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BALTIMORE -- Many of Mike Elias’ comments during the General Managers Meetings last week in Las Vegas pertained to what the Orioles need to do this offseason. The club’s president of baseball operations discussed payroll, his wish list and the free-agent/trade markets. But Elias also fielded questions related to the construction of Baltimore’s roster as things stand. Here are three notable topics that were asked about players already on the O’s, along with Elias’ responses and further analysis. How will Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo split the catching workload in 2026? Elias’ answer: “As we’re going into it now, [Basallo] is kind of the second catcher on the team. So if we’re talking full health, I think Adley will be back there as much as he and we are willing to do that. Obviously, that’s not seven days a week. If the number’s four or five or whatever, I don’t know. But Adley’s our primary guy. I thought Sam caught really well after his callup, and he’s also a really good first baseman and we think the bat’s going to really come on. So how that all plays out over the next few years, I can’t predict. But as we’re going into the season for planning, we’re penciling Sam in as the No. 2 catcher. But he’s going to hopefully get a lot of at-bats, more at-bats than a No. 2 catcher would because of the catching innings, the first-base innings and the DH innings.” Analysis: Since Basallo signed an eight-year, $67 million extension in August, there’s been a lot of speculation about whether the Orioles would consider trading Rutschman. But Elias has stated multiple times since then that Baltimore is happy to have both in the fold at the moment. Rutschman is aiming to rebound next season, and the O’s continue to believe in the 27-year-old. The club will gladly keep the 2019 No. 1 overall Draft pick as its primary backstop and find multiple ways to get playing time for Basallo (Baltimore's No. 1 prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 7 overall). |
Can first basemen Ryan Mountcastle and Coby Mayo -- along with Basallo -- coexist on the same roster? Elias’ answer: “Well, I think right now, it can work right now. We’ve got DH reps. Basallo is going to catch. And you need more than one first baseman, so that fits. But if and when we make acquisitions this winter that start to command or occupy more DH reps -- if not first base itself -- we’re going to have to figure out ways to make room for that. That hasn’t happened yet, but it’s something that we’ve got to be mindful of if we’re going to import players that are going to require a lot of reps at first base or DH.” Analysis: It continues to feel like Mountcastle is a trade chip who may instead get non-tendered prior to Friday’s 8 p.m. ET non-tender deadline if a deal doesn’t materialize by then. The 28-year-old’s offensive production has dipped in recent years as he’s struggled to stay healthy, and he’s set to be a free agent after next season. The 23-year-old Mayo and the 21-year-old Basallo could work as a platoon at first. Mayo showed great strides both offensively and defensively in 2025, so it could be his time to get a full run as the starting first baseman. But Elias alluded to the fact that Baltimore could seek ways to upgrade its lineup. Whatever happens from here, Mountcastle is most likely to be the odd man out of this group. |
How much can be expected out of Grayson Rodriguez next season? Elias’ answer: “You miss a year and two months and we’ve got to be realistic about that, it’s not something that we’re planning around very heavily. But he’s a guy that provides a real wild card for us talent-wise. Very, very hopeful and optimistic with where he is. But we’ve just got to be respectful of the fact that this guy hasn’t pitched since August 2024, and planning around that is something that we’ve got to hedge against. But it would be awesome to have him show up and pitch for us the way that he’s capable of, and I think there’s a really good chance that that happens.” Analysis: It makes a lot of sense for the Orioles to build a strong rotation (with considerable depth) and then hope they can get as much as they can from Rodriguez, who missed all of the 2025 season due to elbow/lat injuries. Baltimore can’t bank on the 26-year-old right-hander logging a ton of innings near the top of the rotation. Rodriguez has a ton of potential, but his health has prevented him from bursting into the top tier of starting pitchers. Maybe the O’s will get a bit creative when it comes to how they use him while getting the 2018 first-round Draft pick reacclimated to pitching in the big leagues. The good news is that Rodriguez is currently throwing and is expected to be full-go for the beginning of Spring Training. He’ll need to stay healthy in order to positively contribute next season. |
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The Orioles’ annual Birdland Caravan will be taking place Jan. 23-24. Event details and ticket information will be coming soon. |
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