Latest Bleacher Report predictions suggest multiple offseason blockbuster trades for Orioles

This winter should be a busy one for the Orioles. With multiple stars in Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander expected to leave Baltimore in free agency, the O's will have to find external solutions to fill those gaps, and address a number of other roster deficiencies as well.

While Mike Elias should be busy in the free agent space, the O's will have the opportunity to take advantage of the trade market as well. Trade deadline acquisition Zach Eflin is expected to headline the rotation next year, with Grayson Rodriguez and eventually Kyle Bradish behind him. But it's possible the Orioles look to find another true ace in the mold of Burnes to fit into the number one spot.

Would the Orioles look to the White Sox here? The Sox reportedly fielded offers for lefty Garrett Crochet at the trade deadline just a few months back but talks stalled and Crochet stayed in Chicago. It's possible that changes over the winter, as Bleacher Report has predicted that the Orioles could pursue the Sox lefty over the next few months.

Could the Orioles pursue Garrett Crochet this winter?

The knock on Crochet is that there's still a limited track record. He's been a major leaguer for parts of four seasons, just one of which as a full-time starter. While Crochet made 32 starts this year, he threw just 146 innings, in part due to the Sox holding him back down the stretch as Chicago fell into historic futility.

Next year should be a normal one for Crochet, as he should be able to throw as many innings as his arm can handle, assuming he's pitching meaningful innings in August and September. Will those be with Baltimore? It feels unlikely, seeing as the price point the Sox were looking for this year was astronomical.

Crochet still has two years of control left so the price likely won't go down much this winter. The Orioles likely aren't willing, nor should they be, to deal a top prospect like Samuel Basallo or Coby Mayo for a pitcher like Crochet, who is solid but still a bit of a question mark. It makes more sense to pursue someone like Burnes or Max Fried in free agency, or even someone like Sonny Gray via trade.

Crochet to Baltimore wasn't the only major trade predicted in the Bleacher Report piece, however. Tim Kelly also suggested that the O's could send Ryan Mountcastle to Cincinnati. It's an interesting idea, especially considering the fact that Baltimore had reportedly considered moving the first baseman at the deadline to improve other areas of the roster.

Trading Ryan Mountcastle doesn't make sense for the Orioles

With Eloy Jimenez unlikely to return, the O's will have some combination of Mountcastle, Ryan O'Hearn, and Coby Mayo looking at the first base job this spring. Moving Mountcastle might make sense in a vacuum but the hole at first in his absence was noticeable in September. It might not be in Baltimore's best interest to deal him.

One other reason why it might not work is that Mountcastle doesn't have a ton of trade value. He's a strong player, an above average hitter and solid defensive first baseman, but he isn't a star when compared to his peers.

The Reds will already have Jeimer Candelario and Christian Encarnacion-Strand vying for playing time with the impending return of star infielder Matt McLain. If the Orioles could get someone like Jonathan India in return for Mountcastle, would that make sense? Probably not.

If the Reds were willing to deal a starter, or work with Mountcastle as a piece in a larger deal for someone like Nick Lodolo, maybe it works. But overall, this feels like a tough fit for both sides. The O's will be busy this winter, for sure. These two specific deals might not happen but we're bound to see some big moves, hopefully sooner than later.