Sifting through Orioles’ trade chatter

For the next 16 days, until the August 3^rd deadline, fans will be preoccupied with trade talk. It’s not yet clear whether the Orioles will be buyers or sellers, or something in between.

Now, let’s look at players they could trade if they decide to sell, and ones they probably won’t.

Several of the Orioles’ impending free agents are on the injured list and won’t be changing teams.

Left-handed reliever Keegan Akin had Tommy John surgery this week. Closer Ryan Helsley, who has a $14 million player option for 2027, is on the IL for the second time with right elbow irritation. First baseman/designated hitter Ryan Mountcastle hasn’t played for more than three months because of a fractured left foot. Mountcastle has a 2026 salary of $6,787,000 and a 2027 option for $7.5 million. He’s batted only 14 times this season.

Others won’t be moving because of contractual reasons. Outfielder Tyler O’Neill, whose three-year, $49.5 million deal runs through next season, isn’t going anywhere.

A year ago, the Orioles had more soon-to-be free agents to deal — relievers Seranthony Domínguez and Gregory Soto, starter Charlie Morton, centerfielder Cedric Mullins and Ryan O’Hearn, fresh off an All-Star Game start as the American League’s designated hitter.

They traded O’Hearn and outfielder Ramón Laureano to the San Diego Padres for six minor league prospects.

Laureano, infielder Ramón Urías, relievers Bryan Baker and Andrew Kittredge were dealt even though they weren’t going to be free agents. Kittredge was sent to the Chicago Cubs, who dealt him back to the Orioles. The Orioles picked up Kittredge’s $9 million option for this year.

It’s unlikely that nine Orioles will be moving this time, but let’s look at the most attractive commodities.

Trevor Rogers

Rogers isn’t having anything close to the year he had in 2025 when he had a 1.81 in 18 starts. This year, his ERA is 4.48 in 17 starts.

After an awful May with a 10.31 ERA in four starts, Rogers has been excellent since then. In his four most recent starts, Rogers has allowed two runs on 13 hits in 24 1/3 innings for an 0.74 ERA. He’ll start on Saturday against Houston.

The 28-year-old left-hander was traded to the Orioles from Miami two years ago at the trade deadline in exchange for outfielder Kyle Stowers and infielder Connor Norby. He had a 7.11 ERA in four starts.

Outlook: If the Orioles decide to sell, Rogers is by far the most attractive player likely to be traded. They could decide to hold on to him and give him a qualifying offer. With the uncertain labor environment, Rogers could take it, and the Orioles would have a valuable starting pitcher for 2027.

Taylor Ward

After the Orioles acquired Ward from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for starter Grayson Rodriguez, president of baseball operations Mike Elias hinted that the team would present him with a qualifying offer. If a player rejects the qualifying offer and signs elsewhere, the Orioles would get a draft choice.

Ward hasn’t had anything close to the season the Orioles expected power-wise, but on Friday night he set a career high for walks and hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth.

While Ward has been lacking in power, right-handed hitting outfielders are at a premium this season.

Outlook: Ward wouldn’t bring as much back as Rogers, but because of the dearth of right-handed hitting outfielders on the market, he should have some value.

Andrew Kittredge

Closers are always in demand, but Kittredge isn’t really a closer despite the Orioles using him as one with Helsley unavailable.

Outlook: Last year, Kittredge had a 3.45 ERA when he was traded to the Cubs and in return the Orioles received teenaged shortstop Wilfri De La Cruz, who’s now their No. 20 prospect in MLB Pipeline’s list. Kittredge, who didn’t pitch for nearly the first month of the season due to right shoulder inflammation, probably wouldn’t bring back much.

The others 

Chris Bassitt, who’ll be a free agent after the season, had back surgery and isn’t likely to pitch before the August 3^rd trade deadline. He’s being paid $18.5 million this season.

It seems unlikely that Bassitt will be in demand and wouldn’t bring much in return due to concerns about his back.

If the Orioles wanted to move relievers who can’t immediately be free agents, they could consider Tyler Wells, who is scheduled for free agency after the 2027 season, or Yennier Cano, who won’t be a free agent until 2028.

With a bullpen full of uncertainties and the team not looking to rebuild, it would be wise to hang on to Wells and Cano. Both have been healthy and successful this season.

It wouldn’t be a shock to see the Orioles trade Dean Kremer, who started Friday night’s game if they were in sell mode, but he has value, and the Orioles need to collect starters not subtract them.

While there’s been trade chatter about catcher Adley Rutschman, Elias all but ruled out trading him when he last met the press on June 27^th. “We want him here forever,” Elias said.

Note: The Orioles acquired outfielder Rudy Martin from Kansas City for cash considerations, selected his contract and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk. Chris Bassitt was transferred from the 15-day to 60-day injured list.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com