The Baltimore Orioles is a well-run organization that has done an excellent job drafting and developing its players. This is why the Orioles have been contenders over the past few seasons. But, like most teams, they must start considering extensions for a few of their young stars. Those deals will be costly, and Orioles general manager Mike Elias discussed how difficult it may be.
Mike Elias Says ‘It’s Not Easy’ Regarding Orioles’ Extensions
Elias joined MLB Network Radio to discuss extension talks around certain players. He said, “We’re doing our part on the club side, looking at it, making efforts, and you know it’s case by case, and it’s not easy.”
With extensions being handed out across the league, could we see the Orioles lock up some of their own soon?@Orioles | #Birdland
🔗https://t.co/fGPbvbj8w4 pic.twitter.com/po5YwOTStF— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) April 13, 2025
Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman are two players the Orioles should look to extend. They are the best hitters on the team, and both are young. Henderson is 23, while Rutschman is 27.
Both are players the Orioles cannot allow to ever play in a different uniform, and extending players before they are household names can save the team money. We saw the Boston Red Sox do that with Kristian Campbell and the Athletics with Lawrence Butler, exemplifying the process of getting ahead of the market.
While the Orioles may not have the luxury of getting discounts on Henderson or Rutschman anymore, they are still players worth extending. It will be interesting to see what the Orioles do as they are not big spenders, historically speaking — but they may need to change their ways to continue competing for World Series titles.
Orioles Prepping for Successful Decade
Elias also said he wants to make moves with the organization’s future in mind. That means extending young players and signing players who can help the Orioles win their first World Series since 1983. Another problem for the Orioles is that they must play in the AL East. The New York Yankees are consistently competitive, while the Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays are teams with bright futures.
Boston extended ace Garrett Crochet a few weeks ago, and it was the same with the Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. This division will be full of star power for many years to come, and that only adds pressure to the Orioles and their front office.
Baltimore has seven players on their active roster who are 27 years or younger. While the future is bright in Baltimore, they have a lot of work to do to keep their top players under contract for years to come.