Gunnar Henderson is one of the top young players in Major League Baseball and has showcased his abilities. As a five-tool player, he has shown the ability to dominate the game at such a young age. With the team having a young core of players, there needs to be some showing that ownership wants to keep some players for the long haul.
Let’s take a look at why Henderson needs to get a contract extension and why it means more for both the Baltimore Orioles and MLB as a whole.
TWSN Key Facts
- Name: Gunnar Henderson
- Team: Baltimore Orioles
- Becomes a free agent after the 2028 season.
The Baltimore Orioles Need to Lock Up Gunnar Henderson Now
Henderson has been one of the biggest young stars in all of Major League Baseball since making his MLB debut on Aug. 31, 2022, for the Baltimore Orioles. He has showcased very quickly that he is one of the top shortstops in the entire sport. Baltimore has undergone new ownership recently when David Rubenstein took over, and the thought process was that the team is willing to spend money.
The front office showcased that this offseason with the signings of Pete Alonso, Ryan Helsley, and making trades to acquire talent to their big league club. However, Henderson is the franchise’s star, and they need to find a way to prove that with a massive contract extension.
Major League Baseball has seen a lot of young players sign massive extensions right now, with Konnor Griffin, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Colt Emerson, to name a few, since the beginning of the 2026 season.
Now, it really benefits the Orioles in order to keep him long-term as the lockout appears imminent following this season. One of the major tipping points between the owners and the players has been the introduction of a salary cap. The Athletic’s Buster Olney suggested recently that current contracts may be grandfathered in, so locking players up this season would benefit the team in order to do so and avoid any issues there.
Then, of course, it all depends on if Henderson wants to sign an extension. He becomes arbitration-eligible next season and is under contract until 2029, but locking him up now will give Baltimore a chance to buy out his arbitration and get him for a potentially smaller number than if he becomes a free agent in a few seasons.
Gunnar Henderson has shown the ability to dominate as he already has a Silver Slugger, an All-Star appearance, and won the Rookie of the Year award in his young career thus far. He has shown an ability to have a great arm and be an MVP-level shortstop for the next 10-15 years.
Baltimore has a core that should be able to be competitive in the American League. However, keeping a fanbase interested is a completely different story. When they are competing with worldwide brands like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, they need to find ways to be better. The team had a handful of years where they were not good and had high draft selections, now making sure you lock them up is critical.
This could go for a few players on the Orioles core, but Gunnar Henderson has shown the ability to stay healthy by playing 150+ games the previous three years and be a force at the top of the lineup consistently. Making sure the Orioles keep him by locking him up this season to a major extension is priority number one, two, and three for the front office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should the Orioles extend Gunnar Henderson now?
The Orioles should extend Gunnar Henderson now because he is already one of the best young players in Major League Baseball and the face of the franchise. Locking him up early could also help Baltimore secure him at a lower long-term price before his value rises even more.
When does Gunnar Henderson become a free agent?
Henderson becomes a free agent after the 2028 season.
Why is Gunnar Henderson so important to the Orioles?
Henderson is important because he is a five-tool player, a cornerstone of Baltimore’s young core, and someone who can help keep the team competitive for years. He is also the type of player fans can rally around as the franchise continues to grow.
What has Gunnar Henderson already accomplished in MLB?
Henderson has already won Rookie of the Year, earned an All-Star appearance, and won a Silver Slugger. Those achievements show how quickly he has become one of the league’s top young stars.
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