With the aroma of freshly cut grass and the clatter of baseball bats soon to fill the air, the Baltimore Orioles are making strategic moves to assemble their roster for the upcoming season. Just weeks away from the reopening of spring training camps, the team is actively honing its lineup, punctuated by significant acquisitions and a keen eye on remaining gaps.
Orioles Strengthen Roster
The Orioles have confirmed the signing of seasoned pitcher Charlie Morton, adding depth and experience to their rotation. Morton’s acquisition is part of the Orioles' broader plan to enhance their pitching staff, as they continue exploring both free-agent and trade markets for a frontline starter, an experienced reliever, and a versatile bench player. This strategic bolstering of their roster comes amidst ongoing evaluations under the new ownership of billionaire David Rubenstein.
Financially, the Orioles are poised for judicious spending. The team's estimated payroll for the 2025 season stands at $136 million, a figure significantly below the Opening Day payroll of $148 million back in 2016, yet noticeably higher than last year's conservative budget of $93 million.
Free-Agent Frenzy
As the 2025 international signing period approaches, running from January 15 to January 23, the market buzzes with talent yet to find new homes. Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki shines among them, firmly placed as the seventh-best free agent available this offseason. Sasaki's potential signing, however, is bound by international bonus pool regulations, limiting him to a minor-league contract with a maximum signing bonus of $10 million.
The Red Sox have notably not engaged with Sasaki in-person, while he has met with several other franchises, including powerhouses like the Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Mets, Padres, Rangers, and Yankees, positioning himself as a valuable asset in the global baseball market.
Cardinals’ Reliever Search
Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals are embarking on what President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak terms a "reset." This transition sees the Cardinals actively pursuing a solid late-inning reliever to fortify their bullpen. Within this context, veteran free agents such as Kenley Jansen, David Robertson, and Kirby Yates are key figures of interest. Additionally, unsigned talents like Jeff Hoffman and Tanner Scott, ranked 24th and 27th respectively on the top 50 free agents list, remain on the radar of teams seeking experienced arms to consolidate their pitching fortitude.
John Mozeliak's emphasis on a "reset" underscores the Cardinals' intentions to recalibrate and enhance their roster. The team's focus remains on securing talent that can help them remain competitive in a league where pitching depth often predicates success.
This offseason marks a pivotal period for several MLB teams, notably the Orioles and Cardinals, as they strive for equilibrium between talent acquisition and financial viability. Baltimore, under new ownership, is tactically enhancing its lineup, while the Cardinals' reset suggests a significant shift toward a fortified pitching roster. With strategic acquisitions and a buzzing market, Major League Baseball’s offseason promises to shape the narrative as teams build for success.