Part 2/9:
The foundation of the Orioles is nothing short of envy-inducing. Players like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Colton Cowser, and Jordan Westberg form a dream team of talent in their rookie contracts or early arbitration phases. As of now, Baltimore has earmarked less than $80 million for the 2025 payroll—a figure that seems modest for a franchise emerging from the financial constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite experiencing over $250 million in operating income and a notable increase in average attendance of approximately 12,000 fans per home game, the club’s direction remains unclear.