Why Orioles $200 million plus offseason has been a disaster

Over the 2025-2026 MLB offseason, the Baltimore Orioles were one of the biggest spending teams, adding a ton of talent in free-agent signings and trades.

All-in-all, the Orioles spent well over $200 million this offseason to improve the team. Pete Alonso, Shane Baz, Taylor Ward, Ryan Helsley, Chris Bassitt, and others joined the roster this offseason.

However, as Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller highlighted, this spending spree from the Orioles has only brought on more problems. Overall, the massive paychecks they handed out this offseason have made the 2026 season even more of a disaster than it already is.

Orioles' big spending has been a disaster

"Mo' Money, Mo' Problems," Miller writes. "The O's did some serious spending... It hasn't done them any good, though, pitching poorly as a whole and floundering in a wide-open race for the AL's last wild card spot."

This is a bit harsh from Miller, but it's not that far off from the truth for the Orioles this season. Their massive shopping spree this offseason hasn't actually worked out.

They're 35-42, 12.5 games out of the AL East division lead, and 3.5 games out of a very weak AL wild card field. Looking across this roster at the new additions, it's been some poorly-spent money.

Alonso is hitting .247 with 17 homers and 49 RBIs, with a .798 OPS. He's been perfectly fine for the Orioles, but for someone making $155 million over five years, it has been a little lackluster for much of the season from Alosno.

Ward is hitting .253 with only three homers and 20 RBIs with a .738 OPS, which isn't terrible, but nothing special.

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The real issue is with the pitching staff. Baz, the big rotation pickup, has a 4.04 ERA with a 4-7 record. He's been better lately, not allowing more than three runs in his last seven starts, with five quality starts in that span.

Bassitt has a 5.27 ERA and is on the injured list. Zach Eflin is out for the season and didn't make a single start after getting $10 million in free agency. Helsley has a 5.11 ERA this season as the Orioles' closer and was on the IL for a while.

Overall, the Orioles' offseason additions have all fallen short of expectations. Even though Baz and Alonso have been playing well lately, neither has lived up to expectations.

With the Orioles' 2026 payroll well north of $200 million, thanks to offseason spending well north of $200 million, things aren't remotely close to where they were hoping following such large spending.

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