BRONX, NY - MAY 01: Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles prior to the game against New York Yankees on May 1, 2026 at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)
LAS VEGAS—The Orioles have just three weeks to try to fortify their team ahead of the expected lockout, and president of baseball operations Mike Elias is trying to make the most of his time.
Elias estimates he has seven or eight hours of meetings with agents on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Nothing’s really happened yet in the market, so everyone’s talking and exploring and seeing what possibilities are out there, but I think the action’s going to pick up here pretty soon,” Elias said at the General Managers Meetings on Tuesday.
A lockout could start at 11:59 p.m. on December 1st, but Elias won’t rush into action.
“For me, it’s business as usual, but I’m expecting to have activity this month, for sure,” he said.
The most marketable Oriole player is shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who had a tough 2026, but don’t expect him to be moved.
“A lot of key core players are very unlikely to go elsewhere,” Elias said.
Elias is constantly having discussions about deals.
“We’re talking to everybody about everything right now,” he said. “I’ve seen reporting on this front and I’ve not disputed, and it’s just because it’s part of our job, especially if a guy is not on a big, long-term contract. We’ve got to listen, but it doesn’t mean we’re motivated to trade players. It doesn’t mean we’re proactive, and it definitely doesn’t mean anything’s going to happen.
“We’re gathering information here, and I don’t hang up the phone, usually when people ask about our players.”
Henderson hit a career-low .225 with a .712 OPS, 24 home runs and 59 RBIs in 2026 while still playing 158 games.
“I know he’s been frustrated,” Elias said. “I fully expect he’s going to have a much better season this year. We’re certainly going to do everything we can to work with his camp and support his offseason development. He’s a really good player. He’s been a little bit banged up even though he’s played every day … He’ll be back in the saddle.”
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