To state that the Baltimore Orioles figure to be deadline sellers would be an understatement. At 27-61, the Orioles are likely on a fast-track to the #1 overall pick in the 2020 Rule Four draft, and it’s no secret that teams at such a juncture are often the most eager to unload veteran assets for pieces that more neatly fit within the next contention window.
Of course, a bigger issue for a team like the Orioles is what, if any, pieces are on hand that would attract serious attention from clubs in search of improvement. After trading star third baseman Manny Machado at last year’s deadline, Baltimore’s Opening Day lineup this season consisted mostly of lightly regarded journeymen and faded former standouts like Jonathan Villar and Chris Davis. One member of that Opening Day lineup, however, has begun to generate serious trade interest in advance of the July 31st trade deadline, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal (via Twitter).
After a 2018 season that saw him regress to below-average league offensive levels (93 wRC+), outfielder Trey Mancini has reasserted himself this year as a high-caliber big league bat. From an offensive standpoint, Mancini’s .297 /.354 /.528 slash line (130 wRC+) would seem to represent a marked improvement over the outfield options of many clubs, even if defensive metrics continue to dog the 27-year-old’s performance on the grass. At worst, Mancini would seem to profile as a cheap, controllable DH option for an acquiring AL club.
Rosenthal does point out, however, that such cheap control could actually prove to be an impediment to a potential trade. Mancini, who will carry an arbitration figure for the first time next season, is currently making the league minimum, and–as a productive and recognizable Orioles player–he could be considered more valuable to the O’s franchise than to any other club. It may be just as reasonable, based on that viewpoint, to speculate the Orioles could play the wait-and-see game on Mancini’s market – perhaps with an eye on an offseason deal.
birdsfan415
Rule 5 draft?
DarkSide830
rule four, as in the amateur draft
birdsfan415
Thank you
Joe_Cleveland
Tribe needs to trade for him. Dolan is cheap enough to swallow the cost. Naquin and Luplow aren’t cutting it.
duffy126
O’s absolutely need to explore trading him. They’re stuck with Davis at 1B, have Mountcastle nearly ready, and have plenty of COF options
jdodge22
You would have to blow me away with prospects unless I didn’t think they were gonna compete by the 2020 season
YakAttack
Do you see them competing next year?
Ironman_4life
I dont see my beloved birds competing until about 2022
joeflaccosunibrow
That’s optimistic
fljay73
Below average in the OF so expecting a huge prospect return is definitely not going to happen. He was below average with his bat last season so he was good, below average to good the last 3 seasons.
playicy
Just fire sale because honestly the team ain’t going nowhere for a long time to be honest about things! The team has been a joke for a long time! Last winning season was back in cal Ripken years and that was the late 90s
chicagofan1978
What?
politicsNbaseball
Playoffs in 2012, that counts as a winning season
gorav114
Way wrong
arborwolf19
From 2012-2014 they had 274 wins, 4th in the MLB over that time frame. 93, 85, and 96 wins. 81 in 2015 followed by their last winning season to date, 89-73 in 2016. I’m as frustrated as you by their ineptitude, but at least do a little research before posting.
andrewgauldin
Your comments on the last few articles suggest you’re a troll. Very ignorant.
Sypherman
Must not follow baseball or even the Orioles all that closely if you think their last winning season was in the 90’s. They were in the LCS in 2014 and made the playoffs in 2012 and 2016.
User 2997803866
They won the division in 2014 … been bad since Cal Ripken …
Ironman_4life
Lol what. Orioles had most wins in the AL from 2012-2016
mgrap84
You seriously have no idea what you’re talking about.
jorge78
So what ever happened to the rule 1, 2 & 3 drafts?
HubcapDiamondStarHalo
See rule 41.
TrueOutcomeFan
**clap clap clap clap clap clap**
tharrie0820
Rules 1, 2, and 3 aren’t draft related
Pops
Here’s hoping the Orioles learn from past mistakes and trade any valuable players sooner than later, before an injury kills any chance to further improve the organization/team.
deweybelongsinthehall
Unless overwhelmed, the O’s would be stupid to trade him as everyday one way players don’t have the same value as in the past.
Yankeedynasty
But older players have won even less value so trading him now makes sense
shoreoriolesfan
Why would you consider him to be a 1 way player. He holds down a corner OF spot well. Not fast so range us off, but he gets to anything close and makes the play. Has a strong arm, and can play 1st at above average rate Defensavly. I wouldn’t take less then a top 100 player and 2 lottery tickets
ShieldF123
He’s a terrible outfielder, the statistics back that up.
I don’t see anyone giving up that kind of prospect haul either when a guy like Castellanos is still available as a straight rental. Mancini’s only value is his bat, and it’s not good enough for 1B
andremets
Have bat, will travel
Berischa
We are forgetting his original position is first base, so any team looking for a first base can use his bat at that position, not necessarily has to play OF or DH only.
joeflaccosunibrow
His bat is not prototypical for 1B. Your Mashers are usually 1B. Our Masher just forgot how to mash after the ink dried on that phat arse contract.
eutawmeat
He certainly is not a standout OF, However, his versatility as a serviceable corner OF as well as a 1B/DH type make him a lucrative trade chip to teams now. He’s putting up all-star (snub) caliber numbers while being surrounded by D. Smith Jr., Nunez, and Pedro Severino as protection. His pedigree as the third place in the ROY voting may suggest to interested teams that the 2018 season is not indicative of his ability and was marred by a horrific early injury.
Love Trey, thanks for your leadership and grit throughout 2 nadir seasons. O’s: trade him for his sake and the organization’s future if a top 100 prospect is in the deal.
itslonelyatthetrop
I can see Oakland getting him for left field.
its_happening
O’s looking to sweep the Blue Jays but Jays fans don’t allow or tolerate anything less than positive comments about their team.
Onto Trey…Good hitter. Not exactly a defensive wizard. Cleveland could use him. Any contender with a corner OF need could use him. Trey can swing it.