Orioles Facing Trade Decision After Gunnar Henderson's Message

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin M. Groe | Last updated Jul 8, 2025 8:06 PM ET

Infielder Gunnar Henderson is in his fourth major-league season with the Baltimore Orioles. Baltimore selected him in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft, and he made his big-league debut toward the end of the 2022 season.

In his first full year in MLB, Henderson broke out, capturing the 2023 AL Rookie of the Year Award, earning a Silver Slugger and finishing eighth in MVP voting. His impressive rookie season helped propel the Orioles to a 101–61 record and an AL East division title.

Henderson continued his dominant start to his career in 2024, making his first All-Star team and finishing fourth in MVP voting. He batted .281 with an .893 OPS—both career highs—leading Baltimore to back-to-back playoff berths.

This season has been a different story. In 2025, Henderson’s offensive production has experienced a drop-off and so have the Orioles, who currently sit 40–49 and 7.5 games back of a wild-card spot.

Before Tuesday’s game against the New York Mets, Henderson sent a clear message to the front office, “We want to be buyers at the Deadline, and we feel like we’re going out each and every day and playing games and proving that we should be buyers at the Deadline.”

#Orioles' Gunnar Henderson: "We want to be buyers at the Deadline, and we feel like we're going out each and every day and playing games and proving that we should be buyers at the Deadline. ...

"Can't look at it from trying to win 12 games in 1. ... Win 1 game at a time." https://t.co/soKjYVUHVt
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) July 8, 2025

With the July 31 trade deadline looming, Baltimore’s front office now faces a difficult decision: stand pat and push for a third consecutive playoff appearance behind their franchise star, or cash in valuable assets to restock their farm system.

Henderson’s individual numbers reflect his team’s struggles. As the All-Star break approaches, his OPS has dropped to a career low, and his first-half home run total has fallen from 28 last season to just ten this year.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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