Orioles not just targeting a closer in trade pursuits

The Baltimore Orioles are soaring to start the 2024 MLB season, jostling for position atop the division with the New York Yankees and owning one of the three best records in all of the majors. Still, there is room for improvement and the front office is surely going to make some significant tweaks in the hopes of contending for the World Series.

The most notable position the O’s could address is a closing pitcher, as Craig Kimbrel has proven to not be cut out for the job anymore. They have already been linked to several of the biggest high-profile closers on teams that could be sellers in the coming months. Wit Felix Bautista out for the rest of the season, it makes sense as a top priority.

A new reliever may not be the only position the Orioles target in the lead-up to the July 30 trade deadline. They could potentially look to add a right-handed-hitting outfielder, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Rosenthal writes that the Orioles “likely will focus on relievers at the trade deadline, but the pursuit of a right-handed hitting outfielder is not out of the question.”

Orioles could target righty-hitting outfielders at 2024 trade deadline

With Cedric Mullins in the midst of a poor season at the plate (.583 OPS in 138 plate appearances) alongside fellow lefty Colton Cowser and switch hitter Anthony Santander, the Orioles certainly seem like a destination for a righty in the outfield. Austin Hays has also been rough this season, posting just a .368 OPS in 51 plate appearances. While Mullins has a great track record, it wouldn’t hurt to look for alternatives or backup options.

Rosenthal named Chicago White Sox standout Luis Robert Jr. as a trade candidate that is “probably is a stretch” given his injury history and pricey contract. But he would fit in perfectly with this Orioles team, as he can play center field, is still just 26 years old and is coming off of a season where he finished 12th in American League MVP voting and recorded an OPS of .857 in 595 plate appearances.

If the Orioles just want more depth, Rosenthal mentioned Kevin Pillar as someone they could target. They could look to other bad teams and pluck someone like Sean Bouchard, Taylor Ward, Jo Adell. If they want to call someone up, it would either be Connor Norby or Jud Fabian, though the latter would be making a big jump right to the majors from Double-A and has a lot of work to do against top-notch pitching.

The great thing about the Orioles right now is they have the time and the pool of prospects to remain patient for a little while longer. They have a great core of Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday (eventually) to build around.

With plenty of months still to come ahead of the trade deadline, the Orioles have time to see what they really need most for their next playoff push.