After entering the 2025 season with playoff aspirations, the Baltimore Orioles have found themselves in a tailspin. A brutal start has dropped them to the bottom of the AL East standings, and unless there’s a dramatic turnaround in June, Baltimore will be positioned as sellers at this year’s July 31 trade deadline. Fortunately for them, they have a roster filled with established veterans who could draw interest from contending teams looking for depth, experience, and upside.
Here’s a look at some of the Orioles’ most likely trade candidates if the front office decides to pivot toward a rebuild.
Age: 30
Contract: Signed through 2025
Mullins has been a central figure in Baltimore for several years and could be one of the team’s most valuable trade chips. He began the 2025 season red-hot, batting .278 with a .927 OPS through March and April. A rough May cooled him off significantly, dropping his average to .232 and his OPS to .771. Still, Mullins brings a well-rounded skill set; solid bat, strong glove in center field, and good baserunning. As a pending free agent, he’d be a short-term rental, but a valuable one. The Phillies and Mets have already shown interest, and with both teams locked in a tight NL East race and needing a center fielder, Mullins’ value could rise further.
Age: 31
Contract: Signed through 2025
O’Hearn has quietly become a consistent left-handed bat in the Orioles’ lineup. Primarily playing first base and designated hitter with occasional corner outfield appearances, O’Hearn offers pop and the ability to hit right-handed pitching effectively. He’s been red hot in 2025 batting .338, boasting an OPS of .977, and an OPS+ of 184.
His elite bat along with his defensive versatility makes him an attractive option for all teams looking to contend. Teams like the Guardians, Mariners, and Astros could see him as a valuable addition towards their team and improving their World Series Odds.
Age: 31
Contract: Signed through 2025
Eflin entered the 2025 season as the Orioles’ Opening Day starter, expected to anchor the rotation and bring stability to a young pitching staff. Unfortunately, his season was quickly derailed by an early injury. Since returning, he hasn’t looked like his usual self, posting a 5.40 ERA through six starts.
While the numbers aren’t great, Eflin’s value as a trade chip lies beyond just ERA. He has extensive postseason experience, having pitched meaningful innings for the Phillies during their recent playoff runs. He’s also a strike-thrower and a reliable innings-eater when healthy, qualities that make him attractive to contenders looking for back-end rotation help, especially down the stretch when depth becomes critical.
Eflin may not headline any rotation at this stage of the season, but for teams battling injuries or trying to manage workloads, he presents a veteran presence with a track record of getting through lineups efficiently. His contract runs only through the end of 2025, making him a short-term rental with low financial risk.
Several playoff hopefuls in need of pitching depth have shown interest, particularly those looking for a stabilizing presence in the No. 4 or No. 5 starter role. Clubs like the Brewers, Giants, and Cubs could see him as a low-cost upgrade, especially if they believe he can return to form with more innings under his belt.
Age: 35
Contract: One-year deal for 2025
Sugano, the Japanese right-hander, has been the Orioles’ most consistent pitcher this season. In 11 starts, he’s posted a 3.23 ERA over 64.0 innings, along with an ERA+ of 116, meaning he’s been 16 percent better than league average.
Signed to a one-year deal with a team option, Sugano was a low-risk signing with high upside and so far, he’s delivered. With his command, experience, and ability to work deep into games, Sugano could be a valuable mid-rotation piece for a playoff contender. For teams looking to bolster their starting staff without paying a premium for a top-tier ace, Sugano offers a dependable and efficient option.
Given his contract and international pedigree, teams like the Padres, Red Sox, or Dodgers, organizations familiar with blending international experience into their rosters, could be among those interested in acquiring his services for the stretch run.
Age: 28
Contract: Arbitration through 2026
The Orioles have reportedly been open to trade talks involving Ryan Mountcastle, and it’s not hard to see why. Despite being a key piece of the Orioles’ lineup in recent years, Mountcastle finds himself in a crowded depth chart at first base. With Ryan O’Hearn swinging a consistent bat, Adley Rutschman likely to see more time at first as he ages (where he projects as a strong defender), and top prospects like Samuel Basallo and Coby Mayo both seeing reps at the position in the minors, Baltimore may feel it’s time to move on.
Mountcastle’s 2025 season has been underwhelming so far. He’s hitting just .239 with a .617 OPS, far below expectations for a bat-first corner infielder. He remains an incredibly streaky hitter, known for going on power surges that can carry a team for weeks, but also for extended cold spells that can grind an offense to a halt.
His rookie season in 2021 remains his most productive to date, when he launched 33 home runs, but he hasn’t reached the 30-homer mark in any season since. Still, when he’s hot, he’s a dangerous right-handed power threat with the ability to change a game with one swing.
Mountcastle is under team control through 2026, so he wouldn’t just be a rental. That makes him appealing to teams looking for long-term offensive upside at first base or designated hitter. Clubs like the Angels, Cubs, or Mariners, all of whom could use another right-handed power bat, may be willing to take a shot on him returning to form, especially if the asking price isn’t steep.
As an Orioles fan, it will be tough to see some of my favorite players leaving. The team is struggling however, and it is better to trade players and get something in return then letting them walk for nothing. Especially if good prospects are available in return.
The Orioles farm system used to be one of the best in baseball, but now that all of those prospects have made their way to the MLB, the farm is now depleted. Having a poor season, this is the perfect time to recuperate assets and bring the farm back closer to its’ former glory.
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