The Orioles will probably be some 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 report 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 preventing for down the stretch. What’s extra, prospect evaluators broadly agree that Baltimore has one of many deepest and most gifted farm techniques within the sport, along with a logjam of gifted younger gamers on the foremost league roster. They need to have the ability to outbid nearly anybody to land their perfect commerce targets within the coming days.
But, exactly due to all that expertise, the Orioles may additionally be sellers on the deadline. In keeping with Jeff Passan of ESPN, Baltimore is keen to debate trades for Ryan Mountcastle and Cedric Mullins, a pair of veterans who’ve been with this group because it was one of many worst in baseball. It’s uncommon to see a group with World Sequence 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 could get even stronger by clearing up room on a crowded roster.
It wasn’t so way back that Mullins was one in every of Baltimore’s greatest gamers. He earned down-ballot MVP votes throughout a profession 12 months 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 development 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 12 months and 9 the 12 months earlier than). As well as, his arm power has fallen under common, in keeping with 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 may appear 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 group 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 might slide over to heart and open up his nook spot for an even bigger bat.
Mountcastle, 27, is having a wonderfully serviceable season, with 12 house runs and a 109 wRC+. These aren’t dangerous numbers, by any means, however contending groups typically 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 is likely to be doing extra hurt than good for the Orioles.
Nonetheless, contemplating his constantly above-average offensive efficiency in all 5 seasons of his huge 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 group management by 2026, might be an fascinating (and cheaper) different for a group in want of a right-handed bat. In the meantime, Mullins might be an intriguing buy-low candidate for a group that thinks it may assist him rediscover his All-Star kind. He isn’t eligible free of charge company till after the 2025 season.
The Orioles actually don’t need to commerce both Mountcastle or Mullins, and, maybe they gained’t until GM Mike Elias receives an awesome provide. Nonetheless, buying and selling one or each of the veterans might permit the O’s to recoup a number 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 somewhat than proceed to run them out rather than higher choices or, finally, stash them on the bench.
