2 former players the Orioles will regret letting go, 2 where they made the right call

As with any offseason, turnover happens on the roster. Moves are made by every team, and some end up working out just fine. Some moves also come back to bite the team and they might wish they had a do over in those cases.

The Orioles had their fair share of roster turnover this offseason as they made their team better. However, there are a few players the Orioles will wish they didn't let go this offseason. There are also some that were the right move by the team.

The Orioles will regret letting Aaron Hicks go

Aaron Hicks joined the Orioles as a free agent signing when the team lost Cedric Mullins to injury at the end of May. DFA'd and released by the New York Yankees, Hicks fit in immediately with the Orioles and was everything the team could've hoped for, helping stabilize and provide value to the outfield in many cases.

Hicks was also scorching hot in the three games the Orioles played in the postseason, trying his hardest to will the team to a win in game two against the Texas Rangers. While the Orioles had interest in bringing him back, he ended up signing with the Los Angeles Angels on a league-minimum one-year deal.

Ultimately, I think losing what Hicks brought to the table last year will end up hurting the Orioles. While both Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad deserve their shot in the majors this year, Hicks was exactly what the Orioles needed in 2023 as insurance all over the outfield, and they'll regret letting him slip away.

The Orioles will regret trading DL Hall

When the calendar turned to February, the Orioles made their biggest trade in years, landing Cy Young winner and ace Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers, trading away a compensatory draft pick, Joey Ortiz, and DL Hall to get the deal done.

Ortiz was blocked in a crowded infield picture and has nothing left to prove at Triple A, so it made sense to move him. It also made sense to move Hall, but with the pure talent the young lefty has, it will come back to bite the Orioles.

Hall appeared in the majors down the stretch as a relief option after starting the year at Triple A as a starter. His velocity and electric arm tantalized fans and excitement was abound about what he could do in a full year in the majors.

The Brewers plan to use Hall in the rotation, and with how they transform their pitchers, Hall could be the one that got away for the Orioles. That's the price you pay for getting an ace like Burnes, but it will sting seeing Hall reach his sky-high potential in another team's uniform.

The Orioles made the right call letting Jack Flaherty leave

The Orioles were buyers at the 2023 trade deadline, and one of two deals they made to add to the team was sending Drew Rom, Cesar Prieto and Zack Showalter to the St. Louis Cardinals for Jack Flaherty to add depth to their rotation.

It's safe to say now that the trade didn't work out for the Orioles. Flaherty had a 6.75 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 34 2/3 innings with the team, making seven starts before being sent to the bullpen, where he made two appearances to end the season.

Entering free agency this offseason, Flaherty signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers to try and rebuild his value. Despite recent injuries to the Orioles rotation, the Orioles won't miss Flaherty in 2024.