3 players in the World Series the Orioles should target in free agency this offseason

Ever since Gunnar Henderson swung and missed at two straight Lucas Erceg changeups to end their season, the Orioles' attention has shifted to 2025. What free agents could be a fit? Who might be available via trade? With new owner David Rubenstein at the helm and the sour taste of another playoff sweep in their mouths, the Orioles would be wise to have an active offseason to plug the weaknesses their early playoff exits have exposed.

With the World Series between the Yankees and Dodgers kicking off this weekend, there are a handful of players who may be wearing different uniforms in 2025, including the Dodgers' Teoscar Hernandez, Walker Buehler, and Jack Flaherty, and New York's Juan Soto, Gleyber Torres, Alex Verdugo, Clay Homes, and Tim Hill. Some of these players should definitely interest the Orioles. But let's first identify the ones that should not.

Teoscar Hernandez signed a 1 year, $23M contract with the Dodgers last off-season and put up a strong .840 OPS with 33 home runs and 99 RBIs. He profiles similarly to Orioles' free agent Anthony Santander, except that he is two years older and hits from the right side (which is a disadvantage to guys playing in Baltimore). While I do not love the idea of spending $100M on Santander, I certainly do not like it for the older Hernandez.

The Orioles already went down the Jack Flaherty road in 2023, and it did not go well. They had the opportunity to acquire him at the deadline this year and chose not to. While he was terrific in 2024, the Orioles are highly unlikely to hand out a multi-year deal to Flaherty.

The Orioles should pursue Juan Soto, Walker Buehler, and Clay Holmes in free-agency this offseason

The Orioles have plenty of infielders, so cross Torres off the shopping list. Alex Verdugo and his .647 OPS do not move the needle, and he should be avoided. And as solid as Tim Hill was for the Yankees, the Orioles have left-handed relief covered with Cionel Perez, Danny Coulombe, Gregory Soto, and Keegan Akin. That leaves Juan Soto, Walker Buehler, and Clay Holmes. The Orioles should, at the very least, kick the tires on all three.

Juan Soto is far and away the best player entering free agency this winter

As I wrote previously, superstars like Juan Soto rarely hit free agency at this age. And while his price tag will be sky-high, every team with playoff aspirations in 2025 and beyond should look into Soto. And, how convenient: the Orioles may have an opening in right field if Anthony Santander walks.

Soto is a generational talent. Days ago, he smashed an AL-pennant winning three-run home run, and is only 25. While his focus should be on the Dodgers, the Orioles' focus should be on figuring out how to get Soto to Baltimore. Even if it is an extreme long shot.

The Orioles should roll the dice and try to catch Walker Buehler on the upswing

With the Orioles likely to lose ace Corbin Burnes in free agency this winter, there will be an opening or two in the starting rotation. While the O's could -- and should -- consider lefties Blake Snell and Max Fried, a cheaper, high-upside option may be possible in World Series Game 3 starter Walker Buehler.

The 2021 Cy Young winner struggled in his first year back from Tommy John surgery in 2024. He went 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts over 75 innings. But at only 30 years-old and 1.5 healthy seasons removed from a year with 6.7 WAR, 2.47 ERA, and 212 strikeouts, Buehler represents as solid of a "cheap" bounce-back candidate as any. Perhaps a 1 year, $15M deal with a 2026 option gets him to sign on the dotted line.

The Orioles could build a dominant bullpen by adding Clay Holmes

Watching the Orioles' bullpen in 2024 felt like a soap opera at times: Craig Kimbrel was great, until he wasn't. Sometimes Yennier Cano pitched too much; sometimes, he hardly pitched at all. The Orioles dealt with a brutal injury to Danny Coulombe, inconsistency from Cionel Perez, and an ups and downs with Jacob Webb.

The Orioles hope "As the Bullpen Turns" will be less dramatic next year: Felix Bautista will return, Danny Coulombe will be fully healthy, and Craig Kimbrel will be on another team. Another way the Orioles can improve the 2025 bullpen is by signing Yankees' reliever Clay Holmes.

Holmes pitched well for the Yankees from 2021-2024, saving 74 games over that span. In 2024, however, he blew 13 saves and lost his closer role to Luke Weaver. Ultimately, Holmes is likely best served as an eighth-inning guy.

Adding Holmes to set up Bautista would strengthen the entire bullpen, as it would allow Yennier Cano to pitch in the sixth and seventh innings. Plus, despite the 13 blown saves, Holmes still struck out over a batter an inning in 67 games in 2024, and still seems to be in his prime. If the Orioles want to upgrade their bullpen, a 2-3 year deal worth $11-$14M for Holmes would make sense.

But for now, fans would be best served kicking back and enjoying the World Series.