The Orioles will be one of the most fascinating teams to watch ahead of the trade deadline. They currently boast a one-game lead over the Guardians for the best record in the American League and a 1.5-game lead over the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Thus, they fit the criteria for major buyers; the O’s are undeniably one of the best teams in baseball, but they still have things worth fighting for down the stretch. What’s more, prospect evaluators widely agree that Baltimore has one of the deepest and most talented farm systems in the game, in addition to a logjam of talented young players on the major league roster. They should be able to outbid just about anyone to land their ideal trade targets in the coming days.
Yet, precisely because of all that talent, the Orioles might also be sellers at the deadline. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Baltimore is willing to discuss trades for Ryan Mountcastle and Cedric Mullins, a pair of veterans who have been with this team since it was one of the worst in baseball. It’s rare to see a team with World Series aspirations trade proven, cost-controlled players at the deadline, but the Orioles can afford to part with Mountcastle and Mullins without compromising anything. Indeed, they might get even stronger by clearing up room on a crowded roster.
It wasn’t so long ago that Mullins was one of Baltimore’s best players. He earned down-ballot MVP votes during a career year in 2021 and followed that up with a solid all-around season in 2022. However, his offensive and defensive numbers both took a turn for the worse in 2023, and that trend has continued into 2024, his age-29 season. Mullins is batting .214 with a 79 wRC+. Despite his perfect fielding percentage, he has put up just 1 OAA (he had six last year and nine the year before). In addition, his arm strength has fallen below average, according to Statcast. Just about the only area where Mullins has provided above-average production is on the bases. He has 16 steals and ranks among the top 15 AL players in FanGraphs’ baserunning metric (BsR).
It might seem far too soon for the Orioles to give up on a 29-year-old center fielder with MVP votes in his past, but given the sheer amount of talented outfielders at Baltimore’s disposal, the team can hardly afford to keep giving so much playing time to a player who is providing so little. Anthony Santander, Colton Cowser, and Heston Kjerstad all deserve regular playing time, while Kyle Stowers and Connor Norby are a couple of promising options at Triple-A. There aren’t a ton of center fielders in that mix, but Cowser has played phenomenal defense in left this season; he could slide over to center and open up his corner spot for a bigger bat.
Mountcastle, 27, is having a perfectly serviceable season, with 12 home runs and a 109 wRC+. Those aren’t bad numbers, by any means, but contending teams generally have higher expectations at first base, and Mountcastle’s 111 wRC+ over the past four seasons doesn’t exactly suggest that better days are ahead. Thus, if Mountcastle is preventing players like Kjerstad, and eventually Coby Mayo and Samuel Basallo, from getting regular playing time, he might be doing more harm than good for the Orioles.
Still, considering his consistently above-average offensive performance in all five seasons of his big league career, Mountcastle would be a welcome addition to plenty of contending teams. With All-Star first basemen Pete Alonso, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Yandy Díaz unlikely to be dealt, Mountcastle, under team control through 2026, could be an interesting (and cheaper) alternative for a team in need of a right-handed bat. Meanwhile, Mullins could be an intriguing buy-low candidate for a team that thinks it can help him rediscover his All-Star form. He is not eligible for free agency until after the 2025 season.
The Orioles certainly don’t have to trade either Mountcastle or Mullins, and, perhaps they won’t unless GM Mike Elias receives an overwhelming offer. However, trading one or both of the veterans could allow the O’s to recoup some of the young talent they will part with in other deadline trades. While neither player will command a massive return, Baltimore might still prefer to swap them for prospects rather than continue to run them out in place of better options or, eventually, stash them on the bench.
Seattle, there’s your guy.
They could probably use both!
I’d be trepidatious about Mullins and that sub .200 July batting average, but man, Mountcastle could be a massive breath of fresh air around here.
Very true. Mountcastle would fit in perfectly.
I can’t believe Mountcastle is only 27…seems like he has been around for-eva+!! One thing not mentioned is the potential for disharmomy and displeasure in the clubhouse if Mullins & Mountcastle get traded. Those two have been pillars and mainstays there for eons.
They would be great buy lows for my O’s… Mountcastle and Mullins for Stowers and Norby, who says no?
I say Mullins ends up in Philly and mountcastle stays a bird.
Mullins stays. Like Mateo, he can win games with his legs and defense plus occasional power comes in clutch moments.
Mouncastle goes. Needs a fresh start. New left field dimension/wall height at OPACY has been in his head from day one. Colorado?! He’ll flourish there. Gomber plus the reliever guy the Rocks got from Atlanta plus an A or A+ level pitching prospect should get it done.
I would only trade Mounty for a philly cheesesteak #mood
Wait when did MountBaby get turned into an avian creature? This is a distressing development
100% this team is starved for serviceable right handed bats
That would be a huge overpay for Mountcastle. While Colorado execs are the brightest, they’re not to that extent.
Oriole fans over value Mountcastle by a lot. If the Rockies wanted Mouncastle Gomber by himself should get it done lol at Vodnik no chance and maybe a throw in #30 prospect out of there farm. Monty isn’t worth that much.
Orioles fans, how would you feel about Jameson Taillon for Mountcastle?
That’s almost TOO fair
Bassitt over Tallion for Mouncastle.
dodgers32 and Bruin1012. Okay, okay a bit greedy on my part, maybe.
But did you see the haul Elias got in the Bundy trade with Angels and Lopez with the Twins?! All said; would a Bencosme type in the deal make it more realistic for you?
I think that would be fine but the cubs overpaid Taillon so they would definitely have to pick up a good chunk of that contract. He’s fine but he’s both inconsistent and doesn’t throw many innings. If the cubs paid $10 mil of the $40ish left then maybe.
I wouldn’t do that as a Cubs fan, Mountcastle has a 109 wRC+ which is solid but id rather them go for someone with more upside. And the team is overcrowded with corner outfielder and first basemen types around that sort of production.
Bassit for Mounty…interesting….yes, very.
But intra-division trading is like kissing your sister…frowned upon.
Why?
He’s averaging 5.8 in a game. He’s pitched 154 and 177 in the last two years. He’s a 1.7 WAR player currently, which is more than Bassit and not as old. I really don’t understand the Bassit love. But, go ahead. In this big if a seller’s market, I’m sure someone would want Taillon.
If you trade within the division, you risk having the guy you traded away haunt you for the duration of his stay with the new team
@FOmeOLS. Yes, intra division angle probably kills a Bassitt deal. If there’s one ballpark Ryan sees the ball well in; its Toronto. Os back off.
Taillon is interesting. But Cubs would have to eat a ton of contract to make a trade work for small market Baltimore.
Or Mullins ends up in KC.
Ummm they are all
On the same
Team
I thought I was the first to think mountcastle (perfect name for a home run hitter) would be a fit for the mariners but I am too late :((((((
Mountcastle (maybe Mullins too idk) for Evans and injured Matt brash
People are gonna call me stupid and stuff
You’re gonna trade your own players to yourself for your other players? Are you drunk?
The Pirates can send over Aroldis Chapman on the next train
No thanks. Chapman against the Phillies looked like his old dominant self. Well keep him as part of our shut down bullpen
Another fan of a pretender. Your pirates will be well under 500 by seasons end my friend and drafting in the top 5.
you don’t have any Pirate friends here, Johnny. Don’t kid yourself
You been watching any games lately? They are on fire and Big Paul goes tonight
It’s ok, Steve. The O’s were a bottom feeder for years but now guys like Johnny can talk some smack
Johnny is a philles fan old dude so shut your pie hole.
Johnny- Do you really think that the Pirates are worse than the Rockies,Nationals,Marlins,Angels,A’s,White Sox,and Blue Jays,with a number of equal teams to the Pirates?
Are you a troll or just plain stupid?
A 500 team with no offense and mediocre pitching except for a Big Paul doesn’t excite Johnny.
Pirates have lots of philles fans or didn’t you watch who filled their barren stadium, mr.man.
Johnny-Troll.I knew it.
Just po’ed that the Pirates took 2 out of 3.
Instead of saying good series you have to do what you do best- troll.
The Phillies have a very good team but if you know anything about anything you know that it has been bought as the owner has plenty of funny money.
Or maybe you are just stupid.
Mendoza line Johnny knows it. Johnny doesn’t have to justify. You owe Johnny a apology.
Skenes, Keller, Jones is gonna start throwing on rehab assignment soon and realistically Luis Ortiz has been their best pitcher the last month. If Cherington gets even a couple league average bats (Mountcastle would be a great match) to replace some offensive deadweight then the Bucs could be scary in a playoff series.
Skenes, Keller, Jones and realistically Luis Ortiz
==========================
Concern about an innings cap on both Skenes and Ortiz?
Bucs took two of three big boy
He looked good against the Cardinals last night, too but Chapman isn’t as consistent as he used to be.
I would rather see the Bucs trade Taylor
Yeah, it just what is the market for Taylor? And what would he possibly bring back?
Certainly not two players like these from the O’s
Johnny,you’re no Angel.
Just a legend in your own mind.
Taylor brings back floor 250k ceiling a high upside loto ticket teenager. A struggling reliever or something if it’s a baseball trade.
Skenes did look good last night, but he still took his first loss due to minimal run support. That offense isn’t going to fix itself, and the cheapskate Pirates can only do so much at the trade deadline.
You must be joking. Two closers for a .500 team, this one with a $10M salary? And an inconsistent guy at that. Do you watch Pirates games or are assorted highlights more your bag?
Yesh, red hot hitting Connor Joe, who went from having an average hovering around .300 in late May to currently hitting .244 and is only 1 for his last 11 plate appearances
He can go, too
Did you ever play or coach the game, or are you just some analytics nerd? Run along, little boy. We’ve forgotten more about the game than you’ll ever learn
You’d have been cut on day one, Junior. Artogant talk is usually followed by no-skills abilities. But hey, live vicariously through your keyboard in your parents basement. Tell your mom I said hello
I got Eric Feede for Connor Joe in my fantasy league in early June. Guy I traded with already dropped Joe a couple weeks ago. Joe has been terrible offensively for over 2+months now.
Nonsensical comment so ridiculous you should slap yourself and your betta.
Listen to yogi Berra. You are old and tired and so is your self righteousness. I’ve forgotten more than you ever knew about this game knucklehead. So go back to drooling in your bucket.
Slug 385. OPS 710. OPS + 102 Put down the bottle. He’s very slightly above average as a hitter so far this season. His OBP is 325 which is below what one would consider a good on base percentage. Why call someone a scrub when you’re the person that’s wrong. If you need to see star numbers to compare Joe to Bryce Harper’s stats.
He is our 4th best pen arm and only good in closing situations he is very frustrating they can trade him and still have holdeman and Santana. I think they move perez also. They should buy and Sell
Harv-If the Pirates want to win they will keep Chapman unless someone wants him really really bad.
He has been in a lot of playoff chases and could very well be a future HOFer.
The Pirates could send Keller to the O’s for either Mayo or Kjerstad.
Neither Mullins or Montcastle will bring back a quality pitcher that the O’s would want. This is a trade that helps both teams.
Cherrington won’t make this trade but he should. Elias seems to keep his prospects close to his vest. So, this trade seems unlikely.
But a team needs to trade value to receive value.
Keller trade won’t happen because no team would want to pay what it would take. It wouldn’t be either Mayo or Kjerstad it would take both and more. They probably wouldn’t have enough interest in those two to trade Keller for them.
And this isn’t a spreadsheet or video game. You don’t trade a loved team leader who signed an extension because he wanted to be there.
Good luck when he goes on the IL for his next tattoo work.
O’s need Tanner Scott!
I don’t think so.
Short memories about Tanner, for sure. Ask any Marlins fan, he is still a pucker-inducer, regardless of all star status. He’s left Kimbrel, just younger and without the span of dominance.
Chapman is a domestic abuser that jiggles his mom’s globes, and the O’s would be smart to keep their prestigious clubhouse free of such trash.
Would hope for more than that. Chapman seems to be hitting his stride
I think you’re on the right track. I would love to see mountcastle go to Bucs
Tired..I respectfully disagree about trading Chapman. As of late he’s been good. The pirates are in contention. So why get rid of a valuable bullpen reliever. Wouldn’t make sense to a team in contention. Sure he was doing terrible. But since bednar came back snd the pirates have won 9 out of 11. He’s been great.
I might trade him. I can be sold either way but I think I lean towards trade. He’s expensive and you can’t trust him. Much much better the middle third but I like more consistency. He will either dominate a inning or give up free bases or hrs. I wouldn’t give him away but if someone is interested there is lots of relievers available. Think I prefer less dominance in favor of steady performance.
The Mariners should be able to deal one of their starters to get some real bats for this year and beyond. The Orioles have some intriguing bats. Both can be sellers and buyers at the same time. Maybe even with each other.
I’ve said since last year that they’re a match made in heaven. Maybe it’s too obvious?
Why would Mariners deal a starter? Since when did teams have a four person rotation?
Beyond the five you have Hancock and Diaz, neither of which you feel are fifth starter material. Plus given the injury crisis across MLB this season, they’re a couple of knocks aways from a bad situation.
One batter hitting 110wRC isn’t going to fix their line-up.
But two might
Susannah, you have the right perspective. I’d take Mountcastle if they’ll take Hancock, Both for Woo, especially if the O’s throw in a LH reliever like Vespi, or better, Akin.
Hancock is not very good and Woo is too fragile. If I am the O’s, I wouldn’t touch them. Castillo, Gilbert or Kirby only.
lol. We’re not getting an ace for Mountcastle.
Yeasties, ask for one of those last 3 for Mountcastle and you’ll get a fast dial tone.
@Windowpane, I realize this and agree with you. But, the top 3 pitchers are the guys that the O’s should want. As Susannah suggests, they would have to expand the trade to make it work
You are telling me a .200 hitting hitter would be the difference between Hancock and woo???
If the orioles add one of their prospects that would be the difference to get woo but the mariners would have to be completely overpaid to trade a starter
Make it a blockbuster by adding more pieces. Mariners need more than just one hitter. Their entire infield is somehow hitting worse than the White Sox’s.
That won’t get you Skubal!
Noted.
Cowser to center. Kjerstad platoons with Hays in LF and Santander in RF. Coby Mayo comes up to play 1B?
My only concern is moving Mullins forces them to rely on Hays staying healthy, because Kjerstad should not be playing LF at OPACY at all.
Kjerstad is nowhere near as bad as some folks make him out to be. He’s not Ced, but he is a serviceable OF.
No, but Mountcasstle could be a prime piece in a deal for Skubal.
No way that gets Skubal.
He said “piece”
I can read. What do the tigers need with another 1st baseman?
Notice the word piece!
You said “prime piece,” indicating that he would be a main part of the trade. Don’t act line their response is dense.
Like*
I don’t see it. I personally like Mountcastle, but don’t see Scott Harris trading for a pure 1B when we have Colt Keith, Torkelson, Justyn Malloy and Jace Jung. One of them is going to play 1B for the Tigers next year. Getting a SS or 3B is much higher priority for us.
Mountcastle would b a toss in if there is a trade for Skubal. Anything but a prime piece.
The Tigers want prospects not players approaching free agency.
The Orioles aren’t getting Skubal it’s a pipe dream they won’t pay the required freight.
No, it sure wouldn’t.
Anyway…
Ryan O’hearn > Mountcastle
Ohearn is a L and mayo a R
Not in the field he isn’t.
I’m glad the Os are finally doing something about this logjam. They can’t hoard all these prospects forever, and something soon has to give.
Need to replace Santanders dingers. Not easy to do. As bullish as I am re Heston et al. No sure thing ever with kids. 40 homers tough to replace
I don’t think they need to replace Santander. He’s a prime extension candidate. He’s huge for the clubhouse, bilingual, longest tenured Oriole, and he models all their giveaway gear for the TV promos. He’s the face of the Orioles over the last half decade, but no one realizes it.
Braves
If I were the Pirates Mullins would be worth a look if he doesn’t cost much, and then you can platoon him with Taylor in CF. Still need to add a corner outfield bat, but that could be your answer to CF. You’d get very good defense in CF, with at least some offensive upside with Mullins.
Mountcastle doesn’t make sense for the Pirates as he’d be a platoon partner with Tellez and they already have that in Connor Joe.
the last thing the Bucs need are two sub .215 center fielders. Taylor is one too many and if you include Suwinski, you’re looking at an average of just about .200 between the three of them
Mountcastle makes more sense to me. Can then shift Joe to playing more RF which has also been an issue all year. Could also have lineups with both Joe and Mountcastle starting against lefties with Rowdy as a potential pinch hitter later in the game against a righty. Especially considering they can just put Suwinski in center to platoon with Taylor if they want.
Mountcastle is solid. But I don’t see a fit. His arbitration will keep going up and Pirates aren’t going to be excited about paying it for a weak platoon when they think they can hit the bargain bin for another Santana Rowdy.
May I present you Mark Canha. The Nutting version of Mountcastle.
It’s fun to fantasize about the bigger names but I am keeping my hopes in check for Winker Pillar Canha.
The alternative is we like what we see in Jack. And Taylor is on the cusp. We know what he is capable of. And he brings so much value besides his bat. He’s a leader as well. We have to walk a fine line between winning the short term battle but also considering the long term battle. We felt our in house options were better than what we seen on the trade market.
If Jack turns a corner than Mullins isn’t needed, I agree. But, if Mullins is cheap I go for it (great buy low candidate that is likely to bounce back).
I’ve been on the Winker train for a while. If you add him and Mark Canha than you can platoon Winker and Joe in RF and Tellez and Canha at First Base. That would create two All-Star caliber positions and you probably would only need to give up a couple prospects in the 10-30 range in the system.
The only issue would be the bench situation. You’d be forced to keep Triolo to have a backup infielder, which means Suwinski would have to go (and obviously Palacios) and Taylor would be your everyday CF.
I think Palacios goes dfa minors. Maybe get a utility guy that can hit some.
He didn’t need a platoon until this year. Wait until we get out Haines on him!!!! Or get Pillar to Platoon. Or just Pillar. Jack is back so he will be in cf or rf. Winker baby. All star outfield. Scary team to play the Pirates will be.
O’s will not pay Santander or burnes big time money. They’re gone. Hays is non tender for sure. He’s gone. Elias is smart. Can’t drain the farm. Gotta think about next year’s rotation and OF. Any trade this year will have to address 2025 as well.
They have a new owner. So, how can you say that?
Thought about that. Most often if players in their walk years haven’t signed an extension by now , they test FA. For most it’s the only time they get to see what their market value is and cash in. Even judge went to FA. Yes resigned coz top $$ and term was offered. I don’t think O’s will top the big money that will be thrown at Burnes and Santander. Wish they did resign them. Don’t get me wrong. I just don’t see it.
Santander is nowhere near the level of Judge or Burnes. If he hasn’t signed an extension it’s because the O’s have too many prospects to have offered him one. I think the O’s would like to bring Santander back but with the talent that could displace him I’m sure not everyone shares that opinion.
I don’t think Mike Elias has seriously considered extending Santander for even a single second.
This makes sense to me. Burnes is your hired ace for this season. If Elias isn’t willing to go big on a rotation upgrade the team could still use a reliable back of the rotation pitcher for this year to get through the second half and hold off the Yankees for the division. Then either sign a free agent or trade for a controllable #2 or 3 type pitcher in the winter.
Finally!!!
lol
Yeah that’d never happen. O’s would have to throw in a couple top 5 prospects and it still might not be enough.
Prospect hoarders the orioles are. Willing to part with their veterans that’s why they are. Yes, hrrmmm.
Yoda?
Only team reach the force TV signal orioles are.
I logged in here for the first time since spring training just to say that this is THE dumbest trade proposal I’ve heard all year.
CONGRATULATIONS! You win a toaster, Slappyboy.
It is really dumb, but is it dumber than those Andujar and Frazier trade proposals for (insert superstar player here) made up by the most delusional Yankee fans?
No those were worse.
Prove it.
With a move like that my concern is what it will do to the chemistry in the clubhouse. A move like this typically you see in the off-season. Just the rumor of it has to have an affect. That would make for a very inexperienced lineup plugging even more young guys in it.
Moving Mountcastle is the only way you could possibly get Holliday and Mayo on the field at the same time. While Mountcastle hasn’t been Uber productive (partly because of the wall) offensively his defense has been clutch. I’d hate to replace him with a defensive liability.
Either way it’s going to be some feelings hurt. Hopefully an Orioles World Series championship this year will make everyone feel a little bit better.
You don’t want a lineup of rookies per se on a World Series run.
No worries they’re one & out again. Ahahaha!
Yes, the clubhouse factor is being overlooked here. Dealing Mountcastle & Mullins would be like a kick in the stomach.
Even the mention of possibly dealing Mountcastle and Mullins seems bad for the clubhouse. Almost as if this news was started falsely
I think it’s likely a one or the other thing. Mountcastle has no future on this team so he’s likely the guy to go between the two. Moving him means you then “ only” have to worry about finding at bats at first for Ohearn, Kjerstad and Mayo.
Everyone on here said that about Mancini and Lopez in 2022, but among Os fans and the clubhouse, the trust in Elias is so high that we were fine. Now it’s even higher. Elias can trade Mullins and Mountcastle with no repercussions. Even Os fans that are attached to them see that they will be phased out anyway.
Get the best return now, get them where they are wanted and will play every day and move on. Just like Mancini.
Agree but only slightly. First reason is that none of the young guys seem overwhelmed by the moment/expectations/whatever. Second reason is there’s still some veterans to keep them in check even if both Mullins and Mountcastle are moved. Third reason is the bulk of the top prospects are guys who were first round picks, highly touted prospects who were always the main guy to carry their teams in high school, college, travel ball, whatever so they aren’t going to piss their pants once the playoffs starts. Last reason is because Mullins and Mountcastle are guys who do things the right way and showed the guys the ropes. No need for emotions to get in the way. The kids are ready to carry the load, so let them.
NYCityRiddler is a clown. How’d the Stanks do in the playoffs last year?
Woof
Ryan Mountcastle seems like he could be a nice fit for the pirates Average+ bat in both the OF and 1b with a couple years of control.at an affordable price. Only catching point to me is his strike out numbers
Of course anyone who has an OF or 1b in their list of positions that is near average with the bat is a good fit for the pirates. Rowdy has had a really nice bounce back though.
Ryan for Jebb and Solometo seems like a good starting point as a headline. Pirates fans may not like the idea of Solometo moving though.
I’d rather they just claim France for nothing from the M’s.
he passed through claims earlier today and is able to claim free agency. If he does, the pirates signing him would be a positive. Certainly would be an offensive upgrade if he can play OF at all.
Kinda the same with Ryan, Ryan hasn’t played OF a lot so calling him an outfielder really shouldn’t be a thing i guess.
Seems like the big difference between Ty and Ryan is that Ty used to be better than average and is a bit below average now. Ryan used to be above average and is still above average.
Between the two I’d rather have Ryan if I had to choose. But there is also the option of trading for Ryan and signing Ty both 🙂
I’d prefer Mountcastle too, but France for a low-A lottery ticket to Seattle at MLB league minimum salary is a no-brainer, IMO.
Use the prospects on Ward or Arozarena and send Suwinski to AAA.
Mariners used the prospects on Arozarena…. BC missed again.
Joe- I do not mind both and maybe another young player if Mullins is added hoping for a comeback by him.They would have to release Taylor and possibly Joe and play Cutch some in RF when Mountcastle DH’s.
That is one of the dumbest things I have read on here.
Slappy musta been a boxer in previous line of work
It is not a good deal at all for Detroit and would never happen but thats okay because you are certainly welcome to your opinion. Go read the other recent posts about potential trades for Skubal on ither stories on here. Yours is the biggest lowball offer I have seen yet and then you added Greene which just makes it more unrealistic. The Tigers are building a good core and minor league system just like Baltimore and Houston did. They are not a crap team just a team finishing a rebuild. Cheers dude.
I don’t know if these Orioles fans have noticed yet, but they have to play the Tigers 6 times yet this year!
One side will be sorry & I hope Skubal is still a Tiger to show them why.
If the Tigers still have Skubal on July 31st. it will come down to The Tigers vs. the Orioles in this year’s ALCS.
Good luck with that Dogs!
Remember my username, You heard it here first.
The only thing scrappy boxed was groceries and women’s un-mentionables at Walmart. Here he is, talking about scrub teams when his O’s *were* a scrub team a few years back
I like the O’s. But if I want moronic replies, I can just head over to any Yankees or Dodgers threads
Old fool can’t remember his name much less your name. Time for his diaper change.
Slappy…Houston’s minor league system is not highly rated..it sucks right now. You are right that Baltimore’s is highly rated. I didn’t say the Tigers system was better than the O’s but they were ranked fifth recently I believe so they do have one of the better ones. I also did not say they had a better core so I’m not sure where you got that from. I was just responding to you calling them a crap team by ponting out that Detroit has a good core of players now to build around. As someone else pointed out previously Baltimore was in the same boat not so long ago. Baltimore is the better team right now, but that was never really the conversation so I’m not sure how you managed to get there.
You seem to want to argue and make comments that have no basis in fact. I’ll leave you to that.
@Slahitting, that crap team has been the hottest team since July 1st winning 11 of 12.
These are type of comments one should expect tho from anyone who uses the word beta…..
@slap he’s the nephew of scooby doo.
Prospect hoarders? They’re 1.5 years into a massive rebuild. They have prospects that they’ve developed. They’ve traded some already. Elias is a good evaluator. If a trade makes sense, he’ll do it. It’s a two way street, not a one way street – he’s not going to get taken to the cleaners.
Their rebuild was completed 2 years ago.
They started their rebuild 4 years ago. They finally have the right amount of talent and excellent prospects to make significant additions to their team this year and take a shot at a World Series run. Unless the owner is willing to at least double if not triple their payroll, they have a 2-3 year window right now to try and win it all before their young stars start to get really expensive in years 2 & 3 of arbitration and/or free agency. I hope the owners are willing to invest in the team and keep their core together as they could be a powerhouse organization for the next 5-6 seasons if not longer. It pains me to say this as a Red Sox fan, but baseball is better with more good teams in the mix.
6 years ago. Summer 2018. Fast impressive rebuild.
Sounds ridiculous to trade probven mountcastle and or Mullins.
They have better options there and more on the way. Lower payroll and keep reloading the farm.
Three-way trade for a new O’s starting pitcher incoming.
The O’s couldn’t get Skubal alone for those 2 lol
Maybe he thinks we are trading baseball cards and not the actual baseball players
No we absolutely could not. Are you insane? What motivation would the tigers have to trade an ace for four total expensive years of two pretty average veteran starters? We would have to add something like Mayo and Norby to even have that conversation.
Now I’m pretty sure you are just being a troll. Bye bye Slappy.
the tigers traded away 6 players just to acquire Miggy in his prime. That type trade is the only way the O’s get Skubal alone. It would take even more to get Greene included.
That’s not likely to be the case. Skubal doesn’t have that type of star track record and he’s never pitched many innings. He’s bet good and would require a string return but if the Os offered one of Mayo/Basallo/Kjerstad + Norby/Bradfield + a 15-20 guy then he’d be an Oriole for sure. None of these Mayo and Basallo ideas are founded on reality or good sense.
No one said they could.
Santander will command what ? Only getting better every year. Still relatively young and prime years coming.
Should Os resign him at 7/200?
Lots of suitors will be banging on his 40 dinger Hundred ribeyes door.
He’s not getting anything close to that with his skillset at his age. I would guess he’s looking at a 3 or 4 year deal at $15-20 million per year when he hits free agency this winter.
Agreed. He’s probably going to get a four year deal from somebody. I was thinking he was a 3/55-60 guy before the season, now I’m thinking 4/80.
30 years old his prime is over. Won’t sniff 200m Could get 100 if he goes lump sum over max salary. 4 for 70 80 sounds about right. Depends what state country he ends up.
Lol his prime is NOT over. His defense is improved, his power is increasing YoY, he’s a first time all star, and he’s moving better than he ever has. IMO, Santander is just entering his prime.
My bad. Most players definitely only get better through their 30s.
Only way I see this happening is if deals that involve Mayo or Basallo (Mason Miller, Crochet, Skubal) become Mayo AND Basallo, leading to the Orioles not finding a partner to deal with, so instead they trade Mountcastle for a mid tier arm. I want these late 2010’s Orioles to be there when there is success. Santander, Hays, Mullins, Mounty are more than capable of being a reason this team wins it all. I’m glad people are mentioning the defensive side Mountcastle brings too. It would concern me to rely on Mayo, who has faced 0 big league pitching, to fill the shoes of a veteran who is capable of hitting 30 bombs. I would hate it, but understand trading Mullins more, since you have 2-3 guys that have mlb experience to fill a void. Tough decisions to be made.
Baltimore is starting to get that Dodger stench where eventually, everyone will be rooting against them outside of their own fan base.
Slider: You wear jealousy so very well.
That stench is largely due to the $ they Dodgers spend. The Orioles were 29th in payroll at the beginning of the season. What are you smoking? That may be the cause of this stench you speak of!
to quote Bill Kilgore: “it smells like victory.” the payroll. not what Slider is smoking.
spotrac.com/mlb/payroll/_/year/2024/sort/cap_total…
What’d you mean starting? Ahahaha!
What? What a stupid comment. People love the Orioles. They’ve been one of the most fun teams in baseball the past two years, and the sky is the limit.
NYCityRiddled the troll only barely topped the stupidity of Slider_withcheese
Tanking for years on purpose is just as respectable as buying a team.
Oh STFU. The org was broken from the bottom up. The money had to be spent elsewhere to build up any sort of competitive organization at all. Not all teams can just buy players with their big market money. Grow up.
Based on how Baltimore values other teams major league guys this should get you a couple of minor leaguers outside a teams top 30.
Montas, Martinez and India for Mountcastle.
I wouldn’t trade India straight up for Mountcastle.
Are you nuts? Maybe the Reds trade guys like collier and petty with Martinez and or Montas, but what good does moving your starting second basemen do when your SS should be playing CF and McClain is IR. Marte and Strand will never reach the hope in them maybe try throwing them in.
Done. No take backsies! Elias is going to give me a job for making this deal for sure!
not happening.
Would a Vlad Jr, Yimi Garcia, for Cedric, Mountcastle, Norby, Mayo deal work? Too much? Not enough?
Toomuch!
I think the orioles would much rather do a lesser deal and roll the dice that Mayo becomes a star in his own right. As is, with only 1.5 years of control left and his start having greatly faded over recent seasons I doubt think there’s any chance the Os would even trade Mayo for Vlad straight up.
Fair point. BUT, would a greater chance at a WS win the next two years offset that?
Unless Vlad takes that long-awaited step forward, he isn’t worth much more than Mountcastle. Mountcastle I’d rate as a 2.4 WAR player with two years left, and Vlad might be a 4.0 WAR player with only one year left.
Reds should try any combination of collier petty Phillips Marte strand with any of the exporting contract guys they have to get in on this.
They won’t though and, Baltimore likely will get better offers elsewhere
CES is on the IL so he can’t be traded.
But they won’t do any adds anyway.
The Braves traded for Eddie Rosario in ’21 and he was placed on the IL 7/7/21 with Cleveland before being traded on 7/30/21 and remained on IL with Atlanta until 8/27/21, So players on the IL CAN be traded unless they changed the rules since 2021..!
“Injured players may not be traded without permission of the Commissioner nor may they be optioned to the minors, though they may be assigned to a minor league club for rehabilitation for a limited amount of time (30 days for pitchers, 20 for non-pitchers).”
So technically but no one usually bothers with all that.
In the Reds case, moot point as they will only dump to save Bob some lettuce.
August 27, 2021
Atlanta Braves activated LF Eddie Rosario.
July 30, 2021
Cleveland Indians traded LF Eddie Rosario and cash to Atlanta Braves for 3B Pablo Sandoval.
July 7, 2021
Cleveland Indians placed LF Eddie Rosario on the 10-day injured list. Right abdominal strain.
This doesn’t make any sense to me. The Orioles do not have a center fielder ready to step in for Mullins. And Mountcastle is playing pretty well. Perhaps Mayo can produce at that level or better but it’s a big risk.
It’s difficult to develop young talent and compete for a championship at the same time.
Cowser is perfectly capable of taking over CF on an everyday basis if Mullins departs. He’s looked great out there.
Plus Bradfield and Fabian aren’t too far off.
I heard Cowser wasn’t that good in center but I will take you and skins word for it. If he’s really capable of playing center full time then sure trade Mullins.
Cowser is a bit like Gunnar in that he was also expected to have to move down the defensive spectrum as he developed but that has not actually come to pass. He has looked right at home in CF and should be able to stick there for a couple of years at least.
Looking at the Orioles again last night I don’t see why they would trade Mullins. If they do they don’t have a backup center fielder. Hays is the guy that should go not Mullins. And neither Hays nor Mullins really have much value at all.
Bradfield is probably a 2026 guy. They had to break down his swing and build it back up. His timeline likely had no overlap with Mullins.
What? Bradfield is nowhere close. He’s been passed over in A-ball by guys drafted multiple rounds after him (cough: Etzel). He can’t hit even in the low minors.
He’ll be fine. He’s hitting for average, getting on base, stealing bags, and playing superb defense in CF. That’s all he was ever expected do, and it will be enough to get him to bigs in the next year or two.
Most scouts disagree with you and are principally concerned that his bat may never even be serviceable in the upper minors, much less MLB.
lol, okay
Cowser is better than Ced in CF defensively at this point
Cowser is the CF if Ced is traded. And he’s above average in CF as well.
A defensive CF with no bat and literally any first baseman are always among the cheapest players to aquire in trades. They can upgrape either position after trading Mullins or Mountcastle if necessary if they move quickly.
Its a ploy to get teams with starting pitching that Baltimore actually wants to lower their price. They are saying they will just pick up a back end starter rather than pay the high demands with their prospects.
Jose Alvarado & Christian Pache for Jacob Webb & Austin Hays
Why would the Orioles want Pache???
Webb is, strangely enough, the most reliable pitcher in the Orioles pen. No way he moves.
What are mountcastle’s career stats if we exclude all games against the Blue Jays.
He’s also a renowned Red Sox killer.
The O’s wouldn’t even get Woo straight up for Mountcastle. O’s fans are hilarious. Suddenly every Orioles player is a superstar! LOL! And I actually like Baltimore!
Yeah, that’s silly talk.
But add some other pieces to the deal around Mountie and who knows?
Most Os fans are very reasonable. There may be 2-3 I’ve seen on here that are doing their best tigers fans re: Skubal impression. Mounty has some value bc first base is such a weak position presently. He should be able to get a BP arm or a 10-15 prospect and a flier or two from an average system.
About right. A league-average player on an arbitration salary is valuable. Just not unique.
We have a reasonably-priced team option for O’Hearn for next year, plus Mayo, Kjerstad, and Basallo as long-term 1B candidates, so moving Mountcastle in a buy-buy trade for pitching with another contender makes quite a bit of sense. First base is oddly shallow in MLB right now and several teams in the hunt need upgrades there, so sure, see what’s out there for him.
Kjerstad hasn’t played 1B in Baltimore this season.
That doesn’t mean he can’t in 2026.
That’s bc the position is so deep. Ohearn and Mountcastle man first. Kjerstad can and likely will of Mounty is moved.
(Narrator: It is not a fair trade.)
Everyone’s wondering which top prospects they’ll cough up for an ace and instead, they’re going to trade these guys for a solid number three starter.
This is such an Orioles move.
Who says they won’t, or can’t, do both?
Yeah, seriously. Maybe the vets go for a starter and farm guys are used to get relief help? Certainly a possibility
It’s killing me not knowing of Rubenstein is about to go insane on the trade market or keep steady the O’s tradition of playing things safe and conservative.
Counterpoint: the team might be better this year and next with a strong #3 + Mayo at 1B than with another ace + Mountcastle.
Dont get greedy, Os fans.
Trading away Mullins and/or Mountcastle wouldn’t be about adding an ace or premium prospect. At best you can hope for a farm reload deal like the Javier Lopez or Dylan Bundy deals. The Os gain here, because it creates room for Mayo, Kjerstad, Stowers into the 26-man mix.
I think you could potentially do a larger deal around Mountcastle for someone like Woo.
The issue with Woo is that, he’s perhaps a nice guy to maybe have for the future at age 24. But he isn’t someone you can quite yet count on for innings yet, nor playoffs.
He’s also currently injured, and he’s been injured pretty often. He debuted last year, but he’s been on the IL twice for the elbow, and currently it’s the hammy. There’s a reason why Ms fans may want to deal him. Not saying these are dealbreakers. Just saying we should just know what we are getting into.
Personally, I think Elias values durability like its own skillset. So I doubt he bites on players with big injury histories.
Mullins to the Cardinals for Carlson, Edman and Hence!!
Would like to see cards trade for mountcastle to replace goldy next year.
Ms fan and I’ll take playing a kid in the farm system over acquiring Mountcastle. He’s a fine player nothing against him but he doesn’t move the needle for this offense. Dipoto better sit on his hands this deadline no reason to send anything out the return isn’t going to turn around a historically bad offense.
The Dodgers would do well to understand this strategy. Options on the farm would be an upgrade to Heyward, Taylor, Barnes.
Although they did just apply it to Paxton… It’s a start.
I wish Jed Hoyer was a complete joke. The cubs need a guy like Mullins off the bench but can also give other guys a day off. No one is taking a bench of Patrick Wisdom, David Bote and Miles Mastrobuoni, either Miguel Amaya or Tomas Nido. Depending on whose starting at catcher seriously.
It’s pathetic that Jed actually thought a bench like that would make an impact.
I’m seeing the opportunity for a three-team trade. Most of the sellers want prospects and Baltimore is stingy with them. Trading Mountcastle to Seattle, though, with the M’s sending prospects to Chicago and Fedde going to the O’s could work with some balancing guys thrown in on whichever side. Not the way I hope the Sox go, but it could work.
I see the O’s are giving up on making the playoffs this year. Oh well, always next year
You’re vastly overestimating the importance of Mullins and Mountcastle, especially with top prospects who are ready to step into vacated roles.
Hes trolling
@Poolhalljunkies
First, your sentence should read “He’s trolling.”
Second, I’m not trolling but presenting a valid argument against trading these individuals. But, good luck dumping productive players. Thoughts and prayers to the rest of your season.
The blanket statement you made about them giving up on the playoffs due to the mention of them being willing to move these players was clearly a troll..unless you truly believe the Os have given up do you Old?..btw im not an Os fan..my teams season is going fine but thank you for the thoughts and prayers..bless your sweet heart
wRC+ of 116 for Mountcastle and 100 for Mullins this year and you’re suggesting that they had no importance?
I guess you’re assuming you’ve got replacement parts that are going to put up 150 wRC+? Hilarious at best. I think the O’s fanbase is a bit out of touch with reality.
Mountcastle should be able to bring back a decent piece. Mullins can’t hit anymore. He is basically Jackie Bradley Jr. with more pop and speed. A team would have to believe a change of scenery would get him reinvigorated.
The way Mullins is playing this year, you’d have to package both of them to get a decent return. Braves could use both, but my guess is they want major league ready talent or guys already in the show, primarily pitching. We may have a couple prospect to get this deal done, but if I’m the O’s, I only do that trade with the Braves if I plan to immediately flip that prospect for a pitcher. Idk who a good trade partner would be. I can think of plenty of teams who could use both of there services but they are in the mix and aren’t gonna give up pitching. Perhaps the Tigers, maybe the cubs… but idk… still thought don’t make a ton of sense for Mullins and Mountcastle
The Braves are in a tough spot with the Fried injury because they probably need a starter more than anything else now. Harris will be back soon, and he’ll fill CF again; which slides Kelenic into RF and the Duvall/Eddie platoon into LF. With limited prospects to deal, I think that OF is good enough to get by. When you look at the rotation though, the Braves are going to be asking Sale, Morton and Lopez to pitch a number of innings they haven’t hit in years. The Braves don’t need an ace, but they absolutely have to get a durable SP now in the event Max is done for the year.
So with all that said, I don’t really see the Braves and O’s as trade partners this year.
If I were the Tigers GM, I would trade you Flaherty and a low minor’s player for Drake Baldwin and David McCabe.
Flaherty scares me to a degree because he’s another guy that hasn’t really thrown a ton of innings since 2019, for various reasons. I’m not at all overly familiar with the Tigers’ system, but if they had a MIF prospect with the potential to be a ML reserve, it would probably be a fair deal. Due to scarcity, I know SP is going to be pricey to acquire. I just don’t know Flaherty is going to be the innings eater the Braves need.
Seattle is the perfect trade partner, they got the pitching and Baltimore has the offense. Mountcastle and a couple prospects for either Hancock, Miller, or Gilbert. Seattle has the rotation depth and Baltimore has depth at first. Win/win for both teams, average offense at 1st is a big upgrade over what France has been.
If you’re talking Miller or especially Gilbert, those prospects better be the top of the O’s farm, sans Holliday of course.
Mountcastle is a throw-in for Miller or Gilbert. Seattle isn’t going to trade Gilbert but if they were I think they demand Holliday plus. I’m not sure how Seattle feels about Hancock but a deal around Monty sounds right for Hancock. Bryce Miller would be very expensive as well probably starting with one of Mayo or Basallo and a couple more ready bats including Monty.
There is a legit question about whether or not Seattle wants to trade for current-year help. They are tied for 1st, and that cannot be ignored. But they are also 11-19 over their past 30 games, while Houston is 20-10.
They might not be able to keep up with Houston no matter what they do, and are 3.5 out of the WC with three teams ahead of them vying for two spots.
I’m not advocating giving up, but it is a disaster if they trade away prospects and still miss the playoffs.
That wouldn’t even get Skubal’s shoe.
“The Orioles certainly don’t have to trade either Mountcastle or Mullins, and, perhaps they won’t unless GM Mike Elias receives an overwhelming offer.”
Uhhh what? There should be no comma before perhaps. Then there’s this:
“Baltimore might still prefer to swap them for prospects rather than continue to run them out in place of better options or, eventually, stash them on the bench.”
There should be NOA commas around eventually. Who is this Leo guy? Another MLBTR writer who doesn’t know the rules of punctuation?