Silver Slugger reality hits Orioles hard and exposes major offseason flaw

The American League Silver Slugger finalists were revealed, and there's no point in burying the lede; there were no players on the Baltimore Orioles roster who were recognized. The Orioles were arguably baseball's biggest disappointment in 2025, and considering the paint-drying lull that was their offense, the O's can't even make a case that any of their players were snubbed.

At the start of the season, Gunnar Henderson would have been the obvious name to circle as a Silver Slugger candidate. Henderson had 37 home runs in 2024 with the Orioles while posting a wRC+ of 154. And yet, Henderson is the perfect example of what went wrong with the Orioles in 2025, considering there was regression throughout their entire roster.

Henderson finished the 2025 season with 17 home runs and a wRC+ of 120. Respectable numbers, certainly, but quite short of the Silver Slugger finalists for American League shortstops — Houston Astros' Jeremy Peña, Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr., and Toronto Blue Jays' Bo Bichette.

Orioles can’t ignore what embarrassing Silver Slugger moment says about their core

Pitching is going to be at the center of most rumors surrounding the Orioles this offseason, but their absence among Silver Slugger finalists should be a reminder that they need to reconstruct their offense heading into 2026.

The good news is that the end of the 2025 season did prove some hope that the core of the Orioles' offense is changing. Dylan Beavers looked the part in his 35-game run to end the season, and while an inconsistent first run at the Major League level, Samuel Basallo's bat figures to be at the center of the Orioles' plans next season.

That doesn't mean Mike Elias should be comfortable with his offense. There will still be ebbs and flows when it comes to Beavers and Basallo at the Major League level in their first full season, and it would be fool's gold to expect all of the veterans on the roster to return to form. If returning to contention is the hope for the Orioles in 2026, they need to land an impact bat.

Fortunately, for the Orioles, there are several Silver Slugger finalists who will be free agents this offseason. Pete Alonso and Cody Bellinger are two who come to mind, and could fill the need for the Orioles either at first base or center field. Of course, prestige dictates money, and has been another problem with the approach Elias had had in recent seasons.