The Orioles held at three players in DFA limbo yesterday by outrighting left-hander Josh Walker to Triple-A Norfolk and designating outfielder Jhonkensy Noel for assignment.
Noel has joined outfielder Will Robertson and reliever George Soriano in the land of uncertainty.
The club wants to retain these players to improve depth, making them non-roster invitees to camp, but one step at a time.
In an offseason defined by its hirings, trades, signings and waiver claims, the Orioles haven’t done much with their arbitration-eligible players unless there’s a frenzy of activity behind the scenes.
Today is the deadline for the sides to reach agreement on contracts or exchange salary figures. Negotiations can continue until the scheduled hearings, though the Orioles tend to live by the trial-and-go (aka trial-and-file) approach unless offering an option year.
The Orioles had 14 players who qualified back in early October: arb-threes Ryan Mountcastle, Trevor Rogers, Tyler Wells, Keegan Akin, José Castillo and Dylan Carlson; arb-twos Adley Rutschman, Dean Kremer, Kyle Bradish and Félix Bautista; and arb-ones Gunnar Henderson, Albert Suárez, Yennier Cano and Alex Jackson.
The Mets claimed Castillo on waivers Nov. 6 and Carlson elected free agency rather than an outright assignment. Jackson was traded to the Twins on Nov. 21 for infielder Payton Eeles, Bautista signed a $2.25 million contract, and Suárez elected free agency after the Orioles non-tendered him and returned a month later on a minor league deal.
Taylor Ward arrived from the Angels in a Nov. 19 trade that sent starter Grayson Rodriguez to Anaheim. Shane Baz arrived from the Rays in a Dec. 19 trade for prospects Caden Bodine, Slater de Brun, Michael Forret and Austin Overn and a Competitive Balance Round A pick. Ward and Baz also need new contracts.
Suárez was the only non-tender at the deadline, ending speculation about first baseman Ryan Mountcastle, who’s projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to receive the highest salary among returning Orioles at $7.8 million. He avoided a hearing last offseason by signing for $6.787 million and batting .250/.286/.367 with 18 doubles, seven home runs and 35 RBIs in 89 games.
Mountcastle missed over two months with a strained right hamstring. His playing time decreased down the stretch as the Orioles wanted to give Coby Mayo more reps at first base.
The position now belongs to Pete Alonso, who signed a five-year, $155 million contract after appearing in 162 games in back-to-back seasons with the Mets. Mountcastle and Mayo remain in the organization. How it all plays out remains to be seen and continues to captivate.
Here again is the list of MLBTradeRumors.com’s salary projections, with current figures first:
Taylor Ward: $7.825 million / $13.7 million
Ryan Mountcastle: $6.787 million / $7.8 million
Adley Rutschman: $5.5 million / $6.8 million
Gunnar Henderson: $782,300 / $6.6 million
Trevor Rogers: $2.6 million / $6 million
Dean Kremer: $2.95 million / $5.1 million
Shane Baz: $1.45 / $3.1 million
Keegan Akin: $1.475 million / $3 million
Kyle Bradish: $2.35 million / $2.8 million
Tyler Wells: $2.075 million / $2.7 million
Yennier Cano: $772,900 / $1.8 million
Early congrats to Henderson, the former unanimous choice as American League Rookie of the Year and 2024 All-Star who’s gonna get paid in his first year of eligibility. This is a mountainous bump.
Rogers picked an ideal time to post a 1.88 ERA in 18 starts and be chosen Most Valuable Oriole. I don’t know how much clout the award carries, but it’s there. His side can feel free to use it.
Cano felt like a non-tender candidate after the Orioles optioned him last summer and he posted a 5.12 ERA and 1.483 WHIP. His 65 appearances led the team, one more than Akin.
Akin is an easy inclusion in the 2026 bullpen and Cano is expected to join him, but having minor league options and experiencing such a steep decline from his 2023 All-Star season prevent him from being a lock.
More so a likely.
Ward is projected as the everyday left fielder, though he can move around. Rutschman is the No. 1 catcher and Henderson the everyday shortstop. Rogers probably would be the No 2 starter if the season began today, though he could challenge Bradish for the Opening Day assignment.
I’d still expect Bradish to receive the honor, but the club isn’t done fishing for pitching.
Baz and Kremer could go back-to-back in the rotation, with slots again dependent on other moves. Akin is one of only three left-handers on the 40-man roster and fills a variety of roles.
Wells is starting at the back end of the rotation or going to the bullpen, where he, too, could handle multiple assignments.
This story might be updated later.