5 Orioles players who don't deserve to be on the 40-man roster heading into 2024

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As is the case with any team, roster turnover is inevitable. It happens during the season and in the offseason. While the Baltimore Orioles are one of baseball's best teams, they have some players who don't deserve to be on the team's 40-man roster entering this season.

Ryan McKenna

It's kind of puzzling as to why Ryan McKenna still has a roster spot. He does provide good defense and can play all over the outfield, but he's not a good hitter and there are guys like Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad who have higher ceilings than McKenna at the major league level and deserve the spot more than him.

McKenna is who he is at this point in his career. It's rather unlikely that he's going to have some big breakout year, and with the talent the Orioles have in the outfield, it's hard to justify keeping McKenna on the roster.

Sam Hilliard

Brought in via a waiver claim this offseason, Sam Hilliard is very similar to Ryan McKenna as a player. He's a defense-first outfielder who can play all three spots when needed but is limited with the bat as evidenced by a .215/.294/.424 slash line.

With both Hilliard and McKenna in the picture entering the spring, the Orioles will likely end up choosing one of them to be the fourth outfielder and primary defensive replacement, with one of either Cowser or Kjerstad being a fifth outfielder thanks to the crowded outfield picture right now.

Just because the Orioles will likely pick one of them doesn't mean they should. Let both kids play and try to sneak both Hilliard and McKenna through waivers. If either Cowser or Kjerstad falters, then the Orioles can re-evaluate things.

Tyler Nevin

After trading Tyler Nevin to the Detroit Tigers last offseason, the Orioles decided to bring him back this offseason in what effectively became a net zero move for both squads, as the trade was the exact same both times, Nevin for cash considerations.

Nevin is not someone who provides a ton of value in the majors for the Orioles. He's limited with the bat and is a fine defender. It made sense to give him some run during the rebuild when the Orioles were trying to figure out who could be a long-term piece, but Nevin has shown he is not such a piece.

Since Nevin appears to be replacement-level at best, it doesn't make a ton of sense for him to be occupying a 40-man spot that could go to someone more deserving. The Orioles would be wise to expose him to waivers and open the 40-man spot for someone else.

Keegan Akin

2023 was a lost year for Keegan Akin. He took noticeable steps back from his surge in 2022 by posting an ERA just under 7 and a WHIP not far from 2 when he was healthy, which is not what the Orioles needed from one of their top lefty relievers entering the year.

In addition to his ineffectiveness, Akin also didn't pitch again in 2023 after a bad outing on June 28 against the Cincinnati Reds in which he allowed four runs in 2/3 of an inning. Akin was placed on the IL with a back injury, which didn't heal in time for him to return in 2023, as he ended the season on the 60 Day IL.

While Akin is healthy entering spring training, the Orioles have Danny Coulombe and Cionel Pérez firmly entrenched as their top two lefty relievers. If he doesn't land a rotation spot, Cole Irvin projects for the lefty long reliever role, while Nick Vespi represents solid depth with minor league options remaining, just like Akin.

Given what the Orioles have to offer in a strong bullpen and a lot of lefties vying for only a few spots, it's not far-fetched for Akin to be removed from the 40-man roster this season. Players have just passed him on the depth chart, so he's not as important to the team anymore.

Jonathan Heasley

Jonathan Heasley is another offseason addition for the Orioles, acquired in December from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for pitcher Cesar Espinal. Heasley had a year to forget in 2023, posting a 7.20 ERA, 6.99 FIP, and 1.267 WHIP and allowing five home runs in 15 innings in the majors over 12 appearances.

That isn't ideal, but he also wasn't very good in Triple A either. With the Omaha Storm Chasers, Heasley had a 6.85 ERA and 1.616 WHIP while allowing 20 home runs and walking 45 hitters in 94 2/3 innings, making 15 starts and 17 relief appearances in Triple A.

Given that Heasley had noticeable struggles in both Triple A and the majors in both the rotation and the bullpen, it's hard to find a spot for him on the 40-man roster over perhaps a non-roster player who is more deserving of that spot. Perhaps the Orioles can work their magic again, but if they can free up a 40-man spot as well, it's definitely worth doing.

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