The Baltimore Orioles head into 2026 hoping to shake off a rough 2025. They finished last in the American League East, but you could see hints of promise if you looked closely enough.
Arbitration deadlines, player development, and nagging injuries are shaping this offseason. The front office is walking a tightrope between moving quickly and staying patient, hoping to claw back into the mix.
Arbitration Decisions and Roster Strategy Shape the Offseason
Eleven Orioles are up for arbitration as 2026 begins, including new faces like Taylor Ward and Shane Baz. General manager Mike Elias wants to get these guys signed before things get messy.
Elias hates distractions and likes knowing what things will cost. He’s made that pretty clear in the past.
Mike Elias Searches for Stability After Mixed Results
After a last-place finish, Elias is hunting for upgrades. The team’s margin for error felt razor-thin all year.
Signings and trades brought mixed results. Charlie Morton gave them innings but not the steady hand they needed.
Dylan Carlson and Luis Vázquez had their moments, but neither could keep it going. Now, the pressure’s on to find more dependable help around the team’s young core.
Trevor Rogers’ Remarkable Comeback Headlined the Rotation
Trevor Rogers staged one of the year’s best comebacks. He struggled early, hit the IL, then managed to totally flip his season around.
Cy Young Consideration Caps Off Breakout Finish
Rogers caught fire late, going 9–3 with a 1.81 ERA, a 0.903 WHIP, and 5.5 bWAR. He finished fifth in Cy Young voting, which is wild considering where he started.
That turnaround gives the Orioles’ rotation a much-needed boost as they look ahead.
Young Bats Delivered Memorable Moments at Camden Yards
The standings were ugly, but the Orioles’ young hitters gave fans something to cheer about. Samuel Basallo made a splash after his August call-up.
Basallo and Beavers Make Team History
Basallo hit a walk-off homer to announce his arrival, then signed an eight-year, $67 million extension that could hit $88.5 million. Dylan Beavers chipped in his own clutch moments.
Together, they became the first Orioles rookie pair to deliver walk-off RBIs in the same season. Not bad for a couple of kids.
Individual Achievements and Offensive Fireworks Stand Out
The Orioles still found ways to make history, even if the year didn’t go their way. Power and speed were on full display.
From Immaculate Innings to Historic Run Totals
Brandon Young threw an immaculate inning and nearly tossed a no-hitter. Tyler O’Neill kept his Opening Day home run streak alive for a sixth straight year.
They stole 121 bases—their best since 2007. Some of their wildest games included:
Injuries and Setbacks Temper the Optimism
But it wasn’t all fun. Injuries kept coming, casting a shadow that still lingers as 2026 approaches.
Bautista’s Health Remains a Major Concern
All-Star closer Félix Bautista had labrum and rotator cuff surgery, right after coming back from Tommy John. There’s real doubt he’ll be available for most of 2026.
That leaves a big gap at the end of games—one the team hasn’t figured out how to fill yet.
A Core to Build Around Despite the Results
Despite the rollercoaster, two cornerstone players kept trending up. The Orioles still have some pieces to believe in, if you squint a bit.
Henderson and Holliday Signal Better Days Ahead
Gunnar Henderson just became the youngest Oriole ever to swipe 30 bases. He and Jackson Holliday pulled off something rare, too—they’re an under-25 duo that’s both reached base 200 times in the same season.
Watching these two come into their own, especially with Rogers bouncing back and Basallo making his mark, gives Elias something real to build on.
Yeah, the 2025 season stung. But it wasn’t empty—there were moments that mattered.
Now the Orioles face a tough task. Can they turn all that growth and those flashes of brilliance into actual wins for 2026?
Here is the source article for this story: Looking ahead and back as the year changes to 2026
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