This upcoming week is a big one for the MLB offseason. Tuesday is the deadline for teams to decide whether or not to protect eligible players from the Rule 5 draft by adding them to the 40-man roster.
Then on Friday, we’ll have the deadline for teams to decide whether or not to offer contracts to eligible guys, known as the non-tender deadline.
Heading into this week, the Orioles have twelve players in their arbitration years. Some of them are no-doubt getting offered a deal and will return to Baltimore for 2025. However, others have question marks and it’s possible that a couple eligible guys get non-tendered and hit the free agent market.
When is MLB’s non-tender deadline? Everything fans need to know
Anyone on the roster who isn’t offered a contract immediately becomes a free agent and will be able to sign with the team of their choice. And again, the deadline for teams to decide is this Friday, November 22.
For the Orioles, some decisions will be easy. There are a number of eligible players that are absolute locks to receive contract offers.
Orioles players who are locks to be tendered a contract
- Adley Rutschman (Estimated contract: $5.5 million)
- Jorge Mateo ($3.3 million)
- Dean Kremer ($3 million)
- Tyler Wells ($1.9 million)
- Kyle Bradish ($1.6 million)
- Keegan Akin ($1.2 million)
Adley Rutschman is a contract extension candidate but he’ll remain in Baltimore no matter what. Mike Elias already told reporters that Jorge Mateo should be back for the start of spring training, signaling that the O’s have plans for him to start the year as the primary infield utilityman.
Dean Kremer and Keegan Akin were both quite good in 2024 and are locks to return to help the O’s pitching staff in 2025. And Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells both underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024 but should return around mid-season next year.
Orioles players who will more than likely be tendered a contract
- Ryan Mountcastle ($6.2 million)
- Gregory Soto ($4.5 million)
Mountcastle has been the subject of trade talks since this past summer. If the Orioles don’t trade him, they’ll almost certainly bring him back.
But that mindset could lead to Mountcastle being a surprise non-tender, especially given his struggles in 2024. Gregory Soto was uninspiring after the O’s acquired him at the trade deadline this summer and in general, his roster spot seems like a perfect one to upgrade. However, with the O’s deciding to let Danny Coulombe walk earlier this winter, it seems like Soto is more than likely going to return. Whether that works out is a different question entirely.
Orioles players on the bubble who could be non-tendered
- Ramon Urias ($3 million)
- Trevor Rogers ($2.3 million)
- Emmanuel Rivera ($1.5 million)
- Jacob Webb ($1.5 million)
Ramon Urias has been a solid utilityman for the Orioles for the past five years. He’s not a stellar defender but he’s versatile enough to play multiple spots and his bat, especially in 2024, is enough of a carrying tool to keep him around. The infield is fairly full though, and with Coby Mayo getting close, Urias’ days in Baltimore could be coming to a close.
Same goes for Emmanuel Rivera. He was a solid pickup in 2024 but there are prospects coming up, including Mayo and Samuel Basallo, who will take his spot sooner than later. Trevor Rogers will likely return, but not based on his performance in 2024.
He was awful after the O’s acquired him and struggled in the minors after his demotion. Jacob Webb was a solid bullpen piece last year but wasn’t particularly good the two years prior. We’ll see if the Orioles want to roll the dice and bring him back.
