Breaking down Baltimore's free-agent wish list

This story was excerpted from Jake Rill’s Orioles Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

BALTIMORE -- Asked to share his offseason “wish list” at the General Managers Meetings in San Antonio earlier this week, Orioles GM Mike Elias laid out a detailed agenda:

1. Acquire an ace for the top of the starting rotation

2. Add right-handed bats to the outfield mix

3. Build catching depth behind Adley Rutschman

4. Potentially bolster the bullpen

It’s possible that Baltimore’s most notable offseason addition will again come via a trade like last winter, when Corbin Burnes was acquired in a Feb. 1 deal with Milwaukee. However, the O’s appear poised to become bigger players on the Hot Stove, with a new ownership group that could be more willing to spend on marquee free agents.

The Orioles are an attractive landing spot, too, after making the postseason two years in a row -- having notched 192 wins over that span -- and assembling a strong core.

“They know it’s a young, winning team and a fun stadium, and now, we’ve got a really robust new ownership group that I think is going to continue to invest in the place and make it more and more attractive,” Elias said. “So I think we’re a very positive destination right now.”

Let’s break down each of Elias’ stated targets and list some potential free-agent fits.

An ace
Potential fits: RHP Corbin Burnes, LHP Blake Snell, LHP Max Fried, RHP Nathan Eovaldi, LHP Sean Manaea

The most logical move for the O’s could be to bring back Burnes, who already showed what he could do for Baltimore during his stellar 2024. But it may also be the most expensive move, considering the 30-year-old righty may land the largest contract of any free-agent pitcher.

If the Orioles are unable to retain Burnes, then it may make the most sense to pivot to a lefty. The only southpaws in the team’s rotation mix are Cade Povich and Trevor Rogers, and it’s possible neither will make the Opening Day staff.

MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported this week that Baltimore is “in on” Fried, along with American League East rivals Boston and Toronto.

Right-handed-hitting outfielders
Potential fits: Anthony Santander (switch-hitter), Teoscar Hernández, Tyler O'Neill, Jurickson Profar (switch-hitter)

Santander became a fixture in the Orioles’ lineup in recent years. By slugging a career-high 44 homers in 2024, the eight-year MLB veteran set himself up for a big payday, one that could take the 30-year-old out of Baltimore for the first time in his big league career.

If that happens, Hernández could become the O’s top target. The 32-year-old hit a career-high 33 home runs and posted an .840 OPS in his first (and possibly only) season with the Dodgers. He may want to return to Los Angeles -- where he won a World Series championship -- but he’s already drawing interest from the Orioles and Red Sox, per MLB Network’s Jon Morosi.

Backup catcher
Potential fits: James McCann, Travis d'Arnaud, Jacob Stallings

McCann racked up 459 plate appearances over the past two seasons for the Orioles. So there’s plenty of playing time available behind Rutschman, who will continue to get starts at designated hitter in addition to behind the dish.

However, Baltimore is unlikely to sign its 2025 backup (whether it’s McCann again or somebody else) to more than a one-year deal. Samuel Basallo (O’s No. 2 prospect, MLB Pipeline’s No. 13 overall) could reach the big leagues in late ‘25 or early ‘26.

Bullpen additions
Potential fits: RHP Clay Holmes, RHP Carlos Estévez, LHP Caleb Ferguson

The Orioles have the makings of a strong bullpen. Félix Bautista will return from Tommy John surgery to reclaim the closer’s role, while righties Yennier Cano and Seranthony Domínguez and lefties Cionel Pérez, Gregory Soto and Keegan Akin can all pitch high-leverage innings.

“I think we’re in a good place to start,” Elias said. “We’ll probably want to add a little bit if we can throughout the offseason.”

It’s possible Baltimore won’t shop at the top end of the reliever market. But if it does, then Holmes or Estévez could be a good target, or Ferguson, who would provide lefty depth.