Orioles first official offseason move quietly reinforces a key need for 2026

The Baltimore Orioles took care of the first item on their offseason wishlist earlier this week after agreeing to terms with new manager Craig Albernaz. Now, the team's attention will turn to improving the roster. The Orioles made a small, but necessary, move on Thursday after agreeing to a Major League deal with right-handed reliever Rico Garcia.

Garcia was a late addition to the Orioles' roster in 2025. He began the season with the New York Mets, then went to the New York Yankees. After just one Major League appearance for the Bronx Bombers last season, Garcia landed back with the Mets. He made six appearances in Queens before being cut loose one more time and finally landed in Baltimore back in August.

In all, Garcia made 29 appearances in 2025, 20 of which came with the Orioles. He often entered during the late innings and relied heavily on pitching to contact. Garcia was able to get swings and misses too, but a high ground ball rate and low exit velocity were both key to his success in 2025. He ended the year with a respectable 3.15 ERA and 38 punch outs over 34⅓ innings of work.

Orioles sign reliever Rico Garcia to MLB deal, but need more reinforcements in 2026

Orioles fans re hopeful that this is the first of many offseason additions, and president of baseball operations Mike Elias should look to add even more depth to the team's bullpen this winter. While so many fans talk about the lack of a front line starter, Baltimore's bullpen needs a lot of work heading into the 2026 season.

The O's aren't expected to lose any of their relievers to the free agent market, but Baltimore preemptively parted with several pitchers at the July 31 trade deadline. Gregory Soto and Seranthony Domniguez were both sent packing at the MLB trade deadline, as was Andrew Kittredge. Frankly, the mass exodus this past summer is what prompted the Orioles to bring Garcia along in the first place.

There'll be no shortage of relief arms available in free agency; top-tier closers like Edwin Diaz, Robert Suarez, and Raisel Iglesias just to name a few. Other names to watch could be Luke Weaver, Emilio Pagán, and Steven Matz.

Regardless of how the O's look to restock their bullpen this winter — free agency or trades — it must be a point of emphasis. Inking Garcia to a new deal is solid start to the offseason.