Elias: "Our rotation's a lot better than it was before we made the trade, but I view it as a move in this offseason. We've been looking for moves, and when we find 1 that we like, we've been doing it. We'll continue to take that approach. ... We're going to stay hard at work."

Mike Elias says the "path remains open" for playing time for Coby Mayo on a crowded Orioles roster. Elias said there are 1B reps, DH reps and the "exploration" of other positions (back to 3B, corner OF) is something team has kept in mind during his development.

Orioles POBO/GM Mike Elias on the prospect package sent to Rays in exchange for Shane Baz: "Obviously, we ponied up for this deal." Elias called it "largest buy-side trade" done in his tenure, and the reasoning is because it was a controllable starting pitcher of high caliber.

Mike Elias said he views Shane Baz as frontline starter with potential to be a top-of-the-rotation arm for Orioles. However, asked if he views it as the big rotation move for the offseason, Elias said it's "a move" and that O's remain "hard at work" while trying to upgrade team.

Rays POBO Erik Neander said in a call with Tampa media tonight that he feels “very, very strongly” that best of Shane Baz is right in front of him and that Orioles must agree based on acquisition price. More from Neander on trade (courtesy of MLB dot com’s Adam Berry):

Trade is official. Orioles DFA'd LHP Josh Walker to make room for Baz on the 40-man roster.

Orioles' Major League acquisitions so far this offseason: Rotation: RHP Shane Baz Bullpen: RHP Ryan Helsley RHP Andrew Kittredge Position players: 1B Pete Alonso OF Taylor Ward OF Leody Taveras

The Orioles have a new starting pitcher for their rotation. A trade with the Rays is bringing RHP Shane Baz to Baltimore and sending a hefty package of prospects to Tampa Bay (per source): www.mlb.com/orioles/news...

An important note: Shane Baz in 2025 at Steinbrenner Field: 5.90 ERA in 82 1/3 innings Baz on the road in 2025: 3.86 ERA in 84 innings

Shane Baz finally put together a full, healthy season with Rays in 2025. He's coming to the Orioles with 3 years of control ('26, '27, '28). 5-pitch mix, including a 4-seam fastball that averaged 97 mph last season and maxed out at 100.4. Some solid stuff, also room to grow.

Orioles acquiring RHP Shane Baz in a trade with Rays, according to a source. OF Slater de Brun, C Caden Bodine, RHP Michael Forret, OF Austin Overn and a Competitive Balance Round A Draft pick is return for TB. @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social was first on it. ESPN’s Jeff Passan first on full return.

Big Al is back: www.mlb.com/orioles/news...

Orioles also announced that C Maverick Handley cleared outright waivers and has been assigned to Triple-A Norfolk. INF Willy Vasquez also agreed to terms on a 2026 Minor League deal, per O's.

Orioles announce they have agreed to terms with RHP Albert Suárez on a 2026 Minor League contract. Suárez, 36, returns to the O's after being non-tendered on Nov. 21. He had a 3.59 ERA in 37 games (25 starts) for Baltimore the past 2 seasons.

Orioles announce that C Drew Romo has been claimed off waivers by the Mets. O's had claimed the 24-year-old Romo off waivers from the Rockies on Dec. 5, then DFA'd him on Dec. 10.

Orioles’ introductory press conference for Pete Alonso will be tomorrow at 4 p.m. ET. Will be streamed live on Orioles.com and O’s Facebook and YouTube channel and will also air live on MASN.

The Orioles’ signing of 1B Pete Alonso is now official. C Maverick Handley was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

The Pirates select RHP Carter Baumier in the Rule 5 Draft. Former Orioles prospect

The Orioles now have 3 right-handed-hitting first basemen -- Pete Alonso, Ryan Mountcastle, Coby Mayo. They also have catcher Samuel Basallo, who was expected to get some time at first base. Will be interesting to see what moves are made from here and how this all shakes out.

Orioles are signing slugging first baseman Pete Alonso to a 5-year, $155 million deal (pending physical), according to a source. ESPN's Jeff Passan was on it first. Huge move by the O's to bring the Polar Bear to Baltimore.

This will be the earliest the Orioles have picked in an MLB Draft since taking Jackson Holliday at No. 1 in 2022. It’ll be their 4th time at No. 7. The previous three: LHP Chris Myers (1987), LHP Chris Smith (2001), OF Nick Markakis (2003).

The Orioles had the 4th-best odds at the No. 1 pick. Instead, they did not receive 1 of the 6 lottery picks.

The Orioles have received the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft Lottery

Former Orioles players Charles Johnson (Marlins), Brett Phillips (Rays), Harold Baines (White Sox) also among the MLB Draft Lottery representatives.

Former outfielder Mike Devereaux will be representing the Orioles in the MLB Draft Lottery here at the Winter Meetings

Craig Albernaz's early conversations with Orioles players generated a similar theme. And they have helped the first-year manager develop his plan for Spring Training 2026. "We’re going to attack the small things. We’re going to attack the fundamentals." www.mlb.com/orioles/news...

Mike Elias said today the Orioles are talking to “a whole bunch of hitters.” They’re willing to accommodate the roster for good players. Perhaps a player like Pete Alonso? The latest on the O’s/Alonso buzz and the pursuit of an impact bat from Orlando: www.mlb.com/orioles/news...

Mike Elias said Orioles have enough payroll flexbility to still add a frontline starter as well as a top hitter this offseason

Mike Elias said Orioles are talking to “a whole bunch” of free-agent hitters in their efforts to improve team. Position doesn’t matter too much. “If the player’s good enough, we can figure out ways to accommodate them.”

Craig Albernaz said his Orioles’ coaching staff is pretty much done, though there could be room for 1 additional hire

How does Craig Albernaz feel about the way the 2026 Orioles are shaping up? “I feel great about it. We have a great young core, and we have some really good veteran pieces around it. … I feel very good.”

ORLANDO —

MLB’s Winter Meetings are almost here again, with baseball executives, agents, media members and more arriving in Orlando throughout today. The Orioles will continue to work on their roster. And the clear top priority at the moment? Starting pitching. www.mlb.com/orioles/news...

1B/OF Ryan Noda was DFA’d to make room for yesterday’s waiver claims. The Orioles’ 40-man roster is now full.

Orioles claimed C Drew Romo off waivers from the Rockies, who announced the transaction. Romo, 24, was selected by Colorado with No. 35 overall pick in 2020 Draft. Played 19 games for Rox over past 2 seasons.

Orioles have claimed OF Will Robertson off waivers from the Pirates, according to a source. Robertson, 27, made his MLB debut for Blue Jays in 2025, was their 4th-round Draft pick in ‘19. Also played for White Sox this year. Had been claimed off waivers by Pirates on Oct. 13.

Ryan Helsley had plenty of options to weigh in free agency. He could start. He could close. He had a wide array of suitors. In the end, Helsley chose Baltimore, where he's prepared to serve as the Orioles' closer to open 2026. "I’m glad to be here.” www.mlb.com/orioles/news...

Ryan Helsley said the issues he had with pitch tipping last year have been "ironed out." He doesn't expect it to be an issue moving forward, and he believes the experience of going through it will help him in the future.

Ryan Helsley said rumors of teams having interest in him as a starter were "definitely real." He told his agents he could be open to it. Detroit was in on him as a starter. However, Helsley said he "weighed options and risks" and "didn't line up" for him at this point in career.

Ryan Helsley said he talked to Andrew Kittredge, Tyler O'Neill, Dylan Carlson, Jack Flaherty, Kyle Gibson about Orioles. "All the stuff I heard and all the positive feedback I got helped make this decision easy."

In a Zoom call with reporters, Ryan Helsley said the Orioles talked to him about being their closer in 2026. Helsley said other teams he spoke to also had closer openings. But he liked the opportunity in Baltimore and had heard good things from former teammates who played here.

Orioles have agreed to terms with LHP Andrew Magno on a 2026 Minor League deal. Magno, 27, was Tigers’ 15th-round pick in 2019 Draft, has spent entire pro career in their organization. Had a 5.60 ERA in 44 Triple-A relief appearances from 2022-24, spent ‘25 in Double-A.

The Orioles’ signing of Ryan Helsley is now official

Potential Orioles bullpen to open the 2026 season, as roster currently stands: RHP Ryan Helsley (closer) RHP Andrew Kittredge LHP Keegan Akin RHP Yennier Cano LHP Dietrich Enns RHP Rico Garcia RHP Kade Strowd LHP Grant Wolfram More moves could be on the way, of course.

The Orioles appear to have their closer for 2026, as the start to their aggressive offseason continued Saturday afternoon. Baltimore has agreed with Ryan Helsley on a two-year deal worth $28 million, sources confirmed to mlb.com. Story: www.mlb.com/orioles/news...

Orioles are hiring Mike Shildt as upper level coordinator of instruction, per source, with Samuel Vega becoming lower level coordinator of instruction. Shildt has previously been manager of Cardinals (2018-21) and Padres (2024-25). @rochkubatko.bsky.social on it first.

Taylor Ward said he spoke with new Orioles manager Craig Albernaz and new hitting coach Dustin Lind on the night of the trade. Ward called them "fiery guys." Excited to work with both both in Baltimore in 2026.

Taylor Ward on joining Orioles: "Just excited to step in and help produce in that lineup. ... This team's definitely capable of making a deep playoff run, and I'm excited to join that."

Orioles announce that INF Luis Vázquez cleared outright waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk

Mike Elias also said he believes these logjams will "sort itself out." Noted how important depth is (as Orioles have learned) and how they didn't want to discard a good hitter (which they believe Ryan Mountcastle still can be). His full comment on the topic: