I pointed out after the Craig Albernaz introductory news conference that while I was impressed with the Orioles’ new manager, the thing that excited me most was David Rubenstein’s pretty clear statement is that his ownership group is well-funded and committed to raising the payroll to substantially increase the talent on hand.
In fact, when I have had the opportunities to talk about this or write about it, I expressed that I believed Rubenstein was going to have the Orioles back in as a relevant spender in 2026, close to or slightly exceeding $200 million in payroll.
After the Pete Alonso deal becomes official (five years, $155 million), the Orioles will have likely added about $70 million in payroll for 2026: Alonso ($31 million if the contract is spread out evenly across the five-year term), Taylor Ward (projected to make $13.7 million in arbitration), Ryan Helsley ($14 million), Andrew Kittredge ($9 million) and Leody Taveras ($2 million).
It looks as if the team is about to add two starting pitchers — one via trade and another significant free agent. The club could also add another reliever and possibly a utility infielder. There is little doubt that Elias and Co. are energizing the fan base of Birdland with the idea that this ownership group means business.
But business is the operative word. Look, I can’t get up on my soapbox and make Orioles fans feel guilty about not showing up at Camden Yards, especially after watching the product the club put out on the field.
Sure, there were injuries galore, but the lack of urgency that led to Tomoyuki Sugano and Charlie Morton being the only upgrades to a pitching staff that had very little certainty in its rotation bordered on malpractice.
But if the Orioles end up with a rotation of Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Dean Kremer and two of Edward Cabrera, MacKenzie Gore, Michael King, Freddy Peralta, Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez along with an improved lineup, will that translate to the turnstiles? Will that begin an era of the Orioles baseball that is enthusiastically backed by regularly drawing 2.3 million to 2.6 million fans per season?
I am not saying that fan engagement would have turned the tables on the Kyle Schwarber pursuit, because I know Schwarber wanted to stay in Philly. But surely part of what magnetized him to Philly was rabid the fan support for his team. Yes, Philly is a lot bigger city than Baltimore and the Phillies don’t have another baseball team 38 miles to the south.
But you catch my drift. Yes, I know times are tough and prices are up, but excuses are now going to be out the window. If this is a fun, dynamic team — maybe the best we have had in Baltimore since 1997 — will you show up and bring your special brand of energy that a good or great team deserves?
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Proposed Opening Day Lineup
1. Jackson Holliday, 2B
2. Jordan Westburg, 3B
3. Gunnar Henderson, SS
4. Pete Alonso, 1B
5. Adley Rutschman, C
6. Taylor Ward, LF
7. Samuel Basallo, DH
8. Dylan Beavers/Tyler O’Neill, RF
9. Colton Cowser, CF
More on Alonso to Baltimore: Some fans may be saying the Orioles “went cheap again” in opting for Alonso over Kyle Tucker, who may sign for as many as 10 years at more than $30 million annually.
I think the Orioles are still reluctant to get into the 10-year business, but let’s say they had signed Tucker. They’d essentially be writing off any hope that they can afford extending Henderson in the future.
The Alonso deal excites the fan base, but Henderson, Rutschman and others in that clubhouse have to be excited as well. Elias and his ownership group have in this one move showed the Orioles’ young players that the club is committed to winning and that those players can potentially remain with the team long term.
The buy-in of that clubhouse will benefit Albernaz in a way that his predecessors could have only dreamed of. Time will tell if Albernaz is a better manager than Brandon Hyde, but clearly Albernaz will have a lot more money behind his efforts than Hyde ever did.
Speaking of Hyde, I’m glad to see him land in a meaningful position with the Tampa Bay Rays, a very smart and creative organization. I imagine his role with the Rays will be akin to the role that Mike Shildt has with the Orioles in helping guide player development.
See Also:
• Stan ‘The Fan’ Charles: Ryan Helsley Likely To Rebound With Orioles, But Don’t Fall In Love
• Stan ‘The Fan’ Charles: Orioles Value Certainty In Grayson Rodriguez-Taylor Ward Swap
• Stan ‘The Fan’ Charles: Orioles Manager Craig Albernaz Inherits Better Situation Than Predecessor
Photo Credit: Colin Murphy/PressBox