Padres could offer Orioles a perfect way out with struggling trade chip

The Baltimore Orioles' offseason is expected to end with the team adding an established starting pitcher near the top of their rotation. While that certainly needs to be the priority, it shouldn't be overlooked that Baltimore still has a clear trade candidate sitting on their roster.

After being displaced at first base by Ryan O'Hearn before he was traded to the San Diego Padres and later, Coby Mayo and Samuel Basallo, Ryan Mountcastle already seemed to be the odd man out of Baltimore's first base equation. Between his roster fit and struggles last season, there was some surprise that the Orioles decided to tender Mountcastle a contract for the 2026 season.

Adding to Mountcastle's questionable fit was the fact that the big splash for the Orioles this offseason was signing Pete Alonso. Mountcastle is fully blocked at first base, and Basallo is the clear DH candidate going into the season. If not Basallo, then Adley Rutschman as the two split reps at catcher.

A suitor may quietly be emerging for Ryan Mountcastle as the Orioles look for a trade partner.

Helping their efforts to possibly trade Mountcastle, the Orioles avoided arbitration with the 28-year-old first baseman, signing him to a one-year contract worth $6.79 million. Mountcastle's contract includes a club option for 2027 and should help trade efforts.

Mountcastle now having cost certainty will appeal to teams in the market for a first base upgrade. In particular, the Padres are an immediate team that comes to mind. San Diego is looking to replace Luis Arráez at first base, and were in talks with the St. Louis Cardinals about a potential trade for Nolan Arenado before he was dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

A sticking point in the Padres' talks with the Cardinals is the $41 million that Arenado is owed over the next two seasons. San Diego doesn't have the greatest of payroll situations, and were only interested in the veteran third baseman if they could have him on what would have been the equivalent of the league minimum.

The Padres were interested in Arenado playing first base, and that could lead to them giving the Orioles a call. Mountcastle is an affordable option for San Diego. Not to mention, the Orioles also have the farm system to pull off larger deal with the Padres involving Mountcastle, perhaps one that sees Nick Pivetta included in the swap.

It would be a creative way to end the Orioles' offseason, and one that also allows the Orioles to end their search for a frontline starting pitcher.