Orioles make 3 last minute trades at deadline buzzer

As the 2024 MLB trade deadline came to a close, the Orioles made a flurry of deals to address both major league and minor league needs.

Shortly after acquiring Eloy Jimenez from the White Sox, Mike Elias pulled the trigger on the group of deals, pulling in outfielder Austin Slater, infielder Livan Soto, reliever Gregory Soto, and minor league pitcher Patrick Reilly.

Orioles acquire Gregory Soto from Phillies

In the second deal with Philly in the last week, the Orioles acquired left-handed reliever Gregory Soto in exchange for minor league starter Seth Johnson.

Soto addresses a weak link in the bullpen by giving the O's another lefty behind the trio of Keegan Akin, Cionel Perez, and Cole Irvin. Soto hasn't been great for the Phillies in 2024, pitching to a 4.08 ERA, albeit with a more encouraging 3.61 FIP. He's currently running a strikeout rate north of 26% but has struggled with walks and hasn't posted great results in terms of run prevention.

MLB Pipeline had Johnson as the O's 8th ranked prospect coming into the year. He's a 26 year old who had yet to move beyond Double-A and had fallen off a bit in terms of control in 2024, so it's unsurprising to see Elias use him as a trade chip.

Orioles acquire Austin Slater and Livan Soto from Reds

In Austin Slater, the Orioles will get a journeyman outfielder with the ability to play all three positions, though he's not a strong defensive centerfielder. He'd recently been shipped from San Francisco to Cincinnati, and he'll now head to his third team this year.

Infielder Livan Soto will come to Baltimore along with Slater. Soto was DFA'd by the Reds earlier in the day and will head back to the Orioles. In exchange for Slater and Soto, the O's will send cash considerations back to Cincy.

Orioles acquire Patrick Reilly from Pirates

Finally, the O's made a prospect for prospect swap with the Pirates, sending OF/2B Billy Cook to Pittsburgh in exchange for starter Partick Reilly.

Reilly is a 22 year old right hander in High-A who has good peripherals and has pitched to a 3.38 ERA this year. MLB Pipeline had Reilly ranked as the Pirates' 20th best prospect heading into the year, noting the upper-tier fastball velocity, though he's had trouble with his command.

Cook had been a solid presence in the Orioles system over the past four years, maxing out at Triple-A this year. He's behind too many other guys on the depth chart though, and the O's felt he was better used as a trade chip to acquire an interesting arm.