MLB Trade Rumors: Orioles Place Regular Lineup Member on Trade Block

The Baltimore Orioles continue to churn out the elite prospects (on the position player side of things, at least). And with yet another one knocking on the door in corner infielder Coby Mayo, they've now put first baseman Ryan Mountcastle on the trade block, as reported by Bob Nightengale in USA Today.

The Baltimore Orioles are letting teams know that first baseman Ryan Mountcastle is available in a potential trade to clear a spot for Coby Mayo.

Mountcastle, who's been the O's starting first baseman for several years, is off to a 2-for-13 start this season, batting .154 with a .385 OPS. In six seasons in Baltimore, he's maintained a .264/.315/.449 slash line for a .764 OPS and a 114 OPS+, nearly 15% better than the average hitter.

But his home run and RBI totals have diminished over each of the last three seasons, from a high of 33 homers in 2021, to just 12 last year, and from 89 RBIs he's gradually dipped down to 63 in the 2024 season. He had a big spring this year, with five longballs and a 1.038 OPS, but that hasn't carried over to the regular season as of yet.

Mayo, the 6'4", 230-pound slugger, is the Orioles' No. 2 prospect, has produced a .970 OPS over the past two minor league seasons, and is just waiting for the call. He has consistently shown power at every level of the minors, blasting 54 HRs over the past two seasons at the upper levels of the Orioles farm system.

It's presumed the O's would look for some more pitching depth in any return for Mountcastle, but whether they're able to swing a trade sooner or later is unknown at this point.

Baltimore is 2-2 to start the season, after splitting their opening series with the Toronto Blue Jays following a 3-1 loss on Sunday.