The 2026 World Series has concluded, meaning the offseason has officially begun.
While the December 1 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) deadline and potential lockout looming on the horizon could put certain aspects of the offseason on hold, there is still plenty of business to take care of before then.
Five days after the conclusion of the World Series, teams and players must make decisions on club, player and mutual options. Teams must also decide whether to extend qualifying offers to eligible free agents.
Let’s break down those decisions and determine the right course of action when it comes to the Baltimore Orioles.
OPTIONS
The Orioles have four players with contract options this offseason, and the organization has a say in three of those decisions. The only option outside of the org’s control is Ryan Helsley’s player option.
The Orioles signed Helsley during the 2026 offseason, expecting him to be the club’s marquee bullpen acquisition. Unfortunately, Helsley battled injuries throughout the season and appeared in just 17 games. He recorded eight saves, posted a 4.11 ERA and struck out 21 batters.
Helsley did exercise his $14 million player option and will return to Baltimore in 2027 as he continues his recovery from the right elbow injury that plagued him for a majority of his first season in Baltimore.
The first option the Orioles must decide on is Zach Eflin’s $25 million mutual option.
After making 14 starts in 2025 and posting a 5.93 ERA while battling injuries throughout the season, Eflin was looking to get back on track in 2026. Unfortunately, he pitched just 3.2 innings before being pulled from his first start and ultimately underwent Tommy John surgery, ending his season.
We do not see the Orioles exercising Eflin’s option, given the $25 million price tag and the uncertainty surrounding his recovery timeline. However, we do believe Baltimore could try and bring him back on a more team-friendly contract.
The Orioles also have two club options to decide on.
Late last season, the Birds acquired outfielder Luis Robert Jr. in an attempt to make a final push for the postseason in September. However, Robert appeared in just three games with Baltimore, collecting two hits and posting a .182 batting average before suffering a hamstring strain.
Given his limited production and the $20 million price tag attached to his club option, the Orioles will most likely decline it.
The final club option is the trickiest decision of the group.
This player has been a key member of the organization since making his debut in 2020. He appeared in just eight games in 2026 and lost his position following a major offseason acquisition who emerged as an MVP candidate.
Despite those circumstances, there is a possibility that the Orioles decide to exercise Ryan Mountcastle’s $7.5 million club option.
Mountcastle’s ability to produce against left-handed pitching strengthens his case to return. While his recent injury struggles are concerning, the value he brings to the lineup makes retaining him at that price tempting, especially with the designated hitter spot somewhat open right now.
QUALIFYING OFFERS
A qualifying offer is a one-year contract offer set by Major League Baseball that teams can extend to eligible free agents. If a player declines the offer to test free agency and signs elsewhere, their former team receives draft-pick compensation, provided the signing meets the applicable requirements.
The qualifying offer for this offseason is valued at one year and $23.15 million. The Orioles have three players eligible to receive the offer.
Both left-hander Keegan Akin and right-hander Andrew Kittredge will most likely go without qualifying offers.
Kittredge had his ups and downs this past season, leading the O’s with 11 saves. However, committing $23.15 million to a 36-year-old reliever would be difficult to justify, especially with other areas of the roster needing attention.
As for Akin, he struggled throughout his shortened season, posting a 5.68 ERA in 24 appearances. At 31 years old, he has not produced enough to warrant a qualifying offer of that magnitude, especially coming off having Tommy John surgery in July.
The only player we see receiving the qualifying offer from the Orioles is left-hander Trevor Rogers.
Rogers is coming off a season in which he made 30 starts, posted a 4.03 ERA and pitched 169.2 innings. Given his value as a southpaw starter, he will likely decline the offer in pursuit of a multi-year contract.
That should not necessarily be a problem for Baltimore. The hope is that the Orioles’ front office will be aggressive in its efforts to re-sign Rogers this offseason. If they cannot reach an agreement, they could receive draft-pick compensation, giving the organization another opportunity to add young talent.
The Orioles have already demonstrated an ability to find value in the draft, including Caden Bodine and Wehiwa Aloy, whom they selected with compensation picks just two years ago. The qualifying offer would give Baltimore some protection if Rogers ultimately signs elsewhere, although the organization’s priority should remain keeping him in its rotation.
There is a long road ahead, and, hopefully, the organization takes an aggressive approach under new general manager Jared Banner and president of baseball operations Mike Elias to make the appropriate decisions.
Buckle up, Birdland. The journey toward the 2027 season has officially begun.
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