The Orioles will probably be one of the fascinating groups to look at forward of the commerce deadline. They at the moment boast a one-game lead over the Guardians for the most effective file within the American League and a 1.5-game lead over the Yankees for first place within the AL East. Thus, they match the standards for main patrons; the O’s are undeniably the most effective groups in baseball, however they nonetheless have issues value combating for down the stretch. What’s extra, prospect evaluators extensively agree that Baltimore has one of many deepest and most proficient farm methods within the sport, along with a logjam of proficient younger gamers on the most important league roster. They need to have the ability to outbid nearly anybody to land their excellent commerce targets within the coming days.
But, exactly due to all that expertise, the Orioles may additionally be sellers on the deadline. In response to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Baltimore is prepared to debate trades for Ryan Mountcastle and Cedric Mullins, a pair of veterans who’ve been with this staff because it was one of many worst in baseball. It’s uncommon to see a staff with World Collection aspirations commerce confirmed, cost-controlled gamers on the deadline, however the Orioles can afford to half with Mountcastle and Mullins with out compromising something. Certainly, they may get even stronger by clearing up room on a crowded roster.
It wasn’t so way back that Mullins was certainly one of Baltimore’s greatest gamers. He earned down-ballot MVP votes throughout a profession yr in 2021 and adopted that up with a strong all-around season in 2022. Nonetheless, his offensive and defensive numbers each took a flip for the more severe in 2023, and that pattern has continued into 2024, his age-29 season. Mullins is batting .214 with a 79 wRC+. Regardless of his good fielding proportion, he has put up simply 1 OAA (he had six final yr and 9 the yr earlier than). As well as, his arm power has fallen under common, based on Statcast. Nearly the one space the place Mullins has offered above-average manufacturing is on the bases. He has 16 steals and ranks among the many high 15 AL gamers in FanGraphs’ baserunning metric (BsR).
It might sound far too quickly for the Orioles to surrender on a 29-year-old middle fielder with MVP votes in his previous, however given the sheer quantity of proficient outfielders at Baltimore’s disposal, the staff can hardly afford to maintain giving a lot enjoying time to a participant who’s offering so little. Anthony Santander, Colton Cowser, and Heston Kjerstad all deserve common enjoying time, whereas Kyle Stowers and Connor Norby are a few promising choices at Triple-A. There aren’t a ton of middle fielders in that blend, however Cowser has performed phenomenal protection in left this season; he might slide over to middle and open up his nook spot for a much bigger bat.
Mountcastle, 27, is having a superbly serviceable season, with 12 house runs and a 109 wRC+. These aren’t unhealthy numbers, by any means, however contending groups usually have increased expectations at first base, and Mountcastle’s 111 wRC+ over the previous 4 seasons doesn’t precisely recommend that higher days are forward. Thus, if Mountcastle is stopping gamers like Kjerstad, and ultimately Coby Mayo and Samuel Basallo, from getting common enjoying time, he is likely to be doing extra hurt than good for the Orioles.
Nonetheless, contemplating his persistently above-average offensive efficiency in all 5 seasons of his huge league profession, Mountcastle could be a welcome addition to loads of contending groups. With All-Star first basemen Pete Alonso, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Yandy Díaz unlikely to be dealt, Mountcastle, below staff management via 2026, may very well be an fascinating (and cheaper) various for a staff in want of a right-handed bat. In the meantime, Mullins may very well be an intriguing buy-low candidate for a staff that thinks it may assist him rediscover his All-Star type. He isn’t eligible free of charge company till after the 2025 season.
The Orioles definitely don’t need to commerce both Mountcastle or Mullins, and, maybe they received’t except GM Mike Elias receives an awesome supply. Nonetheless, buying and selling one or each of the veterans might enable the O’s to recoup a number of the younger expertise they’ll half with in different deadline trades. Whereas neither participant will command a large return, Baltimore may nonetheless choose to swap them for prospects slightly than proceed to run them out rather than higher choices or, ultimately, stash them on the bench.
