Story by
Should the Baltimore Orioles Move on From Jackson Holliday?
- Story by
- Should the Baltimore Orioles Move on From Jackson Holliday?
(D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images)
The Baltimore Orioles have a decision to make this offseason on Jackson Holliday after another disappointing 2026 season. In 2025, Holliday was available and simply did not produce. This year, Holliday kept suffering injury setbacks and continued to struggle.
Trading the 22-year-old infielder could bring back some help, but moving on now would mean selling a former No. 1 pick before the organization has seen what he can truly do.
Advertisement
Holliday finished 2026 with a .229 batting average, .300 on-base percentage and .640 OPS across 98 games, recording seven home runs, 30 RBIs and eight stolen bases in 315 at-bats.
His season was derailed by injuries from the start. He underwent surgery in February after fracturing the hamate bone in his right hand during spring training, missing the first 48 games.
Then in September, left wrist inflammation sent him back to the injured list, and further examination revealed a partial tear that required season-ending surgery. He is expected to be ready for spring training.
His 2025 season was a bit more encouraging. Holliday hit 17 home runs and stole 17 bases across 149 games. He showed that power-speed combination that made him one of the top prospects in baseball entering that year. A full, healthy 2027 could look a lot closer to that version of him than what Baltimore saw this past season.
Advertisement
The case for trading him though does make sense. Baltimore finished 79-82, missing the MLB playoffs for the second straight year. The rotation needs a lot of help. Trevor Rogers and Chris Bassitt are both entering free agency. Zach Eflin's mutual option will likely be declined.
There are spots to fill and Holliday's potential and years of team control make him one of the best trade chips the organization has. He could headline a package for another arm.
But selling now, before a healthy season, would mean giving another organization the upside of one of the most hyped players in the past decade. It could be the kind of move that haunts front offices and could cost president of baseball operations Mike Elias his job.
Unless the return is a proven, high-impact pitcher who immediately changes the rotation, Baltimore should hold Holliday, get him healthy this winter and see what he looks like in a spring training where he can actually prepare properly.
Advertisement
The Orioles have enough other pieces to explore in trades this offseason. They should also have some money to spend. Holliday should not be the one they give away before finding out what he actually is.
