According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Orioles are at least open to listening to trade offers for left-hander and closer, though moving either pitcher remains unlikely. Both players are under team control beyond the 2025 season. SNY’s Andy Martino recently noted that other teams in contact with Baltimore don’t expect Veteran star to be dealt.
The mere fact that top star is drawing any interest is a positive development for Baltimore. After being acquired from the Marlins last year, he struggled enough to be demoted to Triple-A Norfolk. A knee injury in January sidelined him to begin 2025, and after another option, he returned with a 5.51 ERA in the minors.
However, since being called back up on May 24, he has become a surprising bright spot for the Orioles’ rotation. Over six starts, he has posted a 1.53 ERA. His average fastball velocity has increased to 93.5 mph—an improvement over last year, although still shy of his pre-injury peak.
That said, some skepticism is warranted. Rogers has benefited from a .200 batting average on balls in play despite giving up a high percentage of hard contact (50.5%). Only one of his 33 fly balls has gone for a home run (3%), far below his career norm and the current MLB average. His 84% left-on-base rate also greatly exceeds both league and career averages. Regression in these metrics is likely, though his 3.71 SIERA suggests he’s still improved compared to prior seasons.
The Orioles are in need of long-term rotation stability. Morton, Eflin, and Sugano are set to hit free agency, while Rodriguez remains sidelined with arm issues. Bradish and Wells are working their way back from UCL surgeries, and top prospects Povich (currently injured) and McDermott have underwhelmed in 2025.
Given Rogers’ limited club control and his struggles since joining the team, Baltimore could view this resurgence as a selling opportunity. Just weeks ago, he looked untradeable, but with improved results, better velocity, and a team-friendly $2.6M salary, he may now have value in a thin pitching market.
Meanwhile, trading Bautista appears much less likely. The 30-year-old closer, returning from Tommy John surgery, has been excellent: a 2.41 ERA with 18 saves and a 35.6% strikeout rate, though his 14.8% walk rate remains high. Encouragingly, both strikeout and walk rates have trended positively since June. He’s also shifted from a high-velocity four-seamer to a slightly slower but more effective sinker, boosting his ground ball rate to over 50%.
Bautista’s combination of elite performance, multiple years of control, and a modest $1M salary makes him highly desirable to playoff hopefuls. His affordability appeals to both budget-conscious teams and luxury tax payers.
Overall, Baltimore is unlikely to move players under control beyond 2025, especially with their recent improved play. Still, they’re nine games under .500 and trail the Wild Card by 7.5 games, making a playoff push unlikely. More probable trade candidates include veterans like Morton, Eflin, Mullins, O’Hearn, Soto, and Dominguez—all impending free agents.
While Rogers could now be seen as a potential trade asset after his resurgence, a Bautista deal would be stunning. Still, the Orioles front office appears willing to listen to substantial offers, just in case the right one comes along.