Baltimore Orioles: Latest Trade Ideas Based On Recent Rumors

Cardinals Go All In By Sending Big Package For Mancini

Though it would sting to trade Trey Mancini all of the recent interest may lead to an offer that would be too good for the Orioles to resist.

The 27-year-old outfielder is still making league minimum and is in the prime of his carer slashing .291/.351/.517. His trade value is higher than ever, and the Orioles need to cash in.

One team that could break the bank for the slugger is the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite entering the all-star break 44-44, the Cardinals only sit two games behind the Cubs for the NL Central lead. With an outfield underperforming and Marcel Ozuna in his walk year, Mancini could be a perfect long-term solution in right field weather Ozuna returns or not.

Another reason why St. Louis is a perfect trade partner is that they have a quality farm system. The Orioles could find several potential major leaguers in a deal with the Cardinals.

The three names the O’s could ask for are Lane Thomas, Ryan Helsley, and Steven Gingery.

Thomas is an outfielder rated as the Cardinals seventh best prospect. He is currently in Triple-A but spent 11 games in the majors this season hitting .308 with a home run. The 23-year old is known for his above-average speed and power and could be a piece the Orioles plug into their lineup right away and have there for years to come.

Helsley is also in Triple-A where he’s pitched both out of the bullpen and in the starting rotation this season. The Cardinals ninth-ranked prospect has posted a high ERA but has held batters to a .208 average against and has 28 strikeouts in 27 innings. He is best known for his high velocity that should help him as a reliever in the big leagues. The 24-year-old is another arm the O’s could insert into their bullpen immediately or call-up next season as the O’s get closer towards competing.

The last prospect the O’s could look to add is 21-year-old pitcher Steven Gingery. The Cardinals drafted Gingery out of Texas Tech in the fourth round of the 2018 MLB Draft. He has yet to pitch in the minors due to undergoing Tommy John Surgery but in college was the Red Raiders second starter during their 2016 college world series run. He’s best known for having a nasty sinker, and a changeup MLB Pipeline describes as one of the best of the 2018 Draft Class.

If the O’s were to trade Mancini a package like this one would make it a whole lot less painful as the Orioles would add two players who can help them both now and in the future as well as a young arm who get to develop fully in the Baltimore system.