The Orioles are winding down after an underwhelming offseason as they prepare for pitchers and catchers to report next month.

Spring training is just around the corner, and there are a couple of sneaky options remaining on the market that would help solidify the roster ahead of 2025.

The most complex of the options requires two moving parts. First and foremost, the Mets would have to call it quits with Pete Alonso.

If they decided to move on at the first base position, then they will surely be in the market for a replacement. The Orioles have a potential solution there, in the form of Ryan Mountcastle

After hitting 33 home runs in his rookie campaign with Baltimore, Mountcastle has admittedly trended backward at the plate but is still an attractive bounce back candidate.

While the home-runs and RBI have been moving south, the batting average and plate discipline have been strong.

While Baltimore is moving the left field wall back in this season and that would theoretically help Mountcastle’s production, there is a better way to maximize the remodeled wall to the O’s benefit.

To start, the Orioles would need to clear some space at first base. Sending Mountcastle to the Mets would do just that. Assuming that the Mets and Pete Alonso are going to go their separate ways this year, the space will be open to bring in a first baseman to take up his spot on the diamond.

One of the biggest reasons for winning in October is the pitching staff.

Baltimore has signed a trio of arms to combat that, but there are still some options remaining on the market that would help the staff.

The Orioles, as of now, are looking to enter spring training with three left-handed relievers in the bullpen. There is a steady journeyman reliever remaining on the market that would fit in Baltimore, though. Andrew Chafin, who has been traded in four of the last five seasons, is still unsigned for 2025. The Orioles could sign the left handed pitcher to bring more help to the bullpen.

These 3 unsigned players would help fortify the Orioles’ roster ahead of 2025

Chafin has had a K/9 over 10.00 in each of the last three seasons, proving that the lefty still has strikeout material in his arsenal. Chafin had a better strikeout-to-walk ratio against left-handed hitters, yet he has inverted splits, being more effective against right-handed hitters in 2024.

The third and final move is one that has two possible outcomes, if made.

World Series Champion and three-time Cy Young award winner, Max Scherzer is returning from injury in 2025 and is looking for a place to call home. With the amount of youth in the Orioles’ organization it would be a welcome sight to see the future Hall of Famer walk through the doors.

Not because we don’t love the young guys but because Scherzer has been to the top of the mountain, and the Orioles are desperate to get back there.

Postseason experience comes into play in a big way during October and especially during the stretch run. Scherzer, much like his former teammate in New York Justin Verlander, has been to the top and can bring a rotation up with only their presence.

Scherzer is determined to return in 2025, and despite the injury concerns, younger teams should be lining the door to acquire the future Hall of Famer’s wisdom and experience.

Lauren Shehadi of MLB Network asked Jon Paul Morosi about the legitimacy of Scherzer as a reliever.

Morosi’s comments did not help stir the thought; in fact he refuted it. But as Spring Training inches closer, the starter is still without a place to toe the rubber in 2025.

Baltimore could bring him in and have him lead the staff in the postseason, as he has done with many teams over the course of his career.

Baltimore has some options and a couple of holes to fill if this team wants to be top dog in the American League. The ball is in Mike Elias’ hands and we will have to wait and see what he chooses to do.