BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, IN – Orioles Sensation Jackson Holliday Officially Declared Franchise Player in Historic Contract Announcement
Baltimore, MD – In a
momentous announcement that reverberated throughout the baseball world, the Baltimore Orioles have officially declared Jackson Holliday their franchise player, following the completion of a massive long-term contract extension that secures the rising star’s future in Baltimore for the next decade — and possibly beyond.Holliday, 20, agreed to a 10-year, $240 million contract that includes a full no-trade clause and team options that could extend the deal through the 2037 season. The agreement makes Holliday the highest-paid player in Orioles history and one of the youngest players in Major League Baseball to receive a contract of this magnitude.
“Jackson represents the best of what this organization stands for,” said Orioles Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Elias during a press conference at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. “From the moment he was drafted, his work ethic, humility, and elite skill set made it clear he was destined to be a cornerstone of this franchise.”
Holliday, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, is the son of former MLB All-Star Matt Holliday. He made his major league debut in the 2024 season and wasted no time making an impact. Through his first season, he posted a .294 batting average with 15 home runs, 65 RBIs, and a .367 on-base percentage, earning him American League Rookie of the Year honors and a spot on the All-Star roster.
The deal is seen not only as a statement of faith in Holliday’s talents, but also as a pivotal moment in the Orioles’ commitment to building a championship-caliber team around a young and dynamic core. Holliday now joins Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Grayson Rodriguez as part of what many analysts believe is one of the most promising collections of homegrown talent in all of baseball.
“I’ve dreamed of moments like this since I was a kid,” Holliday said, speaking to fans and media. “To be able to do it in Baltimore, with this team and this city behind me, it means the world. I want to bring championships here — and I believe we will.”
Fans erupted on social media in support of the move, with #HollidayForever trending within minutes of the announcement. The Orioles, long considered underdogs in the American League East, are now sending a clear message: they’re not just rebuilding — they’re building to win.
As the 2025 season rolls on, all eyes will be on Holliday and the Orioles to see just how far this new era can go.