Major decisions face Orioles in upcoming weeks

On Monday, the Orioles’ offseason will be two weeks old, and while nothing has happened publicly, decisions are being made. With a lockout almost assuredly approaching on December 1st, November is likely to be a frantic month. If the lockout goes as it did in the 2021-2022 offseason, it will leave the Orioles with little […]

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Wondering how Orioles would have fared in the postseason

If you’ve been watching the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians grapple through four interminable games, you might wonder how the Orioles would have matched up with them. The Orioles spent the last weeks of the season chasing these two teams, and finished 4 ½ games behind the White Sox, who were the final wild-card […]

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Orioles prospect Ethan Anderson turned on the power at Chesapeake

One of the nicest surprises of the Orioles’ minor league season was the power displayed by Ethan Anderson. A native of Hawaii, who grew up in the Norfolk area, Anderson was drafted as a catcher/first baseman from the University of Virginia in the second round in 2024. In 2025, Anderson’s first full season of professional […]

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Do you think Albernaz should have publicly criticized Oriole players? | MAILBAG

Question: With the Orioles’ 2026 year ending, I’m interested in your thoughts about mangers criticizing players publicity. Orioles manager Craig Albernaz has been critical of several players, including Jeremiah Jackson, Rece Hines and Samuel Basallo. It seems unprofessional to me. Accountability is important but should be addressed privately. I was impressed by the way Brandon […]

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Blaze Alexander is the other MVO, Most Versatile Oriole

Pete Alonso was unanimously voted the MVO, Most Valuable Oriole. There’s another MVO on the team, Most Versatile Oriole, and that’s Blaze Alexander. Alexander was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks just before spring training, and despite playing only 11 games in the second half of the season because of stints on the injured list for […]

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Have the Orioles traded away too many good prospects? | MAILBAG

Question: The poor draft choices and/or ongoing development of prospects has been well documented, but it is interesting to ponder the prospects that we have traded elsewhere who then blossomed or at least matured into viable players. Kyle Stowers comes to mind as he never fully received an opportunity at the big league level until […]

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Calling the Pen: There was wisdom in Palmer’s suggestion for Albernaz

I’ve been fortunate to have good doctors throughout my life, and that includes the dentists, even though it concerned me when they removed my wisdom teeth. There was one visit I regretted, though, and it had nothing to do with what happened in the dentist chair. I had an appointment on October 6th, 1966. I […]

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Throwback to 1991: Orioles in the Dominican Republic

I went there to write about the Orioles’ scouting efforts. It was an unforgettable trip. This post includes an audiobook-style reading of my award-winning article. (Note from John: In 1991, the Baltimore Sun sent me to the Dominican Republic to write about the Orioles’ scouting efforts there. It was among the most memorable and poignant […]

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Calling the Pen: Chourio’s clutch hit for Brewers is his Delmon Young moment; Small ball big for Rays

The stadium was shaking, maybe more than it ever did before. The hit was clutch, and perhaps a bit unexpected. October 4th, 2026 in Milwaukee? Or October 3rd, 2014 in Baltimore? In both cases, the fans celebrated in a way that won’t be forgotten. The postseason produces moments that outshine those that happen in the […]

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Why do Orioles have to pay Gunnar Henderson such a large salary in 2027? | MAILBAG

Question: Are sports one of the only “businesses” [maybe tech, finance or auto CEO?] where you can perform poorly and still get a massive raise?  I’m thinking especially of Henderson with the jump from $8.5 to $14.1 million, but some other O’s players fit this category as well.  And someone gets a raise even without […]

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Blink 21–These players were Orioles for a short time in 2026

The Orioles used 60 players this season, 10 fewer than last season’s record of 70. That’s still a lot of turnover. Twenty-one of those 60, more than a third, had bit roles, position players who appeared in fewer than 20 games or pitchers who threw in six games or fewer. A handful of those 21 […]

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How many games would Orioles have won without Alonso? | MAILBAG

Question: I’m a fan since 1954. No matter what Pete Alonso’s final WAR is, his impact on the team in addition to his stats leads to this question: Without Pete, would the O’s have won any more than 60-65 games this season? From: Neal Myerberg, Old Greenwich, Connecticut Answer: Neal, as you may know, I […]

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Orioles’ Beavers knows he must be better in 2027

One of the many mysteries of the 2026 season was the failure of outfielder Dylan Beavers to capitalize on his impressive final six weeks of 2025. Beavers remained a rookie this season, and while his batting average was roughly the same (.226 in 2025, .227 this year), his on-base percentage plummeted. In 2025, Beavers played […]

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Calling the Pen: Rough series for Rutschman, Red Sox, but the Yankees look strong

Before the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees meet in their best-of-five American League Division Series, which is really the AL East Series, I wanted to review what happened to the Boston Red Sox in their wild-card series against the Yankees that served as the first AL East elimination round. My wife, Barb, asked […]

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Orioles’ Henderson could be in line for $14.1 million salary in 2027

Gunnar Henderson had the worst statistical season of his career, hitting .226 with a .715 OPS, 24 home runs and 60 RBIs. Henderson, who made $8.5 million is in line for a handsome raise to $14.1 million in his second season of arbitration eligibility according to MLBTradeRumors.com The Orioles have seven arbitration-eligible players, and two […]

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Peter Schmuck: Welcome to an offseason that is riddled with Orioles uncertainty

I think we all know which areas the Orioles need to improve upon during what figures to be an unpredictable offseason. All of them. OK, maybe we can assume that at least one of the team’s rehabbing closers will be ready to open the season next March, but you know what happens when you assume. […]

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Was Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson’s absence from spring training a factor in his 2026 underperformance?

Question: How much difference does a full uninterrupted spring training make to a player? I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Gunnar Henderson has had two subpar years when not having a full spring training — 2025 due to injury and this year due to the World Baseball Classic. From: @therealmuncie Answer: Graham, I think […]

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Impressive in relief, Orioles will try De León as a starter next spring

As they do every year, the Orioles will be looking for additional starting pitchers over the offseason. One contender hasn’t made a major league start but was impressive in his eight September relief appearances with the Orioles. Left-hander Luis De León is the team’s No. 7 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, and was 0-2 with […]

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What do Orioles need to avoid a 3rd straight losing season in 2027? | MAILBAG

Question: Now that the Orioles completed another season, what should we do with another second-to-last-place season? Ugh.Regards. From: Connie Z. Harrisburg, PA Answer: Connie, I think the Orioles need help in several areas to contend in 2027. Assuming Trevor Rogers and Chris Bassitt are gone, they’ll need another starter or two. They might audition Luis […]

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Checking into 2026 Orioles’ injuries; New area to open in upper left-field stands

Near the end of the Orioles’ media session reviewing the 2026 season, there was a question about Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson’s playing through a right wrist injury. After president of baseball operations Mike Elias lauded Henderson, who missed only three games during the season, he talked again about an issue that’s hurt the team in […]

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Elias, Albernaz discuss Henderson’s injury, dealing with Oriole owners, pitching, 2027

Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias and manager Craig Albernaz met with the media on Monday to discuss the 2026 season. Here are excerpts from the session: Elias on Gunnar Henderson’s sore right wrist: “Well, it certainly never helps when you’re fighting through something. Credit to Gunnar, he stayed out on the field all […]

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Will Trevor Rogers return to Orioles? | MAILBAG

Question: Rich, I don’t know why Trevor Rogers hasn’t been extended. From what I’ve read, he wants to return to Baltimore. Do you know anything that the fans don’t know?  Do you think he’ll be back? From: Steve Inge  Answer: Steve, I don’t know why Trevor Rogers hasn’t been extended, either. As I’ve written many […]

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Calling the Pen: Elias starts the Orioles’ offseason with an error

One day into the offseason, Mike Elias is off to a bad start — one he should have avoided. At Monday’s end-of-season news conference, the Orioles’ president of baseball operations was asked about 28-year-old left-handed starter Trevor Rogers, who is likely to pursue the free-agent market after saying repeatedly that he’d like to stay in […]

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Elias on Orioles’ 2nd consecutive losing season: ‘It’s a very bitter feeling’

BALTIMORE—With the Orioles’ second consecutive losing season concluded, president of baseball operations Mike Elias is faced with the likelihood of a shortened offseason to make changes to the team. “It’s a very bitter feeling, especially doing this two years in a row,” Elias said at the Orioles’ end of season news conference on Monday. Elias […]

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A wonderful season for Alonso in a challenging season for Orioles

NEW YORK—One of the great seasons in Orioles’ history is over. Not a great season for the team, but a wonderful season for Pete Alonso. Alonso finished with 43 home runs, tied with Rafael Palmeiro for eighth most in team history. He had 113 RBIs, the most by an Oriole since Chris Davis’ 117 in […]

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Was Alonso’s signing the best one in Orioles’ history? | MAILBAG

Question: Given what he’s done in year one and off the field, do you think Pete Alonso ranks among the best signings in team history? Or where do you think it ranks? From: Mark Brodinsky Answer: Mark, that’s an interesting question. For the first year, it’s been an outstanding signing. The best comparison to it […]

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Orioles season is over after final game with Yankees is rained out

NEW YORK—After waiting nearly three hours, the Orioles-Yankees game was rained out. Since the game will not be made up, the Orioles end the season with a 79-82 record. The game was originally scheduled to be played at 3:20 p.m., but because of an unfavorable forecast, the start time was moved up to 1:05 p.m. […]

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Orioles-Yankees still hope to play; Cairo on Henderson; O’s lineup

NEW YORK—The Orioles and New York Yankees are still scheduled to play their 162nd and final game of the 2026 season. Originally, the game was supposed to begin at 3:20 pm, but due to the unfavorable weather forecast, the starting time was moved up to 1:05 p.m. Rain continues to fall and the tarp remained […]

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Henderson on Orioles’ season: ‘A failed year for us’

NEW YORK—Gunnar Henderson didn’t play in the second game of Friday night’s doubleheader against the Yankees — just the third game he didn’t play this season. After the postgame interviews were concluded, Henderson walked back into the clubhouse and agreed to discuss his disappointing 2026 season with a handful of Oriole reporters. This interview has […]

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Due to heavy rain forecast, Orioles-Yankees game on Sunday will start at 1:05 p.m.

NEW YORK—The Orioles game on Sunday with the New York Yankees will start at 1:05 p.m. instead of the originally scheduled 3:20 p.m. start. Heavy rain is forecast for Sunday, but after consulting with Major League Baseball, the game will start earlier. The Yankees said that the game time changed was “due to current forecast […]

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