Stories again in December advised that the Orioles had commerce curiosity in Dylan Stop, and MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko wrote at this time that the O’s and Padres certainly had some stage of dialogue concerning the right-hander’s availability. Nonetheless, it isn’t clear if talks have gone anyplace, as Kubatko studies that San Diego “checked on” some notable Baltimore gamers who “weren’t on the desk,” together with All-Star infielder Jordan Westburg and high prospects Coby Mayo and Samuel Basallo. The character of the commerce dialogue aren’t identified, however presumably one in every of these three would’ve been the headliner of a commerce package deal, with Stop (and maybe different gamers) heading to Baltimore in return.
Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller is alleged to be in search of “vital major-league worth” in trade for Stop, and it is just pure that Preller would intention excessive when discussing maybe his high commerce chip. Touchdown Westburg would have stuffed San Diego’s second base place for years to come back, Mayo might’ve develop into the Padres’ first baseman of the long run and really doubtless a contributor in 2025, and Basallo initiatives as a keeper at both first base or catcher. San Diego already has one of many sport’s high catching prospects in Ethan Salas, however additional including to the long run depth chart would’ve given the Padres a humiliation of riches at a notoriously troublesome place to fill.
For a lot of of those similar causes, the Orioles clearly have little interest in dealing any of this trio. As Kubatko notes, it’s notably unlikely that Baltimore (or maybe another crew) would commerce away premium controllable expertise for Stop, who’s slated to enter free company subsequent winter.
It ought to be famous that the Orioles did swing a giant commerce for a rental pitcher simply over a 12 months in the past, when the O’s moved Joey Ortiz, DL Corridor, and the thirty fourth general decide within the 2024 draft (Baltimore’s Aggressive Steadiness Spherical choice) to the Brewers in trade for Corbin Burnes. That commerce package deal has been advised by many as a attainable comp for what the Padres may realistically hope to land in a Stop deal, although the truth that the Orioles already depleted their minor league depth for Burnes may make them unlikely to make one other splurge for a pitcher with one 12 months of management.
The Twins, Mets, Cubs, and Purple Sox are among the many groups who’ve additionally been linked to Stop’s commerce market at varied factors this winter, although studies have advised that Minnesota and New York are unable or unwilling to fulfill the Padres’ calls for. The Purple Sox already dealt away some noteworthy younger expertise to acquire Garrett Crochet from the White Sox, and won’t need to transfer much more gamers to additionally add Stop.
With a number of weeks to go earlier than Opening Day, it’s actually nonetheless attainable any of those groups or the Orioles might re-emerge as attainable commerce companions, ought to the Padres decrease their asking value. On the flip facet, pitching accidents in Spring Coaching may nicely deliver some new groups into the combo, maybe with some elevated desperation that might make them extra keen to cough up an even bigger commerce package deal that might come nearer to assembly San Diego’s wants.
Since Burnes was coming into free company and in the end headed to the Diamondbacks, an ace pitcher was extensively seen as maybe the highest want on Baltimore’s offseason guidelines. Whereas the O’s had been identified to have at the least had some talks about some high free brokers or commerce targets, the membership as an alternative made extra average pitching provides, signing Tomoyuki Sugano and Charlie Morton to one-year contracts. Sugano and Morton be a part of Grayson Rodriguez, Zach Eflin, and Dean Kremer because the Orioles’ projected beginning 5, with Albert Suarez working as a swingman within the bullpen, and the likes of Cade Povich, Trevor Rogers, and Chayce McDermott at Triple-A as additional depth choices.
With Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells additionally hoping to make late-season returns from UCL surgical procedures final season, the Orioles may find yourself having a surplus of rotation choices if everyone seems to be wholesome. In principle, it could make sense if the O’s provided one of many youthful massive league-ready arms as a part of a Stop commerce, because the Padres might then use that pitcher to take Stop’s spot in their very own rotation. However, with Eflin, Morton, and Sugano all free brokers subsequent winter, Baltimore certainly hopes to dip into its depth to reload what is perhaps a really different-looking rotation in 2026.
