Reviewing Orioles moves and what remains on the agenda

Christmas time is here for those of you who celebrate it. A day to give and to receive - I always preferred the former - unless you’re one of those families that open your presents the night before. I never could relate to that until much later in life when we did it for kids and grandkids.

The last Christmas transaction by the Orioles came in 2018 and there’s no way that anyone, even the most ardent of fans, will nail the name of the player. I could give you 50 guesses. I could give you 500.

Go ahead and try without looking it up.

I’m talking about catcher Lians Beato, who signed a minor league contract and spent three seasons in the Dominican Summer League. His last games, a total of four, were played in 2022 before his July release. The 2000 minor league season was canceled due to the pandemic.

I can’t find any other major league Christmas transactions in Orioles history – please correct me if I’m wrong - and the baseball landscape isn’t littered with them. Mike Elias won’t turn off his phone. He just isn’t likely to make a move that’s announced today.

Left-hander Cesar Cabral agreed to a minor league deal on Dec. 24, 2014. It didn’t interrupt my plans. Pitcher Brooks Kieschnick signed a minor league contract on Dec. 26, 2005. Also news that didn’t lasso my holiday spirit.

The Orioles have signed three free agents to major league deals to fill specific needs laid out early in the offseason.

They wanted a right-handed hitting corner outfielder and got Tyler O’Neill for $49.5 million over three years, his contract including an opt-out after 2025. Otherwise, it’s the first multi-year signing under Elias.

Backup catcher James McCann is a free agent and the Orioles turned their attention to another veteran right-handed hitter, Gary Sánchez, who will receive $8.5 million next season. And the Orioles wanted at least one starting pitcher and went the international route with Japanese right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano, who signed for $13 million.

Hater of walks, lover of soft shell crabs.

Seafood restaurants in Baltimore and surrounding areas should be fighting for his attention. The Charleston in Harbor East got a head start but this is a marathon, not a sprint.

The reminder also comes in handy while wondering if Elias will net a No. 1 starter. He has time but names keep dropping off the board. Opposing executives want him to part with prospects who are considered untouchable. Corbin Burnes wants around $245 million, according to MLB Network’s Mark Feinsand.

On a much smaller scale, Elias sought an outfielder for depth and signed speedster Jordyn Adams to a minor league deal. The roster can’t hold another major league outfielder unless a player is moved to create space.

The bullpen needed some work after losing Danny Coulombe and Jacob Webb, and Matt Bowman’s return this week on a minor league contract could fill a hole. He pitched for four teams this year and made 15 appearances with the Orioles, posting a 3.45 ERA in 15 2/3 innings. The Chevy Chase native was scored upon in three outings, with four of his six runs surrendered in one-third of an inning at Yankee Stadium.

Elias could keep checking the market for a reliever with closing experience to provide more insurance while Félix Bautista returns from his 2023 Tommy John surgery.

The 40-man roster is full, with pitchers Luis González, Brandon Young and Kade Strowd added to it before the Winter Meetings and the Orioles trading for outfielder Daz Cameron in a cash transaction and claiming catcher René Pinto on waivers from the Rays.

Right-hander Thaddeus Ward was claimed on waivers from the Nationals and later outrighted. We could see him in spring training as a non-roster invite.

Besides a handful of other minor league signings, the Orioles made significant changes to their coaching staff by replacing bench coach Fredi González with Robinson Chirinos and major league coach José Hernández with Buck Britton, promoting offensive strategy coach Cody Asche to hitting coach, giving upper-level hitting coordinator Sherman Johnson the added responsibility of being co-hitting coach, and hiring Tommy Joseph as the other co-hitting coach after he held the role this year in Seattle.

Tim Federowicz replaces Britton as Triple-A Norfolk manager after filling the same role this year with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.

Forrest Herrmann was the minor league lower-level pitching coordinator until replacing Chris Holt as director of pitching development. Holt was hired as Red Sox bullpen coach.

Senior director of pro scouting Mike Snyder was promoted to vice president of pro scouting. Director of baseball strategy Brendan Fournie was named senior director of baseball strategy and operations. Director of baseball systems Di Zou was named senior director of baseball systems and analytics operations. Trey Wiedman went from major league strength coach to head MLB strength coach.

Most recently, the Orioles hired Scott Barringer as head athletic trainer after he spent six seasons with the Brewers. Barringer replaced Brian Ebel, who was in the organization for 40 years.

The Orioles lost seven players in the Rule 5 draft on Dec. 11, including their No. 8 prospect, Class A pitcher Juan Nuñez, to the Padres in the major league phase. They passed when their turns came up in the major league and Triple-A phases.

Only one arbitration-eligible player’s signing has been announced – infielder Emmanuel Rivera, who agreed to a $1 million contract. Salary figures will be exchanged on Jan. 9 if agreements are lacking.

Perhaps the 40-man roster will have a new addition by then.