The Orioles have reached the latest important date on the offseason calendar, and this one is worth circling twice.

Teams must decide tonight whether to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players. The list grew to 13 with the Taylor Ward trade.

Players with three-to-six years of service time must go through the process. The sides exchange figures if an agreement isn’t reached, and a three-person panel chooses a winner in hearings that run between late January and early February.

The Orioles prefer the file-and-go approach, also known as the alliterative file-and-trial, but they make exceptions for contracts that include options and aren’t strictly for the upcoming season.

The offseason began with 14 eligible Orioles, but the Mets claimed reliever José Castillo on waivers earlier this month and outfielder Dylan Carlson chose free agency after clearing waivers.

We’ve reached a potentially important day in the still-nascent stages of the Paul Toboni era of Nationals baseball. It’s non-tender day across the major leagues, which means the new president of baseball operations has some significant decisions to make, probably his most significant roster decisions since taking the job about two months ago.

By this evening, all MLB clubs must tender 2026 contract offers to all arbitration-eligible players. What does that mean? In a nutshell, teams must officially inform all players with at least three but fewer than six years of big league service time whether they are being retained for next season. Their specific salaries will be determined at a later date, with the two sides either agreeing to a figure on their own or filing for arbitration.

Any players who aren’t offered contracts today are “non-tendered,” which serves the same purpose as getting released. They immediately become free agents, allowed to sign with any club.

Toboni’s predecessor, Mike Rizzo, made plenty of news on this day in seasons past. Just one year ago, he surprised most by non-tendering Kyle Finnegan before eventually re-signing the All-Star closer during spring training for a lower salary number than he would have received via arbitration. (Tanner Rainey also was non-tendered last year, a less surprising move.)

The Nationals have seven current players who are arbitration-eligible, including several big names: CJ Abrams, Luis Garcia Jr., MacKenzie Gore, Jake Irvin, Josiah Gray, Cade Cavalli and Riley Adams. And while the decision to tender contracts to some of these players is obvious, it’s not such an easy call on several others.

The Orioles have acquired minor league INF Payton Eeles from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for C Alex Jackson.

The Orioles' 40-man roster currently has 39 players.

The Orioles are getting closer to completing their coaching staff for the 2026 season.

According to a source, Hank Conger has been hired as bullpen coach under new manager Craig Albernaz.

Conger most recently was Minnesota’s assistant bench coach before finding out earlier this month that he wouldn’t be retained under new manager Derek Shelton. He joined the Twins in 2022 as first base and catching coach.

More youth is added to the staff with the 37-year-old Conger, a former first round draft pick of the Angels who played in the majors for seven seasons. He also gives the Orioles’ another hire with a catching background.

Conger spent five seasons with the Angels and played for the Astros in 2015 and Rays in 2016. Albernaz managed Tampa Bay’s instructional league team that year. Mike Elias was Houston’s director of amateur scouting in ’15.

Simon Mathews’ pitching career ended right as the entire world was shutting down in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The then-24-year-old right-hander with an 89-mph fastball had maxed out his abilities as an undrafted free agent with the Angels, reaching Triple-A but released by that organization shortly after spring training was halted by Major League Baseball.

Still needing money to pay the rent, Mathews used some personal connections to take a job in business development that he despised but allowed him to then pursue the coaching career that now appealed to him. He spent the free time he had in 2020 doing work for a pair of noted pitching labs (Push Performance in Arizona, Driveline Baseball in Seattle) and met Sean Doolittle, who was working to keep his MLB career going.

The next thing he knew, Mathews was hired by the Reds to run the pitching program at their Dominican Academy, then climbed the organizational ladder to work as a roving pitching instructor and ultimately as Cincinnati’s assistant pitching coach this year.

And then last week this previously unknown 30-year-old was named the Nationals’ new pitching coach, a member of Blake Butera’s still-under-construction staff who is even younger than the majors’ youngest manager since 1972.

From washed-out minor leaguer to big league pitching coach in five years? Was this somehow Mathews’ grand plan all along?

In case anyone thought the offseason would be a bore, the Orioles stunned the industry with Tuesday night’s Grayson Rodriguez trade – a late one on the East Coast. They broke their own news, which is a rarity in this industry. It froze us like a 12-6 curveball.

And they’re just getting started.

Let’s sift through some leftover thoughts on the one-for-one deal that brings slugging outfielder Taylor Ward to Baltimore.

* Some of the reviews from national media aren’t favorable for the Orioles based on Rodriguez’s potential and controllability. He can’t become a free agent until after the 2029 season. He hasn’t even reached arbitration eligibility. Ward, meanwhile, can test the market after 2026.

The Orioles are living in the moment.

The Orioles had a question mark in the outfield, a query resolved with the acquisition of the slugging Taylor Ward. 

The manner in which they acquired Ward left many with new questions. 

Baltimore sent Grayson Rodriguez, the former top pitching prospect in the game, to Los Angeles in a one-for-one swap for Ward. Rodriguez, the 11th overall pick in the 2018 draft, hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since 2024 after missing all of last season with a laundry list of injuries. 

Something about opening some doors and closing others. 

Let’s start on the Ward side of things, where the O’s have shored up their outfield group for 2026. The 31-year-old, with just one year of team control remaining, has quietly put together a rock-solid stretch of seasons in Los Angeles, averaging over 136 games played with a .783 OPS, .251 batting average, 24.5 home runs, 24.3 doubles and 72.5 runs driven in per year since 2022. 

The Orioles today announced the return of the weekly “Orioles Hot Stove Show” on WBAL NewsRadio, the flagship station of the Orioles Radio Network. Beginning Thursday, December 4, fans can tune into AM 1090, FM 101.5, and WBAL.com each Thursday from 7-8 p.m. ET as Orioles broadcasters BRETT HOLLANDER and BEN WAGNER, and MASN insider ROCH KUBATKO provide Orioles news, analysis, exclusive interviews, and more.

The show will air each Thursday beginning December 4, until the team reports to Spring Training in mid-February, with some exceptions. For more information, including updates on live show dates and locations, visit Orioles.com/HotStove.

Turkeypalooza will distribute 1,100 complete holiday meal kits
at four locations across the region from Nov. 24-26

Washington Nationals Philanthropies, the official charitable arm of the Washington Nationals, will distribute 1,100 turkeys and thousands of pounds of food during Turkeypalooza. The annual event serves families across the region, supporting residents with four pick-up locations from Monday, Nov. 24, through Wednesday, Nov. 26.

Now in its eighth year, Turkeypalooza will provide meal kits, including a turkey, fresh produce, and shelf-stable sides like stuffing and macaroni and cheese, with support from Washington Nationals Community Impact Partner AARP, Giant Food and DoorDash.

“Nationals Philanthropies tackles food insecurity throughout the year through nutrition education, a weekly produce market and grants that improve access to healthy food in the communities with the greatest need,” said Lauren McCarthy, Vice President and Executive Director, Washington Nationals Philanthropies. “We are grateful that we can serve so many families across the region this holiday season with support from partners like AARP, Giant Food and DoorDash.”

Turkeypalooza will distribute Thanksgiving meals at locations throughout the region, which have been selected based on the needs of residents. Each distribution will begin at 3:00 p.m. The four locations include:

As significant as Blake Butera’s hiring was – and, let’s be clear, it’s incredibly significant – there has been just as much interest in learning who will fill out the new Nationals manager’s coaching staff.

Given Butera’s almost unprecedented youth (at 33, he’s the youngest major league manager since 1972) and lack of experience (he never played, coached nor managed above Single-A), conventional wisdom said he would look to surround himself with older, more experienced coaches.

That’s partially the case so far, but not entirely the case.

The Nats are still in the process of hiring several more staff members, so we don’t know what the full makeup will look like yet. But while Butera has hired a more experienced bench coach in 50-year-old Michael Johns, his pitching coach (Simon Mathews) is actually only 30. And while the other three known members of the staff (Bobby Wilson, Sean Doolittle, Tyler Smarslok) all have some big league coaching experience, their ages range between 33 and 42.

“I don’t think we really set out to either hire for or not for experience,” Butera said. “I think what was first and foremost was that we wanted to bring in people who align with our values. We wanted people that would help hold each other accountable, come in with a tremendous amount of work ethic and make sure they were in this thing for the right reasons.”

They didn't get me this time.

The Orioles announce a late trade or signing every offseason that catches me napping. Or sleeping, to be exact.

I still haven't gotten over the James McCann deal in December 2022. I woke up to multiple missed calls and texts.

Anyway, they tried to sneak Taylor Ward past me last night and it didn't work. I was awake - barely. And this was a real shocker because the Orioles dealt Grayson Rodriguez in a one-for-one. 

They couldn't wait any longer for Rodriguez to reach his vast potential. The injuries kept piling up, making him the right-handed version of DL Hall, chosen in the first round one year earlier. Rodriguez hasn't pitched since July 31, 2024. Lat/teres, elbow, triceps, shoulder. The hits just kept coming.

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired outfielder TAYLOR WARD from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for right-handed pitcher GRAYSON RODRIGUEZ.

Ward, 31, slashed .228/.317/.475 (132-for-579) with 31 doubles, two triples, 36 home runs, 86 runs scored, 103 RBI, and 75 walks in 157 games last season, setting career highs in games played, runs, doubles, homers, RBI, walks, slugging percentage, extra-base hits (69), and total bases (275). He finished tied for fifth in the AL in home runs, ranked sixth in RBI, and seventh in walks and extra-base hits. Ward became the third Angel since 2018 to drive in 100 runs, along with Mike Trout (104 RBI, 2019) and Shohei Ohtani (100 RBI, 2021). Of his 36 home runs, 35 came as the left fielder, setting the team’s franchise record (since 1961) for that position.

Ward has spent his entire major league career with the Angels after being selected in the first round (26^th overall) of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of Fresno State University (CA). He became the 21^st Angel to hit 100 home runs with the team on July 19, 2025 at Philadelphia, doing so in his 643^rd game with the Halos. His six career grand slams, all hit since 2021, are tied for second most in the AL during that time.

Rodriguez, 26, was selected by the Orioles in the first round (11^th overall) of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Central Heights (TX) High School. He missed the 2025 season with right elbow inflammation and a right lat strain. In two major league seasons with Baltimore from 2023-24, Rodriguez went 20-8 with a 4.11 ERA (109 ER/238.2 IP) and 259 strikeouts in 43 games started.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.

The Orioles weren’t done making 40-man roster moves early this evening.

In a surprising piece of news, the Orioles have traded pitcher Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels for outfielder Taylor Ward. They get the power bat that fits in the most logical space for it. They surrender the future ace who never got to that level.

The teams made the announcement late tonight.

Ward turns 32 next month and is a rental with free agency coming after the 2026 season. The Angels made him the 26^th overall selection in the 2015 draft out of Fresno State and he’s hit .247/.327/.439 in 704 games in eight seasons. He’s appeared in 156 and 157 games over the last two with 663 plate appearances in both seasons.

The Dayton, Ohio native is coming off a career year with 31 doubles, 36 home runs, 103 RBIs, 75 walks and 86 runs scored. He also posted a .228 average that’s his lowest over a full season.

The Orioles are protecting right-hander Cameron Foster and outfielder Reed Trimble in the Rule 5 Draft.

Foster and Trimble had their contracts selected and were placed on the 40-man roster earlier today. Outfielder Pedro León and infielder Luis Vázquez were designated for assignment to create room.

Foster, 26, and right-hander Wellington Aracena were acquired from the Mets at the trade deadline for left-handed reliever Gregory Soto. Foster made 13 relief appearances with Triple-A Norfolk and posted a 3.38 ERA and 1.375 WHIP in 16 innings, with eight walks and 23 strikeouts. He has a 3.75 ERA in 79 minor league games and 215 strikeouts over 199 1/3 innings.

Trimble, 25, was a second-round pick in the 2021 draft out of the University of Southern Mississippi. He’s a career .251/.344/.420 hitter in five minor league seasons and has stolen 61 bases without being caught.

Trimble batted .259/.319/.435 this year in 30 games with Norfolk and .257/.352/.503 in 53 games with Double­-A Chesapeake. He plays all three outfield positions.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Selected the contracts of RHP Cameron Foster and OF Reed Trimble from Triple-A Norfolk.
• Designated OF Pedro León and INF Luis Vázquez for assignment.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.

The Nationals added left-hander Jake Bennett, outfielder Christian Franklin and right-hander Riley Cornelio to their 40-man roster this afternoon, protecting all three prospects from being lost in next month’s Rule 5 Draft and signaling the new front office’s interest in them as potential parts of the club’s long-term plans.

Faced with a 6 p.m. EST deadline to purchase the contracts of any minor leaguers who are Rule 5-eligible this winter, new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni and his assistants chose to add Bennett, Franklin and Cornelio. None is likely to make the Nats’ Opening Day roster, but all three could find their way to the majors sometime during the 2026 season.

Bennett is the organization’s sixth-best prospect, according to Baseball America. The 24-year-old lefty, a second-round pick in the 2022 draft out of Oklahoma, made 18 starts (plus one relief appearance) for three minor league affiliates this season, finishing with a 2.27 ERA and 1.075 WHIP for Double-A Harrisburg, High-A Wilmington and Single-A Fredericksburg. He went on to pitch in the Arizona Fall League, posting a 4.50 ERA, with a league-high 25 strikeouts and only five walks in 20 innings.

This was Bennett’s first season back from Tommy John surgery, and he was limited to a total of 95 1/3 innings across all of his stops. It remains to be seen if he’ll open 2026 back at Harrisburg or at Triple-A Rochester, but as a new member of the 40-man roster, he’ll be in big league camp next spring regardless.

Franklin, 25, was one of two prospects the Nationals acquired from the Cubs at the trade deadline for right-hander Michael Soroka and quickly made a name for himself with a strong 31-game stint at Rochester to close out the season. Combined with the 86 games he played for Chicago’s Triple-A affiliate in Iowa, he finished the year with a .272/.390/.427 slash line, 23 doubles, five triples, 12 homers, 64 RBIs and 19 stolen bases.

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

• Agreed to terms on a 2026 minor league contract with RHP Jeisson Cabrera.

The Washington Nationals selected the contracts of left-handed pitcher Jake Bennett, right-handed pitcher Riley Cornelio and outfielder Christian Franklin on Tuesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni made the announcements.

Bennett, 24, went 2-5 with a 2.27 ERA, 64 strikeouts and 19 walks in 75.1 innings across 19 games (18 starts) between Single-A Fredericksburg, High-A Wilmington and Double-A Harrisburg in 2025, his second professional season. The No. 6 prospect in the organization according to Baseball America, Bennett posted a 0.87 ERA (2 ER/20.2 IP) with 20 strikeouts in six starts from June 15-July 13 for Wilmington before being promoted to Harrisburg on July 22.

Bennett is coming off an Arizona Fall League season in which he led the league in strikeouts (25) and finished second in innings pitched (20.0) in five games (four starts) for Scottsdale.

A native of Bixby, Oklahoma, Bennett was originally selected in the second round of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Oklahoma. He’s pitched to a 2.67 ERA with 137 strikeouts and a .238 opponents’ batting average in 34 professional games since the start of the 2023 season.

Cornelio, 25, was Washington’s 2025 Minor League Pitcher of the Year after leading the system in ERA (3.28), opponents average (.205) and starts (26) and ranked second in strikeouts (135), WHIP (1.15) and innings (134.1). He went 6-7 with a 3.28 ERA, 135 strikeouts and 55 walks in 134.1 innings across 27 games (26 starts) between High-A Wilmington, Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester, setting career marks in nearly every category during his fourth professional season.

The Orioles must set their 40-man roster later today by protecting the Rule 5 eligible players they don’t want exposed in the draft.

Cross off another date on baseball’s fall and winter calendar. Up next is Friday night’s non-tender deadline.

The mailbag doesn’t need to be protected, though many outlets would love to claim it.

You ask, I try to answer, and we have the latest sequel to the beloved early 2009 original. That's when it debuted, upon further review. A four-star review. 

Also, my mailbag will never be exposed and your mailbag is left outside in the rain and cold.

Well before he even knew he would be a candidate for the Nationals’ managerial job, let alone get the job, Blake Butera tuned into Paul Toboni’s introductory press conference and found himself captivated by the franchise’s new president of baseball operations.

The 33-year-old with zero major league experience came to an immediate conclusion: “I can work alongside that guy.”

Turns out Toboni also had Butera in his sights, one of several names on a long list of managerial candidates he circled as ones to remember. And that feeling was only bolstered when he got a call out of the blue from Hall of Famer Mike Piazza, who employed Butera on his Team Italy coaching staff at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

“I have no idea what you’re doing with your search,” Piazza told Toboni, “but there’s this guy that you’ve got to interview.”

Six weeks later, these two previously unknown 30-somethings with an affinity for each other from afar, now sat behind the same dais at Nationals Park, a room packed with reporters, cameras, team executives and family members all watching as they officially began working together as the two people now in charge of this baseball club.