The Orioles filled their 40-man roster last week by claiming left-hander Tucker Davidson off waivers from the Royals. The start of the tinkering and retooling.
They made another move Wednesday, claiming outfielder Sam Hilliard off waivers from the Braves and designating reliever Joey Krehbiel for assignment.
Davidson and Hilliard, who are out of minor league options, could stay on the 40-man heading into spring training, where they'd compete for a bullpen and bench role, respectively, or the Orioles might attempt to pass one or both through waivers and offer a camp invitation - a maneuver they've executed countless times in the past. The duo could stay in the organization or move on from it.
We're only in the third day of November. Lots of other changes are forthcoming.
Jack Flaherty, Shintaro Fujinami, Kyle Gibson, Adam Frazier and Aaron Hicks became free agents after the World Series. Five subtractions that bring down the total to 35.
Pitchers Keegan Akin and Dillon Tate and infielder/outfielder Terrin Vavra must be reinstated from the 60-day injured list. Three additions that raise the total to 38.
The Orioles will keep at least one spot open for the Rule 5 draft. However, they also need to decide which players to protect in it. The deadline to add players within the organization to the 40-man is Nov. 15.
Outfielder Hudson Haskin, the system’s No. 17 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, appears to be the strongest candidate. Catcher Maverick Handley and right-hander Ryan Watson, the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2022, also are eligible.
So are pitchers Garrett Stallings, Jean Pinto, Kyle Brnovich, Zach Peek, Nolan Hoffman and Connor Gillispie, infielder Anthony Servideo, first baseman/outfielder TT Bowens, infielder/outfielder Adam Hall and outfielder Shayne Fontana. Just to name a few more.
The Orioles have 17 players eligible for arbitration, per MLBTradeRumors.com, and a few non-tender candidates also could impact the 40-man. The club isn’t likely to sign all 16.
The non-tender deadline is Nov. 17.
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