Navigating the Logjam: How the Orioles Will Tackle Their Crowded Outfield in 2025
With Spring Training underway and the Baltimore Orioles focused on making a third straight playoff appearance in 2025, the team finds itself with a luxury of options at one position: the outfield. The Orioles’ offseason strategy and aggressiveness have been seen by many as a disappointment, especially with the arrival of new ownership and the team's shift from rebuilding to competing for a World Series. However, the outfield has been one area that general manager Mike Elias prioritized during free agency, aiming to add more versatility to the roster. Now, the question is: how will manager Brandon Hyde and the Orioles manage their plethora of options?
Entering this season, the Orioles have added some fresh faces to the outfield following multiple offseason moves. The most notable addition is power hitter Tyler O'Neill, who is coming off a 31-home run season with the division-rival Boston Red Sox. The Orioles also signed Dylan Carlson and Ramon Laureano to one-year deals. However, Baltimore saw one of their own depart in free agency, as long-time outfielder Anthony Santander, who had a career-best 2024 season with 44 home runs and 102 RBIs, signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. As a result, the Orioles will particularly rely on O'Neill to help replace Santander's home run production.
The Orioles will also have some familiar faces in the outfield for the upcoming season, including Cedric Mullins, Colton Cowser, and Heston Kjerstad. The team hopes that Mullins, 30, can return to his usual form at the plate, as the seven-year starter has struggled over the past two seasons, finishing with a batting average below .240 each year. He is eyeing a resurgence reminiscent of his breakout 2021 season, when he became the first Orioles player to record 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a season. Alongside Mullins is Cowser, who made a name for himself in 2024 as a standout outfielder in his first full season with Baltimore, hitting 24 homers, driving in 69 RBIs, and finishing second in AL Rookie of the Year voting. Lastly, the Orioles have high hopes for their rising outfielder Kjerstad. Entering his third season, the Texas native is aiming for more consistent playing time after appearing in just 52 major league games. General manager Mike Elias expressed the team’s expectations for the 26-year-old, stating, “I think he’s kind of earned the right to get a lot of at-bats in the corner outfield and in the DH spot, specifically against right-handed pitching.” With strong outfield depth from both free-agent signings and returning players, the Orioles are looking to make their crowded outfield a strength in the competitive AL East this season.
