Watching how a team is constructed is perhaps the thing I enjoy most about my job, at least during the offseason. There are many expected moves, and some unexpected ones.
On Friday, the Orioles declined their half of a $25 million mutual option on right-hander Zach Eflin. He had Tommy John surgery in April and might not be able to pitch until midseason 2027. That was expected.
This year’s first offseason surprise came on Friday when the Orioles announced they’d signed outfielder Rece Hinds to a 2027 major league contract. I had expected Hinds to be among the first handful of players lopped off the 40-man roster.
Those moves are necessary to return players from the 60-day injured list and add minor league players to the 40-man roster.
Hinds didn’t have an impressive stint with the Orioles. His contract was purchased from the Miami Marlins on August 3rd and sent to Triple-A Norfolk and recalled on September 6th when outfielder Luis Robert Jr. went on the 10-day injured list.
In 12 games, Hinds hit .179 (5-for-28) with an RBI. He struck out 13 times in those 28 at-bats, including five times on September 25th, in what turned out to be the Orioles’ final game of the season. In that game, he was charged with an error in right field and misplayed another ball.
The Orioles are in need of outfielders and evidently don’t think they have many candidates to immediately help.
They have Dylan Beavers, Colton Cowser and Tyler O’Neill under contract or club control next season. They also have Leody Taveras, who led outfielders in RBIs with 56 but is eligible for arbitration and might not return.
Christian Franklin, who was acquired from Washington at the same time as Hinds, played 21 games. He could be back, too.
Heston Kjerstad, the overall No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft, played just 11 games in 2026.
The Orioles must exercise the $20 million option on Luis Robert Jr.’s 2027 contract or buy him out for $2 million. They’re expected to buy him out.
Reed Trimble, who’s on the 40-man roster but didn’t play for the Orioles, could be a contender. Trimble played only 32 games, none after mid-August because of a hamstring injury.
Enrique Bradfield Jr., the Orioles’ top pick in 2023, stole 44 bases in 50 attempts in 98 minor league games. He wasn’t called up, either.
It’s likely the Orioles will sign, trade for or claim additional outfielders. They also might try Coby Mayo in the outfield because of his power, but a shortened spring training because of an expected lockout would reduce his playing time for a new position.
So Hinds might get another chance. In 2019, Hinds was a hot prospect. He was drafted 49th overall by the Cincinnati Reds, just seven spots after the Orioles took Gunnar Henderson.
Hinds went to IMG Academy, located in Bradenton, Florida, a short drive from the Orioles’ spring training headquarters in Sarasota. IMG has produced 15 major leaguers since 2008, including the Orioles’ Blaze Alexander, who was drafted the year before Hinds was selected.
Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood, a two-time All-Star, was drafted from IMG, too.
Hinds hit .261 with a 1.051 OPS with five home runs and 11 RBIs in 24 games in 2024 with the Reds but hit just .116 in 15 games in 2025. After hitting .114 in 12 games, Cincinnati traded him to Miami on May 21. He played in only one game for Miami, on July 12th, the day before the All-Star break, and was dealt to Baltimore three weeks later.
Hinds had another rough day on September 19th against the Milwaukee Brewers when Joey Ortiz’s ball eluded him in right field for a triple. Ortiz, a former Oriole, scored the game’s only run when another former Oriole, Gary Sánchez drove him in on an infield out.
After the game, manager Craig Albernaz attributed the misplay to Hinds’ failure to wear sunglasses. “He didn’t have sunglasses at all. And the sun was in right field,” Albernaz said. “Pretty frustrating … it was overcast to start, but it was a 4 o’clock game. I thought you would have some sunglasses.”
Said Hines: “I just lost it in the sun. Game started shady, and I just didn’t have them.”
Signing the 26-year-old Hinds to a major league contract for next season doesn’t guarantee that he’ll make the team. Hinds is out of options, which means he’ll have to pass through waivers for the team to send him to the minor leagues.
It’s a curious move, but perhaps Mike Elias, an accomplished scout, remembered seeing Hinds as a young high school player.
Hinds does have some speed, and stole at least 20 bases in three straight seasons in the minor leagues from 2023-2025.
He also has some power. In 2023, Hinds hit 23 home runs and drove in 98 runs and had an .866 OPS for Double-A Chattanooga, and in 2024, hit 24 homers, hit 83 RBIs and hit .302 with a .921 OPS for Triple-A Louisville.
The Orioles are hoping to see some of those tools on the major league level.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: [email protected]