Orioles rumors: Baltimore linked to surprising potential trade deadline seller

In a surprise news drop at 9pm on Sunday night, Jon Morosi of MLB.com reported that the Reds are telling other organizations that they're open for business at the trade deadline. The Reds are reportedly looking to part ways with a couple players on expiring contracts, though we'll see how aggressive they get over the next two weeks.

Morosi indicated that the Orioles have reached out about two pitchers, lefty Frankie Montas and righty Nick Martinez. It's been speculated over the past few weeks that the Orioles would be looking to add pitching depth at the deadline and both of these Reds' pitchers fit the bill.

Montas might be a bit of a stretch, having struggled so heavily since being traded to the Yankees three years ago. He has a 4.85 ERA in 89 innings with Cincinnati this year while posting some of the worst strikeout and walk rates of his career.

Montas missed essentially all of the 2023 season with a shoulder issue but was able to secure a one-year, $16 million deal with the Reds this past offseason. He hasn't fully lived up to expectations, having missed a few starts this year and failing to get results on the mound.

The Orioles are reportedly targeting these two Reds pitchers

Martinez would be the more interesting pitcher of the two, at least at the moment. Like Montas, Martinez signed a contract with the Reds this offseason, though his carries a player option for 2025.

Martinez has been a solid option for Reds' manager David Bell out of the bullpen, pitching to a 3.88 ERA with a 3.15 FIP and showing good control of the strike zone. He's started 5 games this year but has been much more efficient out of the pen, where he doesn't have to worry about the third time through the order penalty.

Martinez likely wouldn't cost much and would be a solid addition for the Orioles for their second half push.

MASN's Roch Kubatko reported on Sunday that the Reds had scouts in attendance in Delmarva recently. The Shorebirds are the Orioles' Single-A affiliate.

The O's almost certainly wouldn't move a prospect of Leandro Arias' caliber for a pitcher like Martinez. However, someone like Thomas Sosa or Jake Cunningham could make sense depending on the Reds' positional needs.

The Reds were in the playoff hunt as recently as the end of June but a weekend sweep at the hands of the Nationals seems to have swayed them toward selling at the deadline. If the Orioles can take advantage and land a strong reliever like Martinez, they'll be better off for it.