The Orioles have two openings on their 40-man roster and incentive to improve the depth in their farm system. They aren’t obligated to shut down over the holiday. Business as usual isn't banned.

They made three moves on Thanksgiving 2024, none of which garnered much attention except to briefly interrupt dinners or the cleanup afterward. Infielder Jeremiah Jackson, left-hander Raúl Alcantara and outfielder Franklin Barreto agreed to minor league deals.

Alcantara was released from Double-A Chesapeake’s roster in early August without appearing in a game. Barreto was released on Aug. 31 and still hasn’t played in the majors since 2020.

Jackson turned out to be worth the fuss that wasn’t made for him. He appeared in 48 games with the Orioles, batted .276/.328/.447 with 10 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 21 RBIs, and has a chance to break camp next spring in a utility role.

Having him in the organization is one reason for the club to be thankful. Today seems like the appropriate time to mention five others.

A full season with Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells.

That’s the hope, anyway.

The Orioles have trouble getting a full season out of anyone, with injuries the main reason why they used 70 players this year to come within one of the major league record. Bradish and Wells returned from reconstructive elbow surgeries to make six and four starts, respectively. Bradish could be on the mound Opening Day if the Orioles don’t acquire a No. 1. Wells is penciled into the rotation but remains a bullpen possibility depending on the club’s needs.

Bradish finished fourth in American League Cy Young voting in 2023, when the Orioles won 101 games and the division. He can be their ace. And his 32 innings this year, beginning Aug. 26, give them confidence in his ability to handle a more normal workload.

Wells had a 3.64 ERA and 0.986 WHIP in 25 games in 2023, and he allowed seven runs in his 21 2/3 innings this year after joining the expanded roster. He’d slot third or fourth in the rotation if the season started today. He could be a valuable swingman in the Albert Suárez mold.

Whatever his role, he can be an important contributor. The staff is better with him on it.

More from Trevor Rogers.

The Orioles kept Rogers in Triple-A until Game 2 of the May 24 doubleheader in Boston. They didn’t bring him back until June 18 in Tampa. He was locked in after his eight scoreless innings on June 23 against the Rangers at Camden Yards.

Rogers was phenomenal the rest of the way, with 15 consecutive starts of two runs or fewer allowed and 12 in that span with one or less. His ERA was 1.35 before he gave up six runs in three innings at Yankee Stadium in his final game.

Camp should be much different for Rogers in 2026. He reported this year with a right knee subluxation, which forced him on the injured list, and he had a lot to prove after registering a 7.11 ERA and 1.842 WHIP in four starts with the Orioles during the previous season.

The trade already was viewed in the industry as a steal for the Marlins, who acquired prospects Kyle Stowers and Connor Norby, but it was much too early to assign a final grade. Rogers will work in the top portion of the rotation, probably second or third – again depending on which starters are added to the roster. Mike Elias is aiming high.

Finally having Samuel Basallo and Dylan Beavers in the majors.

Maybe this applies more to the media that doesn’t have to keep checking and waiting and wondering. The near-daily updates were exhausting. Every absence from Norfolk’s lineup ignited speculation about a promotion or injury.

Sometimes, it’s just rest.

The Orioles selected Beavers’ contract on Aug. 16 and Basallo’s contract the following day. Our long national nightmare was over.

Beavers and Basallo each had two walk-off hits, marking the first time in Orioles history that two rookies registered multiple RBI walk-offs in the same season. It wasn’t all glory. Beavers started hot but went 2-for-27 with 11 strikeouts in his last eight games and 5-for-44 in the last 13. Basallo, who turned 21 in August, batted .165/.229/.330 in 31 games but also had six doubles and four home runs, and he received an eight-year, $67 million contract extension that included a $5 million signing bonus and a club option for 2034 that could increase the total value to $88.5 million with incentives.

Basallo will be the backup catcher and occasional first baseman and designated hitter. Beavers will try to stay after the Orioles traded for outfielder Taylor Ward and remain interested in another bat.

The debuts, mercifully, are done.

Deep pockets.

Control owner David Rubenstein talked again at new manager Craig Albernaz’s presser about the Orioles possessing the resources to acquire players and not having particular financial constraints. And also, “an investor group that's pretty deep-pocketed, and so we're able to do what we need to do.”

“And so we will do that,” Rubenstein added. “Mike has a lot of authority to go out and find the best players that we can get.”

We don’t know how it’s going to play out, but hearing about deep pockets is better than crying the small market blues.

A homecoming for Mike Shildt.

The Orioles have hired the former Cardinals and Padres manager as their upper-level minor league coordinator of instruction. He’s gone back to his player development roots.

They also wind through the Orioles organization.

Shildt’s mother Lib worked for the Orioles’ Double-A affiliate in Charlotte as the administrative assistant to general manager Frances Crockett. Mike worked as a bat boy, clubhouse attendant and scoreboard operator, among other jobs thrown at him. He became good friends with a prospect named Cal Ripken Jr.

"I grew up in the organization for eight years," Shildt told MLB.com in 2020. "You're seeing the guys come through and go to the big leagues, but you're also seeing how the roving instructors work, the managers, the coaches, and you just see the attention to details and the fundamentals. It was very emphasized. They just had continuity.”

Another connection for Shildt comes from his days with the Cardinals, where he crossed paths with Elias. Shildt worked as a scout and minor league coach and manager.

It's a small world, despite the hype.

Note: Free-agent right-hander Dylan Cease is off the board.

Per reports, Cease is signing with the Blue Jays for $210 million over seven years after posting a 4.55 ERA in 32 starts with the Padres.

That’s one less starter for the Orioles to pursue. It's also setting the market for guys like Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez and Tatsuya Imai.