TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 11: Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles reacts after hitting a single in the second inning during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 11, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 14: Shortstop Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 14, 2026 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) Getty
The Baltimore Orioles' most important offseason improvement might already be on their roster.
New general manager Jared Banner offered an intriguing reason to keep believing in Gunnar Henderson, pointing to a player whose development he watched closely with the Chicago Cubs.
As MASN's Roch Kubatko reported October 29, Banner brought up Pete Crow-Armstrong when asked Tuesday about helping Henderson regain his previous form.
The comparison was about continued improvement, rather than a specific swing adjustment. Still, it gives Baltimore an interesting way to frame a winter that will involve more than shopping for players.
Henderson finished 2026 with 24 homers and a .712 OPS, according to his MLB's player page .
Those numbers explain why improving an established cornerstone could matter as much as an attention-grabbing acquisition.
GettyGunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles reacts after hitting a single against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in Toronto on September 11, 2026. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Crow-Armstrong was already an accomplished player before taking another step forward. Banner's point was that an impressive season should not become a ceiling.
"We're not putting any ceilings on any of these guys," Banner said, according to MASN.
That is an encouraging message for Orioles fans. It is also an early statement of expectations from an executive whose work will be judged by what happens after the introductory press conference.
The distinction matters. A comparison does not establish that Henderson and Crow-Armstrong have identical problems, development paths or eventual outcomes.
It suggests Baltimore's new GM sees room for substantial growth, even from players who have already reached the majors and earned recognition.
For Henderson, the next useful question is what that support looks like once the offseason work begins.
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GettyGunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets at Citi Field in Queens, New York, on September 14, 2026. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
The Baltimore Banner's October 5 analysis offers a more specific picture of the shortstop's difficulties.
Andy Kostka reported that Henderson's chase rate climbed to 30.4% in 2026, compared with 23.2% in 2024. His average exit velocity also declined between those seasons.
Those indicators make plate decisions and quality of contact sensible areas to watch. They do not, by themselves, identify one adjustment that will solve everything.
Henderson also discussed how difficult significant changes can be during a season, when preparation must compete with facing elite pitching every night.
An offseason creates room to work without immediately measuring every experiment against that night's box score.
For readers tracking Baltimore's winter, that provides a useful alternative to evaluating progress only through transactions. Follow the acquisition news, but also watch for concrete explanations of Henderson's preparation and approach.
That also changes how fans can judge the new front office. A productive winter would include a clearer development process, measurable goals and evidence that players understand their assignments, alongside the additions expected to improve the roster before next season begins.
The Orioles have a familiar player with a higher level to chase. Banner has supplied the expectation. The next development worth watching is how Baltimore turns that expectation into a practical plan.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
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