When the Orioles signed Pete Alonso, the message was clear: they wanted an immediate upgrade. A big move. A declaration that Baltimore was no longer content with just “approaching” glory.
But every big decision leaves ripples. And in this case, the name caught in the middle of those ripples is Ryan Mountcastle.
Mountcastle entered the offseason feeling like a “surplus” player in the team’s new structure. Alonso occupied first base. Coby Mayo needed a chance. And Mountcastle – a 28-year-old with stagnant offensive output – became a difficult piece to fit into.
Instead of non-tendering and cutting their losses, the Orioles gave him a contract with an option until 2027. At the time, many believed this was a strategic move: increasing his trading value, turning Mountcastle into a flexible asset in the market.
But now, with Spring Training underway, Baltimore still seems to be struggling to find a truly serious partner.
Bleacher Report even had to concoct a rather awkward scenario involving the Nationals – a rebuilding team with little reason to offer significant prospects to a 28-year-old veteran no longer at his peak. Names like the Padres sound more logical in theory, but in reality, competitive teams often look for higher upside before resorting to the “safer” option.
And so Mountcastle remains.
Meanwhile, the consequences are becoming apparent. Coby Mayo – one of the most promising prospects – is likely to start the season in Triple-A simply because of his first-base logjam. Instead of developing in MLB, he’s forced to wait.
It’s worth noting that the Orioles aren’t lacking in action this offseason. They’re spending money. They’re creating headlines. But at the edge of the roster – where small decisions can have a ripple effect – hesitation is becoming apparent.
Mountcastle isn’t a bad player. He has the strength, experience, and can still contribute as a platoon or bench bat. But the problem lies in the structure: when a player no longer has a clear position, their trade value rarely increases over time.
Other teams understand that. They might be “bluffing” the Orioles, waiting to see if Baltimore will be forced to compromise or even release him if they can’t find a suitable trade.
And that’s where the story gets frustrating.
The Orioles enter 2026 with big ambitions. They know that competitive opportunities don’t last forever. Every roster spot is valuable. Every decision must be optimal.
If Mountcastle stays, he could become a wasted bench bat. If the trade is delayed, his value might not be commensurate. If he’s released, it would be an admission that the initial strategy didn’t yield the expected results.
Perhaps Mike Elias is still quietly working on something. A surprise transfer might emerge in the next few days. But right now, the question hanging in the air is:
Did the Orioles consider the consequences of signing Pete Alonso? Or have they created a roster knot that they themselves won’t easily untangle?
Because in the title race, it’s not just blockbuster deals that determine success or failure — sometimes, it’s the unresolved issues that slow the entire machine down.
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