Ryan Mountcastle Becomes Free Agent as Orioles Decline Option

The Baltimore Orioles have declined Ryan Mountcastle's $7.5 million option, making the longest-tenured Oriole a free agent. Drafted 36th overall in 2015, Mountcastle posted a .263/.312/.438 line with 98 home runs over 660 career games in Baltimore. His 2026 season was limited to just eight games due to a left foot fracture. After receiving AL Rookie of the Year votes in 2020 and 2021, his home run totals declined each year.