2024 MLB Buyers or Sellers: Baltimore Orioles
It’s never too early to start looking at the MLB Trade Deadline. In a new series here at VSM, I’ll be diving into what every team looks like going into the trade deadline. Who will buy, who will sell, or who will stay put? To start it off, we’ll be looking at the Baltimore Orioles.
The team so far
Record(as of 5/31/24): 35-19, 2.0 GB of AL East
Best hitters so far: Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, Ryan Mountcastle
Best pitchers so far: Corbin Burnes, Kyle Bradish, Cole Irvin, Danny Coulombe, Grayson Rodriguez, Albert Suarez
The Orioles are in a great spot. With a young core already breaking out alongside great vets such as Burnes, the AL East is there to take. There aren’t too many holes that need to be filled at the deadline, but it should still be a busy one.
Buyers or Sellers?
The Orioles will be big-time buyers, and perhaps even more now. For starters, the team is under new ownership. They also took a big hit to their rotation, as starters John Means and Tyler Wells are both out for the season.
Along with starters, the O’s could also use another high-end reliever/closer. With star closer Felix Bautista out for the year and Craig Kimbrel being hit or miss, the Orioles could use another late-inning arm.
So who could the Orioles target? Let’s look at the list of potential trade pieces for the team.
Jesus Luzardo
Getting a young, controlled starter at the deadline is always a hot commodity. Luzardo is going to be on just about every contending team’s radar, and the Orioles have the farm system to get it done. The 26-year-old won’t be a free agent until 2026, and the ace potential he had with the A’s has flashed with the Marlins.
Through nine starts, Luzardo carries a 4.18 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 1.1 WAR, and 50 strikeouts. He had a brief IL stint earlier in the season, but the hard-throwing lefty would be a great fit behind Burnes.
The Orioles have a great farm system, and with a young core already established, many of them can be trade bait. Heston Kjerstad and Connor Norby could be potential pieces. However, the O’s acquired Burnes without giving up many top prospects. Names such as Dylan Beavers, Jud Fabian, and Braylin Tavera can be the centerpieces.
Paul Blackburn
Although he’s hurt, Blackburn would be a great target with a low price. The former All-Star has been one of the few bright spots on a dysfunctional A’s team, and the righty only has one more year of team control left.
Knowing the A’s history with trades, the Orioles can probably get Blackburn for almost nothing. Players such as Norby or Beavers wouldn’t be involved, and you’d be getting a great groundball machine. In eight games this year, Blackburn is 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 36 strikeouts.
Ryan Helsley
Helsley would be a great candidate to replace Kimbrel in the closing role. The 29-year-old has been excellent for the Cardinals this year, leading the NL in saves. Helsley carries a 2.52 ERA, 2.88 FIP, and 25 strikeouts to go along with 19 saves.
The right-hander won’t be a free agent until 2026, so like Luzardo, there will be a higher price. Again, the Orioles have the farm system to make a move. The Cardinals aren’t a team desperate to sell, but a decent prospect package from the O’s could end up more valuable than a closer.
Austin Gomber, Cal Quantrill
Both Gomber and Quantrill are outperforming their own Rockies team. Both starters also aren’t free agents until 2026, but neither has been dominant enough to carry a hefty return.
Gomber has a 2.76 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP with 41 strikeouts in 58 innings. Quantrill has a 3.53 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 63 innings.
Since the Orioles lost both Means and Wells, a package of two middle-of-the-rotation starters would make sense. Neither will be aces on the team, but they fill in as solid 3-5 starters for a team gearing for a deep playoff run.
Whatever the Orioles do, they’re already a playoff team. The goal now is to make it farther than last year, which was a first-round exit. Comment below if there’s any other players you’d like to see the Orioles go after.
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