The Baltimore Orioles are at a crossroads in their rebuilding process, with a promising young core that has shown significant potential in recent seasons. However, despite the optimism surrounding the team, it is evident that the organization’s front office has left several offseason goals and needs unaddressed. With the 2025 season approaching, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that the Orioles are at risk of missing out on key opportunities to take the next step toward contention. The team has been in a rebuild for several years, and while their farm system is one of the most highly regarded in baseball, there are still glaring needs that need to be addressed if they intend to compete in a stacked American League East.
1. The State of the Offseason: Missed Opportunities
The 2024 offseason was supposed to be a critical moment for the Orioles. With the emergence of young stars such as Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Grayson Rodriguez, the team seemed to be in prime position to supplement their roster and potentially make a push for a playoff spot. However, several key areas of need went unaddressed during the winter months.
A. The Starting Rotation
One of the most glaring weaknesses for the Orioles in recent years has been their starting pitching. While the team has some intriguing arms in the rotation, including the aforementioned Grayson Rodriguez, the lack of a true ace is a concern. Rodriguez has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to fully establish himself as a top-tier starter. Additionally, the Orioles were unable to land a veteran arm to stabilize their rotation in the offseason.
In a competitive division like the AL East, where teams like the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and Tampa Bay Rays all boast deep lineups and solid rotations, having a reliable starting staff is critical. The Orioles’ front office had the opportunity to sign a high-impact free agent like Jameson Taillon or trade for a proven arm, but neither route was pursued aggressively. As a result, Baltimore enters the 2025 season with a rotation that still lacks a true No. 1 starter and several questions surrounding the consistency of their young pitchers.
B. Bullpen Depth
While the Orioles’ bullpen was one of the bright spots of their 2024 campaign, it still has room for improvement. The team lost some key arms in free agency, and despite having several promising options, the bullpen could use an influx of talent to remain competitive throughout the season. For instance, closer Félix Bautista was outstanding last year, but the Orioles need to ensure they have a deeper, more reliable group to support him in high-leverage situations.
The team did make some moves to address this need, but it’s questionable whether they did enough to truly solidify the bullpen. The lack of a dominant setup man or additional depth pieces leaves the team vulnerable to bullpen fatigue, especially if their starting rotation continues to struggle or lacks depth.
C. The Infield
Baltimore’s infield is one of the team’s strengths, but there are still areas that could be improved. Gunnar Henderson’s emergence as a legitimate star at third base has been a breath of fresh air for the franchise. Adley Rutschman continues to prove himself as one of the best young catchers in the game. However, second base and shortstop remain areas of concern.
While Jorge Mateo was a solid defensive presence at shortstop in 2024, his offensive production was lacking, and the team could stand to upgrade offensively at that position. Mateo’s inability to provide consistent offense could hinder the team’s overall performance, and given the competitive nature of the division, Baltimore could have made a move for a more potent bat at shortstop.
Second base is another area where the Orioles could have made a move to strengthen the lineup. The team’s internal options at second base have been somewhat inconsistent, and while the front office made some small moves to address this need, it wasn’t a priority for them during the offseason. With several second baseman available on the trade market or through free agency, the Orioles had an opportunity to secure a reliable option who could help balance their lineup and add more offensive punch.
2. The Organizational Philosophy: Risking Long-Term Success?
The Orioles’ strategy in recent years has been to build from within, focusing heavily on player development and drafting. This approach has paid off with an outstanding farm system, and the team’s young stars are beginning to make an impact at the major league level. However, there’s a risk that the front office is overly cautious in their pursuit of external talent. With the team on the cusp of contention, some might argue that it’s time to take a more aggressive approach to complement the young core.
The lack of significant moves in free agency and trade discussions this offseason may reflect the Orioles’ preference for internal development over external additions. While this approach is not inherently wrong, it’s possible the front office is missing an opportunity to accelerate their timeline by failing to address immediate needs. Teams in their division, such as the Yankees and Blue Jays, have been more proactive in improving their rosters, and the Orioles’ failure to match that intensity in the offseason could put them at a disadvantage.
A. The Case for Aggression
At some point, the Orioles need to recognize that they’re no longer in full rebuild mode. The team has the talent to be competitive now, and the offseason should have been the time to push all their chips into the middle. The market provided a number of players who could have helped Baltimore immediately, but the front office chose to take a more measured approach.
For example, a trade for an established shortstop or a proven starting pitcher could have made the difference between a borderline playoff team and a true contender. Instead, Baltimore opted for incremental moves, which leaves them in a position where they may need to rely on young players who are still developing and may not be able to carry the team on their own.
B. The Long-Term Vision vs. Short-Term Gains
The Orioles must also weigh the long-term health of their franchise against the short-term gains of improving their 2025 roster. The front office has invested heavily in their farm system, and a strong pipeline of talent is critical to sustaining success over the long haul. However, there is a delicate balance between prioritizing the future and recognizing when it’s time to win now.
As the team’s young core matures, Baltimore will need to make tough decisions about how to allocate resources and make sure they’re not left behind in an ever-more competitive AL East. While maintaining a strong farm system is important, the Orioles will need to start supplementing their roster with veteran talent if they want to push for postseason contention in the near future.
3. The AL East: A Tough Division to Compete In
The AL East is one of the most competitive divisions in all of baseball, and with the rise of the Blue Jays, Yankees, and Rays, the Orioles will need to make significant strides to keep pace. While the Red Sox appear to be in a rebuilding phase, the other teams in the division are formidable, and the Orioles’ lack of urgency in addressing key needs may ultimately hinder their chances of competing for a playoff spot.
The Yankees and Blue Jays both have deep rosters, with potent offenses and strong pitching staffs. The Rays have proven to be one of the most well-managed teams in baseball, consistently outperforming expectations. For the Orioles to break through in the division, they’ll need to close the gap between their young talent and the established stars on the other teams.
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