The 2024-2025 MLB offseason is officially underway, and the Baltimore Orioles begin one of their most important winters in recent memory.
This offseason, the Orioles front office has decisions to make on five potential soon-to-be free agents when it comes to their club options. Those players are Eloy Jiménez, Danny Coulombe, Ryan O’Hearn, Seranthony Domínguez and Cionel Pérez.
These decisions must be made by Monday, November 4.
As of this writing, the decision has been made on the first player. On Saturday morning, according to multiple industry sources, the Orioles decided to decline the $16.5 million club option for Eloy Jiménez.
This one truly is no surprise, as Jimenez, who became a quick fan favorite in his first few weeks as an Oriole, quickly sunk back into his lackluster offensive ways before ending the 2024 season in Triple-A Norfolk.
Danny Coulombe is another incredibly easy option decision on this list. Picking up his $4 million club option will be Elias’ second easiest decision this offseason behind declining Jimenez’s.
Coulombe is coming off an injury-stained 2024 campaign, in which fans were anxiously awaiting his return back in September. The bullpen market has been outrageous for years, and it would be impossible to not lock in a lefty with a 0.89 WHIP over the last two seasons like Coloumbe for that kind of price.
Coulombe has been a huge addition since he was acquired prior to 2023, and this front office is not going to let him test the market.
Unfortunately, for a bullpen arm like Cionel Pérez, the decision may not be as clear or as satisfying as Coulombe’s. Pérez’s option is set at $2.2 million, an amount low in today’s market that may be what keeps him around.
Pérez does have a very impressive innings with no home runs allowed streak set at 97 straight. However, we have seen the leverage and production drop over the last two seasons, as Pérez finished 2024 with a 4.53 ERA and a career-high in earned runs allowed at 27.
Seranthony Domínguez is yet another bullpen arm with an uncertain future in Baltimore. The right-handed flamethrower was acquired at the deadline from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Austin Hays.
Domínguez carries a somewhat hefty $8 million price tag. During his time in Baltimore in 2024, the 29-year-old served as the makeshift closer following the demotion of another former Phillie, Craig Kimbrel.
Domínguez was somewhat lackluster in that role, and although he did save 10 games, he allowed six home runs in just 22.2 innings pitched for a below average 96 ERA+.
The return of Félix Bautista, which would push Domínguez back into a set-up role, may help his case in terms of GM Mike Elias picking up that option.
Lastly, and definitely the hardest to predict, is the $8 million club option for Ryan O’Hearn.
Let’s not get it twisted. Any negative decision on O’Hearn’s contract will have absolutely nothing to do with the character of the player or what he has been and meant for the Orioles and their fans.
The O’s are kind of in a first base purgatory to start this offseason. First, you have the decision of O’Hearn’s $8 million option. On the surface, that price is a decent sum for a lefty hitter who really only excels against right-handed pitching with average defense.
On a deeper level, that price tag in this situation really shouldn’t deter a new ownership group like David Rubenstein’s. That $8 million is really nothing in that sense.
Secondly, you have an already whirlwind of rumors surrounding that first base position. A potential trade of Ryan Mountcastle in exchange for pitching would certainly help O’Hearn’s case in staying in Baltimore.
Also, there is the potential of bringing in a free agent first baseman like Pete Alonso or Christian Walker. This route would open the possibility of a trade of Mountcastle.
Lastly, you have the uncertainty of whether or not top prospect Coby Mayo may be that guy going forward instead of any of the other options.
Unfortunately for O’Hearn, with the club option decision needing to be made before any of those other four decisions, he sits in a very tough spot, as it’s likely that the decision is not made until the last minute.
UPDATE: The Orioles have made their decisions on each of their club options.
To start, the O’s picked up the club options of Ryan O’Hearn ($8 million), Seranthony Domínguez ($8 million) and Cionel Pérez (2.2 million). No surprises on this side.
The biggest shock was that the organization has declined Danny Coulombe’s $4 million club option for the 2025 season. The reasoning is unknown as to why they decided to decline.
Coulombe could still be dealing with the effects of his arm injury/surgery from last season that took him out of the game for over three months. The front office could also be working on a more long-term deal with Coulombe for less AAV.
What are your thoughts on all of the club option decisions? Which options should Baltimore pick up? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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