The multi-tasking isn’t as intense for teams out of the playoffs. One less endeavor to fill the bandwidth.

Scouts are busy writing and filing reports on possible ways to address particular needs via trade talks. They’re checking on players who could be made available, including non-tenders, and determining whether there’s a match.

From conversations with multiple scouts over the past few days, I can confirm the obvious. Every team wants pitching. The bullpen is more of a priority for some, but there’s going to be the usual arms race.

The Orioles are in the market for at least one starter and maybe more with Trevor Rogers and Chris Bassitt eligible for free agency, and with the old saying that you can never have too much pitching. The depth is going to be tested on a yearly basis. The Orioles lost Zach Eflin after one start this season, Dean Kremer to a quad strain and Bassitt to back surgery. Cade Povich went on the injured list with left elbow inflammation. Kyle Bradish was shut down in September with a sports hernia. Trevor Rogers was on the IL due to a severe case of the flu.

The bullpen will undergo the usual changes, as well, with the Orioles in particular need of a matchup lefty. They might want another right-handed late-inning reliever with Andrew Kittredge headed to free agency.

Backup catcher also is a popular target around the league, and the Orioles might seek an offensive upgrade over Carlos Narváez and Yohel Pozo. Narváez arrived in the Adley Rutschman trade, did a nice job behind the plate, but went 8-for-77 (.104) with 24 strikeouts. His one extra-base hit was a double.

The position might not seem overly important in some circles, but the Orioles want to limit the catching strain on Samuel Basallo and envision him backing up at first base and serving as designated hitter. They’ll take a plus defender but also need more offensively than Narváez provided.

Perhaps they can coax more out of him. Narváez finished sixth in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2025 after batting .241/.306/.419 with 27 doubles, 15 home runs and 50 RBIs in 118 games.

Through those same conversations with scouts, it’s apparent that Ryan Mountcastle is an intriguing figure who should draw interest in free agency if the Orioles decline his $7.5 million option. That’s the expected outcome, but you can never assume.

Mountcastle brings appeal as a right-handed bat with power who also is a two-time Gold Glove finalist at his fourth position. He was drafted as a shortstop and moved to third base and left field before landing at first base.

The signing of Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million contract was destined to cut into Mountcastle’s playing time, but the Orioles signed him to a $6.787 million contract, matching his 2025 salary, and included the option. They didn’t non-tender or trade him, and president of baseball operations Mike Elias pushed back on the suggestion in March that Mountcastle would be restricted to being a bench bat.

“Mounty has historically been great against left-handed pitching, and so I think he’s going to be a front-line player for us against a lot of opponents,” Elias said. “We believe in his stick.”

These things have a way of working themselves out. Right? Mountcastle appeared in eight games before fracturing his left foot on April 11 and suffered a severe oblique strain before playing in his first rehab game with Triple-A Norfolk. The lucky rabbit’s foot on his keychain gives him a rash.

Mountcastle is the model for change-of-scenery guys. Get away from the black cloud that hovers over him with the Orioles. Find more favorable left field dimensions. Just set him free for his own good.

I’ve talked to multiple National League scouts who brought up Mountcastle’s name without prompting, inquiring whether the Orioles maintain control. One scout thinks he could be a 30-homer guy in that team’s ballpark.

The infield is jammed with Alonso, Coby Mayo, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jordan Westburg in the corners, and with Blaze Alexander able to play everywhere. And the designated hitter spot gets clogged with Mayo or Encarnacion-Strand, depending on which one is at third, and with Basallo receiving some starts at least against some right-handers.

The Orioles tried to make Mountcastle fit this year, before Mayo earned the chance to stay and get regular playing time, and before Encarnacion-Strand arrived from the Reds organization and resuscitated his career.

Heston Kjerstad’s name also comes up, with other teams checking on his possible availability. My response is the same. He’s out of minor league options next year and behind left-handed hitting outfielders Colton Cowser and Dylan Beavers. The Orioles certainly will listen to any offers, but obviously could just bring him to camp and see what happens. They aren’t under pressure to make an immediate decision.

Anyone who scouted him with Triple-A Norfolk saw that the power comes as advertised. There might be more of a market for him than expected. The Orioles will find out.

There’s also some curiosity over Mayo and Encarnacion-Strand co-existing next season if Westburg is healthy. Everyone sees the obvious redundancy, two right-handed power bats who play the infield corners. They were able to alternate this season between third base and designated hitter, but Westburg spent the entire season on the injured list. How does that work if he’s healthy on Opening Day?

The numbers work. They can deepen the bench. But Mayo is too early in his career and too potent against left-handed pitching to be relegated to reserve duty, and scouts are monitoring that situation.

Yeah, this is going to be an interesting offseason, except for the anticipated shutdown on Dec. 1 that stalls business.

Here’s one more: I’ve been asked about Jeremiah Jackson, and my answer is something along the lines of him being a lesser utility version of Blaze Alexander, which makes him available.

Jackson was optioned multiple times this year and batted .217/.247/.365 in 102 games. One scout noted that Jackson is fine if he isn’t pressed into everyday duty. I didn’t disagree. And Alexander takes up Jackson’s roster spot.

Jackson has minor league options and the Orioles could keep him around for depth unless there get an offer that they can’t refuse. He had a $788,700 salary this year, with no bonus in his contract for hitting his manager with a line drive.