When this offseason began, it looked like only the biggest MLB teams had a real shot at signing star outfielder Kyle Tucker. He is expected to get a massive deal, maybe around four hundred million dollars. Because of that, everyone assumed only clubs like the Dodgers or Yankees would be in the running.
But now a new name has entered the conversation. On a recent episode of Foul Territory, reporter Ken Rosenthal said the Baltimore Orioles should not be counted out. Their president of baseball operations, Mike Elias, actually helped draft Tucker back in 2015 when he was with the Houston Astros. Because of that connection, Rosenthal believes the Orioles could at least show interest. He also mentioned that Baltimore might be willing to spend more money this offseason than they normally do. He did not promise that the Orioles will go all-in for Tucker, but he made it clear that they could be a surprise contender.
Adding Tucker would help Baltimore in a big way. The Orioles have a strong future even though their 2025 season was disappointing. Gunnar Henderson is set at shortstop for years to come, and Jackson Holliday has shown why he was the number one pick in the 2022 draft. But they still need another big hitter in the lineup. Their division is only getting tougher. The Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Yankees are all strong enough to make deep playoff runs next year. A player like Tucker could give the Orioles the extra push they need to truly compete.
Of course, the big teams are still interested. The Dodgers need a corner outfielder, and the Yankees want another star to pair with Aaron Judge. Both clubs have the money to make huge offers. But for the first time in a while, the Orioles are being mentioned as a possible landing spot too.
It would be a bold move. It would be expensive. But it might also be the kind of move that changes everything for Baltimore.