There were some positive developments for the Baltimore Orioles throughout the 2021 MLB season, but when all was said and done, the club lost 100 games for the third time in four years.
Orioles fans are certainly hoping to see a higher win total in the 2022 season, but even if everything goes right for Baltimore, the team will probably still find itself selling at the trade deadline.
There’s nothing wrong with that.
The Orioles are firmly in the midst of a rebuild, and trading big-league talent for prospects is part of the process.
When the 2022 deadline approaches, which Orioles players will be trade candidates?
Let’s take a look.
2. Jordan Lyles
The Orioles and Jordan Lyles agreed to a one-year deal earlier this month with a second-year club option.
Free-agent right-hander Jordan Lyles in agreement with Orioles on one-year, $7M contract that includes a club option for 2023, pending physical, source tells @TheAthletic. Physical presumably will take place after lockout.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 2, 2021
The righty will almost certainly find himself in Baltimore’s rotation in 2022.
In truth, Lyles isn’t exactly an exciting addition for the O’s.
He has a career bWAR of -2.5 over 11 seasons at the MLB level, and he’s coming off of a 2021 campaign in which he posted a -0.2 bWAR.
He has a career 5.21 ERA, 4.72 FIP, and 1.44 WHIP.
But there are reasons to be optimistic.
For one, he went on a nice run to end his 2021 campaign, as he maintained a 3.08 ERA over his final six outings.
Moreover, he strung a couple of solid seasons together not too long ago.
Between 2018 and 2019, he made 63 appearances (36 starts) and registered a respectable ERA of 4.13, ERA+ of 102, FIP of 4.43, and WHIP of 1.30.
This is the Jordan Lyles pitching reel from last night and it's impressive.#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/G1uOkSNM62
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 18, 2019
If he can pitch like that for Baltimore, he could turn into a nice trade asset.
Plus, he only needs to be impressive for a few months to boost his trade value.
If he gets off to a strong start in 2022 and maintains some solid numbers into the summer months, the Orioles would surely have no trouble finding him a home with a contending team.
1. Trey Mancini
Trey Mancini is a fan favorite in Baltimore, and it’s easy to understand why.
After beating cancer and battling his way back to baseball, he’s an inspiration to folks all around the world.
Unfortunately, there are no guarantees when it comes to his future with the Orioles.
The 29-year-old is under club control for one more season.
Many Orioles fans want to see the organization sign Mancini to an extension, but no deal has been reached yet.
If the University of Notre Dame product enters the 2022 season as a pending free agent, then the possibility of Baltimore trading him away at the deadline would probably be on the table.
He’d definitely be a hot commodity around the league, as he’s capable of adding some pop to any lineup.
MANCINI BOMB YOU LOVE TO SEE IT pic.twitter.com/DraYnu8Le3
— Shelfy (@RealShelfy) April 10, 2021
He’s a career .271 hitter with an OPS of .804 and OPS+ of 115, and he averages 28 home runs per 162 games.
Any contending team would welcome that sort of production.
Time will tell if Mancini finds himself wearing a different uniform at some point in the near future.
Wherever he lands, he’ll always be an incredibly easy guy to root for.
NEXT: Ryan Mountcastle Is An Underrated Young Star For The Orioles
Maureen Kimmitt says
You have GOT to be kidding me!!! I’ve heard this trade talk and also that they’d also talk about trading Cedric Mullins. I must say though that the Yard would be a lot emptier if you trade these two guys.
I’ve been a rabid Orioles fan since I was 9; I’m now 71. In 1995 I was the Superfan and won the trip with the team , etc. I just can’t believe that we’re still using the “rebuild” excuse; I love my Orioles, but with the at least five years rebuilding so far, I just don’t see how we are progressing. I see players that we trade going to other teams and becoming big stars. I don’t get this 5 year “rebuild.”