Orioles trying to sign arbitration-eligible players by tonight's deadline (updated)

The Orioles must reach agreements with their unsigned arbitration-eligible players later today or exchange salary figures. Hearings will be held between Jan. 27 and Feb. 14.

A panel will choose one of the two figures. There are no compromises.

We’ve learned that there are exceptions to the club’s file-and-go philosophy.

Corner infielder Emmanuel Rivera settled at $1 million to leave the Orioles with 11 unsigned players. Here’s a reminder:

Dean Kremer

His name keeps popping up in stories about being a trade possibility if the Orioles pull from the major league roster to acquire a No. 1 starter. It reeks of speculation.

Kremer posted a 4.10 ERA in 24 starts after making 32 the previous season. A triceps strain kept him from pitching in June.

The offseason arrived with Kremer again finishing strong. He had four starts in September, allowed six earned runs in 24 innings and held opponents to a .195 average and .574 OPS.

The rotation as currently constructed could include Kremer in the fourth spot and Tomoyuki Sugano in the fifth. Charlie Morton might slot third behind, in whatever order, Zach Eflin and Grayson Rodriguez.

Kyle Bradish

The Orioles are getting lots of attention for being unable to secure a true No. 1 starter. Bradish looked the part last year before undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery.

Eight starts produced a 2.75 ERA and 1.068 WHIP. He surrendered only two home runs and struck out 53 batters in 39 1/3 innings. He actually might have improved from the previous season when he finished fourth in American League Cy Young voting.

The platelet-rich plasma injection in January was a roll of the dice. Bradish stood on a mound and was on the clock.

Expectations for Bradish have him returning after the break. The Orioles must conduct their offseason business as if he isn’t around. They can’t just hold a spot. But he’s coming.

Tyler Wells

Wells could beat Bradish to the active roster because his elbow surgery was a UCL revision and internal brace procedure that speeds up the recovery time. But he’s also expected to miss the first half.

The Orioles got only three starts out of Wells before he hit the injured list. He might return as a reliever capable of working multiple innings or resorting to his closing past. He’s capable of being a multi-purpose weapon.

Like with Bradish, the Orioles will figure out how to make room for Wells when it’s time.

Trevor Rogers

Any suggestions that Rogers might be non-tendered were ridiculous. The Orioles didn’t trade Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers for four starts from Rogers.

The rotation seems to be lacking a left-hander. Maybe that can work in Rogers’ favor, though it isn’t a requirement. And Cade Povich also is a lefty.

We don’t know if the bullpen is an option for Rogers. He could return to Triple-A Norfolk’s rotation, where he finished 2024. The Orioles will keep an open mind and hope that work done with the Tides and in the offseason produce much better results.

Keegan Akin

Akin was sneaky good last season.

A career-high 66 appearances, second on the club to Yennier Cano’s 70, produced a 3.32 ERA and 0.941 WHIP over 78 2/3 innings. His back injury in 2023 was behind him, so to speak.

Akin surrendered only nine home runs and he averaged 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings. Right-handers hit .194 with a .618 OPS against him, and left-handers hit .192 with a .560 OPS. He posted a 2.70 ERA and 0.733 WHIP in 26 games after the break.

The Orioles are down a left-hander with Danny Coulombe’s exit. Akin might get more high-leverage opportunities.

Gregory Soto

Speaking of high-leverage lefties, Soto turned into a nice pickup at the trade deadline with two earned runs allowed in his last 20 appearances. The last six were scoreless.

The Orioles won’t judge Soto on the eight runs allowed within his first three outings. The next 10 were scoreless.

Soto’s presence is more important now with Coulombe gone.

Adley Rutschman

Rutschman is gonna get paid in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The splits can’t prevent it.

It’s played on a loop. Rutschman stopped hitting in the second half. He denies that the prolonged slump was caused by a physical ailment. Yada, yada, yada.

Rutschman is expected to bounce back in a big way.

Ryan Mountcastle

Mountcastle remains the primary first baseman and is a Gold Glove finalist in back-to-back seasons. He missed a month with a sprained wrist, limiting him to 124 games – nine more than in 2023.

Moving in the left field fence should lead to more home runs from Mountcastle, who’s been robbed more times than anyone else.

Mountcastle batted .306/.350/.463 against left-handers. The Orioles need that kind of production.

Jorge Mateo

So much for being a non-tender candidate. The Orioles think Mateo can make an impact with his plus-speed and ability to move from the infield to a fifth-outfielder role.

The question is whether he’s ready for Opening Day after undergoing elbow surgery. It might be close.

Ramón Urías

Urías was swinging a hot bat before spraining his ankle on Aug. 31 in Colorado. He’s a true utility player because he brings experience at every position in the infield.

Urías could get plenty of starts at third base again if Jordan Westburg is at second. He’s a good guy to have on the bench.  

Overlooked is how he batted .341/.463/.477 in 18 July games.

Cedric Mullins

Defensive metrics will continue to drag down Mullins in center field and the Orioles will continue to rave about the ground he covers and the diving catches he makes.

Colton Cowser can start in center when Mullins sits against left-handers, though he also bats from the left side. Mullins will be the everyday guy against right-handers.

Mullins heated up in the second half, batting .266/.374/.457 after the break and .286/.368/.488 in September. His 32 stolen bases led the club and tied for sixth in the American League.

The upcoming raise will be the last for Mullins in arbitration. He’s a free agent after the season.

Update: The Orioles will exchange figures with Mateo after they failed to agree on a new contract, according to a source.

Mateo is the only player who could go to a hearing. MLBTradeRumors.com projects his salary at $3.2 million.

The following figures came from various reports and sources and might be updated:

Rogers settled at $2.6 million after making $1.53 million last season. Rutschman agreed to a $5.5 million deal in his first year of arbitration after making $760,300 in 2024.

Mullins will receive $8.725 million in his final year of arbitration after making $6.325. Ryan Mountcastle will be paid $6.787 million, an increase from $4.137.500 million.

Kyle Bradish settled at $2.35 million in his first year of eligibility after making $754,500, and Kremer received a raise from $756,600 to $2.95 million in his first year.