Some Orioles opinions and observations

I’ve heard the speculation that Corbin Burnes could sign for less years at a higher annual average value, perhaps going as low as three years.

I’ll believe that when I see it. Not a minute beforehand.

There’s some logic in getting paid big on a shorter term and re-entering free agency at age 33. A sliver of logic. Thinly sliced like garlic with a razor on “Goodfellas.”

The pitching market melted a little more Sunday with the Marlins sending left-hander Jesús Luzardo to the Phillies - an injury risk but one of the most appealing starters on the trade market. Max Fried signed with the Yankees, receiving $218 million over eight seasons. Blake Snell got $182 million over five years from the Dodgers. Nathan Eovaldi exceeded some expectations by receiving $75 million over three years to stay with the Rangers. Garrett Crochet was dealt to the Red Sox.

Japanese right-hander Rōki Sasaki is out there and predicted by many in the industry to sign with a West Coast team if it isn’t one based in New York. Jack Flaherty and Nick Pivetta sit in the next-tier group. Sean Manaea and Walker Buehler just left it.

MLBTradeRumors.com predicted that Burnes would receive a seven-year, $200 million deal. This was before Fried reeled in the largest contract ever issued to a left-hander and the fourth-largest for any pitcher. The landscape has changed.

Agent Scott Boras is in position again to get maximum value for a client with so many starter-starved teams pivoting to him, though the number also has done some melting. Lay back and reap the rewards. And we’ve learned from the past that Boras should be motivated to top Fried’s contract.

He makes beautiful music for his clients and it isn’t from playing second fiddle.

* Gary Sánchez signed a one-year contract for $8.5 million to back up starting catcher Adley Rutschman, a bit of a surprise because his reputation is bat-first and the cost is unusually high for the role. But the Orioles want more right-handed pop and he can provide it. They also see improvement in his work behind the plate from his Yankees days.

The Orioles likely are going to be one-and-done with Sánchez, keeping him bouncing from team to team. The question that’s raised is whether he makes it through the season.

There’s an obvious scenario where Sánchez is shopped at the trade deadline to make room for top organizational prospect Samuel Basallo, who garners lots of attention from other teams. None are higher on him than the Orioles, so he stays.

There’s also a scenario where the team determines that Basallo needs a full season at Triple-A Norfolk after appearing in only 21 games this year and going 18-for-81 (.222). The first 106 were played with Double-A Bowie (now Chesapeake), and he was restricted to being the designated hitter for the first month due to an elbow injury.

Jackson Holliday, the former No. 1 prospect in baseball, received treatment that didn’t match the club’s usual prospect approach. He was a late and controversial camp cut last spring but earned a quick promotion despite playing in only 18 Triple-A games with 91 plate appearances in 2023. The Orioles usually set a higher minimum but viewed Holliday as a special exception.

Would they do the same with Basallo, who plays a more demanding position?

Also, consider that Basallo bats from the left side and the Orioles sought more balance on the roster. That’s the large part of Sánchez’s appeal, as noted earlier. Basallo can play first base, which in theory would allow him to co-exist with Sánchez if the Orioles make the necessary adjustments to their roster.

Basallo doesn’t turn 21 until August, which usually works against a player with major-league aspirations. However, age didn’t matter with Holliday. He was 20.

Place this one among the most interesting subjects to track in 2025 – when Basallo makes his debut and whether it impacts Sánchez. No more mentoring Rutschman if it does. The student becomes the teacher.

I’m guessing that Basallo makes it to Baltimore in the upcoming season. I'm just not 100 percent sure that Sánchez is sent away at the deadline.

* The cautious approach with Félix Bautista is understandable. He hasn’t pitched since August 2023 due to an elbow injury that necessitated Tommy John surgery. The Orioles resisted any urges to activate him for the Wild Card round, eyeing Opening Day 2025 from the beginning.

The team has made it clear that Bautista will be eased back into the closer’s role rather than having it thrust upon him. The current roster includes Seranthony Domínguez, who recorded 10 saves with the Orioles after the deadline trade with the Phillies. Yennier Cano has closing experience. And the offseason could produce a reliever who’s done it in the past.

No matter who is introduced on Opening Day, I fully expect Bautista to get the bulk of the action and make everyone forget about his inactivity and any worries about his workload.

Bautista had the surgery on Oct. 9, putting him almost 18 months past it when the Orioles begin their season in Toronto. He hasn’t experienced any setbacks and was throwing with high effort in his bullpen sessions before the playoffs. He’s got plenty of time to get ready for the Blue Jays and the rest of the schedule.

It may take a little while for  Bautista to be used on back-to-back days, but he's gonna be the saves leader on the team and an intimidating presence on the mound. Cue the light show. 

Note: The Orioles announced the minor league signings of pitchers Matt Bowman and Gerald Ogando and outfielder Jordyn Adams. The Bowman and Adams deals already were reported.

Ogando, 24, hasn’t pitched above Double-A and he spent 2024 in the independent Atlantic League. He was in the Diamondbacks’ system from 2017-23 and registered a 4.02 ERA and 1.344 WHIP in 103 games (18 starts).