2 Orioles trade deadline buys that can vault them into AL Wild Card picture

The Baltimore Orioles are in a tough spot. The lineup has been slumping, offering fans glimpses of what could be a potent run-scoring postseason team and then going dormant for days at a time. The pitching staff has been inconsistent, with each starter taking turns riding the struggle bus in between solid outings.

The trade deadline helps sort out the contenders from the pretenders. Some organizations are truly willing to do what it takes to upgrade their team as they make their final push toward October. However, that kind of push won't be found in the bargain bin. It usually comes at the cost of a number of coveted prospects and players that were once destined to join the big league club in the near future. 

Baltimore has the ability to add some real talent to the roster that would make their road to the playoffs an easier journey. From Reid Detmers to Joe Ryan, there are a number of great players who will be available during the trade deadline, but who would make the biggest difference? And would the moves be worth the cost?

Joe Ryan fills a major need in the Orioles rotation

Similar to last year, Ryan is having another stellar season that is flying just a bit under the radar. With a 1.029 WHIP and an ERA+ of 136, the RHP is having few issues carving through opposing teams. With a desired pairing of striking out hitters and not giving out free passes very easily, Ryan is perhaps the most reliable starting pitcher available at the deadline. 

While nice to see for any pitcher, Ryan's stats do make him fairly expensive. A trade for him alone will come at the cost of a few top-30 prospects. And that price will be paid for in full by a team that needs the pitching help. Ryan is up for arbitration next season before becoming a free agent in 2028, meaning the steep price tag could be worth it for a season and a half of control. 

Ried Detmers' years of control make him an enticing trade option

As ESPN’s Jeff Passan notes, Baltimore could be a landing spot for Detmers if the team is willing to fork over the prospects. Although he doesn’t have the same track record as Skubal, Detmers appears to have settled in nicely over the last few seasons for the Angels. After moving back into the starting rotation this season, the LHP is sporting a 1.064 WHIP and an xERA of 3.02 through 17 starts, which would rank as the best on the Orioles.  

Detmers is also under team control for the next seasons, making the acquisition a smart move for this year’s playoff push and for the future. The move may not be flashy or worthy of the front-page headlines across baseball, but it would help stabilize an already-depleted Orioles’ pitching staff. Detmers has the ability to keep the team in close ball games and take the pressure off the taxed bullpen. Altogether, it would be a trade deadline move that would help the Orioles jump past teams in the Wild Card race.

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