Questions for the Orioles this week

As the offseason continues, questions will be answered this week while others may be raised.

Will any players be added to the 40-man roster?

The 40-man roster is full, and though there are several players who likely won’t be there in February when spring training opens, it’s possible the roster will be untouched on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

That’s the deadline for adding players internally to protect them from the Rule 5 draft. There aren’t any must-haves since no player in MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 needs protection.

A year from now, outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr., the top Orioles pick in the 2023 draft, will need to be protected but like Samuel Basallo and Dylan Beavers, he could be a late-season addition next year.

This year, there are some familiar names who could be taken in the Rule 5 draft on December 10^th.

Catchers Silas Ardoin, Creed Willems, infielders Max Wagner, Carter Young, outfielders Jud Fabian, Hudson Haskin and Reed Trimble, starters Justin Armbruester, Trace Bright, Ryan Long, Juan Nuñez, Alex Pham and Cameron Weston are the most well known.

Last year, Nuñez was taken in the Rule 5 by San Diego but returned

In order to add players, the Orioles will have to create space on the 40-man roster.

Earlier this month, right-hander Anthony Nunez was added to the 40-man roster.

Will the 12 arbitration-eligible players be offered contracts?

The Orioles eligible for arbitration are: starters Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremer, Trevor Rogers, Grayson Rodriguez and Tyler Wells;  relievers Keegan Akin, Félix Bautista and Yenner Cano; catchers Alex Jackson and Adley Rutschman; shortstop Gunnar Henderson; and first baseman Ryan Mountcastle.

The two players seemingly in the most jeopardy are Cano and Mountcastle.

Cano’s estimated salary for 2026 isn’t onerous. It’s $1.8 million, but last season he had a 5.12 ERA, nearly two full points more than his 3.15 2024 ERA. In 2023, Cano made the All-Star team and had a 2.11 ERA.

Because his salary isn’t high, the Orioles might be able to trade Cano instead of simply not offering him a contract.

Mountcastle is in a stickier spot. A year before free agency, he has an estimated $7.8 million salary for next season. If a team wants to trade for Mountcastle, they’ll have to assume that salary, presumably making it harder for the Orioles to deal him.

If they don’t offer Mountcastle a 2026 contract, he’ll become a free agent and teams can sign him for less than the estimated $7.8 million. He’s likely to have a number of suitors.

Will there be an announcement on the coaching staff this week?

The Orioles won’t announce individual names on the coaching staff, but there are nine confirmed members.

Five are new: bench coach Donnie Ecker, lead hitting coach Dustin Lind, first base coach Jason Bourgeois, infield coach Miguel Cairo and catching coach/field coordinator Joe Stingley. Four are holdovers: Buck Britton, who was infield and third base coach after Brandon Hyde was dismissed on May 17^th; pitching coach Drew French; assistant pitching coach Ryan Klimek; and bullpen coach Mitch Plassmeyer.

The Orioles need to add assistant hitting coaches and perhaps others. If the staff is completed, there might be an announcement.

Will there be any free agents or trades made this week?

November is generally a quiet month for free agency, which often perks up just before the Winter Meetings. Those will be held in Orlando from December 7^th-10^th. Seatle did reach an agreement to re-sign Josh Naylor on Sunday night, but no free agent has yet changed teams.

Trades of players who won’t be offered contracts are possible this week. The trade market is likely to heat up before free agency gets hot.

Will any Orioles make the Hall of Fame this year?

On Monday, the Hall of Fame will reveal its 2026 ballot. There are no Orioles among the 15 returning candidates who received at least 5 percent of the vote last year.

Former Orioles Nick Markakis, Matt Wieters and Chris Davis are eligible for the ballot.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.