As the Orioles gear up for another season, one thing is crystal clear: the roster decisions this spring are going to be a nail-biter. With players already trickling into Sarasota for spring training—some hitting the weight room, others testing out the new batting cage—the buzz is palpable. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the catching position seems locked in, the pitching staff is still a question mark, and the 26-man roster feels as overloaded as a suitcase packed for a month-long vacation. Let’s break it down.
Pitchers and catchers are reporting today, thanks to a schedule tweak by Major League Baseball, but the real drama lies in the numbers. The 40-man roster is down to 39, and the Orioles need to trim their position players from 14-15 down to 13. Utility infielder Blaze Alexander, with his standout arm, complicates matters further. Add Jeremiah Jackson and Coby Mayo—both with options—into the mix, and you’ve got a puzzle that’s far from solved. And don’t forget Leody Taveras, the center fielder with a $2 million contract and no options left. He’s a lock for Opening Day, right? Well, I wasn’t so sure about Alexander until last week, so anything can happen.
And this is the part most people miss: the last bench spots often tell the most intriguing stories. The Orioles could play it safe, optioning Mayo and Jackson to Triple-A for depth, but injuries—always lurking in the shadows—could shuffle the deck entirely. Speaking of wildcards, outfielder Heston Kjerstad is one to watch. After a mysterious shutdown in 2025, he’s a long shot to make the club, but don’t count him out just yet. Triple-A could be his proving ground.
General Manager Mike Elias isn’t rushing into decisions. He could hold onto Mayo and Ryan Mountcastle, waiting for injuries to tip the scales. Remember when Elias went all-in on Pete Alonso? That kind of bold move could happen again. The rotation, while light, isn’t a deal-breaker for playoff hopes—though an ace like Ranger Suárez would’ve been a game-changer. Instead, expect Elias to bring in another starter, shifting focus to the bullpen and bench.
Here’s where opinions will clash: Albert Suárez, signed to a minor league deal, is my pick for one of the eight relievers. Yes, he could be reassigned, but I don’t see the Orioles bringing him back just for Triple-A. Tyler Wells, if not in the rotation, could be a late-inning weapon. Meanwhile, Rico Garcia, Colin Selby, and others are battling for the final spot—unless Cade Povich or Brandon Young surprise us by transitioning to relief roles. Yennier Cano, Ryan Helsley, and Keegan Akin are safe bets, but Elias might still shake things up with another reliever acquisition.
By the way, what’s your take? Is Albert Suárez a lock for the bullpen, or is there someone else you’d rather see? And how do you think the Orioles will handle the roster crunch? Let’s debate it in the comments—because one thing’s certain: between now and Opening Day, this roster is far from set in stone.
