The first few weeks of the offseason also exist so various outlets can begin ranking free agents and trying to match them with prospective teams.

MLB.com published its top 30 this week, headed by outfielder Kyle Tucker, third baseman Alex Bregman and outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber. The Orioles have three free agents – pitchers Zach Eflin and Tomoyuki Sugano and catcher Gary Sánchez - and none made the rankings. Eflin was listed among the 11 honorable mentions, which also included Cedric Mullins and Ryan O’Hearn.

The Orioles are interested in obtaining at least one starting pitcher, which can be done via free agency or a trade, and multiple relievers. They can sift through some in-house options but have too many holes to fill to operate solely from within. They also will try to strengthen the lineup with a proven hitter, and the outfield seems like the only area with room.

The site lists the Orioles among “possible fits” for five of the 30 players: Starter Dylan Cease (10^th), closer Edwin Díaz (14^th), closer Robert Suarez (17^th), starter Jack Flaherty (22^nd) and starter Chris Bassitt (28^th). Diáz would have to opt out of the final two years of his contract. Suarez would have to decline his $8 million options for the next two seasons. Flaherty has a $20 million option in his contract, and he did nothing to impress the Orioles during his half-season in 2023.

Perhaps only three teams are allowed to be attached to each free agent. If the above names make sense for the Orioles, so do outfielder Cody Bellinger (No. 5), though a right-handed bat might fit better, starter/reliever Michael King (No. 8), left-handed starter Framber Valdez (No. 9), left-handed starter Ranger Suárez (No. 11), starter Zac Gallen (No. 18), starter Shane Bieber (No. 20), reliever Devin Williams (No. 21), reliever Ryan Heisley (No. 26) and starter Lucas Giolito (No. 29).

Félix Bautista might not pitch in 2026 after undergoing labrum and rotator cuff surgery. The Orioles must operate this winter as if he won’t, making closer one of their top priorities. That’s where Díaz and Suarez become intriguing, but someone like Heisley, Williams or Raisel Iglesias could be more realistic after down seasons.

Pete Fairbanks has an $11 million club option with the Rays and he posted a 2.83 ERA and 1.044 WHIP with 27 saves in 61 appearances. Kenley Jansen has a lot of mileage at age 38 and with 16 major league seasons, but he posted a 2.59 ERA and 0.949 WHIP in 62 games with the Angels and recorded 29 saves to bring his career total to 476 – two short of Lee Smith for third all-time.

Jansen might create flashbacks to the Orioles signing Craig Kimbrel, which worked out for the first half of the 2024 season.

* Sports Info Solutions revealed its 2025 Fielding Bible Award winners yesterday and the Orioles came up empty again, as they did with the Rawlings Gold Glove and Silver Slugger finalists.

This is the 20^th year that SIS handed out awards for fielding excellence as “voted on by a panel of experts who consider statistical analysis, the eye test, and any other factors that they wish to utilize.”

One player is chosen at each position, without dividing leagues.

First base: Matt Olson, Braves
Second base: Nico Hoerner, Cubs
Third base: Ke’Bryan Hayes, Reds
Shortstop: Mookie Betts, Dodgers
Left field: Steven Kwan, Guardians
Center field: Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox
Right field: Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres
Catcher: Patrick Bailey, Giants
Pitcher: Max Fried, Yankees
Multi-position: Ernie Clement, Blue Jays
Player of the Year: Bailey
Team of the Year: Cubs

Olson, Hoerner and Kwan won by unanimous vote. This is the first year that a team was chosen, and the Cubs ranked first in the National League and second in the majors in Defensive Runs Saved.  

The last Orioles recipient was shortstop Jorge Mateo in 2022, though he wasn’t a Gold Glove finalist. He had 14 DRS that season and led all shortstops by converting 72 percent of his double play opportunities. He was the first Orioles shortstop to win the award.

That was peak Mateo. 

Manny Machado won it at third base in 2013, the youngest recipient of a Fielding Bible Award at age 21. He was a unanimous selection.

Catcher Matt Wieters won it in 2011.

* Here are some more mailbag leftovers for breakfast, which is probably safer than the three-day-old sushi in my fridge.

Getting desperate for topics, Roch?
Shut up.

Which closer could we be targeting? Is it worth one of our infielders?
The free-agent market provides a decent number of candidates and it only costs money. I don’t know which infielder you’d trade for a reliever, even one who’s covering the ninth inning. I don’t know which teams are dangling their closers, or their participles. I don’t know much about history. I don’t know much, but I know I love you, and that may be all I need to know.

Is there an office pool on the date when a new Orioles field manager hiring is announced?
The pool is closed. It’s just assumed that the Orioles will make the hire shortly after the World Series. Or that’s when they’ll announce it. There’s nothing hot at the moment, but the Orioles don’t want this process to drag and they should be picking up the pace.

What's the best way for an Orioles fan to fight seasonal depression and the upcoming winter blues?
I’m with you. I hate winter. I hate the cold and snow and icy roads and gloom. The changing of the seasons are intolerable. My mood is affected. Waking up to sunshine makes me much happier than gray skies and having to put on three layers of clothing to step outside. The best way to fight it? Keep reading me. That’s a start. Hang out with friends. And alcohol was invented for a reason.

Besides Samuel Basallo, which international free agents in the O’s organization are drawing the most attention?
Right-hander Esteban Mejia is the seventh-ranked prospect in the system per MLB Pipeline. The Orioles signed him in 2024 to a $150,000 bonus. He has a 70-grade fastball that has reached 102 mph and a 60-grade gyro-type slider that climbs into the 90s. He’s only 18 and needs to cut down on the walks. There’s also outfielder Stiven Martínez, the No. 20 prospect who received a $950,000 bonus, and left-hander Luis De León at No. 21.  

If you were the GM for a week, what free agents would you sign and why? The checkbook is not a factor.
Money doesn’t matter? All of them! But let’s start with Kyle Tucker, Framber Valdez, Michael King (if healthy) and Edwin Díaz. The clubhouse needs a strong leader to reel in Valdez.

Who was the better interview, Roch? Scott Erickson or Erik Bedard?
Bedard was much nicer to the media. And he used to be good with us in the minors. For whatever reason, he took a heel turn and gave us very little, answering in a few words and smirking. I didn’t find it amusing. We have a job to do. It’s disrespectful. Erickson was always at his locker after starts, so he earned points, but he could be rude and didn’t hide his disdain for the media dating back to his days in Minnesota. Who hurt you, Scott? And he hated me, for whatever reason. I’d take Bedard over him any day.

Who is most likely to leave their ball print on the warehouse in the years to come?
Their what?

The imprint of the baseball from hitting the warehouse?
Oh. Basallo. I don’t even hesitate. He’s busting a window.

What was our division record this season?
I don't know about yours, but the Orioles went 22-30 against the American League East, their worst record since the schedule moved to 13 divisional games prior to the 2022 season. Sounds like a big reason why they didn’t make the playoffs, but check this out. They were 0-6 against the Twins, 1-5 against the Tigers and 1-5 against the Nationals. That’s a combined 2-16. Woof.

Are we back to biceps Tuesday yet?
Every other day. Change up the exercises so the muscles don’t get lazy. Thanks for asking. 

Do you think there is a chance that Don Mattingly will be one of the managerial candidates after the World Series?
This would be pure speculation. It’s possible. He has experience, he knows the division. His Yankees past can be forgiven. As you said, the Orioles would have to wait until after the World Series, which might put him and others at a disadvantage. Depends on their level of interest.  

Who is a better QB? Copper Rush or Heston Kjerstad?
I’m in no rush to watch Cooper. Or Carson Wentz. I’d rather have George Wendt at quarterback, or Neil Peart from Rush, and they're dead.

With Tyler O'Neill's injury history, will the Orioles consider putting a swing count on him as a precaution to reduce his chances of hurting his shoulder, oblique, wrist, etc.? Once he reaches the limit of bat swings he's allowed, he's removed from the game.
This seems like a good place to stop. But first, I’m predicting a bounce back season for O’Neill. He’ll have a long, healthy stretch that enables him to get on a roll and stay on it. Thirty home runs are coming, folks. At least.