The Baltimore Orioles have reached the postseason in each of the last two seasons, but that streak appears likely to end in 2025 after a rough start.
The team is 19-34, which is good for the second worst record in the American League. There is still time to turn things around, but it’s not looking great in Birdland.
R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports lists Baltimore as a “bubble” team with the trade deadline approaching, meaning that whether they’ll buy or sell isn’t quite clear.
Anderson listed first baseman Ryan Mountcastle as somebody who could be traded, even with a year to go before he hits free agency.
“First baseman Ryan Mountcastle, still a year away from free agency, would be another obvious player to move, presuming his down season hasn’t scared off potential suitors,” Anderson wrote.
Mountcastle is struggling this season with the Orioles. He is hitting just .223/.261/.314 with only two home runs, 15 RBI and a .575 OPS. This could certainly hurt his trade value if the Orioles do plan on moving him.
But the 28-year-old is only a few years removed from a 33-homer season in 2021, though his home run total has plummeted with each year passing.
Still, he may not be a lost cause just yet. He still possesses power from the right side of the plate, and plenty of teams could use help at first base. Perhaps a contender could pry Mountcastle away from Baltimore if they sell at the trade deadline.
He’ll need to turn things around if the Orioles are hoping to get a good package for him, though. They likely wouldn’t be able to get much for him in his current state.
We’ll see where things stand at the deadline.
