Orioles confusing offseason roster move will have fans scratching their heads

The Baltimore Orioles made their first roster move of the offseason earlier this week when they re-signed right-handed reliever Rico Garcia to a one-year Major League contract. Seeing as how Garcia turned in a fine performance during the final two months of the 2025 season, it's doubtful that any O's fans had a problem with that signing.

This latest one, however, is bound to raise a few eyebrows. The Orioles announced that they've agreed to terms with utility infielder Luis Vazquez on a one-year Major League contract for the 2026 season. Vazquez appeared in just 32 games for the O's last season and posted a .160/.208/.240 slash line with two extra-base hits and 14 strikeouts.

Orioles add to offseason confusion after signing utility infielder Luis Vazquez to Major League contract

What's perplexing about this contract is that it was even signed in the first place. While all the details have yet to emerge, Vazquez has just 47 days of MLB service time, is pre-arbitration eligible, and under club control through the 2030 season.

Typically these types of players are just tendered a contract for the follow season shortly after the offseason begins. Frankly, these types of players are more likely to be outrighted to the minor leagues or non-tendered and then re-signed to a Minor League deal. The whole situation is rather odd.

Perhaps there's some type of language in Vazquez's previous deal that allowed him to opt out, or it's possible that Baltimore signed Vazquez to a split-contract; one that pays him different sums depending on whether or not he's on the active roster. Regardless of how the new deal is actually structured, the notion that Vazquez is so crucial to the O's success in 2026 that he was signed at all remains the biggest mystery.

The Baltimore faithful are hoping for some bigger and better roster enhancements this coming winter. Once the World Series ends, the MLB offseason officially begins, and the Orioles fanbase is hopeful that a new voice in the dugout (and perhaps some offseason spending) will put Baltimore in position to return to the postseason in 2026.

Whether Vazquez will be part of that success is somewhat debatable, but he does give the O's an extra infielder heading into spring training next year.