3 franchise-altering Orioles trades that would break the internet if they happened

With Craig Albernaz now in place as the Baltimore Orioles' manager, the focus for the front office will now turn to the team's roster. The Orioles' roster still has several players who have a high ceiling, but after a season defined by regression and injuries, Mike Elias and Co. can't lean on the idea that there will be a return to the mean.

It's clear that the Orioles have needs across their pitching staff, and there is increasing speculation that the team will be looking for an impact bat--ideally, one who could play center field.

Free agency likely won't be the main path the Orioles' front office takes in improving the roster, as spending in the deep waters hasn't been a theme for this team for quite some time. A blockbuster trade will likely be the headline of the offseason.

Mike Elias would have a parade if any of these trades came to fruition

Let's get one thing out of the way: these are not rumors. Some of these players certainly could be available this offseason, but varying factors could be what prevent the Orioles from making a deal. Other players mentioned may not even be on the trade market, but would speak to the idea of the Orioles flipping Major League Baseball upside down.

Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels outfielder

Mike Trout easily falls under the category of a player who may not even be on the trade block this offseason. That said, the Los Angeles Angels have dealt with speculation that they may trade Trout for the last few years. Trout is also owed $35 million over the next five seasons.

The 2025 campaign was one of the few seasons of Trout's career where he actually looked mortal. Still, he hit 26 home runs while posting a 120 wRC+. Trout would be a clear answer for the impact bat that the Orioles need, and it would be fun seeing one of baseball's best players finish his career in Baltimore.

Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers pitcher

Unlike Trout, there appears to be a real chance that Tarik Skubal could get traded this offseason. Skubal was at the center of the Tigers' success this season and will be winning his second consecutive Cy Young Award in the coming weeks. The Tigers' ace is a free agent after the season, and there appears to be a sizable gap in contract negotiations.

The Orioles have a healthy farm system to get talks going with the Tigers on a potential trade, and trading for an ace a year from free agency isn't something Elias is afraid of. It would be costly, but Skubal would be a definitive answer to the Orioles' need for a starting pitcher this offseason.

Bryce Harper. Philadelphia Phillies first baseman

The Philadelphia Phillies are only a few weeks into their offseason, and things are already extremely awkward between Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and Bryce Harper. Dombrowski was critical of Harper's 2025 season, suggesting the door may be open to a potential trade. Dombrowski has since walked back those comments and downplayed a trade, but Harper seems pretty heated.

Trading Harper is difficult to imagine, despite the awkwardness, but he would check the box of being the Orioles' next impact bat. In the down-year that Dombrowski is concerned about, Harper still had 27 home runs and a wRC+ of 131.