Multiple Notable Baltimore Orioles Players Are Out of Options This Season

The Baltimore Orioles are entering the 2025 MLB season with significant questions surrounding several key players on their roster, many of whom are now “out of options.” This unique situation places the Orioles in a delicate position as the front office must decide whether to keep these players on the Major League roster or risk losing them to other teams. Out of options means a player can no longer be sent down to the minors without being exposed to waivers, giving other teams an opportunity to claim them. As a result, these decisions have a direct impact on roster construction, player development, and long-term team strategy.

For the Orioles, who are in the midst of a rebuilding phase with an eye on sustainable success, these roster decisions could significantly affect the club’s ability to contend in the near future. As the organization aims to balance its competitive window with player development, the management of these out-of-options players is crucial.

Understanding the “Out of Options” Rule

Before diving into the specifics of the Orioles’ roster, it’s essential to understand what being “out of options” means in the context of Major League Baseball. All players on a 40-man roster are eligible to be optioned to the minor leagues for up to three seasons. These options allow teams to send players down to the minors without having to expose them to waivers. However, once a player exhausts their options, they can no longer be sent down to the minors without clearing waivers first. This means that any team could claim the player if they are placed on waivers.

A team typically reaches this point when a player has been on the 40-man roster for three seasons but has not yet established himself as a consistent major league contributor. While players out of options may still have potential, they face a critical juncture in their career where a team must determine whether to keep them at the major league level or risk losing them to a competing club.

The Orioles’ Current Roster Situation

The Baltimore Orioles have undergone a significant rebuild over the past few seasons, focusing on player development and building a sustainable foundation. Their farm system has risen to prominence as one of the best in Major League Baseball, featuring top-tier prospects like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Grayson Rodriguez. As the Orioles have worked to establish themselves as contenders in the AL East, they have also found themselves dealing with the complexities of roster management, especially with players who are out of options.

In 2025, several notable Orioles players find themselves in this position. These players are at critical points in their careers, where their performances during Spring Training or the first part of the season could determine their future with the organization. The Orioles must weigh whether to keep these players on the major league roster or expose them to waivers, where they could be claimed by another team.

Key Players Out of Options for the Orioles

1. John Means (Starting Pitcher)
   John Means is one of the most recognizable names on the Orioles’ pitching staff, but he finds himself out of options heading into the 2025 season. Means, a former All-Star and one of the team’s most reliable starting pitchers, has dealt with injuries in recent seasons, including Tommy John surgery. Despite his injury history, Means offers the Orioles an established arm that could provide stability to their rotation.

   However, with several young arms, such as Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall, pushing for spots in the rotation, Means’ status is uncertain. The Orioles may not want to risk losing him, especially if he can provide innings in the majors, but they also need to balance his health and performance with the team’s long-term goals.

   The decision surrounding Means is complicated by his potential trade value. If the Orioles believe they have enough pitching depth, they could explore trading Means to a team in need of a veteran starter. But if he can return to form post-injury, he could provide a valuable presence in the rotation.

2. Austin Hays (Outfielder)
   Austin Hays has been a key contributor to the Orioles’ outfield in recent seasons. His combination of power, defense, and solid contact skills has made him one of the club’s more reliable players. However, after a few years of inconsistent performance, Hays is now out of options. The Orioles have several outfield prospects on the horizon, including Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad, which makes Hays’ future with the team uncertain.

   Hays is a solid player when healthy, and he offers a potential trade asset for the Orioles should they decide to move in a different direction. With younger players breathing down his neck, Hays could find himself battling for a starting spot or a spot on the bench. If the Orioles believe they have enough depth, they could risk exposing him to waivers, but that decision carries the inherent danger of losing him for nothing.

3. Yennier Cano (Relief Pitcher)
   Yennier Cano, a hard-throwing right-handed reliever, has been one of the most intriguing arms in the Orioles’ bullpen. Known for his explosive fastball and slider combination, Cano showed flashes of brilliance during his first season in Baltimore. However, Cano is out of options heading into 2025, which puts the Orioles in a difficult position.

   Given the current bullpen depth and Cano’s volatility, the Orioles may not be willing to risk losing him, but they also must consider whether his stuff is consistent enough for a major league role. The team has a number of bullpen arms competing for spots, so Cano’s performance during Spring Training could be critical. If he doesn’t make the cut, the Orioles will have to make the difficult choice of exposing him to waivers.

4. Ryan Mountcastle (First Baseman/Designated Hitter)
   Ryan Mountcastle has shown flashes of power and potential as a corner infielder for the Orioles, but consistency has been a challenge for the former top prospect. Entering 2025, Mountcastle is out of options, which creates a dilemma for the Orioles. With the club focusing on younger talent, including the emergence of top prospect Gunnar Henderson, Mountcastle’s role may be questioned.

   Mountcastle’s value lies in his bat, but the Orioles already have several players who can fill similar roles in the lineup. The question for the Orioles is whether they want to continue developing Mountcastle at the major league level, or if they are willing to risk losing him to another club that may see more promise in his bat. Given his age and potential, he could still be a key player for the Orioles’ future, but the team needs to evaluate whether his production can meet expectations.

5. Cedric Mullins (Center Fielder)
   Cedric Mullins has been one of the standout players for the Orioles in recent years, known for his speed, defense, and power. However, Mullins has struggled with consistency at times, and his future with the club may be in jeopardy as the Orioles look to reshape their roster. With top prospects like Colton Cowser and others pushing for playing time in the outfield, Mullins could find himself fighting for his spot on the roster.

   While Mullins is a valuable asset and one of the better center fielders in the American League, his contract and the emergence of other options make him a potential trade candidate or someone who could be sent to the minors if the Orioles believe they can replace his production. The Orioles must decide whether Mullins is part of the team’s long-term core or whether it’s time to move on.

The Decision-Making Process

When a team like the Orioles finds themselves with several notable players out of options, there are a number of factors they must consider:

• Performance and Health: How have these players performed in recent seasons? Are they healthy and capable of contributing at a high level, or are they dealing with lingering injuries or inconsistencies that could affect their ability to contribute?
• Development of Younger Players: Are younger players pushing for roster spots? How does the team balance the needs of established players with the development of its top prospects?
• Trade Value: Does the team see value in trading these players to address other areas of need? Could they extract more value by moving a player like Mountcastle or Hays to another team in exchange for prospects or future assets?
• Long-Term Goals: The Orioles are in the middle of a rebuilding process, so any decisions made about out-of-options players must align with the team’s long-term goals. Will keeping certain veterans on the roster help the team contend in the near future, or would moving on from them allow for greater flexibility?

The 2025 season will be a pivotal one for the Baltimore Orioles, especially with multiple notable players now out of options. The decisions that general manager Mike Elias and the front office make in the coming months will have a significant impact on the team’s immediate and long-term future. Whether the Orioles choose to keep these players, trade them, or risk losing them to other teams, the next few weeks will be crucial in shaping the team’s roster and its path forward. As the Orioles look to build a competitive team, managing these out-of-options players could prove to be one of their most challenging and defining tasks.