For nearly a decade, the Orioles have had at least one of three familiar faces patrolling a portion of their outfield. But unless an unlikely move is coming this winter, that will not be the case in 2026.
Anthony Santander was the first to debut. He came to Baltimore as a Rule 5 pick from the Cleveland organization prior to the 2017 season. Injuries kept him off the field until August of that year, and it would be a long time before he would truly establish himself. But eventually, Santander became one of the first names in the lineup each day, peaking with a 44-home run season in 2024 that saw him named an all-star for the first time.
Austin Hays made his debut in an Orioles uniform as a September call up in 2017, the first member of the 2016 MLB Draft to get to the majors. After playing in 20 MLB games that year, he would be stuck in the minors for all of 2018, and then get into just 21 major league games in 2019. The pandemic-shortened 2020 season saw him play in more than half of the games. That set him up for the best run of his career. From 2021 through ‘23, Hays was worth 8.8 bWAR and named an all-star starter in ‘23.
Cedric Mullins came to Baltimore with some big shoes to fill. Fans regarded him as the heir-apparent in center field to team legend Adam Jones. Even Jones viewed it that way, urging Mullins to take the field first on his debut in August 2018. The transition wouldn’t be so smooth. Mullins had major offensive struggles, and was eventually demoted all the way to Double-A in order to deal with them. He reemerged in 2020 with a better approach, ditched switch-hitting ahead of ‘21, and became the first Orioles player to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season. Although he never got back to those heights, he remained a solid bat and oftentimes an incredible fielder in center for several more seasons.
That era of the Orioles outfield has slowly faded away the last two seasons.
Hays struggled with his health in 2024, and it impacted his on-field performance. The emergence of Colton Cowser pushed Hays to the periphery of the roster, and he was eventually traded to the Phillies.
Santander had a very different end to his Baltimore career. The slugger was crucial to the 2024 lineup. He earned the opportunity to test the free agent waters last winter, and that is exactly what he did. The Orioles extended the qualifying offer, which was understandably declined in favor of a long-term committment. In late January, the switch-hitter landed a five-year, $92.5 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.
And then there was Mullins. The speedy veteran outfielder hoped to use the 2025 season as a platform year to the big free agent contract he had earned. But it wasn’t to be. He took a step back in most aspects of his game, and the Orioles similarly struggled. The writing was on the wall for an exit. It came on trade deadline day. The Orioles were shipping out all of their expiring contracts. That included a deal to send Mullins to the Mets. The 31-year-old’s time with the only organization he had ever known was over after eight big league seasons.
This is the nature of professional sports. The human body only allows people to play at such a level for a relatively brief amount of time. So, players shuffle in and out with regularity. Look no farther than the 2025 Orioles. Due to injuries and inconsistent play, they used a record number of players. Many of them are names that even us sickos won’t recall a year or two from now.
Perhaps that reality of sports is why a fan base clings to the few players that are able to stick around year after year. And not only do they show up, but they are quite good. That ability to perform is magnified against a back drop of poor play around them, which was the reality for each of Santander, Hays, and Mullins for large portions of their tenure in Baltimore.
Baseball, in particular, is special in this department. There are so many games, and they happen in the summer, when most other sports and other forms of entertainment are on a hiatus. These teams and players become a companion for many. You get to know them, their story, and their personality. Even on bad teams, it’s easy to get attached.
The 2019 Orioles lost 108 games. They also gave Santander his first real opportunity at major league playing time, and he rewarded them with 20 home runs. The 2021 Orioles lost 110 games. They also featured Mullins and Hays, who were worth 9.6 bWAR combined, probably the two best position players on the roster. Sure, winning is of paramount importance, but so is having a fun, watchable, and likable team. These three players did their part in making the Orioles be that for many years.
When we look back at the 2017-2025 era of Orioles baseball, this trio will feature prominently. They gave fans something worth watching in the midst of dreadful seasons. And they also got to be part of fun squads that got back above .500 in 2022 followed by playoff appearances in 2023 and ‘24. It was a journey that was better because of them.
The Orioles’ decision to move on from each of them is entirely defensible, and has even been proven right to some degree. Santander had an injury-riddled first season in Toronto, Hays is still trying to find his footing outside of Baltimore, and Mullins had a tough two-month stretch in Queens.
A reunion with any of them feels remote. Santander has a big, beefy contract that won’t be moved any time soon. Hays is currently a free agent, but the Orioles don’t need another corner outfielder. And Mullins has just signed a one-year deal with the Rays, where he will hopefully bounce back against every team except for the Orioles.
That era of Orioles baseball had run its course. It was time to make changes in the outfield, and the Orioles have certainly done that over the last 12 months. But it will always be fun to remember the iconic moments, like Santander’s grand slam against the Astros in 2024, or Hays’ home run robbery against the Blue Jays in 2019, or Mullins’ game-winning performance versus the Mariners in 2023. It was magic. Orioles Magic.
