The Orioles will likely be one of the vital fascinating groups to observe forward of the commerce deadline. They presently boast a one-game lead over the Guardians for one of the best document within the American League and a 1.5-game lead over the Yankees for first place within the AL East. Thus, they match the factors for main consumers; the O’s are undeniably the most effective groups in baseball, however they nonetheless have issues value preventing for down the stretch. What’s extra, prospect evaluators extensively agree that Baltimore has one of many deepest and most gifted farm techniques within the recreation, along with a logjam of gifted younger gamers on the main league roster. They need to be capable of 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. Based on 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 workforce because it was one of many worst in baseball. It’s uncommon to see a workforce 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 one among Baltimore’s finest gamers. He earned down-ballot MVP votes throughout a profession yr in 2021 and adopted that up with a stable all-around season in 2022. Nevertheless, his offensive and defensive numbers each took a flip for the more serious in 2023, and that pattern has continued into 2024, his age-29 season. Mullins is batting .214 with a 79 wRC+. Regardless of his excellent 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 energy has fallen under common, in response to Statcast. Nearly the one space the place Mullins has supplied above-average manufacturing is on the bases. He has 16 steals and ranks among the many prime 15 AL gamers in FanGraphs’ baserunning metric (BsR).
It might sound far too quickly for the Orioles to surrender on a 29-year-old heart fielder with MVP votes in his previous, however given the sheer quantity of gifted outfielders at Baltimore’s disposal, the workforce can hardly afford to maintain giving a lot taking part in time to a participant who’s offering so little. Anthony Santander, Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad all deserve common taking part in time, whereas Kyle Stowers and Connor Norby are a few promising choices at Triple-A. There aren’t a ton of heart fielders in that blend, however Cowser has performed phenomenal protection in left this season; he may slide over to heart and open up his nook spot for a much bigger bat.
Mountcastle, 27, is having a wonderfully serviceable season, with 12 dwelling 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 counsel that higher days are forward. Thus, if Mountcastle is stopping gamers like Kjerstad, and finally Coby Mayo and Samuel Basallo, from getting common taking part in time, he may be doing extra hurt than good for the Orioles.
Nonetheless, contemplating his constantly above-average offensive efficiency in all 5 seasons of his large league profession, Mountcastle can 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, beneath workforce management via 2026, might be an fascinating (and cheaper) different for a workforce in want of a right-handed bat. In the meantime, Mullins might be an intriguing buy-low candidate for a workforce that thinks it could actually assist him rediscover his All-Star kind. He isn’t eligible at no cost company till after the 2025 season.
The Orioles definitely don’t must commerce both Mountcastle or Mullins, and, maybe they received’t except GM Mike Elias receives an awesome provide. Nevertheless, buying and selling one or each of the veterans may enable the O’s to recoup a few of the younger expertise they are going to half with in different deadline trades. Whereas neither participant will command a large return, Baltimore may nonetheless favor to swap them for prospects moderately than proceed to run them out instead of higher choices or, finally, stash them on the bench.
