Orioles seem eager to reverse lengthy trend with 2026 international free agent push

One would think that as a team that did not like to spend on players for so long, the Baltimore Orioles somewhat famously didn't participate in international free agency very much despite the potential value in doing so. Former Orioles owner Peter Angelos loathed dealing with the sketchy characters that operate in the international market (pretty understandable) and didn't think spending real money on teenagers was wise (far less understandable). However, things have changed since the Angelos days and for the better.

Under Mike Elias and new ownership, the Orioles have gotten over their international hangups. This Orioles front office seems very comfortable in their evaluation of young talent and now it feels like they finally have the support they needed to use those skills to take advantage of the constant flow of talent from Latin America.

One need only look at the upcoming international free agent class for proof of this. According to Baseball America's international bonus board, the Orioles are set to sign four of the top 50 bonuses when international free agency opens up on January 15.

Orioles are getting up off the mat and are finally set to make international splash with Jose Luis Acevedo as the headliner

The Orioles are one of seven teams with the highest international bonus pools this year at $8,034,900 which is determined by market size, revenue status, and whether teams signed players with qualifying offers attached last offseason. Baltimore checked all the boxes needed to get into the top group and appear to be willing to use that to their advantage.

The top international prospect that Baltimore is expected to land is shortstop Jose Luis Acevedo out of the Dominican Republic. Acevedo is reportedly getting the 11th-highest bonus given out this year thanks to a surprisingly well-rounded game for a teenager. Assuming everything clicks, Acevedo has the approach and bat speed to hit for average and the frame and swing mechanics to hit for real power down the road. Combine that with a strong defensive foundation and you have a kid that could be the total package.

That is not where the Orioles' class ends, though. Baltimore is also pegged to sign toolsy outfielder Ariel Rocque (#24 in the bonus rankings), potential slugging outfielder Pedro Gomez (#40), and outfielder Gabriel Rosario (#42) who is one of the class' better hitters, but whose future defensive home is going to be limited by his lack of speed.

This is a far cry from the days when the Orioles would simply let international free agency pass them by and deny Baltimore a chance to get organization-defining talent at bargain rates. With all of the good the Orioles have done this offseason, this change alone may be the best change of them all.