The Baltimore Orioles are actively looking to upgrade their offense behind the plate this upcoming offseason. Front office decision-makers are prioritizing a higher offensive ceiling to balance their roster moving forward.
This strategic shift comes after a whirlwind period of roster turnover and young player development. Fans of the Baltimore Orioles have experienced significant changes in team composition over the past year.
Evaluating the Current Catching Depth Chart
The organization currently holds several internal candidates on the 40-man roster. Experienced names like Samuel Basallo, Carlos Narváez, and Yohel Pozo give the club various internal options.
Assessing Samuel Basallo’s Future Outlook
Basallo signed a lucrative eight-year, $67 million extension shortly after his 2025 major league debut, keeping him under team control through 2033. He finished the 2026 campaign with an impressive 18 home runs and a 95 wRC+ across 399 plate appearances after overcoming a slow start.
Despite strong throwing and blocking metrics, framing concerns linger around his defensive skill set. Consequently, leadership plans to limit his exposure and avoid assigning him the bulk of primary catching duties.
Meanwhile, the club’s broader American League rivals, such as the Boston Red Sox, have shaped their own strategies through recent trades. Baltimore famously traded star catcher Adley Rutschman to Boston at the August deadline, receiving Narváez as part of that major return.
Potential Free Agent and Trade Targets
Both Narváez and Pozo struggled offensively during the 2026 season and hold minor league options. This roster flexibility grants the front office room to maneuver on the open market.
If president of baseball operations Mike Elias pursues a top-tier free agent bat like Ryan Jeffers, it might cost the club draft-pick compensation. Alternatively, more budget-friendly free agent paths and trade targets exist across the league.
Front offices looking for alternative catching solutions often monitor various market tiers. Potential trade pieces or cost-effective free agents include:
- Tyler Stephenson
- Carson Kelly
- Gary Sánchez
- Hunter Goodman
- Shea Langeliers
The upcoming hot stove league will undoubtedly reveal how aggressively Baltimore addresses this offensive need. Securing reliable production behind the plate remains a primary objective for a franchise aiming to contend.
Tracking these winter moves provides essential context for the upcoming season. Observers can dive deeper into Baseball News to follow every update as the roster takes shape.
Here is the source article for this story: Orioles Could Pursue Catching Help
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