Will Orioles be totally rebuilt for 2026? | MAILBAG

Question: I’m wondering if we have the rebuilt team we’ve been waiting for? Or, because of the unsuccessful season so far, are we going to have to start over? Will we keep the core or split up the team and start over? From: Joe Tito

Answer: Joe, while the Orioles may make a number of trades late next month at the trade deadline, most of the players they could trade — Zach Eflin, Cedric Mullins, Ryan O’Hearn and Tomoyuki Sugano — are impending free agents and unlikely to return in 2026.

They’re unlikely to trade their young players — Colton Cowser, Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday, Coby Mayo, Adley Rutschman and Jordan Westburg — so I think while the team will look a lot different in 2026, they’re going to try to retool rather than rebuild.

Question: I’ve been wondering what is up with Cionel Pérez and do you think that he may make his way back up to the Orioles? From: Jon Weaver, Wichita, Kansas

Answer: Jon, Cionel Pérez is at Triple-A Norfolk, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him return to the Orioles. He’d have to be added to the 40-man roster, but that shouldn’t be a problem. While he had a difficult season this year, the team didn’t release him after he passed through waivers, so seeing him on the Orioles again is certainly a possibility.

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.