Roster questions as 2023 begins for Orioles

Sep 13, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (6) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a hitting a solo home run against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: In six weeks, the Orioles will begin reporting to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, and while many questions about the 2023 Orioles were answered with the signings of starter Kyle Gibson, reliever Mychal Givens and second baseman Adam Frazier last month and the acquisition of catcher James McCann last month, there are still some to be answered. On New Year’s Eve, the Orioles traded infielder Tyler Nevin to the Detroit Tigers for cash considerations. Nevin had been designated for assignment when ca McCann was acquired from the New York Mets. The trade removed Nevin from the competition for a backup to first baseman Ryan Mountcastle. It’s roughly the halfway point between the end of the 2022 Orioles season and the beginning of the 2023 season, so let’s tackle those remaining questions. Will the Orioles acquire another starter? During the holiday break, some business was conducted around baseball, and a few free agent starters linked with the Orioles found new homes. The biggest name among the starters was Nathan Eovaldi, who signed a two-year $32 million contract with a vesting option in 2025 with the Texas Rangers. Eovaldi’s market was undoubtedly slowed because the team that signed him had to surrender a draft pick since he turned down a $19.65 million qualifying offer from the Boston Red Sox. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber replaced Eovaldi on the Red Sox. Kluber signed a one-year, $10 million contract with an $11 million for 2024. Another 2022 Boston starter, Rich Hill, who’ll turn 43 in March, signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. There are still a few recognizable names available. Michael Wacha is the highest rated free agent still on the market, and the Orioles reportedly have expressed interest in him. Johnny Cueto, Zach Davies, Wade Miley, Mike Minor and Michael Pineda are some of the others still without a 2023 team. Gibson, the 35-year-old who signed a one-year, $10 million contract, is the most experienced starter on their staff. The returning starters include Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremer, Austin Voth and Tyler Wells. Baseball’s top pitching prospect, Grayson Rodriguez is set to join the starting staff, and perhaps DL Hall could as well. Voth is in a sticky spot because unlike the others, he doesn’t have an option remaining, but with the Orioles likely to carefully monitor the innings of all the other young starters, he might be valuable as a swing man. The Orioles could still sign a veteran or trade for a more established starter this month. If they trade, they’d probably want a starter who’s perhaps two years removed from free agency, and if they do, they’d have to surrender either a veteran who’s been of value or some of their promising young prospects. How many bullpen spots are available? With last month’s signing of Givens, there are five accomplished relievers returning. Bryan Baker, Félix Bautista, Cionel Pérez and Dillon Tate join Givens. The Orioles could have Voth or perhaps Mike Baumann, Spenser Watkins or Bruce Zimmermann, who provide starting depth, as a long man. A long man and the five veterans leave two openings in the bullpen. Hall, Rule 5 selection Andrew Politi, Keegan Akin, Logan Gillaspie, Joey Krehbiel and Nick Vespi are among those who could compete for the final two spots. Who is that backup first baseman? Mountcastle played 144 and 145 games in the last two seasons, but aside from the last two months of 2022, Trey Mancini, who remains a free agent was always the backup first baseman/designated hitter. The Orioles would like a left-handed hitter/DH-type. McCann has played six major league games at first, but he’s a right-handed hitter, and while Adley Rutschman could be the DH when McCann catches, Rutschman is probably not going to play first as he did occasionally in the minors. Ramón Urias played some first base in the minor leagues, but the backup probably will come from elsewhere. Franchy Cordero, who was signed as a minor league free agent could get a shot. There was some chatter that the Orioles had interest in Eric Hosmer, released last month by the Red Sox, but the Chicago Cubs may be interested as well. How many position player spots are open? With an infield of Mountcastle, Frazier, Jorge Mateo and Gunnar Henderson with Urías in reserve, Rutschman and McCann, and outfielders Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander, that leaves three spots. Ryan McKenna, who was a useful fourth outfielder last season with the ability to play each of the outfield positions, is probably a favorite for one of them. Kyle Stowers could be another, but he may be challenged by Cordero and non-roster outfielder Nomar Mazara. Don’t forget about Terrin Vavra, who’s a left-handed hitter with the ability to play second and the corner outfield positions. Infield prospects Joey Ortiz and Jordan Westburg could begin the season back at Triple-A Norfolk, but if a spring training injury sends a player to the 15-day injured list to begin the season, that could always change the Orioles’ thoughts.