The Baltimore Orioles still seem hard at work getting their MLB roster in shape ahead of Opening Day 2026. Few teams have matched the work the Orioles have done this offseason already with the additions of Shane Baz, Pete Alonso, Ryan Helsley, and Taylor Ward, among others, yet they are still among the frontrunners for the top starting pitchers still available on the market. However, attention will soon turn (however briefly) to the prospect side of things with the impending opening of international free agency.
On January 15, the Orioles will be able to sign eligible international free agents along with the rest of the league, though most will be mere formalities, as many of these agreements started with handshake agreements long ago. However, thanks to a change in organizational philosophy in recent years, Baltimore looks to remain very busy once the IFA market opens up.
Explaining international free agency and exactly how much the Orioles can spend in 2026
To be eligible to sign as an international free agent, a player must be at least 16 when they sign, and they must also turn 17 before September 1, 2027 (an admittedly arbitrary deadline meant to divide classes as evenly as possible). The Orioles have to do their due diligence to make sure any players they are signing are eligible, but that is the easy part, even with age fraud running rampant in the international marketplace.
Where things get tricky is managing the Orioles’ international bonus pool to maximize the amount of talent they get to add to the organization. As one of the seven teams that received the highest international bonus pool possible thanks to their lack of spending and not signing any players with qualifying offers attached last offseason, the Orioles have $8,034,900 to spend, with the Diamondbacks, Guardians, Rockies, Royals, Pirates, and Cardinals also getting the same amount.
Orioles expected to sign four top 50 international bonuses in 2026, with Jose Luis Acevedo being the early headliner
Unlike the days when Peter Angelos was actively running the club as their owner, things have changed a good bit, and the Orioles are quickly becoming major players in international free agency, especially now that they have had a front row seat to Samuel Basallo’s development. The top bonus they are expected to dole out this year is going to go to shortstop Jose Luis Acevedo, whose all-around game gets rave reviews from scouts and experts alike.
However, Acevedo is not the only player of note Baltimore is expected to sign once the IFA period opens later this week, as they are expected to give out a total of five of the top 100 international bonuses across the league in 2026. Toolsy outfielder Ariel Roque, corner outfielder mashers Pedro Gomez and Gabriel Rosario, and intriguing LHP Andri Hidalgo, who might throw 100 MPH someday if trends hold and he adds some strength.
Getting these guys signed is only the first step, and the Orioles will have to hit the right notes from a player development perspective to capitalize. If they do, Baltimore could be poised to have yet another wave of impressive young talent from the minor leagues in a few years with this group.