Orioles Rumors: Baltimore linked to slew of high-profile relievers in trade buzz

With less than 50 days until the MLB trade deadline, former Major League Baseball general manager Jim Bowden offered up several potential trade targets for every organization. Bowden, in his most recent contribution for The Athletic (subscription required), cited several potential names for the Baltimore Orioles to consider.

Bowden shared the same sentiment of most Orioles fans, stating the the team's biggest needs at the upcoming trade deadline are closer/set-up relievers and maybe even a right-handed hitting outfielder.

Based on Craig Kimbrel's history, Bowden is probably on to something. So who does the former GM believe could be had? Who should the O's inquire about? Some of the names might surprise you.

Orioles Rumors: Baltimore linked to pitchers like Mason Miller, Ryan Helsley, and Camilo Doval

When it comes to the MLB trade deadline's top closer, almost everyone will point to Oakland A's reliever Mason Miller. The right-hander is constantly missing bats and hitting 100-plus on the radar gun. While that would be a dream scenario for the Orioles, it probably would entail Baltimore doing something it has no interest in — parting with some of their top prospects.

If the A's do intend to trade Miller, the asking price will be exorbitant and would cost the Orioles the likes of a Coby Mayo or Jackson Holliday, among others. That seems unlikely, so while Bowden's thinking is in-line with most of the Baltimore faithful, that type of deal probably isn't in the cards.

Bowden also mentioned another popular name among the O's fanbase. Ryan Helsley has been linked to the Orioles for quite some time, and if the St. Louis Cardinals are out of the NL Central race, they could look to deal the flamethrower prior to July 30.

Maybe the Orioles will target players like Tanner Scott and Dylan Floro

Kyle Finnegan and Tanner Scott were among the closers that Bowden listed as well, and so was San Francisco Giants reliever Camilo Doval. The right-hander is having a so-so year out in San Fran, but his body work is tremendous, and Doval won't reach free agency until after the 2027 season.

In terms of the set-up relievers cited by The Athletic, perhaps the Orioles would look to players like Dylan Floro (Washington Nationals) or Steven Wilson (Chicago White Sox).

The Orioles have the trade assets to make any sort of deal they want, and Baltimore's front office may wait until just before the deadline to make a swap. But there's no denying that this is the year in which Baltimore needs to push its chips to the middle of the table. Corbin Burnes will be a free agent after this season, and the O's will need some reinforcement to surpass the New York Yankees in the AL East.

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