Checking out Oriole trade possibilities

LAS VEGAS—As the General Managers Meetings begin in what’s likely to be an abbreviated trading season, there’s sure to be many rumors about the Orioles.

Let’s look at who could be traded and why:

They won’t trade him

Pete Alonso signed a five-year, $155 million deal a year ago, and lived up to expectations in his first season. Alonso led the American League with 43 home runs and 113 RBIs.

He also has a limited no-trade provision that blocks deals to eight clubs.

It would be a surprise if they traded

Samuel Basallo just completed the first year of an eight-year, $67 million contract. While president of baseball operations Mike Elias said that the Orioles don’t consider Basallo as a full-time catcher, they’re still looking for an adequate backup.

Basallo had a fine first half of the season (.248, .772 OPS, 16 home runs, 46 RBIs), but a bad second half (.140, .456 OPS, two homers, eight RBIs.

He missed nearly a month with a right shoulder injury and a concussion ended his season early.

Shane Baz, Kyle Bradish and Brandon Young are the top three returning starters, and with Trevor Rogers likely leaving for free agency, why would the Orioles trade any of them?

Baz (five years, $68 million) and Bradish (five years, $90 million) both signed extensions this year, and Young just finished his first full year.

They need established starters.

Coby Mayo

At the beginning of 2025, Mayo was the Orioles’ second-ranked prospect and the 14^th overall, according to MLB Pipeline. After a disappointing 2025, Mayo had an excellent second half, hitting .270 with an .876 OPS, 12 home runs and 29 RBIs.

There’s been chatter that the Orioles could move Mayo to the outfield, but whether he plays third base, the outfield or as a designated hitter, he’s living up to his potential. The Orioles need a few more hitters like him, so why trade him?

Blaze Alexander hit .303 with a .772 OPS in his first season with the Orioles. He played six positions, allowing the team to withstand the absence of Jordan Westburg.

He was hit by a pitch in the final game before the All-Star break, and due to that and a back injury, he played just 11 games in the second half.

Like Mayo, he’s not eligible for arbitration, and the Orioles need his versatility.

They have to listen on

Gunnar Henderson, who had a subpar year in 2026, (.225, .712 OPS, 24 home runs, 59 RBIs).

If the Orioles traded Henderson for prospects, as they did with catcher Adley Rutschman in August, it would be a signal that they’re not serious about competing in 2027—which they are.

Teams would line up to trade for him. Despite the weak numbers, Henderson still had a 3.2 WAR (Wins Above Replacement).

He has two years before free agency, so unless they’re bowled over, the guess here is that they’ll hold on to him, and if they’re not contending come trade deadline, they could move him as they did with Rutschman.

More realistic trade possibilities are

Colton Cowser made the play of the season, robbing a would-be game-ending home run in Colorado, but his offensive numbers aren’t strong (,226, .687 OPS, 13 home runs, 40 RBIs).

Cowser had a 2.6 WAR, but most of that can be attributed to his defense.

The downside to trading Cowser is that he’s the best outfielder the team has, and plays an excellent center field.

If he had stronger offensive counterparts in left and right, his lack of offense wouldn’t stand out.

Jackson Holliday

Holliday was the overall No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft and hasn’t hit his stride yet. He had surgeries on both wrists this season, and his numbers (.229, .640 OPS, seven home runs, 30 RBIs) aren’t what you’d expect.

He won’t turn 23 until next month, and his defense at second base improved.

Holliday might be a very attractive trade commodity. Assuming Jordan Westburg recovers from his Tommy John surgery, he can plug into second and play Mayo at third, or the Orioles could use Alexander at second.

Like with Henderson, the Orioles would have to be overwhelmed to make a deal.

Dylan Beavers

Beavers was a disappointment in 2026, though he did receive a fifth-place vote in the AL Rookie of the Year voting announced on Monday. After a nice six weeks in 2025, Beavers hit just .228 with a .680 OPS. He hit nine home runs and drove in 44 runs in 104 games, missing seven weeks with a strained right oblique.

His play in the outfield wasn’t strong, and he could be part of a package.

Others to consider

I’m not sure how much value he has, but Christian Encarnacion-Strand put together a strong second half, hitting .277 with an .838 OPS, 11 home runs and 39 RBIs in 58 games.

Encarnacion-Strand plays the corner infield, and if the Orioles don’t trade an infielder and Westburg returns, there might not be a logical spot for him.

The Orioles also could contemplate trading from the stock of starting pitchers in Double-A and Triple-A.

They’ve already traded Michael Forret once and reacquired him from Tampa Bay, but he and right-handers Braxton Bragg, Nestor German and Levi Wells are all top 30 prospects.

They might need Trey Gibson and Cade Povich as depth options in the rotation. However, they, too, could be attractive as part of a package.

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