For the last month-plus, the Orioles’ attention has been on the pitching staff. 

Baltimore’s first big moves of the offseason were to bolster their lineup, trading for former Angels’ slugger Taylor Ward and signing another home-run machine in Pete Alonso. Since then, the most significant moves have been addressing starting pitching with the acquisitions of Shane Baz and Zach Eflin. 

If additional moves are looming around the corner, they will, most likely, come on that pitching front once more. As such, a question arises: are the Orioles done adding significantly to their position player group? 

A 26-man Opening Day roster will consist of 13 position players, most of which seem to be locked in. 

Adley Rutschman, Pete Alonso, Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg, Gunnar Henderson, Taylor Ward and Colton Cowser should all be considered everyday players, assuming that they all stay healthy. That’s more than half the spots taken up already.  

Samuel Basallo, recently signed to a hefty-contract extension, should be in the lineup more often than not. The high-upside bat will back up Rutschman at catcher, and, most likely, get some time at both first base and designated hitter. 

The final starting outfield spot could be split between the up-and-coming Dylan Beavers and the veteran Tyler O’Neill. The right-handed O’Neill, who has struggled with injuries throughout his career, is not far removed from a 113-game, 31-home run season in Boston. That kind of power potential will keep you in lineups, as will his .894 career-OPS against lefties. Beavers, in a short sample in 2025, had an OPS close to .800 against righties compared to sub-.700 against left-handers. That difference was nearly 200 points in a larger Triple-A sample, too. 

A platoon could make sense, perhaps accomplishing the goals of keeping O’Neill fresh and putting the young Beavers in the best position to succeed simultaneously. Whatever new skipper Craig Albernaz decides to do, both should make the roster, bringing our total to 10 of 13. 

The final three spots are where the interesting parts of roster conversations begin. 

Let’s stick in the outfield, where the Orioles brought in Leody Taveras, presumably, to be the team’s fifth-outfielder. The 27-year-old was an important piece of the Rangers’ 2023 World Series team, and while he’s taken a step back offensively, his speed and arm strength give him the ability to play all three outfield spots. 

That defensive versatility, along with the fact that Taveras has no minor-league options remaining, fuels the belief that he could break camp with the team. 

The Orioles have quietly done well to add to their outfield depth behind their big leaguers, keeping Johnkensey Noel in the organization with the hopes of doing the same with Marco Luciano before he was claimed by the Yankees. Will Robertson has impressed in Triple-A, too, but has yet to find his footing in the majors. 

Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Jud Fabian, while candidates to make their debuts in 2026, will need to progress at Triple-A before earning the call. Baltimore won’t deviate from their regular, successful development plan, especially with Bradfield. Reed Trimble, a former second-round pick and recent addition to the 40-man roster, is a name to keep an eye on, too. 

Jeremiah Jackson has some outfield versatility as well, but was an infielder throughout his minor league career. That’s where he could stay in 2026 as the O’s utility infielder, capable of playing second base, third base and shortstop. Payton Eeles could sneak his way into that discussion, too. 

Or, perhaps, Baltimore will roster both Ryan Mountcastle and Coby Mayo. 

Both part of a log-jam that many thought would be resolved via trade, and still could be, Mountcastle profiles best as the backup first baseman due to his defensive prowess. Mayo has grown there, but could shift back to third base, his position in the minors, or find some time in a new home like the corner outfield. 

It’s important to note, too, that the versatility of Holliday and Westburg could play into the final roster decision. Let’s say, for example, that Henderson needs a day off. Holliday could play short, Westburg could shift to second, and Mayo could play third. That could potentially lessen the need for an infielder that can play every infield position, instead allowing the O’s to roster a bat with higher offensive upside. 

At this point, it would be a surprise if the Orioles were to add another starting-caliber position player. As we currently stand, there are, at the very least, four big-league caliber players vying for three roster spots. 

Spring training won’t be short on drama.