The Orioles on Friday reduced their number of arbitration-eligible players to 12 by trading catcher Alex Jackson to Minnesota for minor league infielder Payton Eeles.
Jackson, who had an estimated $1.8 million price tag for 2026, according to MLBTradeRumors.com, helped the Orioles when they were decimated by injuries to their catchers this past season.
Hurriedly acquired from the New York Yankees on July 6th for a player to be named later and cash, Jackson hit .220 with five home runs and eight RBIs in 36 games.
Thirteen of his 20 hits were for extra-bases. He had eight doubles and had a .763 OPS.
Jackson threw out seven of 24 baserunners (29.1 percent).
There was thought that the Orioles might keep three catchers next season with Samuel Basallo likely to play first base and Adley Rutschman serving as designated hitter on days they didn’t catch.
Jackson, who’ll turn 30 on Christmas Day, has also caught for Atlanta, Miami, Milwaukee and Tampa Bay.
Initially, Jackson shared catching with Jacob Stallings because Rutschman was on the injured list with a strained oblique muscle. Maverick Handley, who remains on the 40-man roster, was out with a concussion. Chadwick Tromp and Gary Sánchez were also injured.
The 26-year-old Eeles hit .261 in 2025 with four home runs and 34 RBIs and a .714 OPS in 99 games with Triple-A St. Paul, High-A Cedar Rapids and Single-A Fort Myers. He’s mostly played shortstop and second base as well as left field.
The Orioles still have tough decisions to make on the future of first baseman Ryan Mountcastle and right-handed reliever Yennier Cano before Friday’s 8 p.m. deadline.
Others who must be tendered contracts are Rutschman, relievers Keegan Akin. Félix Bautista and Albert Suárez, starters Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremer, Trevor Rogers and Tyler Wells, shortstop Gunnar Henderson, and newly acquired outfielder Taylor Ward.
The Orioles have 39 players on their 40-man roster.
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