{"id":745235,"date":"2026-07-07T05:39:44","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T05:39:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/745235\/"},"modified":"2026-07-07T05:39:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T05:39:44","slug":"which-players-should-the-orioles-target-at-the-mlb-trade-deadline-the-lead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/745235\/","title":{"rendered":"Which Players Should the Orioles Target at the MLB Trade Deadline? \u2013 The Lead"},"content":{"rendered":"

The All-Star break is creeping up, and America just celebrated its 250th birthday. While most people are embracing the heat and warm months, the Orioles have not. Since GM Mike Elias said the team would be buyers<\/a> before the upcoming trade deadline on Aug. 3, the team has gone just 3-5 and continues to foil their chances of a postseason berth.<\/p>\n

Mike Elias told reporters that if the trade deadline were today, the Orioles would be buyers <\/p>\n

“We’re right there\u2026we’re going for it” <\/p>\n

However, the deadline isn’t today, and Elias said he will do what’s best for the franchise when it does come #Birdland<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Gwpuyypu0i<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SleeperOrioles (@SleeperOrioles) June 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

With the team struggling, the expectations would be that Baltimore should be sellers. But after last season\u2019s disaster, Mike Elias\u2019 seat is currently heating up. Elias has been with Baltimore since 2018; the Orioles<\/a> have a record of just 521-599 (.465) since hiring him. Not only that, but the team is still looking for its first playoff win since October 5, 2014, when it defeated the Detroit Tigers in Game 3 of the ALDS<\/a>, advancing to the ALCS.<\/p>\n

Since winning the 2014 ALDS, the team has been swept in every series it\u2019s been in, including the 2014 ALCS. The team is 0-10 in their last 10 playoff games, the longest active losing streak in MLB<\/a> and the fourth-longest all-time. If Mike wants to save his job, he\u2019ll need to be aggressive at the deadline.<\/p>\n

To help him, here are three players the Orioles should target to try to make a run to the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Aroldis Chapman<\/a> is a player that many fans probably don\u2019t have in their top five, or even top 10, players they would like their team to trade for. But don\u2019t let the 38-year-old gun slingers\u2019 age deceive you. Since entering the league in 2010, he\u2019s been one of the best relief pitchers in the league. He has a career ERA of 2.51, alongside a host of accomplishments that include being an eight-time All-Star and a two-time Mariano Rivera<\/a> American League Reliever of the Year award winner.<\/p>\n

When pitchers hit their late 30s, most of the time they get worse. But with Chapman, he\u2019s only gotten better since his age-36 season with the Pirates back in 2024. After an up-and-down year in Pittsburgh, the former gunslinger, who up to that point had made his career with his 100 mph fastball, started throwing more accurate pitches instead of just pure speed.<\/p>\n

With the Red Sox struggling, Aroldis Chapman, who is getting better with age, seems to be an obvious candidate to be traded.<\/p>\n

Our @OwBroMedia<\/a> looks back at what some of the top closers have gone for at the deadline in years past:https:\/\/t.co\/uGwZuD3mqB<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) July 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The results were massive in 2025, his first year with Boston. He pitched to a 1.17 ERA in 61 innings and allowed only nine runs, eight of which were earned. While his 2026 season has been as historical as it has been dominant, he is still one of the best relief pitchers in baseball, and he currently has a 2.19 ERA on a bad Red Sox team.<\/p>\n

Chapman Fits Baltimore\u2019s Deadline Needs<\/p>\n

The Orioles rely heavily on Suarez, Wells, Garcia, and Cano for reliable bullpen innings. Outside those four players, the team\u2019s bullpen is relatively thin in high-quality depth. Baltimore<\/a> ranks 19th in bullpen ERA at 4.30; this hurts a rotation that has been hit-or-miss all year. Adding a player like Chapman not only raises the team ceiling, but Baltimore would also be getting a proven player who has shown to thrive in the biggest moments.<\/p>\n

If Baltimore wants Chapman, they will most likely have to pay a pretty penny to buy him from their division rival, the Boston Red Sox. But for a team trying to save its season, the reward outweighs the risk.<\/p>\n

Orioles\u2019 Pitching Problems Continue to Hold Them Back<\/p>\n

This year, the team<\/a> has only been marginally better than they were last year on the mound, ranking 22nd with a 4.39 ERA. The only reason they\u2019re better is that ace Kyle Bradish<\/a> returned this year from Tommy John<\/a> surgery and is pitching with a 3.77 ERA. The Orioles\u2019 big investments in pitching this year, Shane Baz<\/a> and Chris Bassitt<\/a>, have not worked out. Baz has been inconsistent all year and is currently rocking a 4.11 ERA; meanwhile, Bassitt has been absolutely terrible for the Orioles after signing<\/a> a one-year, $18.5 million deal.<\/p>\n

Bassit has been too close to unplayable, with a 5.27 ERA. Not only has he struggled, but he hasn\u2019t pitched since June 3<\/a>, when doctors decided he needed back surgery.<\/p>\n

Reid Detmers<\/a> Is the Trade Target Baltimore Needs<\/p>\n

If the Orioles were to trade for pitcher Reid Detmers<\/a>, he would not only provide an instant boost to the team\u2019s struggling starting rotation, but he would also give Baltimore an ace-level pitcher with two more years of team control.<\/p>\n

Detmers would provide something the Orioles haven\u2019t seen at the pitching position in a while: stability. Baltimore had stability on the mound back in 2024 when they traded for ace pitcher Corbin Burnes<\/a>, only to be unable to extend him and have him leave after one season. With Detmers, Baltimore is getting a young pitcher who can not only eat up innings but has dominated this year with a 3.88 ERA.<\/p>\n

Adding a player like Detmers would be expensive, since the L.A. Angels are currently rebuilding and he is a young, up-and-coming pitcher. However, this is the type of trade Baltimore needs to make if they not only want to save their season, but also the type of trade Mike Elias needs to make to save his job.<\/p>\n

Antonio Senzatela Could Save the Orioles\u2019 Bullpen<\/p>\n

Another player Baltimore should consider is Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Antonio Senzatela.<\/a> The Colorado Rockies are currently the worst team in baseball with a 35-53 record and are dead last in team ERA at 5.58. Despite how bad the Rockies\u2019 pitching has been, Senzatela has been one of the few bright spots for Rockies fans.<\/p>\n

By adding Senzatela, the Orioles would get someone who would not only provide veteran leadership to a struggling bullpen but also add depth and stability to a group that desperately needs them. Senzatela is coming off a rough month of June, during which his value has dropped. This would be a perfect time to get a high-impact player while his value is at its lowest.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udfe3 Antonio Senzatela in June \ud83d\udfe3<\/p>\n

\u2014 9 G
\u2014 11 IP
\u2014 18 H
\u2014 11 R (10 ER)
\u2014 8.18 ERA
\u2014 .367 BAA<\/p>\n

What. Happened. \ud83d\ude43 pic.twitter.com\/POeym4xKGz<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SleeperRockies (@SleeperRockies) June 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

While all these players are perfect candidates for the Orioles not only to try to get but also to make clear to fans, if something isn\u2019t done soon, the team\u2019s season may be looking for new leadership in the offseason.<\/p>\n