5:03PM : The Orioles have interest in , reports. An All-Star in 2023 due to a hot start to the season, Diaz has been a below-average offensive performer for most of his 10 MLB seasons, but his defensive metrics have been generally solid. Diaz hit .265/.313/.382 over 351 plate appearances with the Rockies and Jesse Scholtens Jersey Padres last season, as Diaz landed with San Diego in August after being released by Colorado. 1:34PM : Much of the conversation surrounding the Orioles to this point in the offseason has focused on recently-departed free agents and and the clubs efforts to either reunite with or replace those top-of-the-market players. In an appearance on earlier today, club GM Mike Elias acknowledged that the club would love to bring both Burnes and Santander back, and that theyre prioritizing additions to the top of the rotation and the outfield to make up for that lost production. While those plans have already been reported on extensively, Elias also noted one other departing free agent who the club would either like to reunite with or replace this winter: veteran catcher . McCann, 34, spent the past two seasons in Baltimore after being traded to the Orioles by the Mets prior to the 2023 season. He settled comfortably into the backup catcher role with his new club, serving as the second half of a tandem alongside young star . During his time in Baltimore, rated McCann as a below-average defensive catcher overall, with average marks (0 CS Above Average) for throwing out runners but lackluster marks in terms of blocking (-12 Blocks Above Average) and pitch framing (-5 Framing Runs). Meanwhile, McCann has been a below average hitter overall with the bat, but that still made him a roughly average offensive backup catcher overall as he hit .228/.274/.382 (83 wRC+) in 459 total trips to the plate over the past two years, including an 89 wRC+ in 2024. While that production shouldnt be especially difficult to replace for the Orioles, its nonethele s worth noting that the club plans to pursue an external addition at the position. With Rutschman locked in as the clubs starting catcher for the foreseeable future and top prospect already at the Triple-A level, it wouldnt have been especially surprising if the club decided to go with some combination of and to back up Rutschman until Basallo is ready to debut. Given Eliass comments, however, it seems the club will at least explore adding another veteran catcher to the mix to pair with Rutschman. Whether that veteran catcher will wind up being McCann or not is unclear. suggested earlier today that McCann may be searching for a multi-year deal in free agency this winter given the thin market for catchers, and went on to note that a deal of that magnitude could make the Orioles uncomfortable. Given the presence of Basallo, it would be understandable if the club preferred to limit any commitment to a veteran catcher to just one guaranteed year. If McCann proves to be out of the clubs comfort zone or they simply opt to go in a different direction, theres a number of other options who could be available on a one-year pact this winter such as , , and . Lance Johnson Jersey