Orioles surprisingly headed to arbitration with veteran infielder

Following Thursday's 1pm deadline, the Baltimore Orioles are headed to arbitration with veteran infielder Jorge Mateo. Mateo suffered an elbow injury in July of this past season, which resulted in the infielder undergoing surgery and causing him to miss the remainder of the 2024 season.

Mateo was expected to be the team's super-utility player for the 2024 season due to his past experience playing center field. However, thanks to a struggling Jackson Holliday, Mateo manned second base for the O's until his untimely injury. The injury occurred when Mateo collided with shortstop Gunnar Henderson in late July.

General Manager Mike Elias believes that Mateo will return early in 2025, though it's unclear as to how the Orioles will be using him in his return. If the plan from 2024 is any indication, they will use the veteran in a role to spell center fielder, and specifically Cedric Mullins, from time to time. Mateo's defensive utility, combined with the versatility of the Orioles young infielders, could result in him playing second base when Henderson needs a day off, moving Jackson Holliday to shortstop.

The Orioles were unable to come to terms with infielder Jorge Mateo on a contract for 2025

The Orioles had initially tendered a contract to Mateo, although the two sides were unable to agree on a price. After undergoing surgery, the Orioles' offer likely came in under the $3.2 million that Mateo is projected to earn. Baltimore likely thought that the projected number is high, due to the injury riddled 2024 Mateo endured. The two sides will enter arbitration meetings in the coming weeks.

Mateo appeared in 68 games, starting 57 for the Orioles in 2024. In each of the prior two seasons he played in played in over 100 games for Baltimore. He has been a stable piece of the Orioles starting nine since the O's acquired him in the 2021 season from the San Diego Padres. Mateo's best season with the Orioles was in 2022 when he accumulated 3.6 WAR.

It is unclear which side the arbitration mediator will choose throughout the process. That is, if the process goes the full length. In a study, the clubs were more successful in winning the contract disputes due to arbitration, 57% to be exact. With the injuries from 2024 being recent, the arbitrator may decide to side with the Orioles when it is all said and done.