The Baltimore Orioles are heading into this offseason with urgency-and for good reason. After a 2025 campaign that fell well short of expectations, the front office is making moves to reset the course, starting with the hiring of Craig Albernaz as the team’s new manager.
Albernaz steps into a pivotal role, tasked with steering a talented but underperforming roster back into contention. And if there’s one area demanding immediate attention, it’s the starting rotation.
Let’s be clear: the Orioles need a frontline starter. Not just another arm to eat innings, but a dependable presence at the top of the rotation-someone who can anchor the staff ahead of Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers.
That kind of pitcher changes the tone of a series, especially in October. And with the MLB Winter Meetings just around the corner, the clock is ticking.
Fortunately for Baltimore, the market is flush with options this winter. Several high-caliber starters are available, either via free agency or trade.
But that also means competition will be fierce. Teams with similar needs-and deeper pockets-are circling, which means the O’s can’t afford to sit back and wait for the dust to settle.
If they want to land a difference-maker, they’ll need to act fast.
One name that’s drawing real interest across the league is Ranger Suarez. The left-hander has emerged as a legitimate top-rotation option, and while he may not command the same blockbuster deal as someone like Dylan Cease, he’s still expected to come off the board quickly. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Orioles are firmly in the mix.
“Teams in the mix for Suarez believe he’s the next big-time starter off the board,” Passan reported. “Though the 30-year-old won’t fetch a Dylan Cease-level deal, he long has been a target for Houston, which balks at deals beyond six years, and Baltimore, which is seeking a top-end rotation piece.”
That’s a significant development. Suarez has long been known for his poise on the mound, with a knack for inducing weak contact and stepping up in big moments. He’s not the flashiest name on the market, but he’s the kind of pitcher who brings stability and postseason-caliber stuff-exactly what Baltimore needs.
The Orioles have a strong foundation. Their young core is still intact, and the bullpen has shown flashes of dominance.
But without a true ace-or at least a reliable No. 2 who can eat innings and keep games close-they’re not going to make the leap they’re aiming for. Suarez fits that mold.
Now, it’s all about timing. If the Orioles believe Suarez is their guy, they’ll need to move quickly.
The Winter Meetings are often where deals start to fly, and hesitation could mean watching a prime target sign elsewhere. For a team looking to bounce back in a big way, this is the kind of move that could set the tone for the entire offseason.
Baltimore’s window is still open-but it won’t stay that way forever. Adding a proven starter like Suarez could be the first step toward making sure 2026 looks a whole lot different than 2025.
