Baltimore Orioles Outfield Named Weakest Link in MLB Offseason

One of the Baltimore Orioles' biggest needs on paper is the starting rotation, especially with Trevor Rogers entering free agency. However, Jim Bowden believes the outfield is the biggest hole on the roster.

The former MLB general manager and current writer for The Athletic identified the Orioles' outfield as the weakest part of the team heading into the offseason earlier this week. It's easy to understand why.

Colton Cowser is the best of the unit and that is not a compliment to the group. He hit .226 with 13 home runs and a .687 OPS in 142 games. There is some offensive potential there, but potential and production are different things, and Baltimore needs the latter.

Tyler O’Neill appeared in just 85 games in another injury-filled season and hit .212 with 10 home runs and a .677 OPS. Availability has been a persistent issue throughout his career and 2026 was more of the same. He also has not performed in the batter's box for two seasons now. Dylan Beavers batted .228 with nine home runs and a .680 OPS in 104 games. He is still developing, which means he is not a solution yet. 

The defensive numbers back up Bowden's concern. Baltimore's outfielders posted minus-13 defensive runs saved, meaning their collective defensive contribution was below average.

The group committed 16 errors across 4,309 innings. Neither number is catastrophic, but neither is acceptable for a team trying to close the gap and compete for a division title.

The front office is already operating with an open-roster mentality this winter. As Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner reported, president of baseball operations Mike Elias and general manager Jared Banner are willing to listen to trade offers for most of the roster as they look to reshape the club.

The outfield is the most obvious place to start. Christian Encarnacion-Strand provides some extra depth on the infield, as well as Coby Mayo and both could be moved for an outfielder.

One name worth monitoring is Luis Robert Jr. The 29-year-old center fielder spent three games with Baltimore at the end of the season after the Orioles acquired him from the New York Mets.

The club declined his $20 million club option, making him a free agent. Still, that brief stint gives both sides familiarity, and a reunion on a prove-it deal makes sense. He could provide power and above-average defense in center, addressing both the offensive and defensive concerns in one move. That is a big if, though. His tenure in Baltimore was a disaster considering he got injured almost immediately.

The Orioles have the pieces to reshape this outfield. Whether Elias and Banner prioritize it over the rotation or find a way to address both will define the winter.