Entering the offseason, it seemed clear that Ryan Mountcastle may have been on borrowed time with the Baltimore Orioles. Mountcastle's reps at first base had been earmarked for Samuel Basallo and Coby Mayo, and his offensive regression over the last two years made it clear that giving up plate appearances as the team's designated hitter may not be the answer either.
The moves the Orioles have made this offseason also make you wonder how Mountcastle is going to get regular at-bats. Beyond the Orioles' signing of Pete Alonso, their trade for Taylor Ward also leads to a crowded outfield picture that may push free-agent bust Tyler O'Neill to the bench.