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 perfect 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 among the finest 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 gifted farm programs within the recreation, along with a logjam of gifted younger gamers on the main league roster. They need to be capable 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 line with 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 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 may 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 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 share, 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 beneath common, in accordance with 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 middle 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 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 may slide over to middle and open up his nook spot for an even bigger bat.
Mountcastle, 27, is having a superbly serviceable season, with 12 residence runs and a 109 wRC+. These aren’t unhealthy numbers, by any means, however contending groups typically have larger 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 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 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, could possibly be an fascinating (and cheaper) various for a group in want of a right-handed bat. In the meantime, Mullins could possibly be an intriguing buy-low candidate for a group that thinks it may assist him rediscover his All-Star kind. He’s not eligible at no cost company till after the 2025 season.
The Orioles actually don’t should 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 enable the O’s to recoup a few of the younger expertise they may half with in different deadline trades. Whereas neither participant will command a large return, Baltimore may nonetheless desire to swap them for prospects fairly than proceed to run them out instead of higher choices or, finally, stash them on the bench.
