The Baltimore Orioles have been Knocked out from postseason contention, allowing them to focus on the summer. There has already been conversation about who the team would pursue and what their most pressing needs are. Pitching is their most pressing need, coupled with a hole or two in the outfield.
What has not been explored is who might go in the offseason. The team has one impending free agent and four more who will become free agents in 2027. It does not include any players who may swap teams throughout the offseason to make place for major additions.
Three Orioles Who Will Be Departing This Offseason
Tomoyuki Sugano
Tomoyuki Sugano, 35, is perhaps the team’s most impactful signing following the 2024-25 summer. He started well, with an ERA under 3.50 in April and May with a WHIP constantly around 1.100. While he allowed about one hit per inning, he didn’t walk many batters, which boded well for his good start.
As the season progressed, his hit rate rose to well over one per inning, while his walk rate gradually increased. What made matters worse was his skyrocketing ERA, which exceeded 6.00 in June and 5.75 in July. Sugano also allowed an American League-high 30 home runs while striking out only 16% of the time.
With all of this in mind, the Orioles are unlikely to re-sign Sugano to the squad. His numbers are unsustainable for any pitcher in the long run, even if he is shifted to the bullpen. The team could move him to the bullpen, but there are better choices.
Tyler O’Neill’s Contract Is Eating The Team
Despite a disappointing offseason, Tyler O’Neill was regarded as the Orioles’ second-best free agent acquisition. He began his stay well, hitting.215/.284/.668 with two home runs in April. Subsequently, he crashed in May, hitting.100 in six games before becoming hurt.
After returning from the injured list, O’Neill had a good July, hitting.259/.339/.931 with five homers. He only played nine more games over the next two months, as injuries piled up. Despite maintaining his bat speed, his hard-hit percentage and exit velocity dropped significantly.
O’Neill still has a chance to make the starting roster in 2026, but as a fourth outfielder due to the rise of Dylan Beavers and Colton Cowser. If Enrique Bradfield Jr. improves his hitting in the minors, the 30-year-old veteran could be out of work. His July signing might have given him some time, and he does have an opt-out in 2026, but his $16.5 million cap charge may be too much for the organization.
Ryan Mountcastle’s Decline
Ryan Mountcastle’s drop this year is the result of several causes. While he still hits the ball hard, his power numbers have significantly declined over time. Whereas 35% of his hit balls were grounders in 2021, that figure increased to 46% in 2025. His flyball rate also fell to a career low of 22 percent.
Mountcastle is swinging above the ball rather than under it, as he used to do. This is not to mention the fact that he has one of the greatest chase and whiff percentages in all of baseball. Something is wrong with the veteran first baseman’s swing, and it may be time to abandon ship.
Mountcastle is unlikely to be traded one-on-one, thus he will most likely be part of a prospect package. Regardless, his job is in threat because the team may attempt to sign a Japanese first baseman, Kazuma Okamoto. It will not be easy, but the squad is extremely likely to move on from him by 2026.
