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The Orioles are getting closer to completing their coaching staff for the 2026 season.
According to a source, Hank Conger has been hired as bullpen coach under new manager Craig Albernaz.
Conger most recently was Minnesota’s assistant bench coach before finding out earlier this month that he wouldn’t be retained under new manager Derek Shelton. He joined the Twins in 2022 as first base and catching coach.
More youth is added to the staff with the 37-year-old Conger, a former first round draft pick of the Angels who played in the majors for seven seasons. He also gives the Orioles’ another hire with a catching background.
Conger spent five seasons with the Angels and played for the Astros in 2015 and Rays in 2016. Albernaz managed Tampa Bay’s instructional league team that year. Mike Elias was Houston’s director of amateur scouting in ’15.
In case anyone thought the offseason would be a bore, the Orioles stunned the industry with Tuesday night’s Grayson Rodriguez trade – a late one on the East Coast. They broke their own news, which is a rarity in this industry. It froze us like a 12-6 curveball.
And they’re just getting started.
Let’s sift through some leftover thoughts on the one-for-one deal that brings slugging outfielder Taylor Ward to Baltimore.
* Some of the reviews from national media aren’t favorable for the Orioles based on Rodriguez’s potential and controllability. He can’t become a free agent until after the 2029 season. He hasn’t even reached arbitration eligibility. Ward, meanwhile, can test the market after 2026.
The Orioles are living in the moment.
The Orioles today announced the return of the weekly “Orioles Hot Stove Show” on WBAL NewsRadio, the flagship station of the Orioles Radio Network. Beginning Thursday, December 4, fans can tune into AM 1090, FM 101.5, and WBAL.com each Thursday from 7-8 p.m. ET as Orioles broadcasters BRETT HOLLANDER and BEN WAGNER, and MASN insider ROCH KUBATKO provide Orioles news, analysis, exclusive interviews, and more.
The show will air each Thursday beginning December 4, until the team reports to Spring Training in mid-February, with some exceptions. For more information, including updates on live show dates and locations, visit Orioles.com/HotStove.
The Orioles today announced that they have acquired outfielder TAYLOR WARD from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for right-handed pitcher GRAYSON RODRIGUEZ.
Ward, 31, slashed .228/.317/.475 (132-for-579) with 31 doubles, two triples, 36 home runs, 86 runs scored, 103 RBI, and 75 walks in 157 games last season, setting career highs in games played, runs, doubles, homers, RBI, walks, slugging percentage, extra-base hits (69), and total bases (275). He finished tied for fifth in the AL in home runs, ranked sixth in RBI, and seventh in walks and extra-base hits. Ward became the third Angel since 2018 to drive in 100 runs, along with Mike Trout (104 RBI, 2019) and Shohei Ohtani (100 RBI, 2021). Of his 36 home runs, 35 came as the left fielder, setting the team’s franchise record (since 1961) for that position.
Ward has spent his entire major league career with the Angels after being selected in the first round (26th overall) of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of Fresno State University (CA). He became the 21st Angel to hit 100 home runs with the team on July 19, 2025 at Philadelphia, doing so in his 643rd game with the Halos. His six career grand slams, all hit since 2021, are tied for second most in the AL during that time.
Rodriguez, 26, was selected by the Orioles in the first round (11th overall) of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Central Heights (TX) High School. He missed the 2025 season with right elbow inflammation and a right lat strain. In two major league seasons with Baltimore from 2023-24, Rodriguez went 20-8 with a 4.11 ERA (109 ER/238.2 IP) and 259 strikeouts in 43 games started.
The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.
The Orioles weren’t done making 40-man roster moves early this evening.
In a surprising piece of news, the Orioles have traded pitcher Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels for outfielder Taylor Ward. They get the power bat that fits in the most logical space for it. They surrender the future ace who never got to that level.
The teams made the announcement late tonight.
Ward turns 32 next month and is a rental with free agency coming after the 2026 season. The Angels made him the 26th overall selection in the 2015 draft out of Fresno State and he’s hit .247/.327/.439 in 704 games in eight seasons. He’s appeared in 156 and 157 games over the last two with 663 plate appearances in both seasons.
The Dayton, Ohio native is coming off a career year with 31 doubles, 36 home runs, 103 RBIs, 75 walks and 86 runs scored. He also posted a .228 average that’s his lowest over a full season.
The Orioles are protecting right-hander Cameron Foster and outfielder Reed Trimble in the Rule 5 Draft.
Foster and Trimble had their contracts selected and were placed on the 40-man roster earlier today. Outfielder Pedro León and infielder Luis Vázquez were designated for assignment to create room.
Foster, 26, and right-hander Wellington Aracena were acquired from the Mets at the trade deadline for left-handed reliever Gregory Soto. Foster made 13 relief appearances with Triple-A Norfolk and posted a 3.38 ERA and 1.375 WHIP in 16 innings, with eight walks and 23 strikeouts. He has a 3.75 ERA in 79 minor league games and 215 strikeouts over 199 1/3 innings.
Trimble, 25, was a second-round pick in the 2021 draft out of the University of Southern Mississippi. He’s a career .251/.344/.420 hitter in five minor league seasons and has stolen 61 bases without being caught.
Trimble batted .259/.319/.435 this year in 30 games with Norfolk and .257/.352/.503 in 53 games with Double-A Chesapeake. He plays all three outfield positions.
The Orioles have made the following roster moves:
- Selected the contracts of RHP Cameron Foster and OF Reed Trimble from Triple-A Norfolk.
- Designated OF Pedro León and INF Luis Vázquez for assignment.
The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.
The Orioles have made the following roster move:
- Agreed to terms on a 2026 minor league contract with RHP Jeisson Cabrera.
The Orioles must set their 40-man roster later today by protecting the Rule 5 eligible players they don’t want exposed in the draft.
Cross off another date on baseball’s fall and winter calendar. Up next is Friday night’s non-tender deadline.
The mailbag doesn’t need to be protected, though many outlets would love to claim it.
You ask, I try to answer, and we have the latest sequel to the beloved early 2009 original. That's when it debuted, upon further review. A four-star review.
Also, my mailbag will never be exposed and your mailbag is left outside in the rain and cold.
Former Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis is among the 12 new candidates for baseball’s Hall of Fame.
The Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot also includes 15 holdovers. Results will be announced live on Jan. 20 on MLB Network.
Players must receive 75 percent of the votes for induction in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Markakis was a first-round pick in the 2003 draft who played nine seasons with the Orioles and won two Gold Gloves in right field. His last six seasons were spent with the Braves, where he won another Gold Glove and his first Silver Slugger in 2018 and made his only All-Star team.
The Georgia native finished his career with a .288/.357/.423 slash line and 514 doubles, 22 triples, 189 home runs and 1,046 RBIs in 2,154 games. He registered a 33.7 bWAR.
If the Orioles hold onto their offseason plan as if it’s covered in stickum, they’re going to emphasis starting pitching, late-inning relief and an impact bat while constructing their roster for Opening Day.
I don’t believe there’s an actual order to it. The calls and meetings are taking place and any deal that can be completed, whether in free agency or a trade, will rank ahead of the others. Mike Elias isn’t putting any of these needs on a back burner.
The hiring of a general manager sits there.
I’ve got more questions swirling in my brain, and among them is which of these additions is most important to the club’s future success? That’s different than which comes first.
I’m not too chicken to egg you on.
A new week brings the next set of meetings in baseball, with owners gathering in New York on Tuesday.
Don’t expect David Rubenstein to swing any deals.
The Orioles’ last trade brought them reliever Andrew Kittredge from the Cubs on Nov. 4 for cash considerations. What’s next?
I’ve already published a batch of questions, including how the Orioles are going to jam five starters in the rotation, who bats first, who’s in center field, whether Tyler O’Neill can extend his Opening Day home run streak, whether there are innings limits for some starters, what’s next for Albert Suárez, which starters could move to the bullpen, whether Trevor Rogers can maintain his level of excellence, which starter will lead the club in innings, and what’s next for Heston Kjerstad.
Here are two more.
Two more coaches are confirmed for manager Craig Albernaz’s staff.
The Orioles have hired Miguel Cairo as major league infield coach and Joe Singley as major league field coordinator and catching coach, according to sources.
Cairo, 51, most recently was Nationals' bench coach beginning in November 2023 and interim manager on July 7, 2025 after Dave Martinez’s firing. He played 17 seasons in the majors with nine teams, finishing in 2012 with the Reds.
Cairo has experience at every position except center field and catcher.
The Nationals interviewed Cairo for the managing job but chose Rays senior director of player development Blake Butera.
The Orioles made another depth move yesterday, signing reliever Richard Guasch to a minor league contract. He’s expected to receive an invitation to spring training.
Guasch, 27, posted a 2.74 ERA and 1.000 WHIP with 57 strikeouts in 46 innings this year in 28 appearances with Double-A Erie. He also pitched in 13 games with an independent team in Mexico and allowed three earned runs with 25 strikeouts in 14 innings.
The Cuban right-hander has pitched in the Athletics, Nationals and Tigers system beginning in 2018, compiling a 4.02 ERA in 145 games and averaging 5.1 walks, 11.5 strikeouts and 0.6 home runs per nine innings. He’s never risen above Double-A.
The Nationals acquired Guasch, catcher Drew Millas and pitcher Seth Shuman from the Athletics on July 30, 2021 in exchange for catcher Yan Gomes, infielder/outfielder Josh Harrison and cash considerations. The Tigers purchased his contract earlier this year from the Mexican Baseball League.
Guasch’s fastball has touched 99 mph.
The Orioles have made the following roster move:
- Agreed to terms on a 2026 minor league contract with RHP Richard Guasch.
Judging from the opinions of outsiders in the industry, the Orioles will be the biggest spenders this winter, aim for one big strike and make a series of lesser moves, or spread out their money more evenly.
That should just about cover it.
Scouts, agents and others in the business agree on the shopping list and how, of course, the Orioles are buyers. An impact starting pitcher at near the top of the rotation should be the priority. The bullpen isn’t near complete, and not just because it’s missing a closer. The lineup needs a big bat. Leadership was lacking in 2025.
Otherwise, the perceptions about how the Orioles will operate are scattered and based too much on the past – whether previous payroll constraints or how a last-place finish in 2025 will motivate.
The qualifying offer won’t necessarily deter the Orioles from pursuing a free agent. And according to president of baseball operations/general manager Mike Elias, the expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement in December 2026 isn’t influencing how he conducts business.
The Orioles have made the following roster moves:
- RHP Carson Ragsdale and LHP Josh Walker claimed off outright waivers by the Atlanta Braves.
The general manager meetings in Las Vegas are over, and Orioles president of baseball operations/general manager Mike Elias is flying back to Baltimore. He didn’t bring any new players but he’s gained some clarity on the trade and free agent markets.
The daily sessions have served their purpose.
Elias sat down with executives from other teams, agents and some players who showed up at the Cosmopolitan hotel.
“A lot of information gathering and a lot of meetings,” Elias said this afternoon.
“Overall it was really good. I can’t say anything happened, but this is how the offseason starts to develop usually is the conversations that initiate at the GM meetings.”
The Orioles’ coaching staff for the 2026 season has three confirmed outside hires and three likely holdovers.
A source confirmed tonight that Buck Britton, Drew French and Ryan Klimek are expected to remain with the Orioles.
Britton finished as third base coach and infield instructor after Tony Mansolino was named interim manager. French completed his second season as pitching coach. Klimek has served as pitching strategy coach since 2023.
Another source said earlier today that Britton might remain at third base but details had to be worked out and nothing was official. The team definitely had shown interest in retaining him.
Britton was promoted from Triple-A manager to major league coach prior to the 2025 season, but Orioles manager Brandon Hyde was fired on May 17, which led to a reshuffling of the staff.
New Orioles manager Craig Albernaz is dipping into his past again with the hiring of Donnie Ecker as bench coach, which a source confirmed this afternoon.
Ecker, 39, served as Rangers' bench coach and offensive coordinator from 2022-24. They removed his bench coach duties prior to the 2025 season and fired him on May 4.
The shakeup included the hiring of former All-Star second baseman Bret Boone as hitting coach.
Ecker was on the Rangers’ staff when they swept the Orioles in the 2023 Division Series and won the World Series.
The Giants hired Ecker as one of their two major league hitting coaches prior to the 2020 season, which is where his career intersected with Albernaz, the team’s bullpen and catching coach from 2020-23.
