How Mike Elias can turn the 2027 Orioles into a powerhouse with a successful trade deadline

The 2026 season has been a bit of a head scratcher for the Baltimore Orioles. As of June 20, the team is 35-42 and 12.5 games out of first place in the AL East. While not entirely insurmountable, their best bet looks to be the Wild Card race, where they are just one great weekend away from climbing into a spot. However, GM Mike Elias and the team may be better suited to focus their attention on next season. With a couple mid-tier deals at the trade deadline, the Orioles could position themselves as one of the top teams in the AL in 2027. 

Becoming a seller at the trade deadline is often associated with the idea that a team has given up on the season and is punting its chances at contending. But that’s not always true. Retooling and restructuring the major league roster could help the Orioles remain competitive this season while also increasing their chances of building a perennial powerhouse.

As Jeff Passan of ESPN noted, the Orioles are stuck in between a seller and buyer role. With Taylor Ward and Rico Garcia, the Orioles could capitalize on a couple of players with values that will never be higher, all while not entirely forfeiting the 2026 season and beyond. At the same time, the addition of a pitcher like Reid Detmers could be what helps propel the team towards the top of the AL Wild Card race.  

The Orioles have pieces that other teams should be willing to pay for

When the Orioles acquired Ward in exchange for Grayson Rodriguez last November, they envisioned a corner outfielder who lacked substantial defensive value but provided 25+ home runs and a borderline .800 OPS. For Elias and the Orioles’ front office, that return would have been well worth the investment. 

Through 74 games in 2026, Ward has just hit three home runs and notched 20 RBI. Despite his sudden lack of power, Ward has still scored 46 runs. Better yet, he’s become one of the best players at drawing walks. With 63 on the season, he is just 12 away from his career high in free passes. While not quite the power hitter they wanted, the Ward trade has still been successful, especially since Rodriguez has floundered with the Angels.  

Due to his increased plate discipline, Ward’s .399 OBP ranks him in the Top 10 in all of baseball. That is certainly a feat that other ball clubs have noticed. With an expiring and affordable contract, Ward has become one of the best outfield targets for contenders looking for offensive performance. With the Orioles having no issue scoring runs this season, the team could cash in on Ward’s value and collect a valuable young arm or two in return.  

It seems a little counterintuitive for a team that struggles with pitching to trade someone who has been one of their best bullpen arms. However, in the case of Garcia, it might just make the most sense. Despite his shakiness as of late, the stocky RHP is still boasting a WHIP of 0.742. He has held opponents to a .121 batting average, surrendering just 12 hits in 29.2 innings. Without a doubt, he is having the best season in his rocky six-year career.  

As batters get more tape on him and have a better idea of the type of stuff he brings to an at-bat, Garcia has become less effective. He’s already given up more than twice as many runs in June as he did in April and May combined. Yes, relievers often run into bad stretches, but we just don’t have enough data to assume Garcia can pitch his way out of his current funk. 

Parting ways with Garcia now could also net the Orioles a reasonable package of prospects or two in return. With teams becoming more and more confident in reclamation pitching projects, Garcia just might be a pitching coach’s dream. And since Garcia is under club control until 2031, he could be a desired target for a contender not looking for rental bullpen arms.  

After the Orioles unloaded Rodriguez on them, the Angels may not be so willing to make another deal. But for the right price, the addition of Detmers could be what helps correct a pitching staff that has cost the team dearly. Trevor Rogers, Chris Bassitt, and now Trey Gibson have all struggled to keep runs off the board in 2026. And their performances could be what prevents the team from reaching the playoffs. 

On the flipside, Detmers is in the midst of a career season. With 2.8 fWAR, the lefty has already surpassed his previous career high. And his peripherals tell the story of a pitcher who is still slightly underperforming. His xERA is almost a full run below his 3.69 ERA ,and he has managed to not allow a majority of hitters to barrel him up through his 15 starts. 

With two years of arbitration following the 2026 season, Detmers shouldn't cost the team the entire farm. But that doesn’t mean he’ll come cheap either. His relative control will play a major part in his somewhat steep price tag. The Angels will surely want at least a couple of the Orioles’ top prospects in any potential deal. They may want another lefty in return, such as Joseph Dzierwa or Boston Bateman, something Elias will have to strongly consider if he wants the team to make a postseason push this season. However, if the Orioles want to turn into a powerhouse, a move for a starter like Detmers is required. 

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