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The Milwaukee Brewers won the World Series on Wednesday night, which means the baseball world transitions swiftly into offseason mode.
The Orioles, who hired general manager Jared Banner last week, have plenty of decisions to make. Notably, major league teams are allowed to begin trading right away on Thursday, and free agency begins soon after that.
These are some of the major offseason dates:
- Monday, Nov. 2: All contract options must be decided. In addition, teams must alert players of their qualifying offer decision. Teams can exclusively negotiate with their own players on expiring contracts between Thursday and Monday, but by Monday night, free agency opens (generally 5 p.m. ET).
- Nov. 17: Any player who receives a qualifying offer must accept or decline it by 4 p.m. ET.
- Nov. 20: The non-tender deadline for unsigned players remaining under team control on the 40-man roster. This includes arbitration-eligible players. While a contract doesn’t need to be finalized by Nov. 20, teams must outline their intention to cement a deal.
- Dec. 1: The expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement. A lockout is expected to begin this date. Once it begins, teams can’t talk to players.
The Orioles will have business on each of those days, and more. Here are all the relevant factors heading into the offseason.
Contract options to be decided
The Orioles or certain players must decide whether to pick up the option for an additional year on their contracts by Monday.
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Right-handed closer Ryan Helsley will exercise his $14 million player option, a source told The Banner on Thursday.
Helsley was signed last winter to be Baltimore’s closer, although two stints of elbow inflammation held him to 15 1/3 innings and eight saves. He was fine, if not great, when on the mound.
Here are the other options facing the Orioles, and below them is a prediction from The Banner as to what will occur.
First baseman Ryan Mountcastle, $7.5 million club option
Mountcastle, 29, played only eight games this season because of a broken bone in his foot and an oblique strain suffered during his rehab. In 2021, he hit 33 home runs. But the adjustments of the left-field wall at Camden Yards certainly didn’t help his right-handed power. He has seen his numbers drop since his early heights; he finished 2025 with a .653 OPS in 89 games.
Banner prediction: Club option declined, making Mountcastle a free agent.
Right-handed starter Zach Eflin, $25 million mutual option
Mutual options are rarely exercised, considering they require both the team and player to opt into the deal. Eflin’s Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery in April also means he will likely begin 2027 on the injured list as he continues his recovery. He has thrown only 75 combined innings between 2025 and 2026 due to injuries.
Banner prediction: Option declined, making Eflin a free agent. He will be due $2 million as a buyout.
Outfielder Luis Robert Jr., $20 million club option
Robert arrived late in the season as the Orioles attempted to make a postseason push. He played three games before landing on the injured list and missed the remainder of the season due to a hamstring injury. Robert’s early career success hasn’t continued, and injuries have been a large part of that story. His OPS in 2026 between the Mets and Orioles was .707, which was his highest since 2023.
Banner prediction: Option declined, making Robert a free agent. He will be due $2 million as a buyout.
Left-handed reliever Dietrich Enns, $3.5 million team option
Enns was designated for assignment in May and once he cleared waivers, he accepted the outright assignment to the minors. He remains off the 40-man roster, but he does have a team option for next season if Baltimore chooses. Enns recorded a 3.94 ERA in 16 major league innings; in 54 1/3 innings in Triple-A, his ERA was 5.80.
Banner prediction: Orioles decline option, making Enns a free agent. He will be due a $125,000 buyout.
Pending free agents, no contract options
These players will become free agents on Thursday, although the Orioles can exclusively negotiate with them until the full market opens Monday evening.
Right-handed starter Chris Bassitt
After a midseason back surgery, the 37-year-old starter was much improved. He finished his first season with Baltimore with a 4.59 ERA in 102 innings, but he posted a 3.74 ERA over his last eight games.
Right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge
The veteran reliever was reliable this season for the Orioles. He ended the year with 11 saves and a 3.54 ERA in 48 1/3 innings.
Left-handed starter Trevor Rogers
Rogers is Baltimore’s biggest pending free agent, and the southpaw starter is a likely candidate to receive the qualifying offer. A qualifying offer will be worth $23.15 million for one year, although two industry sources speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the market said Rogers likely could earn more than that on a per-year basis in free agency.
Left-hander reliever Keegan Akin
The market for Akin is complicated because of his July elbow surgery. He will miss much of next season, too. It’s possible the 31-year-old could look for a two-year contract that allows him to rehab for much of 2027 before a return. In 25 1/3 innings in 2026, Akin struggled with a 5.68 ERA.
Players under team control, pre-arbitration
The Orioles must decide by Nov. 20 whether they will offer a 2027 contract to these 40-man roster players who have yet to reach the necessary service time for arbitration salary increases.
Catchers: Carlos Narváez
Infielders: Blaze Alexander, Coby Mayo, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Jackson Holliday
Outfielders: Dylan Beavers
Pitchers: Brandon Young, Grant Wolfram, Rico Garcia
Players under team control, arbitration eligible
Infielders: Westburg (first year), Gunnar Henderson (second year)
Outfielders: Colton Cowser (first year), Leody Taveras (third and final year)
Pitchers: Albert Suárez (second year), Codi Heuer (second year), Félix Bautista (third and final year)
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