The Baltimore Orioles have officially been knocked out of playoff contention, allowing them to shift their attention toward the offseason. Much of the talk so far has centered on which players they might pursue and how they’ll address their most pressing needs—most notably pitching, along with some depth in the outfield.
What hasn’t received as much attention, however, are the players who could be on their way out. The Orioles have one player set to hit free agency this winter, plus four more whose contracts are up in 2027. Beyond that, others could be moved in the coming months to clear space for major additions.
Three Orioles Who May Be Departing This Offseason
Will Tomoyuki Sugano Stick Around?
The Orioles’ most notable pickup from the 2024-25 offseason was 35-year-old Tomoyuki Sugano. He opened the year strong, posting an ERA below 3.50 through April and May with a WHIP hovering around 1.10. While he allowed roughly a hit per inning, he limited walks enough to maintain a solid start.
As the season wore on, however, his numbers declined. Both his hit and walk rates climbed, and his ERA ballooned—topping 6.00 in June and 5.75 in July. He also gave up a league-high 30 home runs while striking out just 16% of opposing hitters.
Given that performance, it’s doubtful Baltimore will bring him back. His stats simply aren’t sustainable, and even a bullpen role wouldn’t offer much value compared to other available arms.
Tyler O’Neill’s Contract Is Eating The Team
During a mostly uneventful offseason, Tyler O’Neill was considered the Orioles’ second-biggest free agent addition. He got off to a decent start, posting a .215/.284/.668 line with two home runs in April. Things quickly unraveled in May, though, as he hit under .100 in six games before landing on the injured list.
When he came back, O’Neill put together a strong July, slashing .259/.339/.931 with five home runs. But injuries soon resurfaced, limiting him to just nine more games over the following two months. His exit velocity and hard-hit rate dipped notably, even though his bat speed held steady.
Looking ahead to 2026, O’Neill could still make the roster, but likely as a fourth outfielder with Dylan Beavers and Colton Cowser stepping up. If Enrique Bradfield Jr. progresses at the plate in the minors, the 30-year-old may find himself without a role. His July surge might have extended his stay, but with a $16.5 million cap hit and an opt-out for 2026, the Orioles face a tough decision.
Ryan Mountcastle’s Decline
Ryan Mountcastle’s struggles this season stem from several issues. He still makes hard contact, but his power has dropped off significantly. Back in 2021, only 35% of his batted balls were on the ground, but that number has risen to 46% in 2025. Meanwhile, his flyball rate has fallen to a career-worst 22%.
Instead of lifting the ball, Mountcastle is now swinging over it, and that’s without even factoring in his extremely high chase and whiff rates. Clearly, something is off with his swing, and it raises real doubts about his future.
At this point, no team is likely to take him straight up in a trade, meaning he’d probably need to be packaged with prospects. Either way, his role is in serious danger, especially with the possibility of the team pursuing Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto. It won’t be an easy decision, but there’s a strong chance the team moves on from Mountcastle in 2026.
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