Baltimore Orioles: Key Questions Heading into the Upcoming Season

## Orioles Offseason Update: Quiet Before the Storm, WBC Worries, and Notable Departures

This post digs into the Baltimore Orioles’ surprisingly quiet offseason after an initial burst of activity. Pitchers and catchers are about to report, and there’s a lot to unpack.

We’ll take a look at the looming worries around the World Baseball Classic (WBC), especially the mess with Puerto Rico possibly pulling out. There are also a few notable departures of former Orioles, plus some ongoing chatter about what’s next for the team.

### The Calm Before Spring Training: Orioles’ Current Landscape

The Orioles kicked off the offseason with a flurry, but right now, things feel oddly still. Pitchers and catchers are due on **February 11**, and the first full-squad workout is set for **February 16**.

With Grapefruit League games on the horizon, attention is shifting to on-field action. *Opening Day lands on March 26*, a date that feels both close and impossibly far for fans desperate for baseball.

The first Grapefruit League exhibition comes against the **New York Yankees** on **February 20**. That game should give everyone a first look at the squad and any new additions.

Spring Training overlaps with the World Baseball Classic this year, which runs from **March 5–17**. That always adds a little chaos and excitement—maybe even a few distractions.

### World Baseball Classic: Puerto Rico’s Predicament

The World Baseball Classic is usually a highlight of the baseball calendar. This year, though, there’s a big snag—Puerto Rico might have to withdraw.

Insurers won’t cover at least eight of their key players, including the electric **Francisco Lindor**. That’s a massive blow for the tournament, especially with the first round set for San Juan.

Imagine the energy in Puerto Rico’s stadium, only for the home team to miss out. Honestly, I’d planned to catch a couple WBC games there myself, but tickets to Puerto Rico’s matchups vanished in a blink—completely gone before this insurance mess even hit the news.

### Former Orioles On The Move

Even if the Orioles’ current roster hasn’t made much noise, some familiar names are popping up elsewhere.

**Austin Hays** just signed a **one-year, $5 million deal with the Chicago White Sox**. There’s a mutual option for 2027, so he’s got a bit of a runway with his new team.

The **Los Angeles Dodgers** picked up veteran pitcher **Cole Irvin** on a minor-league deal. He gets an invite to big-league camp, which is a decent shot to prove himself. Irvin pitched last year for the **Doosan Bears in Korea**, making 28 starts and putting up a 4.48 ERA. Maybe that international stint gives him an edge as he tries to stick with a contender.

### Unanswered Questions and Historical Reflections

The 2026 season is creeping up, and honestly, the Orioles have a lot of question marks hanging over them. Sports publications aren’t shy about pointing this out.

A recent **MASN** piece tossed out some tough questions for the 2026 campaign. That’s sparked plenty of chatter among fans and analysts.

Over at **Baltimore Baseball**, writers dug into possible candidates for the Orioles’ utility spot. That role feels extra important right now, especially with all the buzz (and uncertainty) swirling around a potential **Framber Valdez** signing.

**The Baltimore Banner** took a deep dive into injuries and how things might shake out in 2026. Turns out, more players played through pain last year than most folks realized, which could really affect the roster’s overall health.

The article also tips its cap to several former Orioles celebrating birthdays. Happy birthday to **Hall of Famer Don Buford** (89) and fan-favorite **Melvin Mora** (54).

Looking back, there’s a quick nod to big moments in team history, like the **2005 Sammy Sosa trade** and other roster moves that shaped the club. And in a bit of recent news, veteran pitcher **Rich Hill** announced he won’t chase an MLB return in 2026. That’s the end of a long, winding career—including his short stop in Baltimore.
 
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