Making sense of the Orioles overcrowded outfield

After three long months the MLB offseason is nearing its close and spring training is just around the corner. As the offseason winds down Mike Elias has said that the Baltimore Orioles will continue to look for ways to improve their roster and on Tuesday he held true to that statement. The Orioles announced that they had signed veteran outfielder Ramon Laureano to a one year deal. 

Bird fans have been yearning for the Orioles to make a big splash this offseason and with no disrespect to Laureano, this feels more like another drop in the bucket. Laureano is a strong defender who can play anywhere in the outfield, has an absolute cannon for an arm, and hits lefties well. Basically, the Orioles signed a one year older version of Austin Hays for $1 million less. 

The most head-scratching aspect of the Laureano signing is that the Orioles already had a full outfield. Colton Cowser, Cedric Mullins and Heston Kjerstad were joined by free agent signings Tyler O’Neill and Dylan Carlson. Not to mention Daz Cameron also holding a 40 man roster spot. The O’s carried five outfielders much of last season and looked poised to do so again this year, but there’s no way they carry six. 

How will the Orioles manage their crowded outfield heading into spring training?

Cowser is secure in his spot in left field and O’Neill is likely to be the primary right fielder. Kjerstad will likely make most of his appearances at DH but showed an improved ability to handle right field in limited chances last season. The addition on Carlson made sense as a utility outfielder who can handle all three spots, though he is lacking offensive production. Then comes Laureano. 

Laureano seems like a perfect platoon mate with Mullins in center. What you lose in speed with Laureano you gain in arm strength. Mullins hits righties and Laureano hits lefties. The two of them together should make a great center fielder and seem to have made Carlson the odd man out. 

Fans on social media have exploded with speculations that Kjerstad will be traded for a starter like Dylan Cease or Luis Castillo, but the Orioles have a much simpler move. Carlson has three minor league options remaining and could simply start the year in Triple-A. That doesn't rule out the possibility of a trade happening but the Birds have been reluctant to move any big names and it’s unlikely they’ll start now.

Injuries hampered the O’s all last season and having guys like Carlson and Cameron at the ready is reassuring. Carlson has had a steep decline in offensive production each year since his standout rookie season in 2021 and maybe some time working with the Norfolk Tides staff can help him bounce back. Elias and company will be faced with several very difficult roster decisions as the season approaches.