MASN aired an “Orioles Classic” yesterday from April 11, 2023, when Ryan Mountcastle finished with nine RBIs to tie the franchise record shared by Eddie Murray and Jim Gentile. He capped a remarkable night with a 456-foot grand slam to left field in a 12-8 victory over the Athletics at Camden Yards.

Austin Hays went 4-for-5 with a double and home run from the leadoff spot. Grayson Rodriguez started but Bryan Baker earned the win. James McCann started the game as the designated hitter and was removed for pinch-hitter Terrin Vavra, who was removed for pinch-hitter Ryan McKenna, who was removed for pinch-hitter Adam Frazier.

The broadcast kept a running tally of Adley Rutschman’s opposite-field hits that year. Rutschman was so hot, the Athletics issued an intentional walk in the seventh inning to load the bases for Mountcastle.

Gunnar Henderson was the only Oriole in that game who finished this season on the active roster. Mountcastle was on the 60-day injured list and Rutschman was traded. None of the five pitchers, including Austin Voth, Danny Coulombe and Logan Gillaspie, are in the organization.

Henderson was the third baseman that night, and Jorge Mateo played shortstop.

It’s crazy how quickly a division champion can change.

The Orioles have four pending free agents when options aren’t taken into account – starters Trevor Rogers and Chris Bassitt, and relievers Andrew Kittredge and Keegan Akin. Akin is recovering from his July elbow-reconstructive surgery and likely will sign a two-year deal, similar to John Means, to give a team a full season in 2028.

Of course, it’s possible that the Orioles bring back all four of them. Rogers will be one of the most popular pitchers on the market, assuming that he declines the qualifying offer coming from the Orioles if they can’t sign him early. Bassitt took his turn as the veteran on a one-year contract, a go-to move by this organization, but his 13th major league season likely will play out somewhere else. Kittredge has come, gone and come again. He led the team with 11 saves.

Ryan Helsley could have returned to free agency because of his $14 million player option, but he’s expected to exercise it after appearing in only 17 games due to two right elbow injuries. Starter Zach Eflin, whose contract has a $25 million mutual option, made one start before undergoing Tommy John surgery. Outfielder Luis Robert Jr., a waiver claim from the Mets, appeared in three games before his hamstring injury. The Orioles hold a $2 million buyout on a $20 million option.

Left-hander Dietrich Enns spent most of the season with Triple-A Norfolk, and the Orioles probably aren’t motivated to pick up his $3.5 million option.

That brings us back to Mountcastle, who fractured his left foot running to second base and suffered a severe oblique strain while warming up for his first rehab game with Norfolk. He played only eight games and probably shouldn’t expect the Orioles to exercise his $7.5 million option. Maybe they work out a new deal at a lower cost, but first base and the designated hitter spots are crowded.

Of the seven players eligible for arbitration, the Orioles appear certain to offer new contracts to four of them – Henderson, closer Félix Bautista, third baseman Jordan Westburg and outfielder Colton Cowser. MLBTradeRumors.com projects raises for outfielder Leody Taveras to $3.7 million and relievers Codi Heuer and Albert Suárez to $1.1 million. Free agency beckons.

Taveras made $2.1 million this season and batted .219/.288/.345 in 139 games. His 56 RBIs ranked fourth on the team, and his career-high six triples tied Henderson for first. His nine sacrifice bunts were the most by an Oriole since Manny Machado also had nine in 2013

A few more interesting tidbits on Taveras:

He became the eighth player with at least 15 extra-base hits and 10 stolen bases before the All-Star break in his first season with the Orioles, and the first since Corey Patterson in 2006.

He had seven RBIs in extra innings, the third most in the majors behind Detroit’s Spencer Torkelson (10) and Tampa Bay’s Jonathan Aranda (eight).

Even so, $3.7 million might be excessive for an extra outfielder and with the Orioles trying to upgrade the unit.

Carlos Narváez and Yohel Pozo were the catchers on the final day of the season with Samuel Basallo on the concussion injured list. They have minor league options and no assurances of making the Opening Day roster.

Heston Kjerstad, Christian Franklin and Rece Hinds also would have to earn jobs. Kjerstad and Hinds are out of minor league options.

The Orioles could seek a trade partner for Kjerstad, the second-overall pick in the 2020 draft who didn’t get called up until September, played in only 11 games and appeared in only four lineups.

It would have been five except for the Sept. 27 rainout.

Infielder Jeremiah Jackson doesn’t seem to have a role on the team with Blaze Alexander healthy and if Westburg can stay healthy.

Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz and Brandon Young can be written into the rotation in indelible marker. Helsley, Bautista and Yennier Cano are returning to the bullpen and should be joined by Rico Garcia, who led the club with 75 appearances.

Left-hander Josh Walker posted a 2.08 ERA in 31 games to join Garcia has two of the bigger surprises in 2026. Alex Hoppe came over from the Mariners in the Taylor Ward trade and will enter camp as a favorite to make the club. The rest is up to him.