One big move the Orioles still need to make before Opening Day

The Baltimore Orioles have taken a step toward bolstering their starting rotation with the addition of veteran right-hander Kyle Gibson. This marks Gibson's second stint with the club after spending the 2023 season in Baltimore. While the 35-year-old provides a potential back-end rotation option, his role remains uncertain. Will he push out an existing starter like Dean Kremer or the up and coming Cade Povich? Or is he simply a stopgap while the Orioles figure out ace Grayson Rodriguez’s recovery from a throwing-arm injury?

Though the logic behind signing Gibson is sound, it raises more questions than answers. However, a trade could offer clarity — perhaps even the solution the Orioles need to solidify their rotation.

The Orioles should use Coby Mayo as trade bait for a starting pitcher

Given Coby Mayo’s recent headline-making comments, his trade value is fluctuating. His worth largely depends on which teams are actively seeking an infield upgrade. A widely rumored deal involved a potential swap with the Seattle Mariners, where Mayo would've filled their third-base void in exchange for ace Luis Castillo. While that scenario now seems unlikely, there are still teams that could benefit from acquiring Mayo — a talented but still-developing hitter who clearly needs a little more time at Triple-A before proving he can translate his power and contact skills to the majors.

The Los Angeles Angels present an intriguing trade partner. With their $245 million dollar man Anthony Rendon sidelined for yet another season, the Angels could use an infielder with upside like Mayo. In return, Baltimore could target 26-year-old right-hander Jose Soriano, though reports suggest the Angels have grown high on him. Another option could be veteran lefty Tyler Anderson, but at 35 years old, it would sound way too redundant for the O's to make that kind of move.

Beyond the Angels, viable trade partners are scarce. The Nationals have not engaged in trade talks with the Orioles since 2001, while the Yankees and Blue Jays, being division rivals, are unlikely to strike a deal with Baltimore. The AL West could offer the most opportunity. The White Sox have unproven talent, the Brewers boast a deep but injury-ridden rotation, and several other teams could at least take the Orioles’ call if Mayo is on the table.

The Orioles know their championship window is wide open, and the rest of the league knows how Baltimore needs to capitalize on it. Whether through a trade or continued patchwork solutions, one thing is certain — Mayo could be the key ingredient (yes, that’s somewhat a sandwich joke) to making a deep postseason run.