SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Orioles’ massive new player development facility has opened and is in use. Pitchers and catchers (as well as some other position players) have reported to the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The first workout will take place Wednesday.
Spring Training 2026 is underway in sunny Sarasota.
As part of the Grapefruit League’s virtual media day on Tuesday, Baltimore president of baseball operations Mike Elias held a 20-minute session to answer questions. It was his first time doing so since mid-December, so there was plenty to ask, including some of the most pressing topics facing his team at the start of camp.
Let’s dive into Elias’ answers to the three most notable questions.
1. Will there still be another starting pitcher acquired?
Seemingly everyone in the baseball world has been waiting to see whether the Orioles bring in one more starter to join their rotation mix. The options on the free-agent market are beginning to dwindle, especially with both Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander signing with the Tigers.
But Elias wasn’t ready to declare his starting-pitching landscape as set quite yet.
“We’re staying plugged in with both the trade and the free-agent markets, as all teams are as we ease into camp,” Elias said. “So there’s still a possibility for external [additions]. But I think that our rotation is very strong and very talented.”
The O’s are expecting big things out of right-hander Shane Baz, who was acquired in a trade with the Rays on Dec. 19. The 26-year-old may not have reached anywhere near his ceiling yet.
“Shane Baz’s upside is a Cy Young Award winner,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “Shane’s a competitor, and he’s a great worker. And so, with those two ingredients, it’s really tough to bet against a kid like that.”
Still, it would certainly help for Baltimore to add somebody like Zac Gallen or Chris Bassitt (both currently free agents) to further fortify this group.
2. Is the bullpen strong enough to compete as is?
While some Orioles fans have concerns about the depth of the rotation, others are worried about the composition of the bullpen. The only three locks for the group are new closer Ryan Helsley, right-hander Andrew Kittredge and left-hander Keegan Akin.
The other five spots will be filled from a group that no longer includes righty Kade Strowd, who was traded to the D-backs in exchange for utility man Blaze Alexander last Thursday. The candidates will feature less-proven arms, bounce-back candidates and potentially converted starters who don’t make the rotation.
But Elias didn’t sound concerned, nor does it seem like he’ll make a major move to trade for a reliever. (The free-agent bullpen market has thinned considerably.)
“I think that we’ve got a very strong bullpen,” Elias said, “and I think we have a demonstrated ability with our pitching program and our pitching coaches to bring in guys from the outside, hopefully coach them up a little bit and continue to improve players. So I think the bullpen is going to be very good.”
It leaves open the possibility for under-the-radar arms such as right-handers Anthony Nunez and Cameron Foster to have strong camps for Baltimore and potentially make the bullpen.
3. Coby Mayo is still on this team. How does he fit?
The Orioles head into camp with three first basemen -- Pete Alonso, Ryan Mountcastle and Mayo. Despite Alonso signing a five-year, $155 million deal on Dec. 11, Mountcastle nor Mayo was moved, despite both seemingly being prime trade chips.
Mayo came up through the Minor Leagues as a third baseman, but the 24-year-old is better at first, where he moved full-time in the big leagues last year.
What is the likelihood Mayo moves around a bit this spring? Is work in the corner outfield -- long tossed around as a possibility for him -- finally something that could come to fruition?
“Yeah, I think that that’s something that we’re planning on talking about with Coby, but also with the coaching staff here, and I do expect it,” Elias said. “We’re going to see him at places other than first base. But first base will continue to be something that we’re emphasizing with him, and you’ll see him there as well.”
It could be tricky for the O’s to find any time at first for Mayo, with catcher Samuel Basallo (who can also play the position) in the mix as well. And it’s not a given that Mayo (who has one Minor League option remaining) will break camp with the team. So his status will be something to monitor throughout camp.