Orioles’ offseason has been busy, but more needs to get done

It’s been a busy offseason for the Orioles, and it’s not done. While the Orioles have added outfielder Tyler O’Neill, catcher Gary Sánchez and Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano, there’s still work to do.

Let’s review what the Orioles have done, and what needs to be done.

Since the disappointing end to the 2024 season — when the Orioles were swept out of the playoffs for the second straight season — they’ve cut ties with left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe, whose $4 million option for 2025 was not exercised, and right-hander Jacob Webb, who was not offered a 2025 contract. Webb signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the Texas Rangers last week.

Corbin Burnes, the Orioles’ top pitcher from last season, backup catcher James McCann and outfielder Anthony Santander remain on the free-agent market. O’Neill is a replacement for Santander, and Sánchez will move into McCann’s role.

The Orioles reportedly remain an outside contender for Burnes, whose other suitors could include the Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays.

Outfielder Austin Slater signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Chicago White Sox in the early days of free agency.

Left-hander John Means is also a free agent, but since he’s recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, he might not sign with anyone until he’s further along in his recovery. In a best-case scenario, Means won’t be ready to pitch until the second half of the 2025 season.

The Orioles added three minor league pitchers to their 40-man roster — left-hander Luis González, and right-handers Kade Strowd and Brandon Young. Catcher René Pinto and outfielder Daz Cameron were claimed off waivers.

Currently, the 40-man roster is full.

The coaching staff has been overhauled. Bench coach Fredi González, major league coach José Hernández and co-hitting coaches Ryan Fuller and Matt Borgschulte have departed. Fuller is the White Sox’s director of hitting, and Borgschulte is Minnesota’s hitting coach.

The Orioles hired former catcher Robinson Chirinos as their new bench coach, Triple-A Norfolk manager Buck Britton as their major league coach, promoted Cody Asche from offensive strategy coach to lead hitting coach. They’ve added Tommy Joseph and Sherman Johnson as assistant hitting coaches.

Joseph came from Seattle, where he was assistant hitting coach in 2024, and Johnson was the Orioles’ upper-level hitting coordinator last season, a role he’ll keep in 2025.

Tim Federowicz replaces Britton at Norfolk. The rest of the minor league assignments will be announced in the New Year.

It’s likely that Roberto Mercado, who managed Double-A Bowie this year, will return. Mercado managed the Surprise Suguaros in the Arizona Fall League, but the minor league team he’ll probably return to has been rebranded. Instead of the Bowie Baysox, they’ll be the Chesapeake Baysox and still play at Prince George’s Stadium.

Longtime head athletic trainer Brian Ebel’s contract wasn’t renewed. The Orioles haven’t announced their 2025 training staff.

What’s left to do? The Orioles need to get as many starting pitchers as they can.

Grayson Rodriguez, Zach Eflin, Dean Kremer, Cade Povich and Albert Suárez return. The addition of Japanese right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano adds depth, though Sugano is 35, and he’s never pitched in the major leagues.

Chayce McDermott, Trevor Rogers and Young, who was named the Orioles’ minor league pitcher of the year, are also starting candidates.

Perhaps Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells, who both had season-ending elbow surgery  in June, could return for the second half of the 2025 season.

If the Orioles don’t re-sign Burnes, they could trade for a starter. Some of those reportedly available are San Diego’s Dylan Cease, Seattle’s Luis Castillo or Bryce Miller, Miami’s Jesús Lazardo, and Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller, who is a particular favorite of manager Brandon Hyde.

The Orioles also could sign Jack Flaherty, who pitched the last two months of the 2023 season for the Orioles, and Kyle Gibson, who was a dependable starter that season.

Sean Manaea and Nick Pivetta, who would require the Orioles to surrender a draft choice, remain free agents, as do future Hall of Famers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.

The Orioles could use another relief arm or two. That market has been relatively quiet with another former Oriole, Tanner Scott, the most attractive free agent. Others who remain available are Jeff Hoffman, David Robertson, Carlos Estévez and Coulombe.

According to Cots Contracts, the Orioles’ estimated 2025 payroll is currently $124.4 million, $20 million ahead of where it was at the end of the 2024 season. That estimated payroll, which will also climb when another starter is added, ranks, 18^th in Major League Baseball, six spots higher than it was at season’s end.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.