3 nightmare scenarios for the Orioles at this year's trade deadline

With the trade deadline coming up and the Orioles still on top of the AL East, rumors are swirling as to what moves the team might make in advance of the July 30 deadline, and there are questions about which prospects could be included in any potential trades.

We all know about how the trade deadline went for the Orioles last season, as they traded for Jack Flaherty from the St. Louis Cardinals and Shintaro Fujinami from the Oakland A's. Both of those moves ended up blowing up in the team's face.

There are plenty of moves the Orioles can make to improve their team, but there are some dangers as well. These three potential scenarios could make this trade deadline a nightmare for the Orioles.

3 nightmare scenarios for the Orioles at this year's trade deadline

The Orioles shouldn't trade off the major league roster for a rental

Recent reports have suggested the Orioles are listening to trade offers for Ryan Mountcastle and Cedric Mullins ahead of the deadline, with the possibility of one or both being included in a package for pitching help.

If Mountcastle and/or Mullins are included in a trade for someone like Tarik Skubal or a pitcher with multiple remaining years of team control, something like this is easier to stomach. If one or both are included in a trade for someone who's a free agent at the end of the season, alarm bells should be sounding in Baltimore.

While Mullins has had his struggles this season, Mountcastle is still a valuable player for the Orioles and trading either of them for someone who's not guaranteed to re-sign in Baltimore would be a mistake for the front office.

The Orioles shouldn't trade Jackson Holliday for anyone

As the Orioles have been connected to big names like Mason Miller of the Oakland A's and Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, speculation has started about whether or not the Orioles should include Jackson Holliday in a trade to land a star at the deadline. In short, this is not a good idea.

Did Holliday have a disappointing first stint in the majors? You bet he did. Is he still playing well in Triple A and still has enormous potential with the Orioles? Right on again. Trading Holliday for anyone at the deadline, under control for multiple years or not, would be a big time mistake for Mike Elias and the Orioles, and something the front office shouldn't even consider.

The Orioles absolutely shouldn't stand pat at the trade deadline

Arguably the worst decision the Orioles could make at the trade deadline this year is doing nothing. There are enough holes in a team that is trying to make a run at a World Series that standing pat would be the equivalent of punting for 2025 when the Orioles should be trying to win now.

The team needs starting pitchers to fill the spots vacated by John Means and Kyle Bradish. Cade Povich has attempted to fill the void from within, as have Chayce McDermott and Albert Suarez, but the three have their issues. Povich and McDermott aren't quite there yet, but they should be in due time.

The team needs bullpen arms, as their depth is being tested big time. Craig Kimbrel has had a rocky season, and more reliever depth is never a bad idea. The Orioles shouldn't trust this pitching staff in October, so reinforcements are needed. Standing pat at the trade deadline shouldn't be an option, and it would be a nightmare if they did.