New contract for O'Hearn

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

February 14, 2024, 10:50am

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SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have signed all 17 of their arbitration-eligible players for the 2024 season.

Only two of them went to hearings.

First baseman Ryan O’Hearn agreed to terms earlier today on a $3.5 million contract that includes a $7.5 million club option for 2025. He was the last remaining unsigned player.

The sides found middle ground after O’Hearn’s agency filed at $3.8 million and the Orioles countered at $3.2 million.

O’Hearn didn’t break camp with the Orioles last spring but had his contract selected in April and batted .289/.322/.480 with 22 doubles, a triple, 14 home runs and 60 RBIs in 112 games. He made 59 starts and 70 appearances at first base, with Ryan Mountcastle twice going on the injured list.

He also made 15 starts in right field and three in left.

Outfielder Austin Hays and reliever Jacob Webb won their arbitration cases. Hays received $6.3 million and Webb $1 million.

The total cost to the organization in arbitration raises is around $23 million.

The Orioles adhere to a file-and-go policy after the deadline passes to sign players, but exceptions are made on contracts with team options.

Pitchers and catchers report today to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota. Position players are due on Tuesday, with the first full-squad workout held the following day.

The Baltimore Banner first reported terms of O’Hearn’s contract in 2024, and MLB.com had the option. An industry source confirmed the figures to MASNsports.com.