Outbidding other teams to sign first baseman Pete Alonso would have qualified as wishful thinking back in the day.

On this day, it remains a reality for the Orioles. They did it.

Shoppers are forming lines to return holiday gifts. Not every wish is granted. But the Orioles don’t want any refunds. They’re thrilled to go into the New Year with Alonso, Taylor Ward, Ryan Helsley, Shane Baz and Andrew Kittredge.

They also have center fielder Leody Taveras on a $2 million contract. He was the offseason’s first significant signing for the Orioles, with the deal finalized on Nov. 5.

Taveras is penciled into the outfield with Ward, Colton Cowser, Tyler O’Neill and Dylan Beavers. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias isn’t done checking the market, especially center fielders, which would enlarge the crowd and raise questions about Taveras.

The Orioles signed corner infielder Emmanuel Rivera to a $1 million contract last year to avoid arbitration and designated him for assignment multiple times, with the money perhaps dissuading some teams from claiming him. Taveras could end up in a similar situation or stay on the roster as a backup. He’s a switch-hitter who could provide a contrast to the left-handed hitting Cowser.

Taveras peaked in 2023 with the Rangers when he slashed .266/.312/.421 with 31 doubles, three triples, 14 home runs and 67 RBIs in 143 games. He played in 151 the following year and batted .229/.289/.352 with 17 doubles, three triples, 12 home runs and 44 RBIs.

The arm strength is elite, with Taveras ranking in the 91st percentile or higher in each of his six seasons, according to Baseball Savant. Defense, speed and versatility make him a nice depth piece. And that’s assuming the Orioles have room.

They signed Dylan Carlson last offseason for a similar role, except he had minor league options. He refused an outright assignment and became a free agent on Nov. 6, and he remains unsigned.

Jorge Mateo also is a free agent after the Orioles declined his $5.5 million option on the same day.

Also looking for new homes are pitchers Zach Eflin, Tomoyuki Sugano and Seranthony Domínguez, infielder Ramón Urías and catcher Gary Sánchez.

Left-handed reliever Josh Walker was designated for assignment again on Dec. 19 and the club hasn’t announced whether he’s staying in the organization.

As always, continue to breathe normally.

Also, I’ll continue to wish I had elves to sort through the mailbag. But alas …

Do you believe the Orioles really need Framber Valdez or Ranger Suárez to compete this year?
No. I believe the Orioles can compete without them. The team as currently built should make the playoffs, in my opinion, if the core plays better. But I think they’d have a much stronger rotation and improved odds of winning the World Series if they add a starter worthy of being the No. 1 or 2. And since they’re all-in for 2026, they're trying to make another big splash. 

Will Santa Elias get some pitchers (starters and relievers) after Jan. 1?
Elias is expected to add at least one more starter and reliever, whatever the date. It could be the week between Christmas and New Year’s, but I’ll play along and predict that it happens in 2026.

What reliever do you think we can get straight up for Ryan Mountcastle? Assume we eat half his salary.
That’s way past my pay grade or my ability to make a prediction without knowing what teams like Mountcastle and match up with the Orioles. I don’t even know if the Orioles would need to eat salary. You’ve put me in an uncomfortable position, like the creeper tried to do in “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”

How many days in a row do you think you can reference “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”
That’s two.

Does Jeremiah Jackson have any place with the 2026 Orioles? Seems unlikely.
The Orioles would have to trust him in a utility role and remove at least one of their infielders. In other words, one of their first basemen. If they carry six infielders (to go with five outfielders and two catchers), you’re looking at Pete Alonso, Jackson Holliday, Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, Ryan Mountcastle and Coby Mayo. Jackson is the seventh.

Shane Baz? Chaz Roe? Radhames Liz? What is it with the Orioles and right-handed pitchers with three-letter last names who also sport the letter Z? (And sometimes crazy hair styles).
I guess this excludes Paul Fry, since he’s a lefty and doesn’t have a Z. I’m not really detecting a pattern here, especially with the Z for Roe being in his first name. But hey, it’s a fun little activity.

Is Shane Baz the first Oriole to have blonde facial hair?
How are we describing Andrew Cashner’s beard? Reddish? The Orioles included a beard exemption in his contract due to their no-facial hair policy. That’s how badly they wanted him. You can decide whether he was worth it. But back to your question. I don't know, but maybe. Yes.

Will it be odd to be looking at right-handed hitters from behind in the new press box?
Everything about the relocation will seem unusual at first, but so many press boxes in the majors are moved up the left field or right field lines that we’ve gotten used to it. I just want snacks. Lots and lots of snacks.

Next starting pitcher come through free agency or trade?
This is such a popular question and my answer never fails to disappoint. He could be acquired in free agency or a trade. But if pressed on the subject, I’ll say free agency because Mike Elias already made a trade for Shane Baz.

Do you know why Catie Griggs seems to like the late ‘90s/ 2000s ornithologically correct bird logo so much?
It’s a sweet logo, but I wrote a while back that it won’t replace the cartoon bird. It’s just another option for marketing. I think of it like the alternate jerseys. But don’t be like the Vikings and think, “OK, we have the best helmet in football, so how about we make it … white?”

How many good deeds are required to offset a self-destructive act? Asking for a friend.
This is a good place to stop. Trust me.