Vanessa: The rain never did stop the fun, even if it canceled our regular-season finale against the Yankees. Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, where we live for the game.
Nick: Hey everyone. It’s a big day for Baltimore baseball. We’ve got new leadership in Jared Banner and a roster that needs some serious tuning before spring training.
Vanessa: That’s right. Today is all about you. We’re opening the mailbag wide open. We’ve got questions about GM Jared Banner’s immediate priorities, the weirdness of this bullpen-heavy roster, and whether Gunnar Henderson can carry us to October next year.
Nick: We also need to talk about the elephant in the room: Pete Alonso is gone, but he’s still on the roster list? We’ll clear that up. Let’s get into Segment One with your first batch of questions.
Vanessa: First up, we have a question from Sarah in Towson. She asks: 'Jared Banner just started his press conference saying he wants to build a winner, but he’s inheriting a 79-82 team. What is his actual first move?' Nick, how do you see Banner playing chess here?
Nick: Well, Sarah, the board is pretty clear. We talked about this yesterday and the day before. Banner knows the fans are frustrated. He’s coming from the Cubs front office, so he’s used to rebuilding culture. His first move isn’t a press release; it’s a phone call. And those calls are almost certainly going to starting pitching.
Vanessa: Right, because let’s look at the rotation. You’ve got Chris Bassitt and Shane Baz, which is solid, but then you’ve got Trey Gibson, Cade Povich, Trevor Rogers, and Brandon Young. That’s not a playoff rotation. That’s a work-in-progress rotation.
Nick: Exactly. If Banner doesn’t acquire at least two reliable starters before spring training, as we predicted, this team stays stuck in the middle of the AL East. They finished second last year at 79-82, which is actually decent for a rebuild, but to win a division, you need ace-level depth. The bullpen is stacked, but the rotation is thin.
Vanessa: So, trading for bats or trades for arms? Because looking at the relievers, there is a surplus. Felix Bautista, Yennier Cano, Andrew Kittredge, Luis De Leon... that’s a lot of high-leverage arms.
Nick: It is a surplus. In today’s market, elite relievers like Bautista have immense trade value. I think Banner will listen to offers. If a contender brings back a proven starter—someone who can eat innings in May and June—I think Baltimore takes the deal. You don’t trade away championship DNA lightly, but you trade it for survival.
Vanessa: I love that angle. So, building the foundation under Banner means leveraging the bullpen assets to fix the rotation. Next question comes from @OriolesFan88. He writes: 'Pete Alonso is listed on the roster, but we know he left for the Mets. Why is he still there, and does this mean we have a hole at first base?'
Nick: Great catch, @OriolesFan88. The data shows Pete Alonso is still on the official roster list, but obviously, he’s gone. David Stearns over in New York said there are no mulligans, meaning they regret losing him, but he’s wearing a Met uniform now. For Baltimore, yes, there is a massive void at first base. We predicted an 85-95 win season, but that assumes they fill that power gap.
Vanessa: And who steps up? We have Coby Mayo moving around, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand is versatile. But neither is a true everyday first baseman yet. This is another area where Banner needs to be aggressive in free agency or trades.
Nick: Agreed. The offense relies heavily on Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday. If you lose that left-handed power at first, the lineup becomes one-dimensional. Banner has to find someone who can hit .250 with 30 home runs. Otherwise, the run support drops, and the bullpen gets overworked.
Vanessa: Before we dive deeper into these roster battles, we need to take a quick breath. Creating a fresh, daily show like this takes a huge amount of effort behind the scenes. A handful of supporters makes it possible for us to keep bringing you this content for free every single day. If you love what we do, please check out the link in the episode description to help us out. Every bit helps keep the lights on and the mic hot.
Nick: Thanks for that. Now, let’s get into the weeds of the roster construction. Marcus in Chicago asks: 'With Pete Alonso gone, who is the everyday third baseman? Is it Coby Mayo or Christian Encarnacion-Strand?'
Vanessa: This is a great question because it highlights the internal competition. On paper, you’ve got Blaze Alexander listed at third, but he’s been more of a utility guy. Coby Mayo has the power profile, but his defense is a question mark. Encarnacion-Strand is the safer defensive bet.
Nick: I think the answer lies in platoon splits and defensive positioning. Encarnacion-Strand offers better range at third. If Mayo stays at third, he needs to improve his strikeout rate. Looking at the minor league stats, he swings at a lot of bad pitches. Encarnacion-Strand might start at third, while Mayo plays first or DH until he figures out the plate discipline.
Vanessa: That makes sense. It’s about maximizing OBP. If Mayo strikes out too much, he hurts the lineup momentum. Speaking of lineups, let’s talk about the outfield. Dylan Beavers, Heston Kjerstad, Colton Cowser... there are a lot of names here. Who wins the starting jobs?
Nick: Colton Cowser is the anchor in center field. He’s young, he’s athletic, and he’s got patience at the plate. Left field is a battle between Kjerstad and Beavers. Kjerstad has shown flashes of elite power, but Beavers is consistent. Right field? Rece Hinds has the raw power, but his contact issues are real. This isn’t a settled outfield yet.
Vanessa: So, another area where Banner needs to add depth. Maybe bring in a veteran to mentor Hinds? Or trade for a proven right-fielder? The roster feels young, which is exciting, but also risky.
Nick: Absolutely. Youth is great, but you need stability in the majors. If Hinds can’t make contact, you’re playing a part-time player in a corner OF spot. That’s a luxury teams don’t usually have when competing for a division title. I expect Banner to look at the waiver wire or trade market for a left-handed bat to complement the core.
Vanessa: Let’s pivot to the catching situation. Samuel Basallo and Carlos Narvaez are both on the roster. With Yohel Pozo also there, who gets the majority of the reps behind the plate?
Nick: Narvaez is the veteran presence. He handles pitchers well. Basallo is the future star. I think Basallo sees significant time, maybe even starts as the primary catcher by mid-season, but Narvaez will be crucial early on to guide him. Catching is a skill that develops slowly, and you don’t rush it.
Vanessa: Smart management. Okay, we’re running low on time, so let’s head into our final segment. We’ve got a fun hypothetical and a lightning round. First, @BmoreBall asks: 'If you could swap one pitcher from the bullpen to the rotation for next year, who goes?'
Nick: Ouch. That’s a tough one. Felix Bautista is untouchable. Yennier Cano is too valuable in high-leverage spots. I’d probably look at Andrew Kittredge. He’s a veteran lefty who could stretch into a long-relief role or swingman, freeing up a closer for the bullpen.
Vanessa: I agree. Swinging man is the key. You need flexibility. Okay, lightning round! Quick hits. Who is the most underrated player on this roster?
Nick: Jackson Holliday. Everyone talks about Gunnar, but Jackson’s versatility and approach at the plate are underrated. He’s the engine of this offense.
Vanessa: Who is the biggest risk?
Nick: Rece Hinds. If he doesn’t make adjustments, he’s a bench player. High risk, high reward.
Vanessa: Final prediction: Will the Orioles make the playoffs in 2027?
Nick: Yes, if they get the starting pitching upgrades we discussed. 85-95 wins is very achievable with a healthy Henderson and Holliday.
Vanessa: There you have it. Jared Banner’s blueprint, the bullpen-to-rotation strategy, and the Alonso aftermath. Thanks for listening to the Beatline. Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Go Birds!