Orioles Showing Interest In Kyle Schwarber, Tatsuya Imai, Framber Valdez

"Earlier this month, Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said his team is open to signing free agents who have rejected a qualifying offer, and would therefore cost the O's their third-highest selection in the 2026 draft in addition to whatever the free agent would command in salary. Of the nine players who rejected the QO, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that Baltimore has shown some interest in Framber Valdez, Kyle Schwarber, and Dylan Cease (before Cease signed with the Blue Jays yesterday)."

"Heyman also linked Baltimore to Pete Alonso a couple of weeks ago, but now notes that the chances of a signing may have dimmed since the Orioles retained Ryan Mountcastle past the non-tender deadline. This doesn't mean that Mountcastle couldn't still be traded or cut loose entirely if a premium bat became a realistic option for Baltimore, though Elias said earlier this week that the team thinks Mountcastle can rebound after a hamstring strain hampered his production in 2025."

"Signing Alonso or Schwarber would further deepen what is already perhaps an overcrowded mix of position players in Baltimore. Schwarber can play a corner outfield spot on an occasional basis but is largely a DH-only player at this stage of his career, further reducing the Orioles' flexibility in trying to find at-bats for the rest of its current players. A trade or two might ease up this logjam, of course, and the Orioles could then acquire pitching via the trade market rather than free agency."

Mike Elias said the Orioles are open to signing players who rejected qualifying offers, which would cost the team its third-highest 2026 draft pick plus salary. Baltimore has shown interest in Framber Valdez and Kyle Schwarber, checked on Dylan Cease, and explored Tatsuya Imai among upper-tier pitching options. The team was linked to Pete Alonso, but retaining Ryan Mountcastle has reduced those chances; Mountcastle could still be traded or released if a premium bat becomes feasible. Signing Alonso or Schwarber would crowd position-player depth and limit lineup flexibility, likely prompting trades to clear at-bats and acquire pitching via the trade market. Both would add elite power and veteran leadership.

Read at MLB Trade Rumors