Current speculation on Jordan Westburg's Orioles future should only lead to one conclusion

Two seasons ago, it looked like Jordan Westburg was going to be a key part of the Baltimore Orioles' budding core. The former first-round draft pick was an All-Star in 2024, and he built on that in 2025 even though injuries limited him to 85 games. Westburg missed all of 2026 after a UCL sprain in his right arm required him to undergo Tommy John surgery.

Unfortunately for the 27-year-old, missing the season opened the door for others to find their footing in his positions. The O's found two answers at third during the 2026 season: Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Coby Mayo.

Mayo proved he could demolish lefties this season, and CES came in and looked great. Encarnacion-Strands' play on the field earned him a spot on the roster next season, and Mayo's prospect pedigree will give him a long leash. The signing of Pete Alonso doesn't help Westburg either. Mayo and CES could have slid to first part-time, but now that position is permanently filled.

At second base, a position Westburg split time at in his All-Star season, Jackson Holliday is the golden child. While he has struggled and Baltimore's leash is likely starting to shrink with him, as a first-overall draft choice, they are going to give him a lot of chances to prove he can develop. Utilityman Blaze Alexander also fills in at second and third.

To avoid a logjam, the Orioles need to trade Jordan Westburg

All of a sudden, Baltimore finds itself with a logjam. Westburg should be back early in the 2027 season, and there is no place to play him. As MLB Trade Rumors pointed out, it seems like trading Westburg is the way to go.

Even though it would be considered a sell-low after he missed the entire season, the former first-rounder should have value on the market. He has been an above-average bat in his three seasons in the bigs; his positional versatility will only help his value, and he's already been an All-Star. Even if his value isn't at its peak, he should still be able to headline a package.

Mike Elias has a history of these types of trades too, as MLB trade rumors pointed out. The trade for Trevor Rogers cleared a logjam in the outfield, and trading away Adley Rutschman opened game time for Samuel Basallo. With the current position the Orioles find themselves in, having a highly rated player to trade could be very helpful this winter.

It would be an unfortunate ending to Westburg's Orioles career. He showed a lot of promise and looked like he could be a very solid piece for the Orioles for a long time. This is just how the cookie crumbles sometimes, though, and turning him into a player who can fix holes elsewhere on the roster is a better choice than trying to fit all of those players into the lineup every week.

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