MLB Insiders Believe Orioles Shortstop Could Join Free Agent Pool

Is it possible that the Baltimore Orioles have too much young talent? We could be looking at the first of a few moves for them as Jorge Mateo could be non-tendered.

MLB.com listed 14 players that could be non-tendered on Friday night, which included Mateo.

"The slick-fielding Mateo was the Orioles' everyday shortstop in 2022, when he hit 13 homers and led the AL with 35 steals, and he was a regular in 2023, too, playing 116 games for the AL East champs with seven homers and 32 stolen bases. But with AL Rookie of the Year Gunnar Henderson and MLB's No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday ready to take over the left side of the infield in Baltimore, the 28-year-old Mateo might not have a spot going forward."

The shortstop was a top prospect himself at one point in the New York Yankees system. He was traded to the Oakland Athletics in 2017 as a key piece in the Sonny Gray trade.

The tools jump out, but the bat hasn't caught up. In 318 at-bats, Mateo put together a below-average 0.8 WAR season. He finished the 2023 campaign slashing .217/.267/.340 with seven home runs. 

The struggles at the plate have been an issue for most of his career. Outside of the 2021 season, Mateo hasn't had a batting average over .247 and has never had an OPS above .670. 

With Jackson Holiday and Gunnar Henderson more than ready to replace him, it doesn't make much sense for the Orioles to hold on.