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Baltimore Orioles Option Deadline 2026: Every Contract Decision Explained
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- Baltimore Orioles Option Deadline 2026: Every Contract Decision Explained
(Daniel Kucin Jr. IMAGN IMAGES)
The Baltimore Orioles could have to make some important roster decisions as early as this week, with the option deadline falling as early as Nov. 1 and as late as Nov. 5. The deadline is slated for five days after the end of the World Series, in which the Milwaukee Brewers currently lead the Tampa Bay Rays 2-0.
Baltimore has a long list of players who need decisions made over the next week . Starting pitcher Zach Eflinhas a mutual option, while Luis Robert Jr., Ryan Mountcastle, and Dietrich Enns all have club options. Ryan Helsley rounds out the list with a player option.
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Eflin pitched in just one game in 2026 and underwent Tommy John surgery on April 8. He went 5-2 with a 2.60 ERA in 2024 after the Tampa Bay Rays traded him, but then posted a 5.93 ERA in 14 starts in 2025. He has a $25 million mutual option.
Luis Robert Jr. hit .221 with 11 home runs in 61 games. He played 58 games for the New York Mets and just three for the Orioles after Baltimore claimed him off waivers. Robert has a $20 million club option.
Ryan Helsleyappeared in 17 games, pitching 15 1/3 innings with a 4.11 ERA. He had 21 strikeouts and eight saves. He missed the final months of the season with inflammation in his right elbow. That followed a month-long absence from May to mid-June with the same elbow issue. Helsley signed as a free agent before the season. His player option is for $14 million.
Another player whose season was cut short by injury is Ryan Mountcastle, who played in just eight games and made 15 plate appearances before a torn oblique ended his season. He has played his entire seven-year career with the Orioles. His club option is for $7.5 million.
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Dietrich Enns,a left-handed reliever, appeared in 13 games and pitched 16 innings. He had a disappointing 13-to-11 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Orioles placed Enns on the injured list in April because of a left foot infection. The Orioles designated him for assignment in May, and after he cleared waivers, they assigned him outright to Triple-A Norfolk.
Based on what 2026 looked like, it would be hard to envision the Orioles exercising any club options other than Ryan Mountcastle's. Helsley could very well bounce back with a big year in 2027, so the $14 million option doesn't put the Orioles in a horrible spot.
