BALTIMORE (AP) — for the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday with an informal sendoff for five-time All-Star Adam Jones Lance McCullers Jersey , another veteran who seemingly has no place on a rebuilding team in the process of a major reboot.Although the endless string of defeats has mercifully ended, the goodbyes will likely extend into the offseason.“Now that the season is over,” Jones said, “the next chapter starts.”The 33-year-old was talking about his status as a pending free agent, but the sentiment applies to the Orioles.The status of manager Buck Showalter and executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette remains up in the air, and the rookie-filled roster that struggled through September is sure to change.Halfway into the worst season in Orioles history, Duquette began the overhaul by trading Manny Machado, Zach Britton, Jonathan Schoop, Kevin Gausman, Darren O’Day and Brad Brach for 15 minor league prospects and International signing bonus slot money.A team-record 15 players made their major league debut this season, and all that inexperience was one of many reasons why Baltimore finished 47-115, 61 games behind AL East champion Boston.There’s no telling when the rebuild will begin to yield victories.“You don’t put a timetable on it. You try to do it as fast as you can http://www.astrosfanproshop.com/authentic-mike-scott-jersey ,” Showalter said. “But you’ve got to do it with your nose down, and grind each day. You might be surprised where you stand when those days are behind you.”Some things to know about the Orioles as they head into an important offseason:NEVER SAW IT COMINGPerhaps the most depressing aspect of the season is that the Orioles thought they would be contenders.The addition of starters Alex Cobb and Andrew Cashner, along with a power-laden lineup led by Machado and Schoop, led to unfulfilled optimism.Baltimore opened 5-14 and was 8-20 by the end of April.“We got on a losing roll and it kind of snowballed,” pitcher Dylan Bundy said. “Then May came and it wasn’t any better. Around the First of May I realized it wasn’t going to be the year we thought it was, the year we hoped for or the year we planned for in the spring.”DAVIS A DUDFirst baseman Chris Davis, like the Orioles, had a historically awful season.He batted .168, worst average by a qualifier in major league history, and struck out 192 times in 128 games.The former slugger is in the midst of a $161 contract that extends through 2022. That makes him tough to trade and leaves the Orioles little option but to hope he finds his stroke.PATIENCE REQUIREDThe Astros won the World Series last year after going through a similar rebuild. The key, says Astros manager A.J. Hinch, is that you can’t rush it.“Patience is always key,” Hinch said. “Finding great players is paramount Alex Bregman Jersey , and continuing to form their plan, develop their plan and execute it.“I know what it feels like when it works, and it’s worth it. But it can reach some tough moments while you’re trying to evaluate players, while you’re trying to rebuild it.”RAY OF HOPEOrioles catcher Caleb Joseph watched a bunch of rookies come up from the minors and was encouraged by their potential.“There’s some young talent in this clubhouse, and if you get everybody on the same page and start working towards our specific goal you can grow a nice little franchise here with the talent that we have,” Joseph said.Example: Rookie right-hander David Hess went 3-10, but in his final outing he pitched seven innings of three-hit ball against Houston.“I think the experience in itself goes a really long way,” Hess said. “You always hear coming up that you can’t really mimic the big leagues at any other level. That definitely proved true.” The biggest question of the offseason is a two-parter.1. Will Clayton Kershaw opt out of the final two years and $65 million of his contract?2. If he does opt out, will he consider signing elsewhere, or will it just be to get more years from the Dodgers?He did little to put Dodgers fans minds at ease with his recent comments."I would be lying if I said it didn't cross my mind," Kershaw told reporters when asked if he had thought at all about how he may have made his last home start at Dodger Stadium.The chances are he'll opt out, as the security that comes with adding a few years' worth of guaranteed money will be too appealing to pass up.It's hard to envision the free-spending Dodgers letting their homegrown star get away, but there's always the possibility that someone makes him an offer he can't refuse.Another postseason that doesn't end in a World Series title could also convince the 30-year-old that his best chance of winning atitle may be elsewhere.We shall see.Prediction:Kershaw opts out Carlos Beltran Jersey , re-signs on a five-year, $175 million deal with the Dodgers.Patrick CorbinMatthew Stockman/Getty ImagesIt's been a breakout season for Patrick Corbin.An All-Star for the second time in his career, he's gone 11-7 with a 3.23 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 242 strikeouts (3rd in NL) in 195 innings for 4.4 WAR.The 29-year-old picked the perfect time for a career year. A case can be made he's the top starting pitching option on the market if Kershaw decides to stay put.So which team is the early favorite to sign him?As a Syracuse native, Corbin grew up a Yankees fan, and it sounds like he's open to the idea of donning pinstripes."It would definitely be great to play there," Corbin told Bob Nightengale of USA Today. "I grew up a Yankee fan. My whole family are Yankee fans. My mom, my dad, my grandpa, everybody. Really, every generation of my family has been Yankee fans.I know the Yankees have had some interest in the past, and there were a lot of rumors this winter that got my family excited. It would have been cool."With J.A. Happ, CC Sabathia and Lance Lynn all headed for free agency http://www.astrosfanproshop.com/authentic-brian-mccann-jersey , the Yankees have a clear need in the rotation. It stands to reason that bolstering the starting staff will trump making a run at someone like Bryce Harper or Manny Machado.Prediction:Corbin signs a four-year, $72 million deal with the Yankees. Charlie MortonStephen Brashear/Getty ImagesIf there's any player this year who might consider accepting a qualifying offer, it's Charlie Morton.The 34-year-old has become a different pitcher since joining the Houston Astros last season, going a combined 29-10 with a 3.39 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 360 strikeouts in 310.2 innings for 5.0 WAR.He's earning just $7 million this season and has earned roughly $40.7 million over the course of his career, according to Spotrac.Morton has hinted at potentially retiring at the end of the 2018 season in the past. The chance to return for one more year and earn what figures to be a salary north of $18 million by accepting a qualifying offer could be too tempting to turn down.His decision on the future could also impact the market for Dallas Keuchel.If Morton does return, the Astros might be more inclined to let Keuchel walk in free agency. Losing both standout starters would be a tough pill to swallow for the defending champs, though.Prediction:Morton accepts a qualifying offer and returns for one more year.All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, unless otherwise noted.