Right-Hander Smith and Outfielder Johnson Opt for Free Agency, Signaling Shift in Baltimore’s Offseason Strategy
In a quiet but strategic shake-up, the Baltimore Orioles have announced that veteran right-hander Burch Smith and outfielder Daniel Johnson have opted for free agency after being passed through waivers. Although neither roster move was initially publicized, Smith and Johnson elected not to accept outright assignments, marking their exit from the Orioles’ roster.
For Smith, 34, this season has been one of adaptability. He began the year on a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, which included a unique upward mobility clause. That clause allowed him to join the Miami Marlins at the close of spring training, where he remained until mid-June before eventually joining the Orioles. Across his time with the Marlins and Orioles, Smith logged 56 1/3 innings with a 4.95 ERA. Despite his high ERA, Smith’s underlying metrics told a different story: his walk rate was a respectable 5%, and his 3.66 FIP and 3.79 SIERA indicated he was more effective than his ERA suggested.
Given his service time and previous outright, Smith qualified to reject the Orioles’ assignment. His free agency move suggests the Orioles had minimal plans to retain him for 2025, despite a projection of $1.6 million in arbitration. Effectively, Baltimore’s waiver decision signals an early non-tender for Smith.
Meanwhile, Daniel Johnson’s tenure with the Orioles was fleeting but noteworthy. Signed on a minor league deal in the offseason, Johnson earned a call-up in late September and managed a single plate appearance as a pinch hitter. Although limited at the major league level, Johnson posted solid Triple-A numbers, slashing .259/.320/.448 with 21 home runs in 500 plate appearances. However, in the International League’s high-offense environment, his 97 wRC+ indicated average production. Like Smith, Johnson also qualified to reject the outright and decided to enter the free-agent market.
Baltimore’s decision to let both Smith and Johnson walk signals a focused offseason strategy, likely aiming for roster flexibility and potentially bringing in new talent. For Smith and Johnson, the offseason offers a chance to pursue new opportunities and make an impact elsewhere in the league.
