Baltimore Orioles May Have Best Outfielder on Trade Block

The Baltimore Orioles may have one of the most coveted trade chips on the market this winter.

The Baltimore Orioles are expected to be major players in both the free agent and trade market this winter.

After a 101-win 2023 MLB season, the Orioles will want to bolster their roster, specifically their pitching staff, to maker another push in 2024. 

It will be a dogfight in the American League East, so every reinforcement and roster move matters.

One thing that may help them in their endeavor to acquire more pitching is by trading away some of their excess outfielder. One name to watch is Anthony Santander, who, according to MLB.com, is among the most coveted outfielders on the trade block. 

"Santander is entering his fourth and final year of arbitration and likely to earn a nice raise," writes Mark Feinsand. "The Orioles have Cedric Mullins and Austin Hays returning, with Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad -- the team’s No. 2 and 3 prospects, respectively -- ready to seize an opportunity in the Majors."

As for the buzz factor, Feinsand lists it as a "medium."

"Medium. Baltimore figures to invest in pitching this offseason, so unloading Santander’s salary would help free up some payroll. Santander has averaged 30 home runs with 92 RBIs and a .785 OPS since the start of 2022, a power bat many contenders would be interested in obtaining. "

As Feinsand points out, Santander being moved would allow the Orioles, who like to keep payroll low, to have some room to operate with in the budget. It may also allow the Orioles to acquire some young pitching in return. 

Baltimore has had a good track record of developing pitching and quickly getting those pitchers to the Majors where they have found success. 

Still, the Orioles figure to open up the books and increase payroll this winter as the team bids for another postseason berth with their talented core.