Some winters excite fans with sheer numbers. But as February approaches, the question shifts to quality.
The Baltimore Orioles were indeed one of the busiest offseason teams. Owner David Rubenstein and baseball executive Mike Elias appeared at Camden Yards to unveil the most high-profile signing of the winter: Pete Alonso.
A clear statement. A blow to the market. A message that the Orioles are no longer content with being a challenger.
Alonso brings something the team will lack in 2025: real power. But even as the press conference room buzzed with camera flashes, a quiet question arose: what about the “ace”?
Elias’s offseason was far from lackluster. Taylor Ward was brought in to add offensive depth. Blaze Alexander provided versatility. In bullpen, Ryan Helsley and Andrew Kittredge were expected to provide stability in the final stages of the game. Rotation added Zach Eflin, Chris Bassitt, and the long-term gamble Shane Baz.
On paper, it was a “fulfilling” winter.
But MLB doesn’t operate on paper.
The Orioles seemed to be pursuing a “bonafide ace”—a pitcher who could enter Game 1 of the playoffs and make opponents hesitate. They didn’t get that name. Instead, the rotation became deeper, more balanced, but without a clear-cut star.
This divided public opinion.
One side argued this was a sustainable approach: six valid MLB pitchers, including Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers—both former Cy Young Top 10 players. You don’t need a $40 million-a-year superstar if you have depth and consistency.
But the other side saw a major flaw. Playoffs aren’t about experimenting with depth. That’s where you need a pitcher who can silence the entire stadium.
Bullpen isn’t entirely reassured either. Helsley had a tumultuous second half of the 2025 season. Kittredge is a notable addition but not a guarantee. He has vision and potential – but it’s not certain.
Meanwhile, the offense has already been tested with injuries to Jordan Westburg and Jackson Holliday. The depth of the bench will have to prove its worth as early as April.
It’s noteworthy that the overall payroll has remained almost unchanged, despite Alonso being a big signing. This sends a message of restraint, not an all-in approach. Elias isn’t disrupting the long-term structure. He’s strengthening the squad instead of gambling on the entire future.
So, is this wisdom… or excessive caution?
A B+ rating sounds reasonable: a lot accomplished, a strong message, a better squad than the previous year. But MLB doesn’t award trophies for an impressive winter season. They awarded the trophy to the team with the best shooter in October.
And if the Orioles enter the postseason without a true ace, will all the remaining signings be enough to fill that void?
This winter could be remembered as a strategic breakthrough.
Or as the moment they were so close… but still hesitated to take that final step.
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