The Orioles will be one of the most interesting teams to watch before the trade deadline. They currently boast a one-game lead over the Guardians for the best record in the American League and a 1.5-game lead over the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Therefore, they correspond to the criteria of large buyers; The O's are one of the best teams in baseball, but they still have things to contend with going down. In addition, prospect scouts widely agree that Baltimore has the deepest and most talented farm system in the game, despite the logjam of talented young players on the big league roster. They should be able to outperform anyone to reach their ideal trading goals in the coming days.
However, for all that talent, the Orioles may have it again become merchants at the last moment. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Baltimore is willing to discuss a trade Ryan Mountcastle again Cedric Mullins, the veterans who were with this team since it was one of the worst players in baseball. It's rare to see a team with World Series players eager to trade guaranteed, cost-controlled players at the deadline, but the Orioles could part with Mountcastle and Mullins without compromising anything. Indeed, they may become even more powerful by clearing a spot on a crowded roster.
It wasn't long ago that Mullins was one of Baltimore's best players. He received low MVP votes during his breakout year in 2021 and followed that up with a solid season overall in 2022. However, his offensive and defensive numbers both got worse in 2023, and that trend has continued to get worse. 2024, his age 29 season. Mullins is hitting .214 with a 79 wRC+. Despite his good fielding percentage, he only posted 1 OAA (he had six last year and nine the year before). In addition, his arm strength has fallen below average, according to Statcast. About the only area where Mullins has provided above-average production is on the bases. He has 16 steals and ranks among the top 15 AL players in FanGraphs' baserunning metric (BsR).
It might seem too soon for the Orioles to give up on the 29-year-old with MVP votes in his past, but given the number of talented outfielders in Baltimore, the team can't afford to keep giving away that much. playing time for a low supply player. Anthony Santander, Colton Cowseragain Heston Kjerstad they all deserve regular playing time, while Kyle Stowers again Connor Norby there are several promising options in Triple-A. There aren't a ton of center fielders in that mix, but Cowser has played some impressive left defense this season; he could slide to center and open up his corner position for a big bat.
Mountcastle, 27, is having a very serviceable season, with 12 runs and a 109 wRC+. Those aren't bad numbers, by any means, but contending teams often have high expectations early on, and Mountcastle's 111 wRC+ over the past four seasons doesn't exactly suggest better days are ahead. So, if Mountcastle prevents players like Kjerstad, and finally Coby Mayo again Samuel Basallofrom getting regular playing time, he may be doing more harm than good for the Orioles.
Still, when you consider his above-average offensive performance in all five seasons of his big league career, Mountcastle would be a welcome addition to most contending teams. They are the first All-Star players Pete Alonso, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.again Yandy Diaz unlikely to be dealt, Mountcastle, under club control until 2026, could be an interesting (and cheap) alternative for a team in need of a right-handed bat. At that point, Mullins could be an interesting acquisition for a team that thinks it can help him regain his All-Star form. He is not eligible for free agency until after the 2025 season.
The Orioles certainly don't have to trade Mountcastle or Mullins, and, they probably won't unless GM Mike Elias gets a surprise offer. However, trading one or both veterans could allow the O's to bring back some of the young talent they will part with for other deadline deals. While neither player will command a major return, Baltimore may choose to trade them for opportunities rather than continue to trade them for better options or, ultimately, bench them.
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