As the Orioles get older, their payroll will undergo a natural increase from year to year. That process took place Thursday as Baltimore agreed to deals with multiple veteran players on 2025 salaries, avoiding arbitration hearings in the process.

The arbitration process allows players with between three and six years of service time to receive salary increases based on experience and performance. The Orioles had a large class, with 11 arbitration-eligible players waiting on contracts. Baltimore had already avoided arbitration with infielder Emmanuel Rivera on a $1 million deal.

On Thursday, the Orioles agreed to a deal worth $2.95 million with right-hander Dean Kremer, a source with direct knowledge told The Baltimore Banner. A second source told The Banner that left-handed reliever Gregory Soto reached a $5.35 million deal to avoid arbitration. Two more sources confirmed that left-hander Trevor Rogers settled at $2.6 million and outfielder Cedric Mullins received $8.725 million. MLB.com first reported the latter two deals.

The Orioles also settled with right-hander Tyler Wells at $2.075 million to avoid an arbitration hearing, a source told The Banner. Wells is in his first year of arbitration eligibility, and he and right-hander Kyle Bradish are recovering from season-ending Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgeries. Bradish and Wells could be factors midway through the 2025 campaign.

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Bradish, a source confirmed, will receive $2.35 million, and left-hander Keegan Akin will earn $1.475 million, as MLB.com first reported.

According to reports from MLB.com and Fansided, first baseman Ryan Mountcastle agreed to a deal worth $6.787 million and catcher Adley Rutschman will earn $5.5 million. A source also confirmed a report from the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network that said infielder Ramón Urías will make $3.15 million in 2025.

In addition, a source said infielder Jorge Mateo did not come to an agreement with the Orioles ahead of Thursday’s deadline, meaning his representation and the club will exchange figures ahead of a possible arbitration hearing next month.

According to a projection from MLB Trade Rumors, Mateo figured to earn $3.2 million in arbitration. Mateo, in his third and final year of eligibility, and the team can still settle on a deal before a hearing. The utilityman’s speed was sorely missed from the lineup last year when he suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. He hit .229 but had a slightly above-average wins above replacement number (0.9).

General manager Mike Elias expects Mateo to be ready to play by spring training, as recovery periods for a position player are shorter than pitchers undergoing the same surgery.

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Kremer, in his first year of arbitration eligibility, received a major raise. He has been a reliable starter for the Orioles since 2022, and while he missed time last year due to injury, he pitched to a 4.10 ERA in 129 2/3 innings.

Rogers, meanwhile, is more of a project. Acquired from the Miami Marlins at the 2024 trade deadline, he struggled immediately and finished the year in Triple-A. He has spent the offseason working on his mechanics to reintroduce higher velocity and command.

Mullins has been one of baseball’s most consistent center fielders, even when his performance at the plate wavers. He finished 2024 with a .234 average but had 2.6 wins above replacement, and he coupled 18 homers with 32 steals. He will be a free agent next winter unless the Orioles agree to a contract extension.

Rutschman, in his second year of arbitration eligibility, had an unsteady season. He tapered off in the second half after an All-Star-worthy first half and finished with a .709 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, the first time in his three-year career he finished below .800.

The Orioles added Soto at the trade deadline, and he figures to remain a big part of a bullpen that is full of question marks. He finished the season with a 4.42 ERA but held a 5.09 ERA in Baltimore. Akin will also be a valuable bullpen arm, coming off a strong season in which he produced a 3.32 ERA.

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The players’ salaries in 2025 are:

  • OF Cedric Mullins: $8.725 million
  • INF Ryan Mountcastle: $6.787 million
  • C Adley Rutschman: $5.5 million
  • LHP Gregory Soto: $5.35 million
  • INF Ramón Urías: $3.15 million
  • RHP Dean Kremer: $2.95 million
  • LHP Trevor Rogers: $2.6 million
  • RHP Kyle Bradish: $2.35 million
  • RHP Tyler Wells: $2.075 million
  • LHP Keegan Akin: $1.475 million

This story has been updated.