Could Orioles reunite with recently DFA'd Mariners reliever?

Orioles fans know full well that this team could use more pitching depth heading into the second half. Rumors are starting to swirl about how GM Mike Elias will approach the trade deadline but it seems clear that the O's will look at a variety of options in order to shore up their rotation and bullpen depth before the end of July.

While the team has recently been connected to higher profile guys, like Tigers' superstar Tarik Skubal and veteran free agent Rich Hill, more affordable options will be out there.

One such option could be former Orioles' reliever Mike Baumann, who was designated for assignment by the Mariners on Friday. Baumann had pitched in Baltimore's bullpen from 2021-2024. He'd been a decent low-leverage option in 2022 and 2023, and had a modicum of success in 2024.

Despite that, the Orioles DFA'd Baumann back in the middle of May based on the assumption that he was due for too much negative regression. Baumann had a FIP over a full run higher than his ERA in 17 outings with the Orioles this year and as expected, he struggled in Seattle.

The O's traded Baumann to Seattle after the DFA and acquired minor league catcher Blake Hunt. Unfortunately, Hunt has been unreliable at best in Norfolk, hitting .169/.182/.338 in a limited sample. At present, Hunt won't be preventing anyone else on the Tides' depth chart from getting playing time but that could change as he spends more time in the O's system.

Could the Orioles look to reacquire Mike Baumann from the Mariners?

While the Orioles should be looking to add pitching depth, Baumann is a bit of a stretch. It wouldn't be a bad thing to have someone like Baumann in the minors as an emergency option but the O's can't afford that kind of inconsistency in the major league bullpen.

Baumann is far from the best option on the trade market and while he'd likely be inexpensive to acquire, the Orioles need to focus on pieces that can help them down the stretch. Baumann doesn't seem like that guy, at least not right now.

It's possibly, though unlikely, that the Orioles would go after the young righty. If they do, they shouldn't look to send any prospects with legitimate potential back to Seattle in order to bring Baumann back.