Midday Mailbag: When can Oriole starters become free agents?

Every weekday, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.

Question: I am wondering about the contracts of the Orioles’ starting pitchers. We know that Corbin Burnes is a one-year rental. But how much longer are John Means and Cole Irvin’s contracts with the Orioles? And how many years before Dean Kremer, Kyle Bradish, and Tyler Wells are eligible for free agency?

Finally, do you see Cade Povich, Chayce McDermott, or any other minor league starting pitchers as options for the Orioles in the near future? From: Terry O’Keefe

Answer: Terry, you’re correct that Burnes is a free agent after this season. So is John Means. Cole Irvin is eligible for free agency after the 2026 season. Dean Kremer and Tyler Wells are eligible after the 2027 season, and Kyle Bradish after the 2028 season.

I think Povich and McDermott could well be future starters for the Orioles, but unless there are multiple injuries, I don’t think that will be this season.

Question: With Jackson Holliday wearing Cal Ripken Sr.’s number 7, are there any other unofficially retired numbers that aren’t available? From: @BirdNoticePod

Answer: Before this season, there were four unofficially retired numbers, Ripken’s 7, Mike Flanagan’s 46, Elrod Hendricks’ 44 and Adam Jones’ 10.

Holliday wore 7, Craig Kimbrel is wearing No. 46 while Hendricks’ 44 and Jones’ 10 have not been assigned to another player.