What's on today's agenda? (updated)

The important offseason dates in Major League Baseball include today's 5 p.m. deadline for teams to extend the qualifying offer to their own free agents, which reportedly has grown to $17.9 million.

The Orioles will pass on Adam Jones and Colby Rasmus.

A front office that remains under construction also will remove pitchers Richard Bleier and Pedro Araujo and outfielders Mark Trumbo and Austin Hays from the 60-day disabled list.

Bleier underwent surgery in June to repair a Grade 3 tear in his lat muscle. He visited with teammates at Yankee Stadium during the series that ran through the non-waiver trade deadline and returned to Camden Yards in September to get checked out by the medical and athletic training staffs. He still hadn't been cleared for baseball activities, but remained confident that he'd be ready for spring training.

Dr. Anthony Romeo, who performed the surgery, examined Bleier in New York and let him lose the sling. The left-hander could begin a throwing program later this month.

"Richard's one of those guys that he's so humble and appreciative of where he is," said former manager Buck Showalter. "He's going to be pitching at 32 next year, he's established himself here. We miss him. This is a guy with a sub-2.00 ERA for, really, a couple of seasons. A good thing about him is he doesn't rely on big velocity to get people out.

"I don't know where he's going to be next spring and next April, but we like where it's headed. Everything has been fine. Same with Trumbo. I wouldn't commit that they're both going to be there on opening day, but there's a chance. But it would be nice to get Richard back.

"As much as people want to talk about (Darren) O'Day or (Zach) Britton or (Brad) Brach or whoever, they somehow don't mention Richard in that same vein. Richard is a pretty good pitcher for us."

Araujo fell 17 days short of fulfilling his Rule 5 obligations. He was shut down multiple times while on the disabled list due to soreness in his elbow, and an injection didn't bring much relief.

Neither did Araujo, but let's give the kid a break. He was making the jump from the Single-A Carolina League and figured to take his lumps. Lots and lots of them.

Trumbo underwent an arthroscopic procedure in September to repair the cartilage in his right knee after undergoing an MRI and receiving opinions from Dr. James Andrews and team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Leigh Ann Curl. The early estimates had him needing a six-month recovery period, which jeopardizes his availability for opening day.

Hays was cleared to start running earlier this week after undergoing surgery on Sept. 13 to repair a stress fracture and some cartilage defects in his left ankle. He's expected to be ready for spring training.

We last night learned the fates of pitchers Gabriel Ynoa and Sean Gilmartin and infielders Jace Peterson and Corban Joseph after the Orioles placed them on outright waivers to remove them from the 40-man roster, which will be filled again.

Ynoa and Joseph agreed to terms on minor league deals after clearing waivers, while Peterson and Gilmartin elected free agency.

Scouts wondered why the Mets on Feb. 10, 2017 basically handed Ynoa to the Orioles, who were enamored with his arm and potential. It was a simple cash transaction and it hasn't panned out, with Ynoa failing to pitch this year due to shin splints and a sore shoulder.

There were glimpses of promise last year, beginning with six scoreless relief innings in his debut on May 5 against the White Sox after starter Wade Miley was hit by two line drives in the first. Ynoa went on the disabled list the following day with a strained hamstring.

Given four starts to close out the season, Ynoa allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings in Cleveland, two earned runs in 4 1/3 innings in New York, one run over eight innings against the Rays and four runs in three innings in Pittsburgh to leave his ERA at 4.15 over 34 2/3 innings.

The Orioles would like to keep Peterson and Gilmartin in the organization, but they're testing free agency in hopes of landing a better deal. Peterson is valued for his ability to play the infield and outfield - an important skill set for any team considering a three-man bench - and his approach to the game. Gilmartin is left-handed and capable of covering multiple innings, and an impressive finish in September gained him supporters.

A president of baseball operations isn't expected to be hired today. Take the news where you can get it.

Twitter seems to be divided between fans claiming that the Orioles are doing nothing because they don't have an executive in charge and fans wondering who's making all of these decisions.

It can't be both, of course. Doing nothing and making a bunch of moves. Pick a side.

The middle ground here for some folks is that the Orioles aren't making important and impactful moves. And there are fans questioning why a new hire isn't allowed to determine who stays and who goes.

The easiest answers are that someone has to handle this business in the interim, and it's director of player development Brian Graham, with the necessary approval of ownership. There are deadlines that must be met while the Orioles go through the interview process. And perhaps it makes sense for the people most familiar with the organization to deconstruct it, leaving the new president of baseball operations and general manager in charge of the rebuild.

Just offering a counterpoint. There won't be universal agreement.

Update: As expected, Araujo, Bleier, Hays and Trumbo have been activated from the 60-day DL. The 40-man roster is at capacity.