When GM Mike Elias took over the Baltimore Orioles personnel matters, he had a blueprint that he designed and was going to stick to. Regardless of outside noise and pundit predictions, Elias has maintained the integrity of his design.
He rebuilt from the ground up, accumulated top talent, helped groom and develop them and formed a core nucleus of players that would help bring a resurgence to the Orioles.
In 2022, pieces started falling in place, and the mention of increasing payroll was brought up. In actuality, the Orioles ending season payroll in 2022 was $60.3 million, and they ended 2023 with a $71 million payroll, accounting for a $11 million raise between the two seasons.
This past season, Elias signed veteran free agents to help fill some holes and provide some veteran leadership for the club. There were a couple of trades and one signing after the season started, resulting in the Orioles having five free agents once the season ended.
The question is, should the Orioles bring any of them back for the 2024 season? Let’s take a look and see if any should be retained.
KYLE GIBSON
Gibson was the starting pitching free agent signing prior to the season. A seasoned veteran who had spent the previous season with the NL World Series representative Philadelphia Phillies.
Gibson fulfilled his need this season, leading the Orioles with 192 innings pitched (the third highest in his career).
Gibby did provide some big moments and finished with a 15-9 record. Unfortunately, he ended with a 4.73 ERA and a WHIP of 1.32, though more than half of his starts (33) were quality starts (17).
There does not seem to be a need for the savvy vet to return for 2024. While he was a good teacher and dependable starter, Gibson did just turn 36 in October. The Orioles are more inclined to add a front of the rotation pitcher instead of an aging veteran for next season.
JACK FLAHERTY
A veteran with playoff experience, Flaherty was acquired ahead of the trade deadline with hopes the 28-year-old could find his touch that made him a mid-rotation starter for the St. Louis Cardinals during their postseason runs.
Returning from a shoulder surgery that cost him most of the 2022 season, the Orioles were hoping he would regain his form. Unfortunately, Flaherty would post a 1-3 record in nine games (seven starts) before being relegated to the bullpen at the tail of the season.
Flaherty had a great showing his first start for the Birds but never could quite put it all together after that. While he showed some promise in the bullpen, he was far from what the Orioles were looking for and there does not seem to be a place on the roster for Flaherty next season.
SHINTARO FUJINAMI
Fujinami was an early acquisition that opened the trading season. Both a starter and releiver for the Oakland Athletics, Fujinami struggled with his transition from the Nippon Professional League to the big leagues.
Though Fujinami finished with a 7.18 ERA for the year, he pitched to a 4.85 ERA with the Orioles. He was 2-0 with two holds and two saves in 30 games. Walks would be his ultimate downfall, as he gave up 15 free passes and hit two batters in 29.2 innings with the Orioles.
Fujinami did show improvement the more he worked with the Orioles’ pitching staff, but it was his inability to navigate high leverage situations that cost him a spot on the postseason roster.
Armed with a triple-digits fastball, he learned as he developed he didn’t have to rely on it alone to pitch through at-bats. He does offer upside and could be a decent arm to consider bringing back with the right coaching in place.
ADAM FRAZIER
One of the least popular signings in the offseason, Frazier was a bridge player on this year’s Orioles team. Signed predominantly to play second and some outfield if needed, Frazier was a bargain for the Orioles.
He set career-highs in home runs (13) and RBIs (60) and matched a career-high with two walk-off hits. With runners in scoring position, Frazier slashed .294/.383/.549 (second best career slugging with RISP).
Frazier, who had a 57 wRC+ with runners in scoring position, also set a career-high of seven home runs, 47 RBIs and 14 walks with RISP this past season.
Defensively, Frazier was average in the field, but with the emergence of Jordan Westburg, the need for Frazier is minimal on the ball club, who still has Joey Ortiz and Connor Norby, both top 10 organizational prospects.
AARON HICKS
Anytime a struggling player arrives from the Yankees and is successful is an added bonus for most clubs. Aaron Hicks was waived by the Yankees due to his performance. The Orioles had inquired about Hicks, but an injury to Cedric Mullins opened the door for the O’s to bring the switch-hitting veteran aboard.
Hicks found a resurgence with the Orioles as he slashed .275/.381/.425 across 65 games for the Birds. Providing a strong veteran presence at the plate and in the field, Hicks became a fan favorite as he set a career-high .311 BABIP.
He was a great mentor and teacher for the young Birds and even provided a break from veteran outfielders Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander.
With Heston Kjerstad and Colton Cowser ready for the bigs, it seems less likely the Orioles carry six outfielders, but it doesn’t mean they won’t consider it, as Cowser and/or Kjerstad get a little more seasoning in Triple-A Norfolk.
While the above free agents each played an individual part in the 101-win season, the Orioles would be better suited to utilizing their money elsewhere. While Hicks and Fujinami have an outside shot of returning, the likelihood is on the slimmer side of this happening.
We would like to thank each of them for their contributions and wish them all the best of luck in their careers going forward.
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