Taking another swing at possible spring training storylines

Three months remain until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, followed by the position players. The dates are formalities because most of the Orioles get there early.

I’ve written about some anticipated storylines, like how Heston Kjerstad and Coby Mayo fit on the roster, how Adley Rutschman will hit, anything Félix Bautista, rehab progress made by Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells, Grayson Rodriguez’s health after being left off the Wild Card roster, and anything Jackson Holliday.

I’ve come up with a few more this morning.

What a full season from Zach Eflin can do for the club.

We found out how valuable Eflin was after the July 26 trade with the Rays that cost the Orioles minor leaguers Jackson Baumeister, Matthew Etzel and Mac Horvath. Eflin went 5-2 with a 2.60 ERA and 1.120 WHIP with 11 walks – five of them in his final appearance of the regular season - in 55 1/3 innings. Seven of his starts were quality outings and he fell an out short of an eighth against his former team.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias pursued Eflin to help the club in 2024 and 2025. A full year of control was huge with Bradish and Wells unavailable in the first half, John Means also rehabbing and entering free agency for the first time, and Corbin Burnes the top free-agent pitcher on the market who likely will move out of the Orioles’ price range.

Burnes was the easy call for the Opening Day assignment. He had it as soon as Elias made the trade with the Brewers. The only drama was the timing of the announcement.  

Spring training 2025 could bring back an actual competition depending on whether Elias makes another big move. He’s going to acquire at least one starter, but it could be middle-to-back of the rotation, which would pit Eflin against Rodriguez.

Eflin would be the early favorite based on experience and track record, but Rodriguez has ace-like stuff and results would matter. Rodriguez just needs to stay healthy.

Can Daz Cameron make the club as an extra outfielder?

Don’t scoff and stop rolling your eyes. Somebody has to fill the role, and Austin Slater is a free agent.

Ryan McKenna probably won’t be walking through that door.

Cameron returns to the organization after spending 2023 with Triple-A Norfolk. He’s a right-handed hitter like Slater, which is important with Colton Cowser, Cedric Mullins and Kjerstad batting from the left side and Anthony Santander a free agent. Mullins is eligible for arbitration and MLBTradeRumors.com projects his salary at $8.7 million.

Cameron can play anywhere in the outfield but he’s going to have competition in camp. Elias isn’t done.

The requirements for the job include being a plus-defender and runner. The Orioles could negotiate a new contract for Slater.

Can Dean Kremer take the proverbial next step?

Kremer in 18 first-half starts in 2023: 4.78 ERA, opponents’ .280 average and .811 OPS.

Kremer in 14 second-half starts in 2023: 3.25 ERA, opponents’ .218 average and .621 OPS.

Kremer in 12 first-half starts in 2024: 4.38 ERA, opponents’ .213 average and .699 OPS.

Kremer in 12 second-half starts in 2024: 3.82 ERA, opponents’ .232 average and .640 OPS.

In four September starts this season, Kremer posted a 2.25 ERA and 1.000 WHIP with a .195 opponents’ average and .574 OPS. He struck out 24 batters in 24 innings. He could break camp again as the No. 4 starter behind, in whatever order, Eflin, Rodriguez and a new addition to the rotation. He could slot a little higher.

That’s a deep rotation if he’s No. 5.

That’s a really dangerous group if Kremer is as good before the All-Star break as after it.