Building a Championship Team: Orioles’ Free-Agent Needs for 2025

2025 Orioles Free Agent Focus: How Mike Elias Can Find Difference Makers for 2025 World Series Run

The Orioles boast one of the most exciting young cores in baseball, but their recent back-to-back playoff exits highlight the need for veteran leadership and key free agent additions. Mike Elias has deeper pockets than ever before, but the question remains—how far is new ownership willing to spend to help the Orioles become true World Series contenders? In this article, we explore three key positions where the Orioles can add difference makers in free agency and lay out the best offseason targets for 2025.

Orioles' Catcher Needs: Can Adley Rutschman Bounce Back? Will Gary Sánchez Provide Veteran Support?

Current: Adley Rutschman

Adley Rutschman has been one of the best young catchers in baseball since he debuted in 2022. However, his hitting took a nosedive last season, posting just a .193 batting average between July and September. If Rutschman can’t find his stroke next season, it will be challenging for this team to compete in the highly competitive AL East.

New Backup: Gary Sánchez

With backup catcher James McCann now a free agent, the Orioles need a solid veteran to provide support behind the plate. Enter Gary Sánchez, a free-agent signing who brings a wealth of experience and power to the team. Known for his bat more than his glove, Sánchez will need to prove that he can stay healthy and find consistency in his performance. The Orioles are hoping Sánchez can be a stabilizing force for Rutschman while also contributing offensively, particularly with his pop in the batter's box.

Top free agents like Kyle Higashioka and Travis D’Arnaud have already signed, leaving the Orioles to explore other options like Jacob Stallings, McCann, and Danny Jansen. Jansen was once a top target for the Orioles, with power that could complement Rutschman, but as of now, he has reached an agreement with the Rays for a one-year contract.

Future: Samuel Basallo

With McCann’s departure and Jansen off the market, Sánchez becomes the key veteran addition for the Orioles’ catching corps. Rutschman remains the starter, but the Orioles have top prospect Samuel Basallo waiting in the wings. Basallo has a monster bat but remains a question mark defensively. By the end of 2025, Basallo could potentially be called up, but until then, Sánchez may be the bridge the Orioles need behind the plate.

Orioles Outfield Needs: Can Tyler O'Neill Add Power? Should the Orioles Pursue Teoscar Hernández?

Departures: Anthony Santander

After a career year with 44 home runs and over 100 RBI, Anthony Santander is now a free agent. While many fans want the Orioles to re-sign Tony Taters, the financials may not align, as he may have priced himself out of Baltimore's budget. Santander is an exceptional switch hitter, but there are concerns with his career batting average hovering around .240 and his .300 OBP, making him less effective at getting on base for a leadoff hitter. Additionally, his defense has been questioned, as he may eventually transition to a full-time DH role.

Current: Cedric Mullins, Colton Cowser, Heston Kjerstad, Daz Cameron

The Orioles' outfield is solid but needs more right-handed power to complement the left-handed hitters currently in place: Cedric Mullins, Heston Kjerstad, and Colton Cowser. All three have the potential to hit 20+ home runs next season, with Mullins and Cowser also being exceptional defenders. However, with the left-field wall in Camden Yards moving in closer, the O’s need more balanced power in the lineup to provide pitchers with different looks.

New Additions: Tyler O'Neill

Enter Tyler O'Neill, who presents an intriguing addition to the Orioles' outfield. Despite concerns about his injury history and swing-and-miss tendencies, O'Neill has incredible power that could thrive in Camden Yards. The Orioles have signed him to a short-term deal, hoping to tap into his potential as a power hitter. If he can stay healthy and improve his plate discipline, O'Neill has the ability to make an immediate impact in the Orioles' lineup. While his injury history may have prevented a long-term contract, his power bat is exactly the kind of weapon the Orioles need in their quest for a World Series title. O'Neill should provide a solid addition, and the Orioles will hope he can stay on the field and find consistency at the plate.

Potential Additions: Randal Grichuk (Teoscar Hernández off the Table)

With Teoscar Hernández likely off the table due to his high market value and potential interest from other teams like the Dodgers, the Orioles have shifted focus to other viable outfield options. Randal Grichuk remains a strong potential addition. As an affordable veteran, Grichuk could provide depth and right-handed power to the Orioles' outfield. Additionally, Mark Canha is another player the Orioles could target as a rotational or fourth outfielder. Switch hitter Jurickson Profar had his first all-star nod last season, but teams will be concerned about him being a 1-year wonder. 

While the Orioles were once linked to Hernández as a possible top target, the cost of landing him now seems prohibitive. Instead, the team could turn to more affordable, reliable options like Grichuk and Canha, which would allow them to allocate resources toward strengthening their pitching staff and other areas of need. The outfield group now has O'Neill, Cedric Mullins, Heston Kjerstad, and Colton Cowser, and the Orioles are likely to develop one or more of these players into everyday starters. The addition of O’Neill adds a power right handed bat that complements the left handers.  The Orioles may look to add one more righty in the outfield.

STARTING PITCHING: Orioles' Focus on Top Tier Arms, with Targeted Short-Term Options

Current: Zach Eflin, Grayson Rodriguez, Kyle Bradish (injured), Trevor Rogers, Albert Suarez, Cade Povich

The Orioles' biggest area of need this offseason is starting pitching. Zach Eflin and Grayson Rodriguez have shown promise, but they aren’t yet the ace-caliber arms that can carry the team deep into the postseason. Kyle Bradish has been impressive, but his injuries may delay his return until late in the season. The Orioles need to spend big here to push them over the top and into true championship contention.

Future: Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Shane Bieber, Roki Sasaki

Corbin Burnes is the premier target for the Orioles. After an outstanding 2023 season, Burnes proved his worth as a top-tier pitcher despite some struggles in August. He commands a hefty price, and while every team with money to spend will be looking at him, Burnes is reportedly seeking a long-term deal—a term the Orioles have been hesitant to pursue in recent years. However, his consistency since his 2021 Cy Young Award, despite his declining K%, makes him an intriguing option. The Orioles could look to make a splash by signing him to a long-term deal, despite their reservations.

Max Fried is another ace-level pitcher who would significantly improve the Orioles’ rotation. Posting a 3.25 ERA last season, Fried has been one of the most consistent starters in the game. Despite his lower ERA, he could come at a cheaper price than Burnes, making him a potential fit for the Orioles as they search for a reliable starter for the top of the rotation.

While Burnes and Fried are the premier targets, the Orioles should also look at some mid-tier veterans who can round out their rotation. Nathan Eovaldi, known for his postseason pedigree, could provide stability and a steady presence in the middle of the rotation. Likewise, Sean Manaea, a left-handed pitcher with a deceptive delivery, would be an affordable option for the back-end of the rotation.

Additionally, Shane Bieber is an intriguing target coming off multiple injuries. A former Cy Young winner, Bieber could be a strong addition on a short-term deal as he looks to prove he is still an elite arm in the league. Another potential wildcard is Roki Sasaki, a 22-year-old Japanese sensation with a 98+ mph fastball. Sasaki’s performance in the 2023 World Baseball Classic demonstrated that he’s ready to make the jump to Major League Baseball ahead of schedule. Baltimore holds the second-largest pool of international signing money, which could make them a serious contender for Sasaki’s services—though convincing a top Japanese player to join a team on the East Coast might be a challenge given the allure of teams like the Dodgers and Padres.