What's next for Wieters?

He was the Orioles' first-round draft pick (taken No. 5 overall) in the 2007 draft. He has played 882 games in an Orioles uniform. But catcher Matt Wieters' time as an Oriole could be over now.

The club has to decide whether it will make the pending free agent a qualifying offer and/or attempt to sign him to a new contract. Another option is to let Wieters leave via free agency and sign with another team. Wieters holds the cards now. He can accept and/or turn down any offer he chooses.

Wieters was extended a one-year qualifying offer last year, accepted it and played for $15.8 million in 2016. The qualifying offers are $17.2 million now. Any team extending one has to be prepared to have a player accept it and play at that salary in 2017.

Is that too much for Wieters? The Orioles would get a draft pick if he received, but turned down, the qualifying offer to hit the open market.

There have been rumblings that Wieters and agent Scott Boras are seeking a free agent deal similar to those of two other American League East catchers. The Yankees signed Brian McCann to a five-year deal worth $85 million after the 2013 season. The Blue Jays signed Russell Martin to a five-year deal worth $82 million after 2014.

In a weak market for free agent catchers, can Wieters cash in that big this winter?

After Tommy John surgery in 2014, Wieters was limited to 75 games the next season, but he played in 124 last year. He hit .243/.302/.409 with 17 homers, 66 RBIs and with an OPS of .711. In July he was selected to the American League All-Star team for the fourth time.

Among catchers who played in at least half of the games this season in the American League, Wieters ranked fourth in caught-stealing percentage:

48.1 - Salvador Perez, Kansas City
45.0 - James McCann, Detroit
37.5 - Carlos Perez, Los Angeles
34.8 - Matt Wieters, Orioles

He returned to full health in 2016. But will teams be willing to make a multi-year offer to a catcher that will turn 31 next May?

Orioles fans have long debated Wieters' ability to frame pitches and call pitches. Some of his critics in the fanbase felt his defense was not solid the last few years, even though manager Buck Showalter and O's pitchers seem to swear by him.

If the Orioles do move on from Wieters, who catches next year? There was a time when the position in the hands of Caleb Joseph would have looked just fine. But he is coming off an RBI-less season. Catching propect Chance Sisco is getting closer to the majors, but may not be ready yet.

If the Orioles feel they need Wieters for another year it may come at a $17.2 million price tag. Do they need him that badly?