The Baltimore Orioles came into the season with high expectations but have fallen short in just about every category.
Although they’ve battled back recently, the Orioles are seemingly going to be a selling team at the trade deadline. They’ll likely look to trade away some of the older veterans and anybody who’s on an expiring contract in order to turn the page heading into next season.
Nick Selbe of Sports Illustrated recently predicted the Orioles would cut ties with slugger Ryan O’Hearn in a deal with the Seattle Mariners this season.
“O’Hearn has been among the few bright spots in what’s been a dismal season in Baltimore. After posting a respectable 119 wRC+ from 2023 to ’24, his 149 mark to start the year ranks as the sixth-highest in the American League,” Selbe wrote. “O’Hearn can passably play first base and the corner outfield, and has improved against lefties to the point where he’s not automatically relegated to the bench against southpaws. He’s a free agent after this season, so likely wouldn’t cost much to acquire, and could be a middle-of-the-order bat to boost a contending team’s lineup.”
O’Hearn is having a great year with the Orioles, and he’ll likely be a highly sought-after trade chip.
The Mariners could continue to build their solid offense by acquiring a talent like O’Hearn. The slugger would seamlessly slot into the lineup and provide breakout catcher Cal Raleigh with some much-needed protection in the lineup.
This kind of trade could make the Mariners a serious postseason threat this year, especially if O’Hearn can stay as hot as he’s been in the first half of the year.
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