Orioles rumors: Ken Rosenthal has 3 trade candidates if season keeps going off rails

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins (31) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

The Baltimore Orioles are 10-17 to start the 2025 season. They came in with sky-high expectations after a tough second half last year and are off to a sluggish start.

Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Tyler O’Neill are all struggling and costing their team games. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal is looking ahead to the MLB trade deadline and who the Orioles could move.

“If the Orioles fail to ignite, they could become an intriguing seller, trading potential free agents such as [starting pitcher Zach] Eflin, center fielder Cedric Mullins, and reliever Seranthony Domínguez. Such a pivot, however, would further shrink their competitive window, which already is growing smaller as their young position players get closer to free agency. The Orioles have yet to sign any to extensions.”

If the Orioles keep going like this, their firesale should be more than just their pending free agents. While they have elite young talent, they have not blossomed into the stars they appeared to be last July.

Henderson, Rutschman, and Jackson Holliday should remain untouched. But the rest of the core should be shopped.

Other pending free agents include reliever Gregory Soto, catcher Gary Sanchez, and designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn. The Orioles may be trading all of them.

The Orioles need better pitching to improve quickly

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Charlie Morton (50) delivers in the second inning against the Detroit Tigers during game two of a double header at Comerica Park.
David Reginek-Imagn Images

Last year, the Orioles made a big trade for Corbin Burnes to start their year. Even though he was on an expiring deal, they took a risk by bringing him in.

It worked perfectly, as he started the All-Star Game and shoved in the playoffs. But their offense died in October, ushering a quick exit, and Burnes signed with the Diamondbacks.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias responded by signing three pitchers: Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano, and Kyle Gibson. Sugano has been solid, with a 3.54 ERA in five starts and a 2-1 record.

Gibson was a late addition to the team and will make his first start against the Yankees this week. Morton has been the target of a lot of the blame this season, and his numbers show why.

The 41-year-old Morton is 0-6 in six starts with the Orioles, posting a 10.36 ERA and a league-high 28 homers allowed.

Despite a great career across five other teams, Morton has been miserable with Baltimore. He is the player who needs to step up for the Orioles to turn it around in the rest of the season.

Baltimore welcomes the Yankees to Camden Yards for three games starting on Monday.

Related Posts

Nick Sogard’s Clutch Pinch-Hit Heroics Ignite Red Sox’s Stunning Comeback, Crushing Diamondbacks’ Playoff Hopes in a Fenway Frenzy

Deadspin | Pinch-hitter Nick Sogard sparks Red Sox rally to beat Diamondbacks

Cubs’ Fireballer Danny Palencia’s 9th-Inning Collapse Sparks Injury Scare, Threatening Playoff Hopes in Heart-Wrenching Nationals Upset

Following his disastrous outing against the Nationals, Cubs closer Danny Valencia is now being checked out for a potential injury.

Astros’ Bats Vanish in Humiliating 4-2 Silver Boot Beatdown, Handing Rangers Bragging Rights in Stunning Texas Showdown

The only thing consistent about this team is inconsistency. Also, who’s this guy who replaced Jose Altuve?

Sonny Gray’s Ice-Cold Mastery Fuels Cardinals’ Razor-Thin Triumph, Crushing Giants’ Playoff Dreams in a Heart-Stopping Clash

Deadspin | Cardinals edge Giants as Sonny Gray earns 13th victory

SF Gіаntѕ loѕe heаrtbreаker, but іt’ѕ nothіng comраred to Dodgerѕ collарѕe

The SF Giants lost a heartbreaker to the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night. However, they can feel good about the fact that the Los Angeles Dodgers lost in

Shocker: Rangers’ Clutch 4-2 Triumph Over Astros Ignites Wild-Card Fire, While Houston’s AL West Crown Teeters in Stunning Collapse

rangers 4, Astros 2