Questions linger as Orioles dive deeper into their offseason

Would the Orioles dare to make a roster move on the day before Christmas?

There are no organizational rules against it. President of baseball operations/general manager Mike Elias won’t silence the ringer on his phone.

It didn’t happen last year. They signed three players to minor league deals on Dec. 23 – pitchers Matt Bowman and Gerald Ogando and outfielder Jordyn Adams. And they traded first baseman Lewin Díaz to the Braves for cash considerations on Dec. 23, 2022, during that weird stretch where they’d lose him and take him back. It felt like a toxic relationship.

Catcher Lians Beato signed a minor league contract on Christmas Day 2018. Gift exchanges weren’t paused and he never made it past the Dominican Summer League.

You must go back to 2014 to find the last Christmas Eve transaction, when the Orioles signed left-hander Cesar Cabral to a minor league deal. They claimed catcher Ryan Lavarnway on waivers from the Cubs the previous day.

Elias has stayed busy this offseason, with the most important transactions, in order, bringing reliever Andrew Kittredge, outfielder Leody Taveras and outfielder Taylor Ward in November, and closer Ryan Helsley, first baseman Pete Alonso and starter Shane Baz this month. The Orioles also re-signed pitcher Albert Suárez to a minor league deal.

A new manager was hired, along with seven new coaches. Four coaches returned. Will Robertson was promoted to vice president of domestic scouting, allowing him to oversee the draft. Former Cardinals and Padres manager Mike Shildt was hired as upper-level minor league coordinator of instruction, a significant move for an organization placing even great emphasis on fundamentals.

Pitchers Anthony Nunez and Cameron Foster and outfielder Reed Trimble were added to the 40-man roster to protect them in the Rule 5 draft. The Orioles passed again in the major league and Triple-A phases. A fine tradition of using the Rule 5 draft as a talent scavenger hunt appears to be dead.

The more questions that are answered, the more that crop up. Among them:

Who is the next starting pitcher acquired by Elias and will he come via free agency or trade?

What’s the order in the rotation? More specifically, where does Baz slot in the top five?

Does another new starter bump Tyler Wells to a relief role?

What other moves will be made, with the expectation that Elias isn’t done with the bullpen or finding some role players?

Is a utility infielder a necessity?

Is a third catcher a necessity?

Will Elias trade from the major league roster, specifically with the extra first basemen?

The 40-man roster is full, so who’s most vulnerable when more players are acquired?

Is Colton Cowser the center fielder on Opening Day?

Does Tyler Ward remain a middle-of-the-order bat or could he hit leadoff?

Which non-roster players receive invites to spring training, and which ones have a real shot to make the club?

(I’ll start: Albert Suárez. Other anticipated invitees are longer shots to break camp, including Enrique Bradfield Jr., Luis Vázquez, Ryan Noda, Trey Gibson, Cameron Weston, Levi Wells, Maverick Handley and Silas Ardoin.)

Will the payroll exceed the approximately $164.6 million from Opening Day?

Are other Orioles going to play in the World Baseball Classic besides Gunnar Henderson (USA), Dean Kremer (Israel) and Rico Garcia (Puerto Rico preliminary roster)?

Where should the parade route begin and end?

Are there anymore mailbag leftovers? You have your own questions. 

Can you see Coby Mayo playing anywhere other than first base?
Until a few days ago, the answer was “no” unless there’s such a thing as playing designated hitter. But as I wrote yesterday, Elias indicated that Mayo also could move back to third base and try right field. If he’s on the roster, he’ll probably have to move around to get some extra at-bats and keep him from collecting rust. Hitters who are that reliant on their power can’t sit for long stretches.

Do you expect Taylor Ward every day in left, Dylan Beavers/Tyler O'Neill in right?
Those would be the primary positions, with Colton Cowser mostly in center. But it’s a versatile group that can move to any spot in the outfield.  

Is a Pete Fairbanks signing feasible, especially as he is a LEGO guy?
You may need to lego of that dream. I endorsed Fairbanks earlier in the offseason, before the Ryan Helsley signing. I’d still like him in a set-up role and as a backup closer, but his 61 appearances last season were a career high by a wide margin. The Rays declined his $11 million option and he remains on the free agent market while other relievers have landed jobs. The Orioles are much more willing to spend money but might not want to invest this much in a non-closer. He should be able to find a better gig.

Would you re-sign Ryan O'Hearn and see whether the Orioles could set the record for most first basemen?
O'Hearn has a two-year, $29 million agreement with the Pirates. But also, no. He was a fantastic under-the-radar acquisition but he no longer fit on the roster. Great guy, great for the clubhouse. I feel bad that he's got to play for a team that doesn't win. Then again, the Orioles went through a period when they didn't do it, either. Enjoy the Iron City and pierogis. 

Why, when discussing relievers, are the best the back end guys, but in starting pitchers, the back end guy is not as good?
For the same reason that we park on a driveway and drive on a parkway.

Does the Shane Baz acquisition move Tyler Wells to the bullpen, or would the O’s still need to sign another starting pitcher to permanently slot Wells into the ‘pen? As a follow up, if Wells is in the ‘pen, do you think the O’s still need bullpen arms?
If the season started today, it would be terribly cold. Also, the rotation most likely would consist of Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz, Dean Kremer and Tyler Wells. Another starter would be more impactful to Wells. The Baz signing appears to be a more direct hit to Cade Povich and Brandon Young. I’d expect Elias to bring in another reliever, even if Wells shifts roles.

As far as the rotation, you think they'll sign Framber Valdez or Ranger Suárez, or do you expect another trade?
I wish that I could provide an exact answer rather than saying that the Orioles could go in either direction, but here we are again. They could sign one of the big names or work out a trade, perhaps this time parting with some major league players. Neither scenario would surprise me. Baz wasn’t necessarily the big rotation move, though Elias said the Orioles “see him as a front end of the rotation starter.” Elias added, “I think he has a ceiling to tap into being a top of the rotation starter. We’re not necessarily asking that of him in 2026, but he has that potential. He has one of the best starting pitcher arms in the major leagues and he’s got really elite stuff.”

Does the club have any interest in signing Danny Coulombe?
Apparently not at $4 million, the option that they declined in 2024. He would be a nice lefty weapon for the late innings. He keeps the ball off the barrel and can get out left-handed and right-handed hitters.

What’s on your menu for Christmas dinner?
Ham, brisket, mac and cheese, and a broccoli casserole to be named later.

Do you expect either Mayo or Mounty back this season?
I keep thinking that at least one of them is gone, but there is a way to carry Alonso, Mayo and Mountcastle. It may cost the team a utility infielder, but it could work. And you can forget about that third catcher you’ve been asking Santa to put under the tree.

Does Jeff Passan look a bit like a young Ronald Reagan?
Yes! That’s a good call. And it’s also a good place to stop.