Vanessa: Pete Alonso just hit two home runs to take over the AL lead with forty-three, routing the Yankees in a doubleheader opener before the season ended in rain. But is that power enough to save a 79-82 team? We’re answering your mailbag questions on the roster logjams, the rotation battles, and what this offseason actually looks like for Baltimore.
Nick: It’s a wild finish to the 2026 campaign for the Orioles. They sit second in the AL East but missed the playoffs. Today we’re digging into the fan questions about Pete’s historic power surge, the third base logjam, and whether those starting pitching acquisitions we talked about last week are still happening.
Vanessa: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, I’m Vanessa. Here’s Nick. Let’s get right into it. We’ve got three big topics today: first, breaking down Pete Alonso’s late-season explosion and what it means for his future here; second, tackling the depth chart chaos at third base and center field; and third, a lightning round of quick takes on the rotation options. Let’s start with Segment One.
Vanessa: Let’s jump into the mailbag. First question comes from Marcus in Chicago. He asks: 'Pete Alonso homered twice against the Yankees, driving one 471 feet into the left field bleachers. He now leads the AL with 43 homers. Is this the breakout we expected, or was he always going to be elite?'
Nick: Well, Marcus, you have to look at the launch angle data here. That 471-foot drive wasn’t just luck; it was pure optimization. Alonso has always had the raw power, but his plate discipline improved significantly this year. He’s taking fewer chase pitches outside the zone. When you combine that OBP growth with his natural pull-side strength, you get numbers like 43 home runs. It’s not a fluke; it’s a maturation of his approach.
Vanessa: Exactly. And let’s remember the context—he did this in a doubleheader win where the Orioles routed the Yankees 10-2. That kind of momentum is huge for a franchise. Sarah from Rochester chimes in next: 'With the regular-season finale against New York canceled due to sustained rain, does that hurt the team’s rhythm heading into the offseason?'
Nick: Oh, the rain cancellation. Yeah, that’s frustrating for the fans, but honestly? From a tactical standpoint, it might be a blessing in disguise. The team had already secured their standing—they were fourth in the AL East at one point, then climbed to second overall with other results. Stopping the clock prevents further wear and tear on the legs during a meaningless game. It gives the trainers more time to rehab minor nicks rather than playing through pain for a no-stakes finale.
Vanessa: That’s a good point. You don’t want guys pushing too hard when there’s nothing on the line. @OrioleFan88 on Twitter asks: 'The Mets exec David Stearns said there are no mulligans on letting Pete go. Why didn’t Baltimore do more to keep him or acquire someone like him earlier?'
Nick: Right, the Stearns quote is interesting because it highlights the value of patience. Baltimore didn’t need to panic-buy. They built through the draft and development—look at Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday—and then they capitalized on the market when it mattered. Alonso came in, locked down first base, and delivered exactly what you’d hope for. Sometimes the best move is trusting your system rather than trying to force a trade that doesn’t fit.
Vanessa: I love that framing. Trust the process. Okay, moving on. We mentioned last week how the rotation competition is heating up. Chris Bassitt and Shane Baz are anchors, but who else is in the mix? Trey Gibson, Cade Povich, Trevor Rogers, Brandon Young. Who gets the nod?
Nick: This is the critical piece. If we look at the ABS challenge system tracker, which ranks pitchers throughout the MLB season, several of these guys showed promise. But statistically, you want to see consistent strikeout rates and low opponents' batting average. Bassitt and Baz are proven veterans. The rest of them—Gibson, Povich, Rogers, Young—they’re competing for spots. It’s a logjam. You need depth, especially if injuries hit. That’s why we predicted earlier that acquiring two reliable starters isn't just nice-to-have; it's essential.
Vanessa: So the acquisition prediction stands. Without adding proven arms, this group is thin. Alright, let’s pivot to Segment Two. We’re talking roster battles. Specifically, the third base logjam. You’ve got Blaze Alexander, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Coby Mayo all on the roster. How does the front office untangle that knot?
Nick: It’s a classic problem of having too much talent at one position. Alex Hopkins, another analyst I follow, often talks about platoon splits here. Encarnacion-Strand has been excellent defensively, while Mayo brings raw power. Alexander is versatile. The key is finding ways to play them all without forcing anyone into a suboptimal role. Maybe one moves to first base to accommodate Alonso, or perhaps they explore trade chips.
Vanessa: Trading away talent is tough when you’re trying to win now. Lisa in Tampa Bay asks: 'If they trade one of the third basemen, who fills the hole? Do they promote from within, or do they look at the free agent market?'
Nick: Promoting from within is the Orioles’ brand. But looking at the minor league affiliates, there isn’t a clear-cut superstar waiting in the wings to take over immediately. So if they trade, they likely look at the free agent market for a veteran stopgap who can hold the fort until the next prospect is ready. It’s about balancing immediate competitiveness with long-term flexibility.
Vanessa: Ugh, the stopgap solution. Nobody likes those. Okay, center field is another area of debate. Colton Cowser, Christian Franklin, Luis Robert Jr., Leody Taveras, Heston Kjerstad, Dylan Beavers, Reed Trimble. That’s seven outfielders. Who is staying?
Nick: Luis Robert Jr. is the anchor. His defensive range and speed are elite. Colton Cowser has emerged as a reliable contributor with strong plate discipline. The others are fighting for backup roles. Franklin and Taveras have speed, which is valuable for pinch-running and late-inning defense. But Kjerstad, Beavers, and Trimble are likely expendable unless they show significant improvement in spring training. It’s a crowded house.
Vanessa: So Robert Jr. and Cowser seem locked in. What about the bullpen? Felix Bautista is the closer, but Yennier Cano, Andrew Kittredge, and Josh Walker are all there. Who holds the middle innings?
Nick: Bautista is set. For the setup man, Kittredge has been steady. His ability to induce ground balls and limit hard contact makes him ideal for high-leverage situations. Cano is volatile but explosive. If he finds his command, he’s a star. But for consistency, Kittredge is the safer bet. The rest of the bullpen—Cameron Foster, Rico Garcia, Codi Heuer, Yaramil Hiraldo, Alex Hoppe, Anthony Nunez, Cam Sanders, Albert Suarez, Grant Wolfram, Yosver Zulueta—are depth pieces. They’ll compete in camp.
Vanessa: Wow, that’s a lot of names. It really shows how deep the farm system is. But it also means decisions will be tough. Okay, Segment Three. We’re doing a fun hypothetical and a lightning round. First, hypothetical: If the Orioles could instantly fix one flaw in their 2026 season to make the playoffs, what would it be?
Nick: I’d say fixing the starting pitching depth. As we discussed, they had gaps. If they had two more reliable starters, they could have swept more series against teams like the Yankees. Remember that doubleheader win? That was rare dominance. More consistency from the rotation means more wins, and more wins mean October baseball.
Vanessa: Agreed. No rotation depth, no playoff run. Okay, lightning round. Quick takes. Pete Alonso’s 43 home runs: Over or under for next year?
Nick: Over. He’s only getting better. His swing adjustments are paying off.
Vanessa: Will the Orioles acquire two starting pitchers before spring training?
Nick: Yes. We predicted it last week, and the need is too great.
Vanessa: Is the AL East the toughest division in baseball right now?
Nick: Absolutely. Every team has firepower.
Vanessa: Should Gunnar Henderson win MVP?
Nick: He should. He’s an elite two-way player.
Vanessa: Will Jackson Holliday be the everyday second baseman in 2027?
Nick: Yes. Jeremiah Jackson is good, but Holliday is the future.
Vanessa: Okay, before we wrap up, I want to take a quick moment. We know putting out a fresh show every single day takes a massive amount of effort—research, editing, hosting, and keeping the content tight and factual. It’s a labor of love, but it’s also expensive. A handful of supporters helps keep the show free and daily for all of us. If you’ve enjoyed our coverage of the Orioles and other teams, please consider chipping in. Just head to the link in the episode description. It makes a world of difference.
Vanessa: Thank you so much for listening. To recap: Pete Alonso’s power is real, the rotation needs help, and the third base logjam is a problem to solve. Subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts, and share this episode with a fellow O’s fan.
Nick: We’ll be back tomorrow with more analysis. Keep cheering loud, Baltimore.
Vanessa: Go Birds!