Keys to a better 2025 for the Orioles

It’s possible that the Orioles might not make any major additions before spring training begins in mid-February. They could add another experienced bullpen arm, but with the additions of 35-year-old Japanese right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano and 41-year-old Charlie Morton, another veteran righty, they have 10 candidates for the starting rotation.

If this is basically the team the Orioles will begin spring training with, what needs to happen for them to be a contender in the American League East?

Healthy and productive seasons from Grayson Rodriguez and Adley Rutschman

Rodriguez averaged just under six innings and had a 13-4 record in 20 starts. The problem was that he missed the last two months of the 2024 season with a teres/lat strain. He also was on the 15-day injured list with a strained right shoulder in May.

Rodriguez had a 3.86 ERA, about a half-run lower than 2023, while allowing less than a hit per inning, under three walks and 10 strikeouts per nine innings.

Without Corbin Burnes, Rodriguez will be expected to take on a bigger load this season.

It seems likely that Zach Eflin, whom the Orioles acquired from Tampa Bay at the trade deadline, would be the nominal No. 1 starter, and Rodriguez the No. 2 . If he can start 30 or more times and pitch well, the Orioles could again challenge for the American League East.

As for Rutschman, he’ll have to have a strong full season. In the first half, he was excellent and was voted the American League’s starting catcher.

He hit .276 with an .780 OPS, 16 home runs and 59 RBIs in the first half, and just .207 with a .585 OPS, three homers and 20 RBIs in the second half.

There were some other troubling numbers. His splits against left-handed pitchers were excellent (.329 with a .902 OPS), but against right-handers just .219 with a .631 OPS.

He was far better as a designated hitter (.298 with an .854 OPS) than as a catcher (.231 with a .650 OPS).

If he can normalize those numbers, Rutschman can go a long way to keying a better offensive performance.

Return to dominance by Félix Bautista

The Orioles knew they’d miss closer Félix Bautista, who had Tommy John surgery in October 2023. They just didn’t know how much.

Without Bautista, they tried one of the best closers in baseball history, Craig Kimbrel, and he was fine in the first half of the season, saving 23 games and making a case for his 10^th All-Star team with a 2.80 ERA.

In the second half, Kimbrel imploded, had a 10.59 ERA and was released.

The Orioles tried Seranthony Domínguez, whom they acquired from Philadelphia on July 26^th, and he had a 3.97 ERA and 10 saves, but that was far from the dominance of the 2023 Bautista.

In 2023, Bautista had a 1.48 ERA and 33 saves with 110 strikeouts in 61 innings before he was injured on August 25^th.

Manager Brandon Hyde has said he’d be conservative early in the season with Bautista, but even if he doesn’t close at first, an approximation to the 2023 “Mountain” would suffice.

Cowser, O’Neill need to make up for Santander

Anthony Santander and his 44 home runs are gone, and he’s still a free agent. The Orioles signed outfielder Tyler O’Neill last month.

O’Neill hit 31 home runs last season in 113 games, and if Colton Cowser, the American League Rookie of the Year runner-up and finalist for left field Gold Glove, can show some more power, that could help make up for the loss of Santander.

Cowser hit 24 home runs, finishing third in home runs on the team, but also struck out 172 times.

The Orioles hit 235 homers, two behind the Yankees, who led the majors with 237.

With Cowser, O’Neill and perhaps Heston Kjerstad playing a full season, the Orioles could exceed last year’s total.

Orioles promotional schedule: Tickets for 2025 regular-season games, excluding the home opener, go on sale Thursday January 16^th at 10 a.m. The Orioles are also selling tickets for an expanded Bird Bath Splash Zone in sections 84 and 86 can be purchased at Orioles.com/Tickets.

The Orioles say that tickets to the March 31^st home opener are being reserved for Birdland Members.

Among the promotions are for bobbleheads of Orioles Owner and Control Person David Rubenstein (April 19th), Colton Cowser (May 2nd) and Gunnar Henderson (May 4^th) as part of Star Wars Weekend, Grayson Rodriguez (May 31st), Jordan Westburg (July 28th), and Adley Rutschman (September 24th).

The Orioles will have two Hawaiian Shirt nights (July 8^th and 12), Pride Jersey (June 25^th), Floppy Hat night (July 25^th) and a Jim Palmer Replica Jersey on August 23^rd.

The Orioles will also have a Clear Stadium Bag (April 11th), Hockey Jersey (April 18th), Bowling Shirt (May 30th), Straw Hat (June 15th), Yacht Rock Cap (July 10th), Corduroy Cap (August 10th), Cowboy Hat (August 22nd), and Knit Beanie (September 23rd).

There will be three fireworks nights: June 13^th, July 11^th and August 8^th.

Matusz tribute information: Here’s information about services for the late Orioles’ pitcher Brian Matusz, who died Monday at 37.

A celebration of Brian’s life will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 6180 W Utopia Road, Glendale, AZ 85308, on Friday, January 24th. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m., with a Mass and Celebration of Life to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Casey Cares Foundationhttps://www.caseycares.org/news/loving-memory-brian-matusz  in honor of Brian’s enduring commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.

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