Should the Orioles trade for Mike Trout? | MAILBAG

Question: I think the O’s need to make a bold move, or two, this offseason. I think the best opportunity will be to trade for an impact player. I would propose a bold move to trade for Mike Trout. It would probably take five players/prospects, assuming the O’s take on his full contract.

Two top 15 prospects, one other prospect, Cade Povich and Tyler O’Neill. I know Trout has injury issues, he’s an “old” 31. Like Frank Robinson in ’66, Trout would bring gravitas to the O’s and be worth the financial risk. Your thoughts? From: Phil Cooke

Answer: Phil, Mike Trout is not walking through that door. Trout has enough seniority to veto any trade, and he’s not indicated that he’s eager to leave the Angels.

Beyond that, he’s coming off a mediocre season—26 home runs, 64 RBIs, a .232 average and a .797 OPS.

The 130 games he played were his most since 2019, and his WAR (Wins Above Replacement) was 1.5, which is low for Trout. He’s also being paid $37.1 million over the next five years, and he’s already 34, four years older than Frank Robinson was when he came to the Orioles.

You mention Tyler O’Neill in your proposed trade. O’Neill had a higher WAR (2.6) in 2024, and hit 31 home runs, 61 RBIs, with a .241 batting average and an .847 OPS, and look what happened to him in 2025.

Mike Trout is a future Hall of Famer, but he’s not a future Oriole.

Question: Hi, do you think the Orioles would make a call to the Phillies and see if Bryce Harper is available? He would definitely solve the big bat needed in the lineup. From: Ricky Shaw

Answer: Ricky, it’s big bat trade day here at BaltimoreBaseball.com. Not only is Mike Trout not walking through that door, Bryce Harper isn’t, either.

Like Trout, Harper has veto power over any proposed trade, and he seems to be happy with the Phillies, even though president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski seemed to be a bit down on him after the team’s elimination from the Division Series.

The 33-year-old Harper is a lifetime .250 hitter in 18 games at Oriole Park, and he indicated he didn’t enjoy playing here when he was with the Nationals.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.