgrades. Baltimore’s been linked to several late-inning relievers, but folks inside the organization say the real priority is still landing a true top-of-the-rotation arm.

Rotation Over Relievers Still the Priority

The Orioles aren’t about to abandon their pursuit of a No. 1 or No. 2 starter just to build a dominant bullpen. Names like Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez keep popping up.

Potential midseason trade targets—think Tarik Skubal or Paul Skenes—could be fallback options if things stall this winter. The front office seems pretty set on this approach, for better or worse.

Arbitration, Promotions, and Roster Strategy

Arbitration filing deadlines hit Thursday, but hearings almost never happen anymore in baseball. Newly promoted assistant general manager Brendan Fournie will lead the charge on salary arbitration and broader roster decisions.

There are still several roster questions hanging out there, especially when it comes to catcher depth and position-player flexibility.

Catcher Depth and the “Taxi Catcher” Role

At Triple-A Norfolk, Maverick Handley and Silas Ardoin are the only catchers on the board right now. With Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo the only catchers on the 40-man roster, Handley looks like the likely “taxi catcher” unless someone else is signed before camp.

Spring Training Brings Clarity Closer

Pitchers and catchers are set to report between February 9–16. The first Grapefruit League exhibition kicks off on February 20.

Fans will get expanded access again at Ed Smith Stadium, including free open practices. The team’s really leaning into community engagement this year, which is honestly pretty refreshing.

Mountcastle, Mayo, and Trade Possibilities

Ryan Mountcastle and Coby Mayo both head into camp with futures that feel up in the air. Either could break camp on the Opening Day roster, get dangled in trade talks for pitching, or see one moved just to clear roster space.

No option is off the table right now. It’s a bit of a wait-and-see situation.

Prospects, Pitching Roles, and Fringe Decisions

The Orioles are sticking with their top young core. Jackson Holliday will get a long leash after the club resisted trading him during 2025.

Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman are locked in as everyday players. Nobody’s talking about demotions for them.

Lower in the system, expectations are more modest. Some prospects will need to really impress to move the needle this spring.

Bubble Players and Pitching Questions

Prospects like Boston Bateman probably won’t see much time in major-league spring action. Recently DFA’d players Josh Walker and Will Robertson are still stuck in roster limbo.

The most interesting decision might involve Cade Povich. No one seems sure if he’ll stick as a Triple-A starter or maybe become the third lefty in the bullpen.

That kind of uncertainty has popped up a lot during the Orioles’ offseason. With the core group still together and the window to compete wide open, Baltimore seems happy to let things play out—waiting for the right moment to make a move.

 
Here is the source article for this story: A dozen mailbag leftovers for breakfast