The Baltimore Orioles have a few big decisions to make ahead of the trade deadline.
With the Orioles struggling as much as they have this season, it’s clear they should sell, at least cautiously. This could involve them trading players like Ryan O’Hearn and a few other veteran position players to continue bolstering the farm system.
Nicholas Selbe of Sports Illustrated recently predicted the Orioles would trade surging outfielder Ramón Laureano to the San Diego Padres ahead of the trade deadline this season.
“After forcing his way into playing time down the stretch in Atlanta last year, Laureano has done the same in a crowded Orioles outfield this season and has in fact been Baltimore’s second-most valuable player, per bWAR, behind only Gunnar Henderson,” Selbe wrote. “The 30-year-old still boasts a cannon of an arm and can play either outfield corner, with his reverse splits this season (.957 OPS vs. RHP, .578 OPS vs. LHP) indicating he can continue to start if needed. The O’s do hold a $6.5 million team option on Laureano for 2026, but it may behoove them to sell high on him.”
The Padres don’t have a lot of prospect depth to trade from after swinging some monster deals over the last few years, but a trade for Laureano should fit their roster perfectly.
San Diego needs to add one outfielder, and Laureano would be the perfect choice. If the Friars like his production, they could activate the team option in his contract for next year, but if he struggles, San Diego has the option to let him go.
Pair this with the fact that the Padres wouldn’t need to trade a King’s Ransom to land him, and you have an idea that makes perfect sense.
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