Welcome to another edition of the Orioles Beat newsletter, which will continue to land in your inbox regularly throughout the winter. Follow along to stay up to date with all of the O’s latest offseason happenings.

BALTIMORE -- Before Brandon Hyde arrived in Baltimore for last week’s Birdland Caravan, the Orioles’ manager made a stop at the team’s Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, Fla. While there, he caught a glimpse of right-hander Dillon Tate.

After missing all of the 2023 season due to right elbow/forearm injuries, Tate is raring to go in ‘24. That’s why the 29-year-old was already getting in some work at the team’s Spring Training facilities earlier this month, well before pitchers and catchers are required to report on Feb. 14.

“Looks unbelievable, [he] feels great,” Hyde said of Tate. “He was a go-to guy for us a couple of years ago and really established himself as a right-on-right, late-inning bullpen guy. We missed him last year, so we’re hoping for the best and we’re hoping he can help us this year.”

If Tate returns to his 2022 form, he could join All-Star righty Yennier Cano and lefties Danny Coulombe and Cionel Pérez as top setup options for the Orioles in ‘24. That unit will aim to bridge the gap from the starters to Craig Kimbrel, who will serve as the closer in place of the injured Félix Bautista (out for the year following Tommy John surgery).

Tate, a four-year MLB veteran who broke into the big leagues with Baltimore in 2019, had a breakout season in ‘22. He set career marks in ERA (3.05), appearances (67), innings (73 2/3) and strikeouts (60) while recording a 0.99 WHIP.

Then, Tate had a “whirlwind” year in 2023, as he put it. He was supposed to represent the United States in the World Baseball Classic in March, but a flexor strain prevented him from participating.

During his recovery, Tate made 13 Minor League appearances over two rehab stints that spanned from late April to mid June. He never felt healthy enough to rejoin the Orioles, who went 101-61 and won the American League East title in his absence.

“That’s always the hope, to get back up whenever you’re in any rehab situation, and sometimes it shakes out and sometimes it doesn’t. And unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for me,” Tate said. “Now, it’s my time to go back out there and play, so I’m ready.”

Because Tate was cleared by a doctor last September -- not in time for him to return for the postseason -- his offseason has been “pretty normal,” he said. The Harbor City, Calif., native spent some of that time in the Seattle area, where he worked out at the Driveline Baseball facility.

Baltimore’s bullpen was among the team’s strengths last season, posting a 3.55 ERA that ranked third in the AL and fifth in MLB. Even without Bautista, the relief corps has the potential to excel again in 2024, which Tate believes will be the case.

“We can compete with anybody, and I think we’ve shown that over the past few years,” Tate said. “The track record has continued to go up. I wouldn’t see any reason for it to not continue to keep trending the way that it is. We’re a competitive club. We’re ready to win.”

And Tate -- who was part of Orioles teams that lost 108 games in 2019 and 110 in ‘21 -- is eager for the opportunity to pitch for a squad now better positioned to reach the postseason.

“For me, it’s anything that I can do to help,” Tate said. “We’re obviously doing what we need to do as a club, and we’re showing people that we mean business. I’m ready to go out there and do what I need to do to help us win more than 101 games and into the next piece of the season.”

How many Orioles pitchers have recorded 40 or more saves in a season?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

Tuesday was truck day at Camden Yards, where Von Paris Moving & Storage loaded up the Orioles' equipment and began the 1,000-mile trip to Sarasota ahead of Spring Training.

The trucks are carrying 320 uniforms, 300 hats, 200 helmets and 10 pitching machines. They’re scheduled to arrive at Ed Smith Stadium early next week, as are 800 cases of baseballs and 300 bats.

After pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 14, their first workout will take place Feb. 15. Position players must report by Feb. 19, and the first full-squad workout will occur Feb. 20.

Jordan Westburg was one of MLB’s top prospects when he made his big league debut for the Orioles last June 26. He went on to have a solid showing as a rookie, slashing .260/.311/.404 with 17 doubles, two triples, three home runs, 23 RBIs and 26 runs scored in 68 games.

With Adam Frazier departing via free agency -- the veteran second baseman signed with the Royals on Tuesday -- Baltimore should give more playing time to Westburg, who has the ability to handle second, third, shortstop and potentially even the corner outfield. He’s a near lock to make the Opening Day roster, but the 24-year-old isn’t viewing it that way as spring approaches.

“I don’t think I solidified anything in my role. I’d love to win a job,” Westburg said at last week’s Birdland Caravan. “I’d love to be the starting second baseman, third baseman, whatever. I don’t really care where I play. But I realize that this team’s dynamic is one of versatility and where we have a lot of athletic guys who can do a lot of different things.

“I’m going to show up to spring and just try to win a job and fight really hard.”

C. 3

Jim Johnson (51 in 2012 and 50 in ‘13), Zack Britton (47 in ‘16) and Randy Myers (45 in 1997) all recorded more than 40 saves in a season for the O’s.

To subscribe to Orioles Beat, visit this page, check the "Orioles Beat" list and make sure you're following the Orioles or they're checked as your favorite team. 

View Online