Non-tender candidates, no increase in ticket prices and more

We may have finally reached the end of the awards season in Major League Baseball, unless it sneaks another one past me, but the next big date is almost upon us.

The deadline for teams to offer contracts to their arbitration-eligible players arrives on Friday. The Orioles have 10 of them.

Perhaps you don't have the list memorized. Let me offer my assistance, complete with MLBTradeRumors.com's projected salaries:

Chris Tillman - $10.6MM
Ryan Flaherty - $1.7MM
Zach Britton - $11.4MM
Vance Worley - $3.3MM
Brad Brach - $2.9MM
Manny Machado - $11.2MM
Jonathan Schoop - $3.4MM
T.J. McFarland - $700K
Kevin Gausman - $3.9MM
Caleb Joseph - $1.0MM

I wrote last month that the toughest calls involve Worley, Flaherty and McFarland. I revisited the topic at least twice. And here we go again because it's the offseason and every subject is fresh after it sits for a while.

Don't try to make sense of it.

It isn't my money and I think you could make the argument that the trio is worth the raises because the bank won't shatter. The Marlins are giving Edison Volquez $22 million over two years after he posted a 5.37 ERA and 1.548 WHIP in 34 starts with the Royals. Such is life in this industry.

(Volquez has made 30 or more starts in five consecutive seasons and registered ERAs of 3.04 and 3.55 the previous two seasons, so the Marlins are counting on a bounceback season in 2017 and no deflation in 2018.)

Worley made $2.6 million this year and understands that he's approaching a salary increase that puts him on the bubble. He'll be the first to say he's a non-tender candidate. He also knows that what he did for the Orioles this summer isn't easily duplicated.

It's not just the numbers. Not just his 3.53 ERA in 35 games, his 3.20 ERA as a reliever and his 2.38 ERA at home. It's his ability to handle a variety of roles and produce results on such an inconsistent schedule.

Worley's gap in appearances included April 15-22, May 1-8, July 6-17, Aug. 6-13, Aug. 26-Sept. 2, Sept. 4-12 and Sept. 12-19. He also worked back-to-back nights on May 21-22 and entered games in relief in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and 11th innings.

It would be a major surprise if Worley is tendered a contract. Yesterday's trade for right-hander Logan Verrett sealed his fate and it's based purely on finances. The Orioles like him and could try to negotiate a new deal. He won't have trouble finding a job.

I was prepared to name Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright as possible cheaper alternatives, but they may have to get in line behind Verrett, the Orioles' former Rule 5 pick who's back in the organization. None of them are out of options. The shuttle between the majors and Triple-A Norfolk could log plenty of miles.

The Orioles are checking Verrett closely to make certain that there isn't a health issue. It's curious how the Mets gave up on him despite the minor league option. Maybe they're just that loaded.

The option was key to the Orioles making the deal.

Flaherty made $1.5 million this season and his projected bump isn't a steep one. He appears to have the best chance of the trio to be tendered a contract. I won't faint to the floor if it happens despite the rising cost for a utility player.

To be accurate, Flaherty is a super-utility player. He's handled every position except catcher, and he'd do it in an emergency. He didn't wait for Buck Showalter to ask whether he'd be willing to pitch in an Aug. 20 blowout loss to the Astros, offering confirmation the moment that his manager approached him.

It may sound strange, but it could take two players to replace Flaherty depending on the construction of the roster. Not every utility infielder can handle shortstop or move to the outfield.

Flaherty hit .217/.291/.318 in 157 at-bats and practically disappeared late in the season. He appeared in eight games in September, sitting for 11 consecutive days, and totaled seven plate appearances. Showalter doesn't dig deep into his bench, especially in a pennant race, so we can debate Flaherty's value under these circumstances.

McFarland registered a 6.93 ERA and 1.743 WHIP in 16 relief appearances. He was sidelined with a knee injury and didn't make it back up in September. He's also out of minor league options.

The Orioles could decline to offer him a contract and attempt to negotiate a minor league deal, but he's left-handed and breathing, which increases his chances of finding a major league job. And he's been valued in the past for his ability to devour innings and work on short rest.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette could attempt to work out a trade before the deadline. He moved closer Jim Johnson in 2013 around the time that David Letterman was working his way through the top 10 list.

* As the payroll figures to rise again with significant raises earmarked for multiple arbitration-eligible players, the Orioles will go into the 2017 season with the same prices attached to their tickets.

Season plan statements will be sent out next week.

The Orioles are getting an earlier start on season ticket renewals compared to last offseason, when negotiations dragged with first baseman Chris Davis before the sides agreed to a seven-year, $161 million deal. Confirmation came in February that the club was raising prices on both season ticket plans and single game sales.

It was an unusual occurrence, with only three season ticket price increases over the past 13 years now that they're standing pat in 2017.

The average ticket price at Camden Yards runs about $30 and there are more than a million tickets costing $20 or less over the course of 81 home games.

A 13-game plan may be purchased for as low as $203, a cost of $15-$16 per ticket. The starting price for a field box seat via a season ticket plan is $46 for certain games, with an average cost of $57.

The least expensive tickets in a season plan are upper reserved seats averaging about $16 per game.

The Orioles offer a reminder that their tickets are the seventh-most affordable in baseball as well as all of professional sports out of 122 teams, according to Team Marketing Report's Fan Cost Index.

* Multiple free agents that interested the Orioles have come off the board, including outfielders Jon Jay and Matt Joyce.

Jay received a one-year deal from the Cubs that pays $8 million, a figure that the Orioles weren't going to match for a potential fourth outfielder. Joyce received a two-year deal from the Athletics that pays $11 million.

Holes remain in right field and at designated hitter, and the Orioles continue to check on available catchers. They're also open to adding a reliever, but it isn't a top priority.

Shameless plug alert: I'm back with Jim Hunter tonight at Dempsey's Brew Pub & Restaurant for the "Hot Stove Show" from 6.-7 p.m. on 105.7 The Fan. Showalter will join us live, which certainly beats the alternative.