The Baltimore Orioles entered the 2025 season with lofty expectations, but so far, they’ve fallen short. With the team slipping out of realistic playoff contention, it would take a miraculous 10- to 12-game win streak in the coming weeks to change their fortunes. As things stand, the Orioles don’t resemble a team built for a postseason push, which is why they’re widely expected to approach the trade deadline as sellers.
While Baltimore has several position players who could be moved, the biggest question mark remains the pitching staff. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Orioles are expected to shop veteran starters as trade chips. Eflin, who’s been sidelined with back discomfort since late June, is expected to rejoin the rotation after the All-Star break, making him a prime candidate to be dealt. Nightengale noted that unless Baltimore goes on a major win streak, Morton and Sugano are also likely on their way out.
Although this trio won’t command blockbuster returns, trading them could still yield valuable pieces to help the Orioles rebuild. With the team’s sharp decline largely due to inconsistent pitching, it’s no surprise the front office is looking to reshape the rotation. Moving on from aging or underperforming veterans could open the door for younger talent to step in.
There’s also a possibility that Baltimore not only clears space but actively looks to bring in one or two controllable arms in return. Rather than a full fire sale, this could signal a strategic retooling — one that swaps short-term veterans for long-term rotation solutions. Either way, the Orioles appear poised for change as they try to chart a new course for the second half of the season.