The Orioles have questions to answer ahead of the upcoming season.
The Baltimore Orioles fell short of their expectations in 2025. Is 2026 destined to be a bounce back season for the O's? Only time will tell, but this is a ball club with some questions heading into the new season.
Here are three questions for the Orioles with spring training right around the corner.
Framber Valdez? Zac Gallen?
The Orioles lineup may be among the best in baseball. Adding at least one more starting pitcher should be a priority, however.
The trade for Shane Baz was pivotal, but it did not solve all of Baltimore's rotation uncertainty. The Orioles have been connected to Framber Valdez in free agency rumors, and Zac Gallen also remains available on the open market.
Signing one of them would drastically improve the Orioles' all-around 2026 outlook.
Catcher of the Future?
Adley Rutschman? Samuel Basallo?
Sure, there's a world where both backstops are on the roster in 2026. Rutschman will start behind the dish with Basallo handling designated hitter duties while serving as a backup for Rutschman. That strategy likely is not the long-term goal, however.
Rutschman and Basallo may find themselves competing for the role of the Orioles' catcher of the future in 2026. Rutschman had a down '25 campaign but he's one of the best backstops in baseball when he is on top of his game. Meanwhile, Basallo is one of the highest regarded prospects in the sport.
Who is the Orioles' catcher of the future? It is a question that may get answered this year.
How Good is the Orioles' Core?
The O's have been lauded for their impressive core of players in recent years. Yet, 2025 saw Baltimore finish in last place in the American League East with a 75-87 record. It was a season that probably should have seen the team's core of players come together and make another postseason push, but expectations clearly were not met.
So, is this core actually that talented? Is there reason to believe that things will not work out and the O's will have to go back to the drawing board?
Well, it is obviously too early to give up right now. With that being said, another forgettable season could lead to difficult decisions for the Orioles. They have made an effort to surround their young core of players with reliable veterans, so perhaps the balance will lead to an overall rebound performance from the team.