The Orioles succeeded in trading for a starting pitcher without losing anyone from the major league roster or on the threshold of joining it.
Does that desire change in future deals?
President of baseball operations/general manager Mike Elias spoke Saturday in a video call about “steering more toward guys that were recently drafted or a draft pick itself.” He veered in a different direction than other executives who also wanted Rays starter Shane Baz.
The odds of winning remain higher by refusing to strip away talent that could be needed in 2026. Makes sense when you put it that way. Don’t potentially weaken one area to strengthen another. But Elias could reach the point where he dips into the excess, if that’s how he views it.
This roster has four first basemen if you include catcher Samuel Basallo’s second position. Pete Alonso has played in 162 games in each of the past two years and never fewer than 152 in six full seasons. He’s a $155 million roadblock.
Having too many bats isn’t going to keep executives awake nights, except for those moments when they’re trying to figure out how to carry them on Opening Day.
Elias could try it with Ryan Mountcastle and Coby Mayo on the bench and rotating into the designated hitter spot. The downside is paying Mountcastle around $8 million to do it, and turning Mayo, a top prospect not too long ago, into a part-timer.
Of course, Elias could trade one or both, maybe taking on a similar contract in exchange for Mountcastle. Maybe dangling Mayo for pitching. But Elias offered another idea during his video call.
Hold the Mayo trade speculation.
Try moving him to other positions.
The Orioles seemed to be committed to keeping Mayo at first after drafting him to play third and working to improve his throwing accuracy. They’ve shot down suggestions that he could begin taking fly balls in right field, which Mayo thought could happen last spring.
Running back Elias’ quote over the weekend, he said, “There is still a lot of playing time available for him on a team that has Pete Alonso now. We have first base reps, we have designated hitter reps, and the exploration of other positions – whether it’s third or something in the corner outfield – has been something we’ve always talked about with him. So the path remains open for him.”
The Orioles made a commitment to play Mayo only at first base over the summer, arranging early drills with special advisor John Mabry before games. The improvements were noticeable. And they wanted Jordan Westburg at third for as long as he stayed healthy.
“I don’t see the third base thing happening, but I don’t make all the decisions,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said in August. “For me right now, he’s playing a good first base. I think he tried really hard to play third base and it just didn’t work out. We also have this guy at third base that’s pretty darn good.
“Is he going to unseat Jordan Westburg? If he’s not, why are we playing him at third base. He’s got to be able to play first base. That’s where the at-bats are going to come from. So, for Coby, get very good at first base and then at that point, you’ve got to swing the bat. Because there are guys coming. Basallo’s coming and he plays a really good first base.”
If Mayo is in camp, we’ll have to watch whether he actually begins taking ground balls again at third or fly balls in right. It would be a shift in organizational thinking.
Mayo hit .301/.393/.548 with three doubles and five home runs in 24 September games. The power is ridiculous. It’s only going to flicker if he has to sit for stretches.
Finding regular playing time is much harder now, but we’ll find out whether the same holds true for relinquishing him. And if the Orioles really do try to carry Mayo and Mountcastle or create room for another position player with a different skill set, whether to back up in center field, serve in a super-utility role or both.
Speaking of center field, does the position belong to Colton Cowser if Alonso was the big signing on the non-pitching side?
Leody Taveras can back up. Elias is checking on role players.
Check back later to gain a better understanding of the team’s plans heading into spring training. The picture remains blurry.
