Orioles cut ties with ex-Phillies outfielder after trade

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 23: The Baltimore Orioles logo shown on all bag during batting practice prior to a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

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By Jackson Roberts

Contributing Sports Writer

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The Baltimore Orioles are not shying away from the chaos this offseason.

Certainly, the Orioles have made some significant acquisitions, like Pete Alonso, Shane Baz, and Ryan Helsley. They've also shuffled the bottom of the 40-man roster at a staggering rate, making multiple transactions most weeks in an attempt to snag an extra player or two for spring training if they wind up eventually clearing waivers.

The Orioles claimed outfielder/utility man Weston Wilson off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies on Jan. 22. But the pattern Baltimore had established all winter should have been the warning sign that Wilson's time on the 40-man wasn't going to last very long.

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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 23: The Baltimore Orioles logo shown on all bag during batting practice prior to a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

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On Sunday, the Orioles made a trade with the Chicago White Sox to acquire third baseman Bryan Ramos for cash considerations. Ramos had just been designated for assignment, and the Orioles evidently wanted to jump the queue in waivers to make sure they got their hands on him.

That meant Wilson, who had only been in the organization officially for 10 days, was sent packing. The Orioles designated the 31-year-old for assignment to clear space for Ramos on the 40-man roster.

It's curious that the Orioles would want Ramos, who has 36 career major league games and negative WAR, over the more experienced Wilson, who has played in 100. Ramos is just 24 years old, so perhaps Baltimore is banking on the previously light-hitting third baseman developing a bit more in the batter's box.

Soon, spring training will begin, and there should be less shuffling going on as teams start to evaluate the players they brought to camp for a week or two at a time. But Wilson hopes he'll be able to maintain his 40-man roster spot, whether that means another team claims him or trades for him the way the Orioles did with Ramos.