With just over five weeks until spring training camps open, the Baltimore Orioles are strategically shaping their roster for the upcoming season. The squad is looking to combine experience and emerging talent to bolster their chances in the highly competitive league.
Orioles Set Sights on a Strong Season
The Orioles have successfully secured the talents of veteran pitcher Charlie Morton, a move that reflects their ambition to enhance their pitching rotation. The team is still on the lookout for key elements: a frontline starter, an experienced reliever, and a versatile bench player. These roles are crucial for the Orioles as they maneuver through the free-agent and trade markets.
The organization's financial plans reveal an estimated payroll for 2025 of $136 million. This figure contrasts with an Opening Day payroll of $93 million last year and marks a significant adjustment from their 2016 Opening Day payroll of $148 million. This financial shift suggests the Orioles are ready to invest strategically to improve their roster under the ownership of David Rubenstein, the new billionaire at the helm.
Roki Sasaki: A Sought-After Signing
Another highlight in the baseball offseason is the interest surrounding Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, who is ranked as the seventh-best free agent available. Sasaki's talent has caught the attention of several major teams, as he has been in talks with the Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Mets, Padres, Rangers, and Yankees. Notably absent from the list is the Boston Red Sox, who opted not to conduct an in-person meeting.
Sasaki's potential move to Major League Baseball (MLB) is complicated by international signing rules. He can only sign a minor-league contract, with his signing bonus capped at $10 million due to international bonus pool restrictions. With the international signing period for 2025 set to begin on January 15 and run until January 23, teams are eagerly positioning themselves to add the talented pitcher to their ranks.
The Cardinals' Transitional Phase
The St. Louis Cardinals are undergoing what team President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak describes as a "reset." This period of transition finds the Cardinals seeking to bolster their bullpen, specifically targeting a robust late-inning reliever.
Veteran relievers such as Kenley Jansen, David Robertson, and Kirby Yates remain available, providing potential options for a team keen on reinforcing its pitching staff. Additionally, free agents Jeff Hoffman and Tanner Scott, ranked Nos. 24 and 27 on the top 50 free agents list, remain unsigned and could be valuable additions for a team aiming to strengthen its bullpen.
As the offseason progresses, these roster moves and signings will inevitably shape the competitive landscape of the coming MLB season. While teams like the Orioles and Cardinals are making calculated decisions to optimize their potential, other clubs are also eyeing the available talent pool to carve out their paths to success.