Elias confirms club is targeting pitching after landing the biggest free agent bat of the winter.
The Baltimore Orioles just pulled off the biggest free-agent signing in franchise history when they landed first baseman Pete Alonso on a five-year, $155 million deal.
Despite that massive commitment, Elias says the club is far from done and has more spending on the way.
Elias Reveals Orioles' Spending Plans
Speaking to reporters at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Elias made it clear that the Alonso signing does not cap Baltimore's offseason moves.
"We do have room for multiple more moves," Elias said. "Trust me, we've offered them a lot."
The comments suggest the Orioles are serious about adding a frontline starting pitcher to pair with their newly acquired power bat, and that they have already been aggressive in pursuing top arms on the market.
Baltimore began the 2025 season with a $160 million payroll and currently sits at an estimated $118 million according to FanGraphs, which means there is significant flexibility for the front office to make another splash before Opening Day.
A Shocking Winter for Baltimore
The Alonso signing caught many around baseball by surprise given the Orioles' history of avoiding big-money free-agent deals.
Alonso slashed .272/.347/.524 with 38 home runs and 126 RBI for the Mets in 2025, earning his fifth All-Star selection and his first Silver Slugger award.
His power bat gives the Orioles a much-needed middle-of-the-order presence after they finished 75-87 last season and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
The deal also signals a change in philosophy under owner David Rubenstein, who took over the franchise before the 2024 season and has given Elias the green light to spend in ways the previous ownership group never did.
Who Are the Orioles Targeting on the Mound?
With Alonso now in the fold, reports have linked Baltimore to several top pitchers in free agency and on the trade market.
Among the names connected to the Orioles are left-hander Framber Valdez, who went 13-11 with a 3.66 ERA and 192 innings pitched for the Astros in 2025, and fellow southpaw Ranger Suárez, who posted a 12-8 record with a 3.20 ERA across 157.1 innings for the Phillies.
Both pitchers offer the kind of durability and consistency the Orioles desperately need in their rotation heading into 2026.
Baltimore has also been linked to free agents like Michael King and Zac Gallen, while trade targets such as Miami's Edward Cabrera have emerged as possibilities.
The Rebuild Reaches a New Phase
The Orioles are coming off a tough season in which injuries derailed what many expected to be another playoff run.
Despite having young stars like shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who hit .274 with 17 home runs and 68 RBI in 2025, and catcher Adley Rutschman, Baltimore lacked the pitching depth and lineup punch to compete in a loaded American League East.
Adding Alonso addresses the lineup concerns, and now the focus shifts entirely to the rotation.
If Elias can land one of those frontline arms he has been pursuing, the Orioles could vault back into contention in a hurry.