The Baltimore Orioles finished last in the American League East in 2025 with a 75-87 record but have been the most active team in the division this offseason. Aiming to replicate the Toronto Blue Jays' rebound from last to first, Baltimore added key players like Pete Alonso and Ryan Helsley. President of baseball operations Mike Elias described the division as a competitive 'cage match' with all five teams vying for the top spot.
The AL East demonstrated its volatility when the Blue Jays improved from 74-88 in 2024 to 94-68 and the division winners in 2025, reaching the World Series against the Dodgers in seven games. The Orioles, who ended 2025 in fifth place, seek a similar ascent to claim the 2026 title.
Baltimore's offseason moves include signing first baseman Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million deal for right-handed power and acquiring outfielder Taylor Ward in a trade with the Angels. The team bolstered its bullpen with reliever Ryan Helsley on a two-year, $28 million contract and Andrew Kittredge via trade from the Cubs, while adding starter Shane Baz from the Rays and outfielder Leody Taveras. The only notable departure was pitcher Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels. Remaining free agents for the Orioles include pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano and catcher Gary Sánchez.
"We have five really good teams and really good organizations in this division right now," Elias said earlier this offseason. "There’s no one rebuilding. Everybody is going for it, and so, we all kind of get into the cage match every year and see what happens."
Across the division, the Blue Jays, 2025 first-place finishers, signed Dylan Cease for seven years and $210 million, Kazuma Okamoto for four years and $60 million, and Cody Ponce for three years and $30 million, with Bo Bichette still available as a free agent. The Yankees, who tied the Jays at 94-68 for second, lost relievers to the Mets and A's but re-signed several players to one-year deals and eye Cody Bellinger's return.
The Red Sox placed third at 89-73, acquiring Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray via trades but losing Alex Bregman to the Cubs on a five-year, $175 million contract. The Rays finished fourth at 77-85, adding Steven Matz and Cedric Mullins while parting with Brandon Lowe and Pete Fairbanks.
If the Orioles secure a top starter and more bullpen depth, their offseason could position them strongly for 2026 contention.
