Baltimore Orioles Could Hold Onto Intriguing Trade Piece

Once viewed as a likely non-tender candidate or trade piece, the Baltimore Orioles might actually hold onto their former star infielder.

Possibilities continue to swirl for the Baltimore Orioles this offseason.

Will they actually spend money for free agents unlike in years past? Are they willing to part ways with some of their top prospects to acquire Major League talent? Will they stand pat and call-up their young stars?

There are a lot of ways that the Orioles' front office could take things as they enter one of the most important offseasons for the franchise in years.

If they want to acquire other Major League players, someone they could use as a trade piece is Jorge Mateo.

It was thought that the utilityman was a non-tender candidate, however Baltimore decided to pick up his estimated $2.7 million contract for the 2024 season.

The Orioles could still use him in trade conversations this offseason, but Jake Rill of MLB.com isn't sure they'll move him, putting the likelihood at 50/50.

"If the O’s keep Mateo, he could be a valuable bench player because of his defense and speed. He won a Fielding Bible Award at shortstop in 2022, and he has racked up 67 stolen bases over the past two seasons," he wrote.

Rill also notes that it will become harder for Baltimore to find playing time for the veteran with more highly-rated prospects coming up through the ranks.

That fact could encourage the Orioles to feature him in trade conversations this offseason as they search for other players to fill the holes on their roster. General manager Mike Elias has stated they are looking for arms, both in the starting pitching and bullpen roles.

"It seems like a toss-up whether he’ll be back in Baltimore," Rill writes.

They might use Mateo to get the pitching they're looking for.