The stove in Baltimore isn't just hot. It’s basically glowing red.
If you told a fan three years ago that the Orioles would be outbidding the big dogs for a $155 million first baseman while simultaneously chasing Hall of Fame arms in January, they’d have asked what was in your water. But here we are. The latest oriole news and rumors have the Birdland faithful checking their phones every ten minutes, waiting for the other shoe—or the next ace—to drop.
David Rubenstein’s era has officially deleted the "budget" excuses of the past. Honestly, it’s refreshing. We’ve seen Pete Alonso land a massive five-year deal, and the trade for Shane Baz proves Mike Elias isn't afraid to ship out prospects when the window is wide open. But the job isn't done. The rotation still feels a bit like a high-stakes Jenga tower.
Why Justin Verlander is Suddenly the Name to Watch
Late last night, Ken Rosenthal dropped a report that sent Twitter into a tailspin: the Orioles are officially in on Justin Verlander.
Yes, he’s 43.
Yes, the upside isn't what it was when he was winning Cy Youngs in Detroit or Houston. But let’s look at the numbers. He threw 152 innings for the Giants last year with a 3.85 ERA. His swinging strike rate actually increased to 11%. For a team that saw its starters post a collective 4.65 ERA in 2025—ranking near the bottom of the league—that kind of stability is gold.
Verlander is the ultimate "bridge" guy. The O's are banking on Kyle Bradish coming back strong from Tommy John, but you can't bet the whole season on a ligament.
Verlander doesn't want a five-year deal. He wants to win and get paid for one or two seasons. That fits the Elias mold perfectly. He’s the fallback if the Framber Valdez sweepstakes get too rich, but calling a future Hall of Famer a "fallback" feels a little dirty, doesn't it?
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The Framber Valdez vs. Ranger Suarez Fallout
Speaking of Valdez, the market just got weird.
Earlier this week, the Boston Red Sox swooped in and grabbed Ranger Suarez for $130 million. It hurt. Suarez was high on the Orioles' wishlist because of his left-handedness and postseason grit. Now that he’s gone, Framber Valdez is the last true "ace" standing on the free-agent market.
Reports from the Baltimore Banner suggest the O’s are still very much "in" on Valdez. But it’s a dogfight with the Mets.
If the Orioles sign Valdez, it likely pushes the 2026 payroll past the $160 million mark. That’s uncharted territory for this franchise. But with the Red Sox and Yankees loading up, can they afford to stay quiet?
The rotation currently looks like this:
- Zach Eflin (Back on a $10M deal, reliable but injury-prone)
- Shane Baz (Elite talent, needs consistency)
- Kyle Bradish (The wildcard returning from surgery)
- Trevor Rogers (Solid 2025, but was in Triple-A last May)
- Dean Kremer (Inconsistent, could be a long-man/trade bait)
That's a lot of "ifs." Adding Valdez turns that group from "okay" to "dangerous."
The Ryan Mountcastle Trade Rumor That Won't Die
You've probably noticed Ryan Mountcastle is still here.
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Most experts thought he’d be gone by Christmas. Instead, the Orioles signed him to a one-year, $6.878 million deal to avoid arbitration, and they even threw in a club option for 2027.
This was a genius chess move.
By adding that option, the front office gave Mountcastle "cost certainty." If a team like the Cincinnati Reds or Cleveland Guardians wants a power hitter, they now know exactly what he costs for the next two years. He isn't just a rental anymore; he’s an asset. With Pete Alonso taking over first base and Samuel Basallo's bat screaming for MLB playing time, Mountcastle is essentially a luxury the Orioles are ready to swap for pitching depth.
The Waiver Wire "Stash" Game
If you want to know why the Orioles are the most annoying team in the league for opposing GMs, look at the Marco Luciano/José Suarez swap.
On January 15, the O's claimed lefty José Suarez off waivers from the Braves. To make room, they DFA’ed Marco Luciano. This is what fans call the "waiver churn."
Elias is basically playing a game of hot potato with the 40th spot on the roster. They claim talented guys who are out of options, wait for a quiet window when other teams are busy with arbitration or big signings, and then try to sneak those players through waivers to "stash" them in Triple-A Norfolk.
It’s how they built one of the deepest systems in baseball. They don't just draft well; they scavenge better than anyone else.
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What’s Next: Actionable Steps for the Front Office
The next three weeks are the most critical of the Mike Elias era.
First, they have to decide if they're willing to go to a fifth year for Framber Valdez. If the Mets offer six, the O's should probably pivot immediately to a trade for someone like Freddy Peralta or MacKenzie Gore.
Second, watch the international market. The Orioles just landed a massive haul led by shortstop Jose Luis Acevedo, signing five of the top 100 international prospects. This keeps the "pipeline" moving even as they trade away older prospects for win-now talent.
Finally, the Sam Huff signing on a minor league deal is a sneaky good move for catcher depth behind Adley Rutschman. It's the little things that win divisions.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season:
- Finalize the Top-of-Rotation Arm: Whether it’s Verlander or Valdez, the O’s need a guy who can start Game 1 of a playoff series.
- Execute the Mountcastle Trade: Use the newly created contract certainty to land a high-leverage relief arm or a mid-rotation starter.
- Monitor the Bullpen: With Ryan Helsley in the fold, the back end is set, but they need one more veteran "bridge" to get to him.
The window isn't just open—the house is gone and the foundation is ready for a trophy. The rumors are swirling for a reason: the Orioles are finally acting like a big-market powerhouse.
By the time pitchers and catchers report on February 11, expect at least one more "blockbuster" headline to hit the wires in Baltimore. This team isn't just looking to compete; they're looking to dominate.