These surprise teams could send trade value for Orioles’ starters through the roof

At this point, it's become painfully obvious to anyone who's followed the Baltimore Orioles this season that the club will be sellers at the upcoming MLB trade deadline. While Orioles' GM Mike Elias is unlikely to unload any of the organization's top young talent, several players who are on expiring deals will likely be shipped off before July 31.

Two of the most likely players to be traded are starting pitchers Tomoyuki Sugano and Charlie Morton. Even Zach Eflin — who's expected to return form the IL in the coming days — represents a buy-low candidate at the deadline, but there's a good chance that he remains with the club over the final few months of the season.

Neither Sugano nor Morton will fetch a fantastic return, but there are no aces being dealt at this year's deadline. In fact, if a handful of teams experience some measure of success prior to the trade deadline, they may well hold on to their pitching assets rather than trade them. That could bolster the trade value for the O's two starting pitchers.

These surprise teams could send trade value for Orioles’ starters through the roof

The trade deadline becomes a simple equation of supply and demand. Ever since the MLB Postseason was expanded to 12 teams, there are fewer and fewer sellers at the deadline, with more and more clubs seeing a path to the playoffs. As such, there's more of a willingness to go for it and attempt to add a player or two rather than sell off assets at the deadline.

If the Los Angeles Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, and Kansas City Royals all remain in playoff contention, several starters may no longer be in play at the deadline. Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha (Royals) were, in theory, two of the top arms that could be dealt this month, while Yusei Kikuchi (Angels) could be traded as well. Sonny Gray (Cardinals) has a no-trade clause in his current deal, but the former Cy Young runner-up could waive that if he so chooses.

In short, the more contenders there are, the higher the bidding gets for the Orioles starters. The price tag for others O's players like Ryan O'Hearn and Cedric Mullins could also go up if more contenders emerge in the coming weeks.

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