As the Baltimore Orioles navigate the offseason, the spotlight shines brightly on their potential free agency moves. With top talents like ace pitcher Corbin Burnes and All-Star right fielder Anthony Santander hitting the open market, the pressure is on for the Orioles’ front office.

Both players are expected to attract significant interest, and retaining them will undoubtedly require a financial commitment that could stretch the team’s budget.

Losing either Burnes or Santander would exacerbate an already pressing concern for Baltimore: filling key gaps on their roster. The need for additional pitching is evident, both in the starting rotation and the bullpen.

Moreover, specific lineup needs must be addressed to enhance their competitive edge.

While the Orioles boast a roster rich with youthful hitters poised to step into more prominent roles, the team could benefit significantly from adding a right-handed hitting outfielder to create better balance, even if Santander remains in orange and black.

This offseason for Baltimore could see them making calculated moves to address their needs. One interesting possibility is the pursuit of World Series champion Teoscar Hernandez from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Hernandez brings to the table a powerful right-handed swing, having belted a career-high 33 homers in 2024, making him an enticing option for Baltimore.

Yet, seasoned Orioles follower Roch Kubatko from MASN offers another intriguing possibility: a reunion with Austin Hays. Although Hays’ 2024 season didn’t pan out as hoped, largely due to an undiagnosed kidney infection that plagued him until September, his potential remains undeniable.

Kubatko suggests that with his health back on track, Hays becomes a compelling figure in the free-agent market—boasting power, speed, and defensive prowess.

For those who followed his career, Hays’ resume is robust. Before being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies ahead of the 2024 trade deadline, his record with Baltimore from 2021-2023 was impressive, with a WAR of at least 2.4 each season when healthy.

Unfortunately, his stint with the Phillies didn’t reach the expected heights, likely because of his health struggles. The result was Philadelphia opting not to tender him a contract, thus making him a free agent.

A return to Baltimore could benefit both parties, offering Hays a familiar environment in which he has previously thrived and providing the Orioles with reliable outfield depth without a hefty price tag.

If Hays does rejoin the Orioles, it would fill a pressing need effectively and affordably. His past productivity and the team’s familiarity with his capabilities make it a potentially low-risk, high-reward scenario, crucial for the Orioles as they aim to solidify their roster for the upcoming season.

As these offseason stories unfold, the Orioles’ strategy could very well determine their success narrative in the coming years.