Orioles could follow through and part with untouchable prospect after Kyle Bradish injury

While the Baltimore Orioles remain in a really good spot, especially after outlasting the New York Yankees on Wednesday for a key 7-6 extra-inning victory over their division foe, not everything is coming up roses for Baltimore at the moment. On Wednesday, the Orioles revealed that their 2023 ace and still frontline starter Kyle Bradish underwent Tommy John surgery in a huge blow to Baltimore's rotation.

Adding rotation depth at the trade deadline was already a priority for the Orioles before Bradish got hurt again. John Means and Tyler Wellsn also went under the knife and will miss the rest of the season. While Cade Povich and Chayce McDermott are supremely talented pitching prospects, Baltimore can't afford to hinge their hopes on a pair of rookies with a potential World Series run in play.

As a result, the Orioles appearing to be dangle the formerly untouchable Samuel Basallo in trade talks ahead of the deadline makes a lot of sense all of a sudden.

Orioles Rumors: Baltimore could trade top prospect Samuel Basallo as their rotation woes mount

While a lot of attention has been given to the possible departure of Heston Kjerstad at the trade deadline, moving Basallo has a lot of merit. Not only will he command a premium as one of the best hitters in the minor leagues who has a chance at sticking behind the plate, but he is also pretty blocked at catcher with Adley Rutschman firmly entrenched there (and with good reason).

Given the current state of the Orioles' big league roster, the time is now for Baltimore to stop hoarding all of these hitting prospects. The team values Basallo highly and certainly shouldn't just give him away, but there is no reason he should be considering untouchable. If an opportunity to trade him for a controllable starter like Garret Crochet or even a shutdown closer like Mason Miller presents itself, Basallo needs to at least be on the table.

If not, the Orioles could find themselves in a similar situation to last year where they needed starting pitching, tried to apply a bandage on it without parting with top talent, and then getting burned for it in the playoffs. That can't happen again in 2024.

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