SARASOTA – The local media that traveled to spring training will get some time Wednesday morning with president of baseball operations/general manager Mike Elias. In the meantime, he spoke for 20 minutes earlier today on a video call and confirmed that he remains in the market for a starting pitcher.

This isn’t done because of concerns over the group that’s in camp. That point was emphasized multiple times.

“I think we have a very good rotation,” he said. “A talented group of guys. Some external additions. (Zach) Eflin was a re-sign, but brought him in from free agency. Shane Baz, we made a major trade. We’ve got (Kyle) Bradish back for a full season. Trevor Rogers coming off his campaign. Dean Kremer. All of the depth, a lot of which that we saw last year. Brandon Young, Cade Povich. So I think it’s a really strong group.

“We’re staying plugged in with both the trade and free agent markets, as all teams are as we ease into camp. So there’s still a possibility for external (additions), but I think that our rotation is very strong and very talented.”

Future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander drew interest from the Orioles but reportedly has reached agreement with the Tigers on a one-year deal that guarantees $13 million. Back where it all started.

Tomoyuki Sugano wasn’t coming back to Baltimore and he’s finally off the market after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Rockies worth a reported $5.1 million.

A few other observations from Elias’ video scrum:

* Elias has seen the downside of signing starters late in camp and would prefer to avoid it. A recent example is Kyle Gibson on March 22, 2025, but you can go back much further.

Of course, it isn’t entirely in Elias’ control.

That clock is ticking but time remains on his side on Feb. 10.

“Yeah, late signings can be tricky,” he said. “Historically they tend not to work out as well as those that happen earlier. Very mindful of that. And I don’t think we’re at that point yet where you shut things off, but it’s something that you keep an eye on and you start to throttle down once you get to the point where somebody might be coming in too late to get properly prepared for the season.

“I can’t handicap what’s going to happen and we’re always looking to improve the team. At any time of the year you’re always looking to improve the team and have those conversations. I think we have a very good team as it stands now and it’s one that’s capable of winning this division, and we’ve just got to put in the work. But our front office is very plugged in to the markets right now and there’s still time for that if it comes to fruition.”

* The failure to sign top starters Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez was bound to come up, and Elias disagreed that it should be considered a disappointment.

“I think we’ve put together a really strong rotation as it stands right now,” he said. “We’ll continue to look externally if we can bolster this group in one way, shape or form.

“Shane’s an incredibly talented pitcher. He’s coming off surgery and had a really solid year and the stuff is as good as it gets, and we’re looking forward to having him and working with him. And bringing Zach back in a place where he’s much healthier than he was last season. And all of the other guys that I named, I think we have a really good group.

“We’re always involved and communicative if there are free agents or trade candidates available, but I think this rotation looks good. I think the bullpen looks good. I think we’ve got a really talented position player core. And this is a team that’s very capable of going where we want to go, which is deep in the playoffs.”

* New infielder Blaze Alexander, acquired from the Diamondbacks for reliever Kade Strowd and two minor leaguers, isn’t here to compete for a job.

That figures, since he’s out of options and considering what the Orioles surrendered in the trade.

“I think that the roster was in need of some more infield depth and some more versatility,” Elias said. “Blaze Alexander is a very talented player, a lot of physical tools. Can play basically every position on the diamond except for catcher, and hits from the right side of the plate. So it was a very good roster fit for us.

“He’ll help us at every single infield position. Has an ability to go out and spell in the outfield as needed. Can run. And a lot of the guys that served the utility role for us last year, Ramón Urías and Jorge Mateo, aren’t with the team anymore, so we’re looking to bring in some extra talent in that area, and I think Blaze is going to be a really big part of our team.”

* Elias could bring in another reliever but he’s comfortable with the bullpen and the arms competing for jobs, as he noted above.

“I think it’s a good group as well,” he said. “Ryan Helsley’s going to be a big addition at the back end of the ‘pen. We’ve got veteran guys in set-up roles. We’ve got young guys, some of whom have options, that showed us some intriguing things last year. And we’re trading for a guy like Blaze that has really his whole career ahead of him and a lot of team control, you’re gonna have to give something up.

“Kade has a very good arm. I know the Diamondbacks are excited about him and the trade just made sense for us. But I think we’ve got a very strong bullpen and I think we have a demonstrated ability with our pitching program and our pitching coaches to bring in guys from the outside, hopefully coach them up a little bit, and continue to improve players. So I think the bullpen’s going to be very good.”

* Pay attention to hints in spring training about how the outfielders will be used. And don’t exclude Leody Taveras in your mocks.

That was Elias’ basic message when asked about Taylor Ward, Colton Cowser, Tyler O’Neill and Dylan Beavers being in the mix and what to expect with their playing time and roles.

“I think camp’s gonna be informative toward how that’s gonna look in the regular season,” he said. “In terms of their playing time in camp, Tyler’s gonna be in the WBC (World Baseball Classic) for some stretch of it, so that might affect things, but I think those are kind of your four frontline outfielders. Going into camp, that’s the plan.

“Leody Taveras I think is gonna play a really important, versatile role for us with his defensive abilities, particularly in center field, and then of course the other two spots. Also, he’s a switch-hitter. And then we’ve got Blaze Alexander in the mix now, so we’ll mix him in and see how he looks and where he’s most comfortable. We’ve also got Reed Trimble on the roster, Heston Kjerstad on the roster. So there’s quite a bit of guys there.

“But I do think the first four are kind of front of mind as we think about portioning the outfield playing time in a scenario where everyone’s healthy and kind of doing their thing.”

* Coby Mayo is a first baseman first, but he isn’t welded to the bag.

Elias indicated that Mayo could get a look in the corner outfield, which he mentioned earlier in the offseason.

“That’s something that we’re planning on talking about with Coby, but also with the coaching staff here, and I do expect that we’re gonna see him at places other than first base,” Elias said. “But first base will continue to be something that we’re emphasizing with him, and you’ll see him there, as well.”