As the trade deadline nears, the Baltimore Orioles are primed to be buyers for the second straight year, but what position must they upgrade most? The Orioles are obviously in a perfect spot. They are 60-39, and two games ahead of the New York Yankees in the American League East. However, they have multiple holes that must be filled. The Orioles have lost several starters this year due to injury and came into the year without All-Star closer Félix Bautista. Both starters and relievers are needed if Baltimore wants to become a top contender. Also, the Orioles have struggled with their outfield production. Anthony Santander was named an All-Star, but besides him and Heston Kjerstad, everyone else has been underwhelming. The Orioles need multiple positions, but which one stands out the most? Let’s rank, 1 being the most needed, and 3 being the least, what positions the Orioles need.
Positions for the Orioles to Upgrade at the Trade Deadline
3. Outfield
Coming into the season, the Orioles outfield looked to be stacked with talent. However, aside from All-Star Anthony Santander, and rookie Heston Kjerstad, everyone has been a disappointment. Austin Hays and Cedric Mullins, two former All-Stars, consistently look lost at the plate and have bad at-bats. Both of them have an OPS below .700 and a batting average below .250. Mullins has been especially bad, with a batting average of .214. Ahead of them on the depth chart is Colton Cowser, who has not been much better. When 3/5 of your outfielders are struggling, it consistently weakens the bottom of the Orioles lineup. That is why the Orioles should look for an upgrade if the price is right.
One potential fun upgrade would be Jazz Chisholm Jr. Although there hasn’t been much noise connecting him to the Orioles, he would fit perfectly into the team. He has a plus bat and a plus glove, and with the short right-field fence he would be sure to hit plenty of homers. It may take trading Cowser or even Kjerstad. But, if the Orioles have the chance to make a big-time trade like that, they should.
However, the outfield cannot be considered priority number one for the Orioles. Although their outfield has struggled, they have bigger holes throughout the pitching staff and need to focus more energy there.
2. Relief Pitcher
Relief pitcher is a position that contenders always should look to upgrade. But for the Orioles, it is something they must prioritize. 10 years ago, in 2014, the Orioles swung a trade for Andrew Miller, then a prime reliever, at the deadline. Miller ended up posting a 1.35 ERA for the Orioles over the next two months and helped lead them to their most recent ALCS appearance. 10 years later, Baltimore should try something similar. Much like 2014, the Orioles already have a bunch of really good arms. However, adding one more elite piece can always be useful, especially in a year with many pitcher injuries.
The two big potentially available names would be Mason Miller and Tanner Scott. Both were All-Stars this season and have been shutdown relievers all season. The price would be hefty, but it may be worth it. However, as nice as an extra All-Star reliever would be, the lack of starting pitching depth for the Orioles needs to be addressed first.
Bleacher Report laid out a potential trade proposal for the Orioles to acquire A’s closer Mason Miller:
– 2B Connor Norby
– OF Dylan Beavers
– RHP Seth JohnsonWould you do this trade for the Orioles to get the most dominant reliever in baseball? pic.twitter.com/FmbRc2td1P
— 𝙆am Brice (@kambrice1tv) July 1, 2024
1. Starting Pitcher
As previously mentioned, the Orioles have lost a lot of starters to injury. Their once strong depth at the position has been crushed. On top of that, some of the current pitchers forced into bigger roles have been struggling. In total, the Orioles have a 4.92 ERA over the last month, which is 26th overall in MLB. That is not going to cut it if they want to win a World Series. With a rotation headlined by All-Star starter Corbin Burnes, the O’s have to find a way to put good pitchers after him. There are many available players, with wide-ranging talents and prices. The Orioles have to trade for at least one if not two if they want to fix their rotation struggles and make a World Series push.
The biggest name of the pitchers available is Tarik Skubal. If anyone has the assets to trade for him, it’s the Orioles, but the Detroit Tigers may decide to keep him. However, there are plenty of other options. The Cincinnati Reds recently declared themselves as sellers and have multiple solid starters. Erick Fedde or Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox are other viable options.
Adding another starting pitcher tops the list of the most crucial positions for the Orioles to address at the trade deadline. Their rotation has struggled, and they need an additional reliable option. If they were only able to make one trade, it would have to be for a starter, and just that alone would push them to a top-tier contender.
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