The Orioles’ offseason activity figures to be intense after another sub-.500 finish and failure to make the playoffs following back-to-back appearances in 2023-24.

Much of the focus is aimed at the rotation, outfield and bullpen, perhaps in that order if one exists. Only the infield is set on paper, which can be shredded with one move.

Knowing specific areas doesn’t eliminate the questions.

Do the Orioles need a left-handed starter to replace Trevor Rogers?

This question is working under the assumption that Rogers signs with another team and the Orioles settle for the compensatory draft pick.

Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz and Brandon Young are the right-handed rotation locks. Cade Povich is a lefty, but a few new starters could bump him back down to Triple-A.

The Orioles are more likely to target any starter who’s an affordable upgrade and that could happen via the trade market. For example, if the Rays make Drew Rasmussen available, being right-handed isn’t going to discourage negotiations. And we know how much these teams love to consummate deals.

Free-agent right-hander Nick Martinez figures to be on the Orioles’ radar. MLBTradeRumors.com also linked them to right-hander Kevin Gausman.

The 2025 season began with Zach Eflin, Dean Kremer, Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano and Povich in the rotation. Grayson Rodriguez’s elbow inflammation prevented the Orioles from breaking camp with five right-handers. And Kyle Gibson was a late spring signing who had to be built up before making his first start on April 29.

Gibson, Kremer, Bradish, Rodriguez and Tyler Wells made the most starts in 2023, with left-hander Cole Irvin sixth. The top six starters in 2022 were Jordan Lyles, Bradish, Wells, Kremer, Spenser Watkins and Austin Voth.

Let’s get crazy and go back to the 2016 team with right-handers Gausman, Chris Tillman, Ubaldo Jimenez, Yovani Gallardo, Dylan Bundy, Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright making the most starts. Left-hander Wade Miley was eighth.

Does a new outfielder need to bat from the right side?

There’s an obvious perk in having a right-handed hitter who can play center field, which allows Colton Cowser to slide into a corner.

Cowser and Dylan Beavers bat from the left side. Tyler O’Neill offers some pop from the right side and an injury history that he’s trying to break from, and Rece Hinds is clinging to his spot on the 40-man roster. Blaze Alexander is a super-utility guy who can make some starts in the outfield.

This team could use an everyday player in the outfield rather than rolling out platoons. An impact bat and plus defender. Steven Kwan could be attractive on the trade market if the Guardians dangle him. And it certainly could use his on-base skills and four consecutive Gold Gloves in four seasons. He’d plug into left or center.

Randy Arozarena will reject his qualifying offer. He can play left field and he hits from the right side. But he turns 32 in February and MLBTradeRumors.com projects a salary of $100 million spread over four years.

Control owner David Rubenstein talks about an open checkbook and no restrictions. Just how far does that go?

Is another left-handed reliever needed in the bullpen?

The Orioles didn’t pick up Dietrich Enns’ $3.5 million option and sent him into free agency. He was optioned and designated for assignment after his final appearance with the club on May 25.

Grant Wolfram made 60 appearances to rank third on the club and he posted a 4.30 ERA and 1.318 WHIP in 52 1/3 innings. He struck out 61 and surrendered only three home runs to raise his total to five over 79 major league innings.

Right-handers hit .237 with a .718 OPS against Wolfram, but left-handers hit .286 with a .729 OPS. He had a much better ERA on the road (3.41) than at home (5.40). He followed a rough August, when he allowed eight runs in 10 innings, by holding opponents to two earned runs with 14 strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings in September. Wolfram didn’t allow an earned run in 15 of his last 16 outings.

There’s a role for Wolfram in 2027. He gets outs, he keeps the ball in the ballpark, he can go multiple innings and he isn’t a liability against right-handers. And Josh Walker was a pleasant surprise with a 2.08 ERA in 31 games, stringing together 21 scoreless appearances in a row before allowing two runs at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 25. Right-handers hit .182 with a .565 OPS against him, and left-handers hit .246 with a .628 OPS.

He had four stints on the roster, but the shuttle might be parked.

The other six spots in the ‘pen probably would be filled by right-handers if the season began today, unless the Orioles switched Cade Povich to long relief. Prospect Luis De León was used in relief in September but is going back to a starting role, probably at Triple-A Norfolk to begin the season. The Orioles claimed Philip Abner on waivers this week but he owns a 6.75 ERA and 1.765 WHIP in 18 major league games and he’s walked 14 in 22 2/3 innings.

Bullpens never remain settled. The offseason activity is coming again. And a left-on-left weapon seems like an area of need, even with the three batter minimum rule.

Adrián Morejón is expected to reject the qualifying offer, but MLBTradeRumors.com projects his salary at $80 million for five years. Is a two-year, $26 million contract for Alex Vesia too extreme for this team?

The rotation needs work, too, but strengthening the ‘pen could ease some of the burden. It’s a common deadline strategy.