Coming off their first postseason appearance in seven years, the Baltimore Orioles are looking to boost their pitching staff ahead of the trade deadline. The Orioles are trying to find another reliever and possibly another starter without giving up any of their top prospects.
Orioles Exploring The Trade Market For Pitching
So far this season, Baltimore carries a 45-23 record and looks more like a legitimate World Series contender. While the Orioles are on pace for another 100-win season, they sit 2.5 games behind the Yankees for the division lead. According to The Athletic, Baltimore is “intently exploring” the bullpen market but plans on doing it without giving up any of their top five prospects.
Despite their fourth-ranking 3.27 bullpen ERA this season, Baltimore could still benefit from acquiring another reliable reliever. The Orioles are looking to add another high-leverage reliever and someone to strengthen the setup portion of the bullpen. With left-hander Danny Coulombe on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation, Baltimore may need to trade for another lefty.
General manager Mike Elias is reportedly telling clubs that he may add another pitcher to the starting rotation. Elias is only expected to move on a starter if one is needed for health and performance reasons.
Orioles Top Trade Deadline Pitching Targets
Baltimore has one of baseball’s best and deepest farm systems, but Elias will not chase a deal. Because everyone wants what they have, the Orioles will be the rare buying team that can control the market.
Some of the relievers insiders have linked to the Orioles are Mason Miller, Michael Kopech, Ryan Helsley, and Tanner Scott.
Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that multiple league executives do not expect Oakland to trade Mason Miller despite the flamethrower drawing league-wide interest. Baltimore has been linked to Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley for some time. If St. Louis falls out of contention, they could look to deal with the 29-year-old before July 30th.
More recently, the reigning AL East champions have been linked to Chicago’s Michael Kopech and Miami’s Tanner Scott. The White Sox are in the midst of a massive rebuild and are expected to hold another deadline fire sale. Kopech moved from the rotation to the bullpen this season and hasn’t had the best year. However, the 28-year-old has a high strikeout rate that could be attractive to the Orioles and come relatively cheap. Tanner Scott spent five years in the Orioles bullpen before he was traded to the Marlins in 2022. With Miami trailing the NL East by 24 games, the 29-year-old southpaw is one of this year’s top trade candidates. Scott is having a solid season this year, pitching to a 1.93 ERA with eight saves in 27 appearances. He’ll enter free agency after this season but could serve as a set-up reliever or a second closer for Baltimore.
The Orioles Preference
If Baltimore does pursue starting pitching at the deadline, Jon Heyman reports Miami’s Jesús Luzardo is their top trade target. Insiders have also linked the Orioles to White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet.
With roughly six weeks until the July 30th deadline, the Baltimore Orioles will be a team to watch as they look to bring the World Series back to Baltimore.
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