As the Winter Meetings approach, the Baltimore Orioles have made significant strides in addressing some of their roster needs, finalizing two key acquisitions ahead of the event in Dallas. The team reached a three-year, $49.5 million deal with outfielder Tyler O’Neill, which includes an opt-out after the 2025 season. In addition, they secured a one-year, $8.5 million contract with veteran catcher Gary Sánchez. These moves are crucial as the Orioles continue to shape their roster for the upcoming season.
With the departures of outfielder Anthony Santander and catcher James McCann, both of whom are now free agents, the Orioles had openings to fill in both positions. Santander, who had an impressive 2024 campaign with 44 home runs and a Silver Slugger Award, is expected to sign a contract that could exceed O’Neill’s deal, as teams seek to bolster their outfield. On the other hand, Sánchez, a five-time MLB team veteran, will provide depth at catcher behind Adley Rutschman. His signing gives the Orioles an experienced option while also allowing the highly-regarded prospect, Samuel Basallo, to continue his development at Triple-A Norfolk to begin the 2025 season.
While these signings were important, the Orioles’ roster still has key areas that need improvement. They are actively seeking a top-tier starting pitcher and experienced relief help. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Orioles are particularly interested in acquiring Corbin Burnes, who was the Brewers’ ace last season. However, the team is not pursuing other high-end starters who turned down $21.05 million qualifying offers, including Max Fried, Sean Manaea, and Nick Pivetta, as signing them would require the Orioles to surrender a draft pick. This is something that general manager Mike Elias is reportedly cautious about.
In contrast, Elias was willing to trade a draft pick when Gunnar Henderson won the American League Rookie of the Year award and the Orioles received a Prospect Promotion Incentive pick. This pick, along with infielder Joey Ortiz, was used to acquire Burnes from Milwaukee in a trade. The Orioles are now more focused on pitchers like 34-year-old Nathan Eovaldi, who has extensive experience in the American League East, or 29-year-old Jack Flaherty, who pitched for Baltimore in the final months of the 2023 season. Both pitchers would not require the team to sacrifice their third-highest draft pick, making them more appealing options.
The Orioles also have their eyes on strengthening their bullpen. Following the departures of left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe and right-hander Jacob Webb last month, the team will be looking for replacements to ensure the bullpen remains competitive. The Orioles may use the Winter Meetings to assess trade options, including the Chicago White Sox’s asking price for Garrett Crochet, a promising right-hander with two years of team control remaining.
Overall, while the Orioles have already made important moves by adding O’Neill and Sánchez, they still face the challenge of rounding out their roster. With their focus now on acquiring pitching depth, particularly a starting pitcher and additional bullpen help, the Winter Meetings will be a crucial time for the team to make decisions that could set the stage for their success in 2025.
