As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the Orioles have a tough decision to make. Do they trade away current players to build toward the future or do they look to add a piece that could help them this year?They are 11 games under .500 and behind the Yankees in the American League East, but are only seven games out of the final Wild Card spot. There are 77 games left in the season, which should be enough time to make a run, but would it be worth it? They went 16-11 in June and, if they maintained a 59% winning percentage, could finish the season with above .500 with 83 wins.Will that be enough? Last year’s third Wild Card team finished with 88 wins, so just over .500 will most likely not be good enough to make it back to the playoffs. The recent performance of the team has given fans a reason to hope for this season, but it may be in the best interest of the organization to start planning for the future. They have several pending free agents who may not be part of the team’s future so that they may have a chance for a decent return in a trade scenario. Here is a look at a couple of options they should look to trade and possibly trade for. Trade away: Designated hitter Ryan O’HearnThe Orioles’ best player this season has been Ryan O’Hearn, as he leads the team in the most offensive categories. He is also a pending free agent who could be in line for a big payday if he continues his performance this year. He has played mostly DH for the team but can play first base and the corner outfield positions, so he does have some position flexibility.Playoff-contending teams looking for a left-handed bat to add to their lineup should be calling the Orioles to check the price of O’Hearn. He should have multiple suitors, and that should help the Orioles get the most return out of the deal. If they can get a top 20 prospect from a team, especially a young pitcher, then the deal would be worth it.Trade away: Pitcher Tomoyuki SuganoTomoyuki Sugano has been the Orioles’ most consistent starter all season long. He has a 6-4 record with an earned run average of 4.07 in 16 starts. The 35-year-old was dominant the first couple of months of the season but struggled in June and saw his ERA balloon from 3.23 at the end of May to over 4.00. He is still a solid starter who has pitched at least five innings in 11 out of 16 starts.He may be expendable with his expiring contract and several injured pitchers set to return later this season. Pitching is always a sought-after commodity during the trade deadline, so Sugano will have a market. The team would need him to pitch like he did earlier this season to get a fair value, but it may not find a partner willing to trade for a player who will be a 36-year-old free agent after the summer. Trade away: Outfielder Cedric MullinsThis one will be tough for Orioles fans to swallow, as Cedric Mullins has been a fan favorite since joining the team. The former All-Star and Silver Slugger is known for his speed and power, but he has not been the same player since his peak in 2021. After starting the year hot in April, batting .278 and six home runs, he has struggled since only batting .172 and has not had a stolen base since late May. His time as an Oriole is most likely coming to an end as his replacement, the club’s No. 2 prospect, Enrique Bradfield, looks poised to make his MLB debut soon. Bradfield does not have the power Mullins does but has elite speed and may be just as good a defender. He is a contact hitter with a .268 career average in the minor leagues and a staggering 114 stolen bases in only 173 games played. Trade for: Front-line starterIf the team does manage to hit a hot streak and finds itself less than five games out of a Wild Card spot by the July 31 trade deadline, then it should look at trading for a front-line starter like it did prior to the 2024 season. The biggest issue is whether the Orioles will be willing to give up what it would take to acquire a player of that nature. The farm system is not as stacked as it once was, being ranked 15th during the preseason after being in the top three every year since 2021. Top prospect Samuel Basallo is probably untouchable, but players like Coby Mayo, Heston Kjerstad and Dylan Beavers could all be attractive to potential trade partners. PredictionThe Orioles will head into the trade deadline with some flexibility. Their performance over the next couple of weeks will determine whether they will be sellers or buyers at the deadline. Mullins will most likely be traded as the Orioles have a plethora of current outfielders and his heir apparent, Bradfield, is ready to play. They will most likely hold on to the rest to see if they can salvage this season and make a playoff run.
BALTIMORE —
As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the Orioles have a tough decision to make. Do they trade away current players to build toward the future or do they look to add a piece that could help them this year?
They are 11 games under .500 and behind the Yankees in the American League East, but are only seven games out of the final Wild Card spot. There are 77 games left in the season, which should be enough time to make a run, but would it be worth it? They went 16-11 in June and, if they maintained a 59% winning percentage, could finish the season with above .500 with 83 wins.
Will that be enough? Last year’s third Wild Card team finished with 88 wins, so just over .500 will most likely not be good enough to make it back to the playoffs. The recent performance of the team has given fans a reason to hope for this season, but it may be in the best interest of the organization to start planning for the future.
They have several pending free agents who may not be part of the team’s future so that they may have a chance for a decent return in a trade scenario. Here is a look at a couple of options they should look to trade and possibly trade for.
Trade away: Designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn
The Orioles’ best player this season has been Ryan O’Hearn, as he leads the team in the most offensive categories. He is also a pending free agent who could be in line for a big payday if he continues his performance this year. He has played mostly DH for the team but can play first base and the corner outfield positions, so he does have some position flexibility.
Playoff-contending teams looking for a left-handed bat to add to their lineup should be calling the Orioles to check the price of O’Hearn. He should have multiple suitors, and that should help the Orioles get the most return out of the deal. If they can get a top 20 prospect from a team, especially a young pitcher, then the deal would be worth it.
Trade away: Pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano
Tomoyuki Sugano has been the Orioles’ most consistent starter all season long. He has a 6-4 record with an earned run average of 4.07 in 16 starts. The 35-year-old was dominant the first couple of months of the season but struggled in June and saw his ERA balloon from 3.23 at the end of May to over 4.00. He is still a solid starter who has pitched at least five innings in 11 out of 16 starts.
He may be expendable with his expiring contract and several injured pitchers set to return later this season. Pitching is always a sought-after commodity during the trade deadline, so Sugano will have a market. The team would need him to pitch like he did earlier this season to get a fair value, but it may not find a partner willing to trade for a player who will be a 36-year-old free agent after the summer.
Trade away: Outfielder Cedric Mullins
This one will be tough for Orioles fans to swallow, as Cedric Mullins has been a fan favorite since joining the team. The former All-Star and Silver Slugger is known for his speed and power, but he has not been the same player since his peak in 2021. After starting the year hot in April, batting .278 and six home runs, he has struggled since only batting .172 and has not had a stolen base since late May.
His time as an Oriole is most likely coming to an end as his replacement, the club’s No. 2 prospect, Enrique Bradfield, looks poised to make his MLB debut soon. Bradfield does not have the power Mullins does but has elite speed and may be just as good a defender. He is a contact hitter with a .268 career average in the minor leagues and a staggering 114 stolen bases in only 173 games played.
Trade for: Front-line starter
If the team does manage to hit a hot streak and finds itself less than five games out of a Wild Card spot by the July 31 trade deadline, then it should look at trading for a front-line starter like it did prior to the 2024 season.
The biggest issue is whether the Orioles will be willing to give up what it would take to acquire a player of that nature. The farm system is not as stacked as it once was, being ranked 15th during the preseason after being in the top three every year since 2021. Top prospect Samuel Basallo is probably untouchable, but players like Coby Mayo, Heston Kjerstad and Dylan Beavers could all be attractive to potential trade partners.
Prediction
The Orioles will head into the trade deadline with some flexibility. Their performance over the next couple of weeks will determine whether they will be sellers or buyers at the deadline. Mullins will most likely be traded as the Orioles have a plethora of current outfielders and his heir apparent, Bradfield, is ready to play. They will most likely hold on to the rest to see if they can salvage this season and make a playoff run.
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