With the Orioles mired in a slump that’s seen them go 3-7 in their last 10 games, we’ve gotten to the point where it feels like everything is at stake every time the O’s take the field. Not only playoff position but the short-term trajectory of the franchise that, for so long, only seemed to point up. With Baltimore’s offensive struggles at the forefront of Birdland’s collective mindset, many are calling for big changes this coming offseason among the Orioles’ position players.
We all know that the core of Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Jordan Westburg and Colton Cowser will remain untouched. However, there are several members of this roster who could be playing for their roster spot over the next several weeks. Whether they’re pending unrestricted free agents, players with team options or just players who could get squeezed out as former prospects take on bigger roles—these are hitters who every at-bat could shape their future as Orioles.
There are also certain players who aren’t worth discussing at great length because what the Orioles should do with them seems obvious. I’ve written about previously how Anthony Santander has done everything he can to earn an extension from the Orioles. Whether he hits .500 over the last 12 games or goes 0-50, it won’t change how the front office should approach Tony Taters’ potential contract extension. It has been and always will be a question of whether the Orioles are willing to sacrifice some financial flexibility in order to give him a long-term extension.
Likewise, the writing on the wall seems clear for Eloy Jiménez. The Orioles have a club option to bring him back with a $16.5M salary. Jiménez has been decent for the Orioles since they acquired him from the White Sox but hasn’t produced nearly enough to justify keeping him at that salary. However, with these next four players, they could be playing for a roster spot over the next several weeks.
The Pending Unrestricted Free Agents: James McCann and Austin Slater
In many ways, McCann has been the ideal backup catcher for the Orioles. He’s given Baltimore a defensively capable option behind the dish while providing a veteran presence that’s been invaluable in developing members of this young pitching staff. McCann’s overall offensive numbers are not spectacular—he’s hit .220 with a .620 OPS across 129 games with the Orioles. And yet, he’s still capable of delivering when called upon, as evidenced by his 11 home runs and 13 multi-hit games with the Os.
Whether or not McCann comes back in 2025 will likely come down to how close the Orioles think Samuel Basallo is to making a jump to the majors. Basallo’s main calling card is his offense, though his defense has made strides throughout the 2024 season. Given Adley’s drastic splits as a catcher vs. DH (.649 OPS when catching vs. .904 when DH’ing), the front office may see upgrading offensively at backup catcher as a way to provide length to this lineup. The Orioles’ batting order certainly would start to look a lot better with Adley DHing a little more and then sticking someone with Basallo’s offensive potential at catcher.
McCann will probably only get 20 or so more at-bats the rest of the regular season, but an offensive surge or a big contribution in the postseason could still secure a contract offer for 2025. If McCann doesn’t provide an offensive spark, the front office may choose to target a cheaper veteran backup as a stopgap until Basallo is ready.
Slater has arguably been the Orioles’ best trade deadline acquisition on offense. Brought in to replace Austin Hays as a right-handed outfielder—the longtime Giant has slashed .250/.354/.357 since arriving in Baltimore. Starting off primarily as a left-handed platoon player, Slater put up a .296 average and .836 OPS and began to earn more playing time against righties.
With the O’s only scheduled to face one lefty starter the rest of the way (tomorrow against the Giants’ Blake Snell), Slater will also have to make use of his limited opportunities. Working in Slater’s favor is the fact that the Orioles have no other right-handed hitting outfielders signed for next season. With their best internal option, Jub Fabian, currently hitting .167 at Norfolk, Slater may not have to show a lot to convince the front office to bring him back in 2025. He will have to show something however, as he’s currently mired in a 1-12 slump. If he breaks out of that in September or October, he could earn himself another one-year contract.
The Player Option: Ryan O’Hearn
Two months ago, the idea that O’Hearn would be fighting to stay with the O’s past 2024 would seem ludicrous. At the All-Star Break, the power-hitting first baseman was slashing .274/.335/.456 with a minuscule 11.6% strikeout rate. He seemed to have found a perfect home as one half of a 1B platoon with Ryan Mountcastle and was often at the heart of Batlimore’s lineup against right-handed pitchers.
Since the All-Star Break, O’Hearn has been a much different player. Over the last 53 games, O’Hearn’s average has dropped down to .220, his slugging percentage is down over 100 points and his strikeout rate has nearly doubled. Part of his struggles are born out of desperation. With Mountcastle sidelined August 23rd with a wrist injury, O’Hearn has been forced to play more against lefties—a matchup that’s never been in his favor. The lack of power is the biggest concern though, as he’s only hit two HRs since the middle of July.
O’Hearn’s future on the roster is further complicated by the presence of Heston Kjerstad. The powerful former first-round pick dominated at Triple-A all season but found his opportunities for playing time largely blocked in Baltimore. Defensively, Kjerstad and O’Hearn profile as almost exactly the same player—someone who you probably want spending most of their time at 1B or DH, but who can also give you some innings in RF. If O’Hearn doesn’t show signs of a turnaround down the home stretch, the Orioles may decide to $7.5M club option for 2025 and give his ABs to Kjerstad instead.
One Year of Arbitration Left: Cedric Mullins
Just based on recent play, Mullins should be a lock to be back with the Orioles in 2025. Since the beginning of August, the rangy CF is hitting .250 with a .808 OPS while putting up 6 HRs and 9 SBs. After Henderson, he’s been the most consistent player during the Orioles’ prolonged offensive struggles and Brandon Hyde has rewarded that consistency with a move up the lineup. After struggling for the better part of a year due to injuries and pressing too much at the plate, we’re finally seeing the best version of Mullins again.
However, the Orioles find themselves in the same position with Mullins as they were with Santander this time last season. With only one year of arbitration left, the Orioles could bring back their All-Star CF for around $7-10M next season and then let him walk ahead of the 2026 season.
And yet, having the hindsight of seeing how that worked out with Santander, the Orioles may elect for a different approach. If Mullins can sustain his hot streak through the end of the season, he will force his way into the Orioles’ plans for 2025. The best version of Cedric Mullins is simply too valuable to part with. However, if he falters at all in these last four series or in the playoffs, the Orioles could look to move him in an effort to either free up salary for other resigns or bring in an established veteran bat.
Be the first to comment