Examining contract decisions by Orioles on Friday; Hays among non-tendered players
For the second time in a month, the Orioles cut ties with one of their most reliable relievers. Right-hander Jacob Webb, whose 60 appearances were fourth on the team, was not offered a contract by the Orioles on Friday.
Webb, who was estimated to make $1.7 million in arbitration, according to MLB TradeRumors.com, missed six weeks with right elbow inflammation. He joined left-hander Danny Coulombe, who missed more than three months after surgery to remove bone chips from his left elbow. Coulombe’s $4 million option for 2025 was declined on November 4th.
The rest of the 13 Orioles eligible for arbitration had contracts tendered, and the team reached agreement with corner infielder Emannuel Rivera on a contract for $1.1 million, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Starting pitchers Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremer, Trevor Rogers, Tyler Wells, left-handed relievers Keegan Akin and Gregory Soto, catcher Adley Rutschman, first baseman Ryan Mountcastle, infielders Jorge Mateo and Ramón Urias and outfielder Cedric Mullins were offered 2025 contracts.
Contracts to players on the 40-man roster who are not yet eligible for arbitration also have been tendered.
There are 38 players on the 40-man roster.
The departures of Coulombe and Webb will open spots in the bullpen for less experienced pitchers who have options, meaning they can be sent to the minor leagues when the Orioles need fresh arms. Coulombe and Webb had no options.
With closer Félix Bautista expected back after his October 2023 Tommy John surgery and Akin, Soto, Yennier Cano, Seranthony Domínguez and Cionel Pérez projected as key components of the Opening Day bullpen, there are two spots open.
One could be used for a free agent reliever or Albert Suárez, if he’s not in the rotation. Another could be used for a reliever with options, Colin Selby or some of the pitchers recently added to the 40-man roster — left-hander Luis González, right-handers Kade Strowd or Brandon Young. Right-hander Thaddeus Ward is another possibility.
Rivera’s return gives the Orioles 10 infielders who played with them in 2024: Mateo, Mountcastle, Rivera, Urías, Jackson Holliday, Gunnar Henderson, Coby Mayo, Ryan O’Hearn, Liván Soto and Jordan Westburg.
With 13 position players, including two catchers, there won’t be room for all those infielders.
Some might begin the season on the injured list. Others might be traded. Others mightchange positions, but it’s clear as executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said last week that seeking additional infielders in the free-agent market won’t be a priority.
The Orioles have already signed Vimael Machin, another infielder with three seasons of major league experience, to a minor league contract.
Besides Webb, there were some interesting names who were not tendered contracts. Former Orioles outfielder Austin Hays, wasn’t offered a 2025 contract by the Philadelphia Phillies, which was not a surprise.
Hays, who was traded for Domínguez on July 26th, hit .255 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 65 games for the Orioles before he was traded. With the Phillies, Hays, who missed time with a hamstring injury and a kidney infection, hit .256 with two homers and six RBIs in 22 games.
Tampa Bay outfielder Dylan Carlson, a switch-hitter, wasn’t tendered, either.
Right-handed starter Cal Quantill, who won 15 games for Cleveland in 2022, was non-tendered by Colorado, and 2024 All-Star reliever Kyle Finnegan wasn’t offered a contract by the Washington National. Finnegan had a rough second half with a 5.79 ERA but did save 38 games.
A left-handed reliever who could interest the Orioles is Colin Pache, who was let go by Tampa Bay. Pache has faced the Orioles 22 times since 2019.
Connor Gillaspie, a ninth-round draft pick by the Orioles, was non-tendered by the Guardians. Gillaspie made his major league debut against the Orioles on August 4th in Cleveland. He had a 2.25 ERA in three games this past season.
Note: The Bowie Baysox, the Double-A affiliate of the Orioles since 1993, are rebranding for 2025. They’ll be known as the Chesapeake Baysox but still play their home games at Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie.
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