Remaining items on Orioles' shopping list and Mateo's expanded role

The Orioles haven’t announced their agreements with outfielder Tyler O’Neill and catcher Gary Sánchez, whose contracts become official after they pass their physicals. Two important items will crossed off the shopping list, with O’Neill replacing Anthony Santander in right and Sánchez replacing James McCann as the backup.

The position side appears to be completed unless there’s some late tinkering. It’s the pitching that remains a priority.

The rotation and bullpen are areas that lead to discussions with rival executives and agents. The Winter Meetings in Dallas are the latest setting for them.

“The whole offseason, what we’re trying to do is just improve our team anyway we can,” said assistant general manager Eve Rosenbaum. “We set out wanting to improve our offense, particularly with guys who can mash against left-handed pitchers, so that’s going to be a continued priority for us, bringing in some righty bats. And pitching I think is the other big area. We’ve been talking to a ton of pitchers so far this offseason — some who have signed already with other teams, some who haven’t signed yet. Looking at both starters and relievers.

“We expect Félix (Bautista) to be back, but he’s coming off Tommy John surgery, of course, so we want to make sure he has plenty of support in that bullpen if he can’t pitch as frequently as maybe we’re used to him pitching in the past. So definitely looking to do whatever we can to shore that up, whether that’s with internal options or externally. And then starting. I think it’s no secret that we have some guys who are down with Tommy John. Corbin Burnes has left. So we’re looking for at least one solid starter to bring in, because you can never have too much pitching, especially in this day and age.”

O’Neill can join left-handed hitting Colton Cowser, Cedric Mullins and Heston Kjerstad as a four-man outfield crew. There doesn’t appear to be room for a fifth who’s in the mold of an Austin Slater or Ryan McKenna.

The Orioles are planning on Jorge Mateo to perhaps fill that role if he’s fully recovered from reconstructive elbow surgery. He’s made 20 career appearances in center in the majors, 10 in right and nine in left.

“We can always get creative with our roster, moving guys around,” Rosenbaum said. “I think that’s something that’s one of our strengths, just finding creative ways to utilize our players. And I think with Mateo, obviously he’s working his way back from an injury, but he has the ability to be a really, really good defensive outfielder. He can fly. He’s got great instincts. So I’d say, don’t count him out as another right-handed hitting flexible player who can play infield and outfield.”

Any sales pitch to a right-handed hitter is enhanced by the club’s decision to move in the left field wall – 26 feet in some spots and nine in others. The altered dimensions must have appealed to O'Neill and Sánchez.

“When we tell (the hitters) about that in our recruiting pitch, I think they smile and chuckle a little bit,” Rosenbaum said. “I would say that it definitely is (appealing). But at the same time, the pitchers are like, ‘Ah man, don’t move that wall.’ So the grass is always greener depending on who you’re talking to.”

The infield could feature seven returnees in Mateo, Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, Ryan Mountcastle, Ryan O’Hearn, Jackson Holliday and Ramón Urías. Top prospect Coby Mayo could compete for a spot in spring training that isn’t currently evident.

“We haven’t really sat down and mapped out our Opening Day roster yet,” Rosenbaum said. “The offseason has been so busy up until this point. There’s tons of activity and tons of players who signed even before the Winter Meetings. We haven’t really sat down and mapped that out.

“We’ll have to see what happens the rest of this offseason. Guys could always get injured, guys could surprise you in camp. We’re just going to have to  see. But obviously he’s a big right-handed bat in our organization and he’s going to be a big part of the future of our team.”

* Manager Brandon Hyde will be the featured guest speaker at the Delmarva Shorebirds’ 22^nd annual Hot Stove on Jan. 30 from 6-9 p.m. at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center in Salisbury.

Doors open at 6 p.m. with programming beginning at 7 p.m. Hyde will be available to fans for a meet-and-greet from 6:15-7 p.m., and guests will have a chance to bid in a silent auction of sports memorabilia.

Tickets are now available with preferred tables of eight priced at $400 or single tickets for $50. A buffet-style dinner is included. All tickets must be purchased in advance and availability is limited.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Fly Together Fund, the Shorebirds’ charitable organization, which supports and aids the Delmarva community.  

For more information and to purchase tickets, fans should call 410-219-3112 or visit theshorebirds.com.