Baltimore

Orioles

Cabrera was a popular name at the trade deadline but wound up staying in Miami this past season, finishing with a 3.53 ERA (3.83 FIP) and 25.8 percent strikeout rate across 137 2/3 innings over 26 starts. The 27-year-old’s durability concerns figure to tamp down any potential return for the Marlins, but he makes plenty of sense as a trade target for teams unwilling to meet the astronomical prices for starters in free agency since he’s under club control for three more seasons. The Orioles are one of those clubs since they are looking to bolster their rotation behind Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers — especially after jettisoning former top prospect Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels a few weeks ago — while using their financial flexibility in free agency to pursue offensive upgrades.

The ping pong balls came through for the White Sox as they secure the top selection in next year’s MLB Draft after having the highest odds — 27.73 percent — of landing the first overall pick. Chicago hasn’t picked first overall since taking future Hall of Famer Harold Baines in 1977. Their likely prize: UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky is one of the best collegiate shortstop prospects in recent memory and is considered a slam-dunk to be taken first overall. Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson is widely-regarded as the top prep player in the draft class. The Giants and Royals were the big movers in this year’s lottery, jumping up double-digit spots into the top six overall, while the Rays also made a massive leap, going from seventh to second overall. Here are the full draft lottery results: (1) White Sox, (2) Rays, (3) Twins, (4) Giants, (5) Pirates, (6) Royals, (7) Orioles, (8) Athletics, (9) Braves, (10) Rockies, (11) Nationals, (12) Angels, (13) Cardinals, (14) Marlins, (15) Diamondbacks, (16) Rangers, (17) Astros and (18) Reds.

Ken Rosenthal adds that the Reds, essentially Schwarber’s hometown team, were at about $125 million for five years. The Reds probably won’t make a similar offer to any other free agent, but the Orioles are still on the prowl, with Kyle Tucker, Pete Alonso, Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez all on their list.

Albernaz, who is managing a major league team for the first time, appears to believe that closers are closers and shouldn’t be used earlier in games when the situation might warrant. That’s good news for Helsley’s value, because while he was already clearly going to be the Orioles’ closer, it’s nice to know he won’t lose the occasional save chance pitching the eighth in tight games.

Alonso lives in Tampa and the meetings are in Orlando, so he doesn’t have too far to go. It’s unclear if he’ll be meeting with the Mets, but there will always be time for that later.

Noda was removed from Baltimore’s 40-man roster after the club made a pair of waiver claims earlier this week. The 29-year-old went 2-for-13 in seven games for the Orioles this past season.

Romo has some prospect pedigree, but hasn’t hit nearly enough to suggest he’s more than a backup backstop at the highest level. The 24-year-old will likely compete for that job this spring in the Grapefruit League.

For the second time this offseason, Robertson will head to a new team. The Pirates claimed him off of waivers from the White Sox in October, but he was designated for assignment earlier in the week when the Pirates needed to free a spot on their 40-man roster. The 27-year-old outfielder slashed just .129/.173/.143 with a 27/2 K/BB ratio over 75 plate appearances with the Blue Jays and White Sox in 2025. He’ll add outfield depth for the O’s.

Feinsand specifically notes those three clubs as the biggest threats to sign the 30-year-old left-hander away from the Phillies. He also mentions the Tigers and Mets as teams that have shown interest. With multiple large market teams in the bidding, it sounds like Suárez should do pretty well for himself here on the open market.

Helsley, whose only season of 100 innings pitched was in the minors in 2017 and who missed most of the second half of 2023 with a forearm strain, decided it wasn’t worth the risk to try starting at age 31. Perhaps he could consider it again if he has a successful 2026 and opts out of his two-year, $28 million deal next winter.