The MLB offseason has ushered in a fresh wave of strategic decisions, and the Baltimore Orioles are right in the mix, having rolled out qualifying offers to starter Corbin Burnes and outfielder Anthony Santander.

Burnes and Santander were key players, but their anticipated departures from Baltimore in 2024 mean the Orioles have some big shoes to fill. Particularly, Santander’s impressive 44 home runs this past season will be a tough act to follow.

Enter Teoscar Hernandez, a potential solution to the Orioles’ looming void in right field. Hernandez, who was with the Dodgers last season, had quite the comeback year.

He carved out a .272/.339/.501 slash line, smashed 33 homers, and piled up 99 RBIs over 154 games, after being eyed as a buy-low prospect.

The Dodgers showed their faith by offering him a hefty one-year, $23.5 million deal, which proved to be a savvy gamble for both parties.

Hernandez’s decision to back himself certainly paid off, positioning him for a lucrative multi-year deal as we head into the new season.

However, Hernandez’s path to Baltimore is not without hurdles. With a qualifying offer on the table, he’s now projected to secure a three-year deal worth around $60 million.

Opting for another one-year stint seems unlikely, given the anticipated pay cut. But for the Orioles, this qualifying offer introduces a wrinkle – signing Hernandez would mean parting with a valuable draft pick as compensation.

Considering the Orioles’ stance on developing through the draft, led by Mike Elias and Sig Mejdal, giving up a third-highest draft pick isn’t a decision they’ll take lightly. Their commitment to nurturing talent from within has paid dividends, and the organization is understandably protective of its future assets.

Would they sacrifice a pick to secure Hernandez? Right now, it seems unlikely, though in the ever-fluid world of baseball, surprises aren’t just on the field.

While Hernandez represents an appealing target, the Orioles might explore other avenues to bolster their lineup. Whatever path they choose, the offseason narrative will keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Will the Orioles’ draft-first mindset hold firm, or could they pivot to snag Hernandez? Time will tell if their traditional strategy holds or if they decide this is the moment to roll the dice.