The Orioles have some major changes as the upcoming season approaches.
The Orioles recently lost Anthony Santander to the Blue Jays. Santander, a right fielder who played with the Orioles for eight consecutive seasons, was signed to the Blue Jays for a five-year, 92.5-million-dollar contract.
English Department Chairman Matthew Blair said, “Santander was too much money, but it’s not good that they traded him.”
Some players were added to the Orioles roster for the 2025 season.
On January 3 this year, the Orioles agreed to terms with Charlie Morton, a right-handed pitcher on a one-year Major League contract.
The Orioles claimed right-handed pitcher Roansy Contreras off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds on January 10, 2025.
Infielder Jacob Amaya was claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox for the Baltimore Orioles on January 16.
Many star players will be returning for the Orioles. This includes catcher Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson at shortstop, as well as Cedric Mullins in the outfield.
With their new additions, the Orioles are shaping up for a better season than the previous two years.
Last year, the Orioles lost in the AL Wild Card Series to the Kansas City Royals by a score of 2-0.
In 2023, Baltimore was knocked out of the AL Division Series by the Texas Rangers, losing 3-0.
This year hopes are high for how far the Orioles will go.
JC Head Baseball Coach Darrion Siler said, “The Baltimore Orioles will finally complete their Cinderella story, capturing their first World Series title since 1983.”
Mr. Siler added that this is the Orioles’ year to win because of the team they have for the upcoming season.
“They’ve got the perfect combination of youthful energy, a deep enough pitching staff, and a relentless lineup that will outlast the Atlanta Braves in an epic, drama filled, thrilling seven-game World Series,” said Mr. Siler.
Regarding the 2025 season Mr. Blair has predicted the Orioles will finish second in the American League East and will qualify as a Wildcard Team.
Sophomore Jackson Lambie said, “I think the Orioles will do well but not as well as two years ago because they lost key players and haven’t signed any good ones.”
As excitement for Major League baseball grows, it’s important to know the changes that are coming with the 2025 season.
Opening Day for the MLB is on March 27, the first game being the Colorado Rockies versus the Tampa Bay Rays.
The 2025 schedule came out on July 18, 2024, and the number of games this year for prime inter-league rivals has increased.
The schedule was modified this season in order to increase the rivalry games from four to six, playing two three game series instead of two two-game series.
Following changes to the game series, spring training for the MLB will begin Thursday, February 20 at Camelback Ranch in Glendale Arizona. The Los Angeles Dodgers will take on the Chicago Cubs.
Shortly after spring training ends on March 25, the MLB draft will take place on July 23 in Atlanta, Georgia.
There are three top three prospects for this year’s draft. The first is Ethan Holliday, a shortstop and third baseman from Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Second of the prospect rankings is Jace LaViolette from Texas A&M, a potential outfielder for the MLB.
20-year-old Jamie Arnold from Florida State, a left-hand pitcher, is the third prospect ranking for 2025.
The changes in the MLB season are major, including differences in game schedules, additions to teams as well as losses.