THE Baltimore Orioles knew they would have difficult decisions to make this winter, and after choosing to bring back slugger Ryan O’Hearn and relievers Seranthony Dominguez and Cionel Perez by choose their club optionsthey also decided to let Danny Coulombe walk in free agency by not getting his back.

For a team on the financial fringe with specific areas for improvement, the Orioles knew they would have to shave some spots somewhere along the line.

This is largely due to the impending departures of Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander.

With both stars expected to land mega-deals in free agency, Baltimore isn’t expected to compete with the high-end numbers it would take to retain them, but that hasn’t stopped the front office from extending offers for qualification.

This is more of a formality on the part of the Orioles than anything substantial.

With the qualifying offer set at $21.05 million for eligible and offered players, there is little chance Burnes and Santander will sign. However, if the duo leaves in free agency as expected, Baltimore will now receive draft compensation.

It’s a win-win situation for general manager Mike Elias and the organization.

If by chance Burnes or Santander decide to sign the qualifying offer, the Orioles will have them on the roster, but if they go to another team, at least they won’t lose them for nothing because they will get draft capital that has become a major asset for this franchise in recent years.

Players will have until 4 p.m. ET on November 19 to accept or not.

Baltimore will likely look for another quality starter this offseason to replace Burnes and pair with Grayson Rodriguez at the top of their rotation, but if that gets a little too expensive, they could rely on trade deadline acquisition Zach Eflin, to be the one-two. strike alongside Rodriguez and pursue a backend option.

As for right field, Heston Kjerstad appears to be the first in-house replacement, but replacing Santander’s production last year won’t be easy to do for a young player, so they’ll likely be looking for an outfielder as well platoon. this winter.