3 free-agent catchers the Baltimore Orioles should target to complement Samuel Basallo in 2027

The Baltimore Orioles are expected to be very active this offseason as they work to upgrade the starting rotation and address an outfield that needs plenty of work, but the Orioles will also be looking to add a catcher this winter. 

While the organization has 22-year-old backstop Samuel Basallo locked in after giving him an eight-year contract extension last August, the Orioles have already said they would prefer to limit his work behind the plate next year, in part to help keep him healthy across a full season.

Carlos Narváez is also currently on the roster after coming over in the Adley Rutschman trade with the Boston Red Sox, but Narváez struggled offensively with the Orioles, hitting .104 with a .198 on-base percentage and one extra-base hit across 33 games. It's fair to think there's reason to believe he can look more like the 2025 version of Carlos Narváez after having an offseason to settle in with his new organization and develop stronger relationships with his pitching staff, but it would be smart to bring in another option just in case.

With Samuel Basallo still developing his defensive abilities behind the plate, and defense being a major issue for the Orioles across the board, if they do end up bringing in another catcher this offseason, it should be someone who brings a strong defensive skill set with them.

Perhaps if the Orioles believed that an improved Basallo and Narváez's defensive abilities would be sufficient, Ryan Jeffers and his .814 OPS could have been an attractive option, but the Minnesota Twins offered him a one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offer, making him a much less reasonable option for the Orioles, should he decline the option. But here are three options the Orioles should consider.

The Baltimore Orioles should consider these three free agent catcher options

Austin Hedges

A veteran behind the plate, Austin Hedges would provide a clear defensive upgrade at the catching position and could be a valuable resource not only for a young Samuel Basallo but also for the Orioles' pitching staff.

He's coming off a career offensive performance, hitting .247 with a .325 on-base percentage, 16 total extra-base hits, and a wRC+ of 100. It was the most extra-base hits in a single season for Hedges since he collected 17 of them back in 2021, and the first time he hit above .200 since 2018 with the San Diego Padres, his second full season in the big leagues. No one would expect a 34-year-old Austin Hedges to repeat that offensive production, but maybe it's proof that you actually can teach an old dog new tricks.

There's also the connection with Orioles manager Craig Albernaz, as the two worked together in Cleveland. As Albernaz looks to continue implementing his vision for this roster, perhaps bringing in a trusted backstop could provide immense help.

Carson Kelly

Speaking of connections, former Chicago Cubs backstop Carson Kelly would present a more balanced option for the Orioles and could reunite with new Orioles general manager Jared Banner, who just joined the Orioles after serving as the assistant general manager in Chicago.

Kelly is coming off two strong offensive seasons in Chicago, hitting .258 with 10 home runs and a .713 OPS with the Cubs this past season. He's also shown good patience at the plate and the ability to limit whiffs, walking at a combined 10% clip over the last two seasons and ranking in the 78th percentile in whiff rate and chase rate in 2026.

Defensively, Kelly features elite blocking ability and was one of the better catchers in the league in winning challenges. His 69% success rate on challenges this season ranked eighth among all big league catchers with at least 20 challenges. For reference, Basallo won just 50% of his challenges, ranking 66th among 77 qualified catchers.

James McCann

A beloved clubhouse leader during his two years with the Orioles back in 2023 and 2024, a reunion between the Orioles and James McCann could make sense.

McCann appeared in 52 games for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season, hitting .282 with seven home runs, showing that there's still juice in the bat of the 36-year-old veteran. He may be the least attractive defensive option, but the return of his leadership abilities, combined with what Pete Alonso added to the organization this year, would be a welcome addition.

Ultimately, the Orioles could turn to switch-hitting prospect Ethan Anderson as a complement to Basallo behind the plate by the end of 2027. The former second-round pick has shown significant defensive improvements and is coming off an offensive breakout in 2026, when he hit .288 with 24 home runs across three levels. After ending the season in Triple-A, Anderson is close to being big league ready.

Bringing in another catcher makes sense for the Orioles, but with the potential emergence of Anderson, the Orioles likely won't be interested in investing significant trade capital in someone like Hunter Goodman or Shea Langeliers. Instead, these three options could serve as helpful stopgap solutions in the meantime.

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