The Baltimore Orioles have never been known for their spending.

They had the lowest payroll in baseball for three straight seasons from 2020 to 2022, they have cracked the top ten payrolls just once since 2011, and their current $109M payroll sits at 22nd in baseball and is just a third of the $300M payrolls of the Mets and Yankees.

Given their consistently low spending, what do “big” contracts look like in Orioles history? Here are the five largest Oriole contracts to date, based on total value.

Chris Davis: 7 years, $161 Million in 2016

Chris Davis is the only Oriole to receive more than $100M in franchise history. Unfortunately for the O’s, this contract completely fell apart — and then some. The 6’4” first basemen put together a solid 2016 with 38 home runs and 84 RBIs.

However, his AVG dipped more than 40 points and his OPS more than 100 points from 2015 to 2016.

After 2016, he did not exceed 30 home runs, 70 RBIs, .200 AVG, or .750 OPS in any of the remaining years of his contract.

Moreover, he played just 16 games in 2020 due to a knee injury and did not play another game for the O’s due to later hip issues.

In total, he played 535 games, not even 50% of the 1,134 games that took place throughout his 7 year contract.

For the cherry on top, the O’s will be paying Chris Davis his deferred contract money on every July 1 through 2037. When he receives his final payment, he will be 51 years old. Call him the Baltimore Bobby Bonilla.

Adam Jones: 6 years, $85.5 Million in 2012

The O’s had more luck with CF Adam Jones, who they extended during the 2012 season.

He won Gold Gloves in 2013 and 2014, he was named an All Star in three consecutive seasons, and he averaged more than 26 home runs, 84 RBIs, and a .773 OPS across the six years in his extension.

The only weak spot on Jones’ record is his playoff performance. Across the 2012, 2014, and 2016 playoffs, Jones went 9-58 (.155 AVG) with just one extra-base hit, 4 RBIs, and a .413 OPS. Jones didn’t have much of a sample to work with but he did struggle in the few postseason opportunities he was given.

Miguel Tejada: 6 years, $72 Million in 2003

Miguel Tejada was another solid contract in O’s history. He was named an All-Star in three of the four seasons he played with the O’s and consistently batted above .300, exceeded an .800 OPS, and drove in more than 80 runs. The shortstop even finished fifth in the 2004 AL MVP voting after his monstrous 34 home run, 150 RBI campaign.

Tejada also played every game for the Orioles between 2004 and 2006, extending his consecutive games streak to 1,152. He eventually missed time in 2007 due to a HBP but his impressive streak slots in at fifth longest in baseball history.

What hurts Tejada’s baseball legacy is his connection to steroids. Tejada was not only suspended in 2013 for his own steroid use but also lied about his knowledge of other players using steroids in 2005.

Regardless, Tejada was a solid pickup when all was said and done.

Nick Markakis: 6 years, $66.1 Million in 2009

Similar to Adam Jones’ extension, the O’s extended homegrown right fielder Nick Markakis in 2009 and it paid off well.

He put together six largely healthy seasons for the O’s, collecting two Gold Gloves, cracking 100 RBIs in 2009, and maintaining a healthy .286 AVG throughout.

His 1,547 hits impressively put him at eighth in franchise history. His 2,318 total bases also slots in at ninth and his 316 doubles slots in at seventh.

Finally, his career .994 field percentage is tied for 14th best among all outfielders in MLB history. He was as dependable as anyone out there and was a great extension for the Orioles.

Albert Belle: 5 years, $65 Million in 1998

The Orioles signed 5-time All Star outfielder Albert Belle in 1998. He put together a phenomenal 1999, batting .297 with 37 HR, 117 RBIs, and a .941 OPS.

He took a slight step back in 2000 with a .281 AVG, 23 HR, 103 RBIs, and a .817 OPS but was still a weapon in their lineup.

After the 2000 season, disaster struck: due to a degenerative hip condition, 34-year-old Belle would not be able to play baseball again.

The Orioles still owed him $27M through three years so Belle would not even make it through half of his expected Orioles tenure.

Altogether, the Orioles have won some contracts and lost others.

The Chris Davis and Albert Belle signings flopped due to injuries — interestingly, both hip injuries. Sandwiched in between these two failed contracts were three solid players in Tejada, Markakis, and Jones.

Finally, what is almost unfathomable is that Albert Belle’s $65M contract in 1998 is still among their top five contracts ever.

To put that into perspective, there are 94 current contracts worth more than $65M, none of which are the Orioles. Their top contract is outfielder Tyler O’Neill at $49.5M.

All of this is to say the Orioles are due for a shopping spree. Whether that is adding Burnes or Alonso or signing Gunnar or Adley, it is time to start spending in Baltimore one way or another.