Orioles 2025 infield looks set after most recent Mike Elias comments

While the Orioles have a couple major roster holes to address this winter, particularly in the outfield and in the starting rotation, the infield looks to be more locked in. We've been under the assumption that it was at least close to complete, as the O's will return all three of Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, and Jackson Holliday in 2025.

In addition to those three, the O's seem to have committed to bringing back Ramón Urías and Jorge Mateo as backups. The biggest area of improvement would seem to be at first base, with all three of Ryan Mountcastle, Ryan O'Hearn, and Heston Kjerstad in line to get playing time there.

Mountcastle wasn't great in 2024 but thanks to the Orioles' decision to move the left field wall back in toward home plate, the once strong first baseman could be in line for a major step forward in 2025. The O's picked up O'Hearn's contract option earlier this winter - he's surprisingly been one of the more consistent bats in the lineup since coming to Baltimore two years ago. The decision to get Kjerstad time at first is interesting, but he hasn't been a great defender in left field so it does make some sense.

Orioles likely won't change infield mix in 2025

But while some of us have been hammering that first base spot as a potential place for the O's to upgrade this winter, Mike Elias recently told reporters that he feels comfortable with where the infield is at heading into 2025.

Roch Kubatko of MASN wrote last week that first base is set, and Elias stated that "We do have a good amount of traffic in the infield", mentioning that the roster will be healthy heading into 2025. If that's the prevailing sentiment, it seems unlikely that the O's will look to upgrade any of the four infield spots this winter.

In part it makes sense because both Coby Mayo and Samuel Basallo are so close to the majors. Mayo debuted last year and while his performance left much to be desired, he'll compete for at-bats this spring and will be one of the first guys to get the call when the Orioles need an infielder in 2025. Basallo had gotten playing time at first base in the minors this past year, presumably to open opportunities for him in the majors thanks to Adley Rutschman being established behind the plate in Baltimore.

If the Orioles do choose to run it back with this group in 2025, they'll need better injury luck than they got last year if they want to be successful. Henderson was spectacular and Westburg had a breakout year, but Holliday has to take a step forward or be at risk of losing playing time. And if the combo of guys at first base isn't working in the first few months of the season, the Orioles can't be hesitant to look outside the organization for a solution.