Baltimore Orioles Must Make One Final Move This MLB Offseason

The 2024 MLB offseason was a forgetful one for GM Mike Elias and the Baltimore Orioles.

Instead of investing in top of the rotation starters or top of the lineup bats, Elias elected to go for quantity over quality. 

Elias failed to retain key free agents like Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander, and instead elected to create them in the aggregate, rather than offer them more money. 

Baltimore would kick start their offseason by signing outfielder Tyler O'Neill to a three-year, $49.5 million dollar contract. Unfortunately for Baltimore, that contract would backfire as O'Neill only appeared in 54 games and had a sub .200 batting average in 2025. Luckily for Baltimore, Santander also only appeared in 54 games for his new club, the Toronto Blue Jays. 

Elias elected to bring in veteran pitchers instead of acquiring a younger, top of the rotation arm. 

Baltimore would sign 41 year-old starter Charlie Morton to a one-year, $15 million dollar contract, and 36 year-old Japanese ace Tomoyuki Sugano to a one-year, $13 million dollar contract. 

Just like the O'Neill signing, both of these moves weren't ... great. 

Morton would appear in 23 games for Baltimore, while starting in 17 of them where he posted a 5.42 ERA in 101.1 innings before being traded to the Detroit Tigers at the trade deadline. 

Sugano posted a 4.64 ERA and 106 strikeouts over 157 innings for Baltimore. 

Baltimore would eventually flunk out of playoff contention by late August, and a large part of it was due to Elias' failures as a GM. 

However, Elias has done a complete 180 this offseason, signing MLB superstars to elevate the roster and championship window. 

Baltimore brought in All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso on a five-year deal, 2024 Reliever of the Year award winner Ryan Helsley, traded for 30+ home-run bat Taylor Ward and starting pitcher Shane Baz. 

Now, all Elias needs to do it sign ONE top of the rotation starting pitcher, and this Baltimore Orioles squad can compete for a World Series. 

Baltimore has been linked to free agent starting pitcher Framber Valdez, who is rumored to be waiting for a significant contract. However, many believe that Valdez will have to settle for a short-term, high annual value deal -- something that Baltimore could seriously benefit from. 

A majority of ball cubs aren't in a position to give Valdez a multi-year contract with $35 million dollars a year, but Baltimore can. 

If Baltimore were to sign Valdez on a three-year, let's say $105 million dollar deal with opt-outs, that would give Baltimore a bonafide top of the rotation arm that they haven't had since Burnes. 

A legitimate top of the rotation arm wouldn't just bring Baltimore back to the playoffs, but could help regain the title of AL East champs.