The Orioles shall be one of the crucial fascinating groups to observe forward of the commerce deadline. They at present boast a one-game lead over the Guardians for the very best 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 factors for main consumers; the O’s are undeniably probably the greatest 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 programs within the sport, along with a logjam of gifted younger gamers on the main 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 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 could 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 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 energy has fallen beneath common, in response to 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 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 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 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 an even bigger bat.
Mountcastle, 27, is having a wonderfully 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 finally Coby Mayo and Samuel Basallo, from getting common enjoying time, he is perhaps doing extra hurt than good for the Orioles.
Nonetheless, contemplating his persistently above-average offensive efficiency in all 5 seasons of his massive 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, underneath staff management by means of 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 well assist him rediscover his All-Star kind. He’s not eligible without cost 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 amazing provide. Nevertheless, buying and selling one or each of the veterans may permit 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 an enormous return, Baltimore may nonetheless desire to swap them for prospects relatively than proceed to run them out rather than higher choices or, finally, stash them on the bench.
