As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the Baltimore Orioles are considering a shift in their roster strategy, possibly becoming sellers rather than buyers. This development presents a significant opportunity for teams in contention seeking to enhance their lineups.
The Orioles are unlikely to part with their young core but may explore trades involving standout players such as Cedric Mullins and Ryan O’Hearn. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, both players have garnered interest, with various teams across the league poised to benefit from acquiring them.
Mullins, who has had an impressive season with 10 home runs and a .771 OPS through 50 games, is drawing specific attention from the New York Mets. The Mets could use an additional impactful outfielder to complement Juan Soto. Passan notes that while Tyrone Taylor has performed decently in center field, Mullins’ offensive capabilities offer a considerable upgrade. A potential strategy for the Mets would be to use Mullins in the earlier innings and switch to Taylor for defensive strength late in games, enhancing their championship aspirations.
On the other hand, Ryan O’Hearn presents an appealing option for the Seattle Mariners, who are looking to bolster their offense after a significant improvement from the previous season. O’Hearn, boasting a .329 batting average and a 175 OPS+, could effectively fill a gap at first base for a team that has seen inconsistent production from its current options. Passan emphasizes that adding O’Hearn could elevate the Mariners’ offensive potential to levels not seen in decades, especially if their pitching staff returns to full health.
Both teams could see significant benefits from these trades, potentially shaping their playoff prospects as the season progresses. With strategic moves, the Orioles may redefine their competitiveness while contending teams like the Mets and Mariners could solidify their rosters for a deeper postseason run.