As the Baltimore Orioles aim to establish themselves as perennial contenders with their current core, they’re exploring all avenues to achieve those goals.
This effort began early in the offseason, with the team making organizational and coaching staff changes—a move that seemed inevitable after their second consecutive playoff sweep.
Without Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander, the Orioles’ roster currently appears weaker than last winter’s at this stage. However, the front office remains focused on securing upgrades.
One area that shows promise is the bullpen. With Félix Bautista returning from Tommy John surgery and Albert Suárez set to take on a swingman role, their relief corps is deeper than it was in 2024. Still, the team might continue to explore options for additional contributors or depth pieces.
One potential option is no longer available: former Oriole Shintaro Fujinami. According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Seattle Mariners have signed Fujinami to a minor league deal. The hard-throwing right-hander spent the second half of the 2023 season with Baltimore after being acquired at the trade deadline.
Initially signed by the Athletics out of Japan in January 2023 as a starter, Fujinami transitioned to the bullpen after early struggles, where he showed enough promise to attract trade interest. However, his time with the Orioles didn’t pan out as hoped—he posted a 4.85 ERA and an 85 ERA+ across 30 appearances.
Following the season, Baltimore allowed him to depart in free agency, and he signed with the New York Mets. Unfortunately, a shoulder strain in May landed him on the 60-day injured list, preventing him from returning to the majors. Now, Fujinami will look to revive his career with the Mariners.
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