Breaking down the Orioles' 2027 payroll ahead of the offseason and likely lockout

One thing that should be on the minds of Baltimore Orioles fans is their payroll. While it seems like an odd thing to think about, since David Rubenstein took over, he has raised it significantly. Despite that rise, the Orioles have yet to make the playoffs under Rubenstein.

In 2025, the Orioles' luxury tax payroll total, according to Spotrac.com, was $175.9 million, up from $131.0 million in 2024. In 2026, it rose again to $217.6 million. According to Spotrac, the Orioles' tax payroll number for 2027 currently sits at $186.6 million, factoring out some club options and adding in arbitration projections.

The actual number may land around there, but the actual roster will change significantly. Here is how the payroll breaks down, by position, before the official start of the 2026-'27 offseason. (Player positions are listed by Spotrac)

Breaking down the Orioles' 2027 payroll ahead of the offseason and likely lockout

Catcher - $10.375 million

This comes from three different players: Samuel Basallo, Carlos Narvaez, and Yohel Pozo. Basallo's long-term extension has an AAV number of $8.375 million over the length of his contract, despite him only being paid $1.675 million in 2027. Narvaez and Pozo are both pre-arb players, meaning they will make around one million if they are on the roster all season.  

First Base - $32 million

This comes from Pete Alonso's contract. His AAV is $31 million for the five years of his contract. While in 2026 that was higher than his $21 million actual salary, for the remaining five years, $2.5 million lower than his $33.5 million salary; a minor saving to their tax bill. The other million comes from Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who is a pre-arbitration player. Not listed is Ryan Mountcastle's $7.5 million club option because it's highly unlikely it's picked up.

Second Base - $3 million

This is counting three players: Jackson Holliday, Jeremiah Jackson, and Jordan Westburg. Holliday and Jackson are in pre-arb, earning them $1 million. Westburg is headed into his first season of arbitration, but usually when a player misses the whole season, they will just get their last season's contract (which is what Spotrac projects) or a small raise (MLB Trade Rumors projects $1.5 million), but nothing significant.

Third Base - $1 million

Coby Mayo is the only player listed at third for the Orioles. He is still in pre-arb, so he will earn $1 million.

Shortstop - $12.5 million

Gunnar Henderson makes up the majority of this heading into his second year of arbitration. Spotrac projects him at $10.5 million this season (MLBTR projects $14.1 million). The other two million come from Blaze Alexander and Jose Barrero, who are both pre-arb.  

Outfield - $29 million

More than half of this is Tyler O'Neill's $16.5 million AAV. He is in the final year of the three-year, $49.5 million contract. Colton Cowser is going into his first year of arbitration with a projected salary of $3 million ($2.2 million from MLBTR). Leody Taveres is going into his final year of arbitration with a projected salary of $4.5 million (MLBTR projects $3.7 million). The other $5 million comes from Reed Trimble, Heston Kjerstad, Dylan Beavers, Rece Hinds, and Christian Franklin. Not listed is Luis Robert Jr.'s $20 million club option, which is highly unlikely to be picked up.

Starting Pitchers - $34.6 million

After signing Kyle Bradish and Shane Baz to long-term extensions, this number will start as one of the highest-paid positions on the roster and will go up with the additions they will make. Bradish has an AAV of $18 million and Baz's is $13.6 million. They have three pre-arb players too: Trey Gibson, Brandon Young, and Cade Povich. If Zach Eflin's $25 million mutual option is picked up, that will make this number extremely high, but mutual options are rarely picked up.

Relief Pitchers - $33 million

The player who makes up close to half of this is Ryan Helsley. He has a $14.0 million player option for 2027 that he will likely exercise after missing most of the season. Yennier Cano carries an AAV of $3.75 after signing his contract extension, one million higher than his salary for the season. Baltimore has three arbitration-eligible relievers: Felix Bautista, Albert Suarez, and Codi Heuer. Bautista is projected at $2.25 ($2.4 by MLBTR); Suarez and Heuer both a one million ($1.1 million each by MLBTR).  Not listed is Dietrich Enns and his $3.5 million club option.

Not all of those players will be back next season. Some of the arbitration-eligible players and pre-arb players will be non-tendered. Also, any free-agent additions will add to this number as well.

This is a good starting point for Baltimore, though. If Rubenstein is willing to keep his payroll around the $217 million it was last season, Baltimore will have $20 to $30 million to work with in free agency, and if he's willing to go higher, that's great too. The actual luxury tax number (or hard cap) will be set by the new Collective Bargaining Agreement signed this offseason (hopefully).

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