Ryan Mountcastle among the Orioles who could be dealt during the Winter Meetings

The MLB Winter Meetings are next week, but it has already been a busy offseason for the Baltimore Orioles. Mike Elias and Co. addressed their need for an impact bat by trading for Taylor Ward and identified Ryan Helsley as the replacement for Felix Bautista at the backend of the bullpen next season.

It would seem that the biggest goal the Orioles have as they approach the Winter Meetings is addressing the need they have in their starting rotation. It was the stated priority of the offseason, but the early moves suggest that Elias is close to repeating the mistake he made last winter.

Orioles players who could be dealt during the Winter Meetings

Of course, the Winter Meetings are often where offseason narratives change. Even after Dylan Cease was taken off the market, the Orioles still have a healthy offering of free-agent arms in front of them. Beyond the free-agent market, the Orioles will likely be active in the trade discussions taking place next week.

Perhaps that is how they will address their need in the rotation, and they have several players on their roster who could be included in such a deal.

Ryan Mountcastle

No, Ryan Mountcastle isn't going to be the key piece in an Orioles' offer to a team like the Minnesota Twins or Miami Marlins. That said, with Samuel Basallo and Coby Mayo expected to share duties at first base next season, and Basallo also getting plate appearances as the team's designated hitter, Mountcastle is on borrowed time in Baltimore.

Colton Cowser

It was a forgetful 2025 campaign for Colton Cowser, posting an 83 wRC+ in 360 plate appearances. The Orioles have been tied to Kyle Schwarber and Kyle Tucker in free agency, and that could be a signal of their willingness to trade Cowser in a deal for a cost-controlled starting pitcher. At 25 years old, Cowser could be an intriguing pickup for a team in need of some outfield help.

Tyler O'Neill

Let's have some fun here. The Orioles ignored Tyler O'Neill's red flags when they signed him to a three-year contract worth $49.5 million last offseason, and it took less than a full season for that decision to backfire. O'Neill's contract looks like an eyesore on the Orioles' payroll outlook, and they likely would be begging for a team to take him off their hands. Though given the interest in Tucker and Schwarber, maybe they are willing to pay a team to take O'Neill away (not likely, we know, but let's dream for a hot second).