How the Orioles Went From Collapse to One of MLB’s Best

The Orioles have just had one of the best offseasons in Major League Baseball. To understand how they got here, we need to go back in time.

For a short time, Baltimore stood as baseball’s model franchise. From 2023 through 2024, the Orioles won 192 games and captured an AL East division title. They built success through elite player development, a top-tier farm system, and sharp front-office decisions. 

The rebuild was complete, and they had a wide-open window for championship success. Yet, in one stubborn offseason, everything unraveled.

A Self-Inflicted Setback

Following the 2024 season, owner David Rubenstein empowered general manager Mike Elias to spend without restrictions. The simple directive was to push an already elite roster to new heights. Instead, Elias chose restraint rooted in philosophy rather than finances.

 He appeared determined to prove that discipline and development could outperform high-payroll star power. Unfortunately, the result was predictable and damaging.

Baltimore failed to re-sign Corbin Burnes, the ace acquired from Milwaukee. Burnes signed with Arizona, taking Cy Young-level production with him.

 Elias also allowed Anthony Santander to leave in free agency. Santander joined Toronto, strengthening a direct AL East rival. Baltimore’s replacements were limited. 

They signed Tomoyuki Sugano and the injury-prone Tyler O’Neill, but there was no true replacement for Burnes atop the rotation. O’Neill was never a realistic substitute for Santander’s power or durability. 

As a result, the Orioles entered 2025 with a weaker roster, banking on internal growth. However, that gamble failed quickly.

The 2025 Collapse

Baltimore’s flaws surfaced immediately during the 2025 season. The pitching staff struggled from Opening Month onward. Without an ace, the rotation lacked depth, consistency, and swing-and-miss ability. Bullpen games increased, leads disappeared, and losses accumulated.

In particular, three Orioles pitchers posted ERAs above 4.00, including Sugano. He showed competence, but anchoring the rotation was unrealistic. Kyle Bradish appeared in just six games due to injury, and Zach Eflin finished the season with negative WAR. Offensively, Adley Rutschman endured a difficult year. 

He appeared in only 90 games and posted career-worst offensive numbers. Rutschman finished 10 percent below the league average (OPS+). Previously, he had a career OPS+ of 120 entering 2025.

Tyler O’Neill struggled mightily. He played 54 games and finished with a -0.6 WAR. Consequently, Baltimore fell to last place, winning just 75 games. They went from 192 wins over two seasons to division cellar dwellers. 

The collapse wasn’t due to limited resources; it stemmed from underutilizing them.

Learning From Past Mistakes

To Elias' credit, the message arrived. There was no overthinking this offseason. There are no philosophical experiments. There will be no unnecessary restraints. Instead, Baltimore targeted its weaknesses directly.

The biggest move stunned baseball. Baltimore signed Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million contract. The Mets never extended an offer to Alonso, thereby creating an unexpected opportunity. Alonso arrives as one of baseball’s most feared power hitters. 

He brings consistent 40-homer production and middle-of-the-order dominance. As a result, Baltimore’s offense transforms immediately. Pitchers can no longer pitch around Gunnar Henderson without consequences.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzyhS9q5RtM

Fixing the Pitching Staff

Elias also addressed the rotation aggressively. Baltimore acquired Shane Baz from Tampa Bay in a blockbuster trade. Baz, just 26, offers high upside and long-term control. The price was steep, but Baltimore had top prospects to spare. Ultimately, Baz instantly slots near the top of the rotation.

The bullpen received attention as well. Baltimore signed Ryan Helsley to a two-year, $28 million deal. Despite a down season, Helsley brings velocity and late-inning stability. With him, the bullpen becomes significantly more reliable.

A Controversial Gamble

The most surprising move followed. Baltimore traded Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels for outfielder Taylor Ward. Rodriguez was viewed as a future cornerstone. However, an injury caused him to miss the entire season. Ward just had the best slugging season of his career. 

Elias prioritized offensive certainty over pitching projection. The move remains controversial. Its success will be judged in 2026. Nevertheless, it signals urgency: Baltimore is trying to win now. Elias also re-signed Zach Eflin to a one-year deal with a mutual option. Depth and familiarity mattered.

https://youtu.be/uRvQNTOzPwM?si=js9npbiFM88ntqsr

A Lineup Built to Punish Pitchers

On paper, Baltimore’s 2026 lineup is intimidating. Jackson Holliday is poised for a breakout in his second full season. Jordan Westburg continues his quiet rise as an underrated infielder. Gunnar Henderson remains an elite doubles hitter. Rutschman and Colton Cowser are positioned for bounce-back seasons. 

Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward provide proven power. Meanwhile, young talent fills out the lineup with depth. Off the bench, Baltimore features Mountcastle, Taveras, and Jeremiah Jackson. This lineup belongs among MLB’s best.

Trevor Rogers posted career-best numbers despite limited appearances. His 1.81 ERA and 223 ERA+ highlight his upside. If Bradish and Baz stay healthy, Baltimore has legitimate top-end arms. Improvement from Kremer, Sugano, and Eflin strengthens the back end. This rotation lacks a Cy Young favorite, but it offers stability absent in 2025.

The AL East Is Back on Notice

The AL East remains unforgiving. The Yankees and Blue Jays still loom. Yet, Baltimore refuses to fade into irrelevance again. This team boasts youth, power, and pitching depth. The lesson is simple. The Orioles didn’t need to win without spending—they needed to win. And now, they just might be back.