Mike Elias loads up the Orioles trade block, but shouldn't sell low on these bounce-back candidates

This shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody, but being a Major League Baseball player is kind of tough. It can be even more difficult becoming a player that many consider to be above average. From run-ins with the injury bug to the usual frustrations that come with rookie seasons, the Baltimore Orioles had a few young players who found out just how trying the MLB life can be in 2026. But it's not time to give up on them quite yet. 

Just a few seasons ago, Baltimore would be more than willing to give young players all the time they need to figure things out and learn from their experiences. However, as a team caught in the meat grinder known as the AL East, the Orioles aren't exactly afforded the ability to ride out these growing pains anymore. The team should no longer be stuck in its rebuild phase, and fans deserve to have expectations of watching their team play baseball in October. After another disappointing season in 2026, that just isn't the case. 

That puts pressure on Mike Elias and the rest of the Orioles front office to steer the team in the best direction to win ballgames and assemble a strong club built for the long haul. Unfortunately, the only way to head in that direction is to start over.    

Three Orioles players that should stick around

As reported by Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner, the Orioles could be in for a fire sale this offseason. With every player seemingly on the trade block except for Pete Alonso, there could be some very surprising trades over the next few weeks. Even Gunnar Henderson could find himself included in that fire sale. This means that the Orioles could be signaling a strong desire to punt next season and look ahead to 2028. 

For some fans, there may even be a desire to pull an early plug on a few of the struggling young players or even someone that hasn't even been healthy enough to see the field since 2025. After the Orioles released Heston Kjerstad earlier this month, it's clear that Elias is willing to do exactly that. But a few players on the roster have the ability to bounce back in 2027 in a big way. Besides, trading a few players at their lowest value in their careers is not exactly how you get the best package in return. 

Jordan Westburg hasn’t been banished to the shadow realm

During his All-Star season in 2024, it seemed like Jordan Westburg was destined to become one of the league’s most exciting players for years to come. But after suffering a fractured right hand during the second half of the season, he couldn’t quite realize his full potential just yet. But a .264/.312/.481 slash line in 416 at-bats was more than enough for the Orioles to feel good about his future. However, thanks to a multitude of injuries, Westburg played in just 85 games last season. 

Things went from bad to worse for the third baseman when he underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery back in May, forcing him to miss the entire 2026 season. Barring any setbacks, Westburg could make his way back onto the field in the early part of next season. As an injury-prone player, Westburg has very little trade value, though. This may not be a bad thing for the Orioles. If he can play in at least 100 games, Westburg could become another 20-home-run bat inserted into the lineup. With a poor outing from the Orioles’ infield in 2026, the team could surely use the help.     

Colton Cowser could become a real trade asset with a few good months in 2027

As one of the best defensive outfielders in all of baseball, Colton Cowser already has a fair amount of trade value for teams looking for a glove-first outfielder. However, Cowser has struggled to find consistency at the plate, which may limit his future as a fourth outfielder. That’s not to say that the 26-year-old hasn't flashed his potential as a well-rounded player. In May, Cowser sported an .891 OPS in 51 at-bats, adding four home runs and 15 RBI. 

That kind of performance is what made him the runner-up in the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year race. But with the good comes the stomach-churning bad. Two months later, Cowser boasted a batting average of .103 in 39 July at-bats. You read that right: .103. He even failed to muster a single extra-base hit. Cowser clearly has tremendous ability as a ball player, but his struggles at the plate limit his value. If the Orioles want to really get a haul for Cowser, they will need to wait until he can put up some consistent offensive production... something he is capable of doing. 

Jackson Holliday is very close to becoming a first-round bust 

At this point in time, the Orioles would probably have to pay another team to take Jackson Holliday off their hands. After being selected as the first overall pick by the Orioles in the 2022 MLB Draft, that seems like a harsh statement. But after accruing just 1.8 fWAR in 307 career games, Holliday has completely underwhelmed fans with his lackluster play in the big leagues. His .654 OPS in 1,091 career at-bats is a far cry from what was projected when he came out of high school. 

Holliday shouldn’t be the Orioles’ everyday second baseman next season. However, that doesn’t mean he should be cast away for nothing in return either. The team has nothing to lose trying to rebuild Holliday from the ground up. With an extended pit stop in the minor leagues and a retooled swing, Holliday could become one heck of a dark horse candidate to break out in the second half of next season. He has the tools to turn things around. And at just 22 years old, he also has the time. 

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