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Reports Say Gunnar Henderson Rejected Orioles’ Extension; New Deal Now Seen as Unlikely

Scott Boras’ playbook points the shortstop toward testing free agency.

Overview

  • Multiple outlets on Monday reported the Orioles offered Henderson a long-term deal last spring that he turned down.
  • There is no sign talks have restarted, and Jon Heyman characterized the odds of an agreement as a long shot.
  • Henderson is a Scott Boras client, and Boras often steers players away from early extensions to maximize free-agent leverage.
  • Coverage disagrees on his free-agent year, with some reports citing after 2028 and others after 2029, a gap that changes when a trade or walk-year choice might come.
  • Baltimore has increased spending under new owner David Rubenstein, signing Pete Alonso and extending Samuel Basallo, yet the team has not locked up its franchise shortstop.