With the trade deadline only one month away, the Baltimore Orioles find themselves in a very interesting position. The team sits at 38-44 as of June 26 and somehow still has a 20% chance of making the playoffs despite being 11 games out of first place in the American League East. The Orioles’ trade deadline opportunities, albeit not likely, might not be a small basket after all.
It’s not exactly clear if the Orioles will be buyers or sellers for the summer, but the team should be active on some of their existing players. Adley Rutschman becomes a free agent in 2028, Taylor Ward becomes a free agent after this year, and Ryan Mountcastle is losing his value fast. This year’s trade market might be weaker than years past, but there could be some lucrative options for the team to consider.
Orioles Trade Deadline Will Not Feature Tarik Skubal
One thing Orioles fans need to stop dreaming about is any chance of the team landing Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal during the deadline. The team is in desperate need of pitching help, especially with a secondary left-handed pitcher, but the price is far too steep for them to afford.
The Tigers are looking for “controllable pitching and athletic position players close to big league ready” in any Skubal trade, according to CBS Sports. A prospect-only package likely will not do, as that team needs outfield and pitching help as well. The Orioles, while having some outfield prospects and current players that could work, lack any pitching to move.
The Tarik Skubal Era in Detroit is Ending 😢
It’s trending in the direction that the Tigers will trade Tarik Skubal at the deadline, per @Ken_Rosenthal. pic.twitter.com/nrtwqgMear
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) May 30, 2026
Ward could headline a potential deal if something major were to happen, but the team is hesitant to trade Shane Baz or Trevor Rogers in a deal. Bullpen pieces like Rico Garcia and Yennier Cano could move, but that still barely moves the needle. Baltimore is out of meaningful pitching and prospect capital.
A realistic Orioles trade deadline would probably focus on short-term starters that might cost a few million dollars for the year and then let go at the end of the season. Bullpen help might not be a major issue for the team, so they could trade for stopgaps in Dustin May or Sonny Gray. If they are going all-in, they could snag Sandy Alcantara and resign him for cheap in the offseason.
Other players that could be off-limits for the Orioles include Eduardo Rodriguez, Michael Wacha, and Luis Severino.
Continuing Black Hole At Third Base Serves As Major Need
One lingering issue for the Orioles trade deadline is their continuing struggles at the third base position. While the team did shore up their infield with a trade for Blaze Alexander in the wake of Jackson Holliday‘s injury before the season, Coby Mayo isn’t cutting it as a full-time player. After three years and a batting average below the Mendoza line, it’s time to sever ties.
Alexander is the obvious choice to succeed Mayo at the position, but there’s also a concern on whether he can keep his pace up after this year. There are also some cheap options in the market, including Matt Shaw, who is being forced out of the Chicago Cubs’ plans thanks to Alex Bregman. The New York Mets also might move on from Mark Vientos, who is also making $400,000 per year at the moment.
Alec Bohm from the Philadelphia Phillies might also be a steal from the Orioles’ point of view. He’s had a few good seasons but is struggling in 2026, which might lower his asking price as he heads to free agency. He might not have the best glove, but he would be an upgrade over Mayo. Expect the Orioles to explore all options at this position and make Alexander their full-time utility player.
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