Orioles questioned by ESPN insiders over Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward additions

The Baltimore Orioles have made three big moves so far this offseason: Ryan Helsley on a $28 million free agent contract, Taylor Ward in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels for Grayson Rodriguez, and Pete Alonso on a $155 million free agent deal.

Those moves help round out the Orioles' lineup and add a much-needed arm to their bullpen. They still need to address their rotation, but with a slow-moving market, there's plenty of time for such moves.

However, for ESPN insiders Bradford Doolittle and Jorge Castillo, the additions of Ward and Alonso are questionable for their own separate reasons.

Orioles' additions of Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward are questionable per ESPN insiders

"It's probably too early to judge any particular team for its offseason in total," Doolittle writes, "but the most perplexing move for me was Baltimore dealing Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels for one year of Taylor Ward. That definitely makes my head itch."

Moving on from Rodriguez, who's under control beyond the 2026 season, for just one year of Ward is something that's a big risk to take.

It's especially risky for Baltimore based on how the Orioles need starting pitching. The Orioles took a chance, and Doolittle isn't the biggest fan.

But, Castillo isn't a fan of a different Orioles move. He is questioning why the Orioles would go after Alonso, especially after the Ward addition and the remaining need for a starting pitcher.

"The Orioles' prioritizing a slugger after acquiring Ward from the Angels was unexpected." Castillo writes. "Baltimore does not have a shortage of young position player talent. Starting pitching, not offense, was their pressing need."

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Alonso is a great pickup for the Orioles lineup, but Castillo is concerned about the overall roster construction, as starting pitching was a bigger need for the Orioles.

The combination of Ward and Alonso does create a crowded lineup, but what those two moves can do is open up a pathway for the Orioles to trade away a position player or two to acquire one of the top available pitchers on the trade block.

Edward Cabrera or MacKenzie Gore might be more realistic options for the Orioles now that they've signed Alonso and traded for Ward. Instead of going after Ranger Suarez or Framber Valdez, one of the trade targets would be cheaper and just as long-term.

Despite facing some criticism from these ESPN insiders, the Orioles' lineup is in a much better spot now that they've added Ward and Alonso.

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