Ten players in the Orioles organization will participate in the sixth edition of the World Baseball Classic, which runs from March 5-17 and features 20 teams representing nations and territories from around the world.

Already reported were shortstop Gunnar Henderson with Team USA, pitcher Dean Kremer with Team Israel, and relievers Rico Garcia and José Espada representing Puerto Rico.

We found out last night that outfielder Tyler O’Neill is playing for Team Canada and outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. is playing for Panama.

Minor League left-handers Micah Ashman (Canada) and Naykel Cruz (Cuba), right-hander Ryan Long (Great Britain) and shortstop Luis Vázquez (Puerto Rico) also will participate in the WBC.

Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Panama and Puerto Rico are in Pool A for Round One and play games in San Juan. The United States, Brazil, Great Britain, Italy and Mexico are in Pool B and play in Houston. Australia, Chinese Taipei, Czechia, Japana and Korea are in Pool C and play in Tokyo. Dominican Republic, Israel, Netherlands, Nicaragua and Venezuela are in Pool D and play in Miami.

Pitchers and catchers begin reporting to spring training next week, both the World Baseball Classic participants and the regular crew. Position players in the WBC also are due, with the non-WBC hitters set for arrival no later than Feb. 16.

The majority of players unpack their bags early at Ed Smith Stadium, which speaks to the appeal of the complex. We won’t rehash the Fort Lauderdale issues. It’s like bashing an ex-girlfriend.

Appreciate the good times and move on.

The Orioles could trickle into the facility without making another huge splash. They haven’t added a starter for the top or upper portion of the rotation. The bullpen hasn’t acquired another impactful reliever beyond Ryan Helsley, Andrew Kittredge and potentially Albert Suárez.

Framber Valdez, Zac Gallen and a handful of lower-tier starters remain in play, which can take the rotation in two dramatically different directions. We’re talking dominance versus depth, but either way can create vast improvements over a group that posted a 4.65 ERA last season.

So, what happened to the 11-year contract that outfielder Kyle Tucker was supposed to receive?

Chalk it up to the unpredictability of free agency.

MLBTradeRumors.com was among the sites projecting an astronomical payday for Tucker, using its formula to calculate $400 million over 11 seasons. Tucker instead agreed to a four-year $240 million contract with the Dodgers, which shattered annual average value (AAV) records. Don’t cry for him, Argentina. 

Update: The Blue Jays reportedly made a 10-year, $350 million offer to Tucker.

The Mets pivoted from Tucker yesterday and reached agreement with infielder Bo Bichette on a three-year, $126 million deal. Trade Rumors had him getting $208 million over eight years.

We've moved past the deadline for teams to sign their arbitration-eligible players before exchanging salary figures and risk a hearing. The next important offseason date is next Thursday with the opening of the international signing period.

In between could be the acquisition of another starting pitcher, reliever or position player. Or absolutely nothing.

Something happened yesterday but it might not impact the 2026 season. Outfielder Will Robertson cleared outright waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk, and the Braves claimed reliever George Soriano.

The Orioles took a depth hit with the bullpen but deepened their outfield options.

Let’s do another dozen-question mailbag dump.

The Orioles increased their total number of players in DFA limbo to three yesterday by adding reliever George Soriano. But that’s only half the story.

Not the most interesting part, either.

President of baseball operations/general manager Mike Elias claimed outfielder Jhonkensy Noel on waivers from the Guardians, a move that didn’t seem to be on the shopping list.

First a Polar Bear, and now “Big Christmas.”

Maybe J.T. Snow will come out of retirement.

New closer Ryan Helsley passed his physical with the Orioles, signed his two-year, $28 million contract and awaits the opportunity to field questions from the media.

Half the league reportedly had expressed some level of interest in Helsley. What made him decide on the Orioles?

How much did the opt-out clause sway him? I wouldn’t expect him to go into too much detail on the money offered by other clubs.

How aggressive were the Orioles in their pursuit? Were they among the first teams to contact his agent?

Was he intrigued by the teams that viewed him as a potential starter, something he’s never done in the majors? Sixty-nine of his 87 minor league appearances came as a starter. He was in the rotation for 21 of his 26 college games.

The Orioles are just as busy making changes to their front office as they are the coaching staff and roster.

Matt Blood is receiving another promotion, according to sources, with a new title of vice president of player and staff development.

In his new role, Blood will continue to oversee all aspects of minor league player development and operations, but with duties expanded to provide executive support for manager Craig Albernaz in major league staff and player development, as well as supporting the sports medicine and performance departments.

The latest bump removes Blood’s title of vice president of player development and domestic scouting, which he held since October 2023.

The Orioles hired Blood in September 2019 as director of player development after he served as Rangers' director of baseball innovation. Blood had worked for three years as USA Baseball's director of the 18-and-under National Team Program, and he previously spent seven seasons as an area scout in the Cardinals organization, where he worked with Mike Elias.

When the clock strikes 5 p.m., free agency will officially be underway in Major League Baseball. 

The 2026 class doesn’t feature a headliner like Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani or Juan Soto, but there is plenty of talent to be had. Spotrac estimates a dozen players to earn at least $20 million annually, a list that includes six starting pitchers. 

Throughout the offseason, we’ll take a deep dive into some potential fits in Baltimore. 

Player: Framber Valdez, LHP, 31 years old  

2025 Stats: 13-11, 192.0 IP, 3.66 ERA, 1.245 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, 3.2 BB/9