Orioles fans gifted with trade idea that could land All-Star ace at the deadline

The Baltimore Orioles were expected to cap their offseason by adding a frontline starting pitcher to the top of their rotation, but they don't appear to be in a rush to sign Framber Valdez. Justin Verlander and Zac Gallen have been rumored as potential options, though neither checks the box of being a top-of-the-rotation pitcher at this stage of their respective careers.

It's why the Orioles shouldn't feel forced to settle. If Valdez isn't the answer, stay away from both Verlander and Gallen.

Baltimore still will enter the season with a need for another starting pitcher, but the Orioles have depth to get them through the months before the trade deadline. It's also shaping up to be the deadline to be in search of starting pitching, considering Tarik Skubal, Sandy Alcantara, and Joe Ryan could all be available.

Skubal is a free agent after the season, and there remains a question regarding Alcantara's profile. Ryan could be the one to target, considering he is under control for 2027. Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller dropped some fresh trade ideas, and one has the Orioles trading for the Minnesota Twins' ace.

Joe Ryan might just be the perfection option for the Baltimore Orioles.

Now, this almost certainly would need to be a trade that takes place at the deadline. Ryan thought he was traded to the Boston Red Sox at the deadline last summer, but every indication is that Minnesota plans to hold onto him through Opening Day. If the Twins are a disappointment as they were in 2025, Ryan certainly will be on the trade deadline.

In terms of cost, Miller ships third baseman Jordan Westburg and outfield prospect Nate George to the Twins for Ryan and reliever Cole Sands. Miller used Baseball Trade Values to come up with this package, and it grades out in favor of Baltimore (as it should), but the fact that it's accepted by the model speaks to the issue with it.

The Orioles would make this trade in a heartbeat. The problem is that if Mike Elias actually submitted this proposal to the Twins, it wouldn't just be Orioles fans (and the rest of baseball) making fun of him.

Nonetheless, it should get Orioles fans thinking. Time is running out on the offseason, and if Valdez isn't walking through that door, someone will need to at the deadline in August.