Bowden Francis, the Blue Jays' right-hander, showcased his potential during his season debut against the Washington Nationals, holding a no-hitter into the sixth inning before allowing two home runs. Despite a rough start to last season, where he lost his job after just two starts, Francis bounced back impressively at the end of the season, posting a 1.53 ERA over his last two months. The Jays' management hopes his recent form can be replicated to solidify their rotation.

The analytics surrounding Francis's performance are mixed, with projections suggesting an ERA around 4.33 for the season. However, his opening game performance inspires hope for a more productive season. As the Jays look for consistency from Francis, he aims to confirm his place in the rotation, proving that his prior success wasn't merely a fluke. With an aging rotation and limited depth, his ability to eat innings will be crucial for the Jays' overall performance.

The Baltimore Orioles have officially claimed infielder Jacob Amaya from the Chicago White Sox via waivers. Amaya was previously designated for assignment by the White Sox following the signing of Josh Rojas. To accommodate Amaya on the roster, the Orioles have designated right-handed pitcher Roansy Contreras for assignment.

Amaya, once a top-10 prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers' system, was traded to the Miami Marlins in 2023 for seasoned infielder Miguel Rojas. He made his MLB debut shortly after but faced challenges, leading to his designation and a subsequent trade to the Houston Astros. His tenure with the Astros was brief, and he was designated for assignment again in August, eventually being picked up by the White Sox.

During his brief stint in the big leagues, Amaya played in 23 games, posting a .179 batting average with three RBIs and one stolen base. Despite his struggles at the plate, he showed some defensive prowess, saving three runs at shortstop. Historically, Amaya has performed better in the minors, holding a .251 average with a .741 OPS over his career. However, with established infielders like Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday ahead of him, his chances of securing a starting role with the Orioles appear slim. Nevertheless, with Jorge Mateo recovering from elbow surgery, Amaya may still vie for a roster spot as a backup infielder.

The Baltimore Orioles are in urgent need of pitching reinforcements this offseason, especially after injuries plagued their roster in 2024. While they may pursue free agent Corbin Burnes, other options like Grayson Rodriguez and Zach Eflin could step up if he departs.

Trade discussions are heating up, with Bryce Miller of the Seattle Mariners emerging as a potential target. The Orioles might consider trading top prospect Coby Mayo to acquire Miller, as both teams aim to strengthen their lineups.

The St. Louis Cardinals are considering trading key players as part of their offseason rebuild after finishing with an 83-79 record and missing the playoffs for the second year in a row.

While Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras have expressed their desire to stay, Nolan Arenado and Ryan Helsley may be on the trading block. Helsley is expected to yield a strong return, potentially including top prospects like Baltimore Orioles' Coby Mayo.

Mayo had a successful minor league season but struggled in his brief MLB stint. If acquired, he could enhance the Cardinals' young roster.

The Baltimore Orioles are approaching a pivotal arbitration tender deadline, marking a shift in their offseason strategy under new ownership. This year, the team has 13 arbitration-eligible players, a decrease from last year’s 17, and is expected to collectively earn around $48 million.

Key players like Cedric Mullins and Adley Rutschman are likely to be tendered contracts, while others face uncertainty. The decisions made in the coming weeks will significantly influence the team's future direction.