Can Orioles’ outfielders help them contend in 2026? | MAILBAG

Question: Thanks for gently letting down the fan who wanted to compare Pete Alonso to Frank Robinson, but my real concern was your speculation on the O’s outfield for 2026. I definitely think you’ve got the names correct, but do you really see that group as the outfield of a pennant contender? I certainly do not. From: Bob West

Answer: Bob, I’m glad you’re a faithful reader of our mailbag. After I answered a question on Alonso on Monday, I answered another one from a reader who wanted to know if I thought that Dylan Beavers was one of the top four outfielders on the 2026 team.

As I wrote, there is still nearly two months between now and the beginning of spring training, and I would not be surprised if the Orioles acquired another outfielder.

Taylor Ward’s stats are strong enough to help anchor a contending outfield. If Colton Cowser is healthy and his stats are closer to 2024’s than 2025’s, then he’s a huge help. While Tyler O’Neill played only 54 games, he had the stats of a contributor in 2024 when he was with Boston, (.241 average, .847 OPS, 31 home runs, 61 RBIs in 113 games).

I think Beavers could be a big help as well. If another outfielder is signed or traded for before spring training, perhaps we’ll revisit this question.

Question: Seeing the election of Jeff Kent to the Hall of Fame makes me wonder again why Bobby Grich is not in there.

Do Oriole fans need to remind the committee members why Grich was a better all-around player than Kent? Grich is already in the Halls of Fame for the Orioles and Angels. It should be a no-brainer. From: Ed Cuneo

Answer: Ed, I agree that Bobby Grich should be in the Hall of Fame. I also think that Lou Whitaker should be in the Hall of Fame. However, the committee that elected Kent was considering players who made their greatest impact since 1980, the Contemporary Baseball Era.

Grich, whose career spanned from 1970-1986, could be a candidate for the Classic Baseball Era. That committee considers candidates who made their greatest impact before 1980.

That committee will next consider candidates in December 2027, and Grich, along with Pete Rose and others, could be among those voted upon. I hope he will be.

I think Grich is a better candidate than Kent, but he wasn’t eligible this time.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.