Orioles' trade plans look bleak after Reds sign Eugenio Suárez to bargain contract

If the Baltimore Orioles were planning on trading Ryan Mountcastle this offseason, that just got a whole lot harder after Eugenio Suárez signed with the Reds. In fact, it seems they may be stuck with the right-handed first baseman now.

Suárez landed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Reds after he slugged 49 home runs last season with the Diamondbacks and Mariners. He is primarily going to be a designated hitter for the Reds, but he can play the corner infield spots as well in a pinch. Given Suarez's profile when compared to Mountcastle, it is clear that Baltimore has an uphill climb on the trade market.

Orioles have less demand for Ryan Mountcastle after Suárez deal with Reds

Suarez's signing first means that there is one less team out there looking for a DH/first base type which is the exact sort of role that Mountcastle occupies. The right-handed bat is on an affordable contract that would not be at all onerous for a team that wanted to trade for him, but the Orioles will have to look elsewhere than Cincinnati to do that.

Mountcastle and Baltimore settled on a one-year, $6.87 million contract for 2026 to avoid arbitration. That is a pretty reasonable deal for a player whose WAR was greater than 2 in both 2023 and 2024 before a down year in 2025.

Last season Mountcastle slashed a disappointing .250/.286/.367 with seven home runs and 35 runs batted in. This is the same guy who hit 33 home runs back in 2021 when he was 24 years old which got a lot of people excited about his potential. Still, entering his age-29 season, he may very well be due for a bounce back season after missing time with a hamstring issue in 2025.

The problem is that Baltimore's addition of Pete Alonso in free agency makes it tougher to see how Mountcastle will get a ton of playing time. Obviously, Alonso is also a first baseman who could be the designated hitter if needed, but top prospect Samuel Basallo figures to see a lot of time as the DH.

Perhaps Mountcastle could be used as a corner outfielder, but even then it is difficult to see him getting a ton of opportunities. That's why trading him seems like such a likely move with him blocked in so many areas. It's nice to have depth if a guy goes down due to injury, but the Orioles have to be wondering if they can get something for Mountcastle while he still has some value.

The Padres could be another potential suitor out there especially after Luis Arraez signed with the Giants in free agency. They could use a first base/DH type and Mountcastle fits the bill. We'll see if the O's can get something done, but the fact that the Reds have addressed their need for a designated hitter means one less option for Baltimore if the team wants to move Mountcastle.