As we are just a few days away from catchers and pitchers reporting, the excitement for the baseball season is starting to increase rapidly. Fans are excited to see their teams take the field after many of the front offices took zero days off over the winter months. 

Some teams, like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, added on to their already impressive lineups. You also have teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have come out swinging over the winter break, filling holes left and right. 

For Baltimore Orioles fans, they likely cannot wait to get the new season started, either. They signed guys like Pete Alonso, Ryan Helsley, and Zach Eflin, while acquiring Shane Baz and Taylor Ward in trades. 

MORE: Proposed Orioles trade sees Baltimore deal Dylan Beavers-based package for $6.2 million All-Star ace, break division rivals’ hearts

Orioles’ Ryan Mountcastle could become a prime trade target for this NL East team 

Pete Alonso was obviously the big splash for Baltimore over the winter. However, with his addition and the rise of some younger players, Ryan Mountcastle’s future with the club looks bleak. 

He is blocked by Alonso, but that is not all. Samuel Bassallo agreed to an eight-year extension in August, and while his primary position is catcher, he can also play first base. 

So, it would not hurt to see if anyone is interested in trading for Mountcastle. Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly believes the Washington Nationals could be at play here. 

“The nearby Nationals have one of the worst rosters in baseball, with their lineup in desperate need of a power source outside James Wood. Mountcastle could take over at first base, where he’s a more natural fit than Luis Garcia Jr., who is a middle infielder by trade.”

Washington needs another source of power to take some of the pressure off James Wood. They also have Luis Garcia Jr. expected to play first base this season, a position he has only started two games at during his MLB career. 

That is a ton of pressure to put on someone, and it is unnecessary if someone else is available. Acquiring Mountcastle would give them both a primary first baseman they can count on and a power bat in the middle of that lineup.

More MLB news: