5 former Orioles still without a job heading into 2025

With pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training in just a few short weeks, a big group of former Baltimore Orioles are still looking for a home ahead of the 2025 season.

Whether you wanted Anthony Santander back in Baltimore or not, seeing him put on a Toronto Blue Jays jersey was quite the gut punch, while the Los Angeles Dodgers continued to stockpile talent by bringing in former Orioles reliever Tanner Scott on a monster four-year/$72 million deal (big oof). It was a busy last few days for players who used to call Baltimore home, but there are still a few notable names available.

RHP Jack Flaherty, who was been vocal recently on social media as he waits for a phone call from a new team, will likely command the biggest contract among this group after going 13-7 with a 3.17 ERA and 194 strikeouts in 162 innings with the Tigers and then Dodgers. He was connected to the Orioles at one point, but they have since signed two starters in Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano. That doesn't mean the Orioles are now out on Flaherty. A short-term, high AAV deal could be an option.

Fellow starters Kyle Gibson and John Means also remain on the market. The 37-year-old Gibson wasn't as productive with the St. Louis Cardinals last year as he was with the Orioles in 2023, but he's remained a reliable workhorse throughout his long career and is someone who teams know exactly what they are going to get. He won't be back with the Orioles, but he did reach out to his former Cardinals teammate, Andrew Kittredge, after Kittredge signed with the Orioles to compliment the clubhouse atmosphere and let him know he's going to a good home.

These 5 former Orioles players are still searching for new teams in free agency

Means was connected to the Boston Red Sox at one point this winter, but nothing has materialized yet. Coming off his second Tommy John surgery, Means is a candidate to return to Baltimore on a two-year minor league deal, allowing him to spend 2025 rehabbing with the organization he's called home his entire career, with a shot at returning in 2026. He hasn't pitched significantly since 2021 and has just two healthy seasons under his belt for his entire career. There's likely very little, if anything, left in tank here, but a minor league deal would be a nice gesture.

One of the more interesting former bats still available is outfielder Austin Hays. A hamstring injury and severe kidney infection prevented Hays from fully settling in with the Phillies after Philadelphia gave up reliever Seranthony Dominguez and outfielder Cristian Pache to acquire the former third-round pick out of Jacksonville. He was expected to earn more than $6 million in arbitration this offseason but was non-tendered by the Phillies. Has he entered the minor league deal with an invitation to spring training era of his career? Probably not, but his market appears to be ice cold at the moment. And no, the Orioles should not consider bringing him back.

Lastly, there's James McCann, a certified dog, but mediocre bat. A veteran backstop who is a positive influence in the clubhouse, McCann will get a major league deal somewhere ahead of spring training, as it wouldn't be shocking to hear that he's had offers already. However, he continues to wait for a strong contending team to come calling as he searches for his first World Series ring. The Orioles elected to add a bit more offense to the backup catcher spot by signing Gary Sanchez this offseason, and added leadership by bringing former catcher Robinson Chirinos in as bench coach, spelling an end to any potential reunion between McCann and Baltimore.

There's also a pair of bonus names who may be intriguing to Orioles fans keeping tabs on former players. Reliever Danny Coulombe remains unsigned, likely meaning the elbow is still a concern. The Orioles declined to pick up his $4 million option for this upcoming season, leaving many fans scratching their head. He may eventually have to settle for a minor league deal/spring invite to prove the elbow is functional.

Speaking of functional, Craig Kimbrel was not that last season in Baltimore. He was supposed to be a one-year option to ease the pain of losing Felix Bautista for the full year, instead he caused even more pain as we watched him crumble to an ERA over 10 in the second half of the season. Thoughts go out to the fan base of whatever team gives Kimbrel one more shot.