Orioles can begin easing into offseason

The offseason business can commence with the Orioles completing their final regular season game yesterday in Toronto and finishing at 52-110, and with a club-record 62 players used, - catcher Nick Ciuffo being the last - and 16 making their debuts.

Major League Baseball prefers that teams remain relatively quiet this month while the playoffs are ongoing. No major announcements. But the 40-man roster can be adjusted, for example, while the Orioles sweat the small stuff.

They also can evaluate their coaching staff and determine whether changes are forthcoming.

Pitching coach Doug Brocail and third base coach José Flores were informed on Sept. 30, 2020 that they wouldn't return in 2021, the same day that reliever Evan Phillips was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk.

Last October closed with the Orioles announcing the Stevie Wilkerson signing to a minor league contract on the 29th. They released him two months ago and he didn't catch on with another team.

They also claimed second baseman Yolmer Sánchez off waivers from the White Sox on the 30th after outrighting pitchers David Hess, Branden Kline and Kohl Stewart. Kline retired.

By Nov. 1, the Orioles had returned first baseman Trey Mancini and shortstop Richie Martin to the 40-man roster by activating them from the 60-day injured list. Mancini was listed as a left fielder in the transactions, but he didn't play the outfield in 2021.

This seems like an opportune time to post the current 40-man roster, which will undergo many changes, including the removal of pending free agent Fernando Abad:

Pitchers
Fernando Abad
Mike Baumann
Zack Burdi
Marcos Diplán
Chris Ellis
Thomas Eshelman
Paul Fry
Conner Greene
Eric Hanhold
Joey Krehbiel
Dean Kremer
Brooks Kriske
Zac Lowther
Isaac Mattson
John Means
Tanner Scott
Cole Sulser
Dillon Tate
Konner Wade
Spenser Watkins
Alexander Wells
Tyler Wells
Bruce Zimmermann

Catchers
Nick Ciuffo
Pedro Severino
Austin Wynns

Infielders
Rylan Bannon
Kelvin Gutiérrez
Jahmai Jones
Trey Mancini
Richie Martin
Ryan Mountcastle
Ramón Urías
Pat Valaika

Outfielders
Yusniel Diaz
Austin Hays
Ryan McKenna
Cedric Mullins
Tyler Nevin
Anthony Santander

Pitchers Keegan Akin, Hunter Harvey, Travis Lakins Sr. and Jorge López, infielder Jorge Mateo - inexplicably listed as an outfielder on the Orioles' website despite his primary residency in the middle infield - and outfielder DJ Stewart eventually need to be returned to the 40-man roster. Matt Harvey is headed for free agency.

More than a couple of pitchers are going to be dropped like they're hot.

The placement of a third catcher on the 40-man and active roster was a surprise, considering that September expansion was limited to 28 players. But the Orioles wanted to reward Ciuffo for his many appearances on the taxi squad and get him back into major league games. Also a method of doing a little evaluating, though the sample size was microscopic.

Among the other shockers for me is how Paul Fry never resurfaced in Baltimore after the Orioles optioned him Aug. 29. I would have bet your house on it, but his command didn't return, either, and it seemed to erode his confidence.

I also expected Dean Kremer to make at least one more start, but he stayed in Norfolk. The Orioles weren't kidding when they said it would be more than a reset, with his only return coming as the 29th man in a Sept. 11 doubleheader.

The innings were rationed toward the finish of Norfolk's season. Kremer will report to camp in February and give it another shot, the club believing that he can be a successful starter in the majors.

The Orioles will announce their participants in the Arizona Fall League later today, with the roster expected to include outfielders Yusniel Diaz and Kyle Stowers.

Stowers shared the news on a MASN telecast and executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias confirmed it.