BALTIMORE — Cedric Mullins and Ryan Mountcastle were arguably the Orioles’ two best players just three years ago.
Despite Baltimore reaching triple-digit losses for the third time in four years back in 2021, Mullins was on his way to recording the first 30-homer, 30-steal season in club history while Mountcastle led the Orioles in home runs and RBIs in what was his first full season in the majors. Currently, they’re the subject of trade rumors that began feeling heavier Friday when former All-Star outfielder Austin Hays was dealt to Philadelphia.
Much like Hays before he was traded to the Phillies for right-handed reliever Seranthony Dominguez and reserve outfielder Cristian Pache, Mullins and Mountcastle don’t appear to have long-term futures with the Orioles. Carrying just one more year of club control, Mullins, 29, has mostly struggled at the plate dating back to the first half of last season and has never come close to repeating that remarkable season that landed him in the 2021 All-Star Game. Though the 27-year-old Mountcastle has two more years until free agency, he doesn’t carry an offensive profile at first base that screams contract extension, especially with Coby Mayo — and his big offensive ceiling — having done all there is to do at Triple-A Norfolk at this point.
But unlike Hays, who saw his playing time decline dramatically beginning in April, Mullins and Mountcastle continue to play regularly with the former having started 79 of the club’s first 107 games of 2024 and the latter starting 89 games entering Game 1 of Monday’s doubleheader with Toronto. Neither is having his best season, of course, but they combined to drive in six runs in Sunday’s 8-6 win over San Diego. Mullins also reminded that his above-average defense can win you a ballgame with his spectacular catch to rob Manny Machado of extra bases in the eighth inning of a then-one-run game.
In other words, these are players still helping the Orioles win ballgames — even if not to the degree they did a few years ago.
That’s why general manager Mike Elias must proceed carefully when it comes to potentially dealing more veterans. It certainly makes sense from a long-term value standpoint to want to trade players of consequence that you have no intention of re-signing, but doing so in the midst of a pennant race is trickier than making such moves in the offseason, especially if the return isn’t dramatically moving the needle. Even if such moves are made with the partial intent of clearing a path to more playing time for a youngster, we’ve seen even Baltimore’s current All-Star talents initially struggle adjusting to the majors.
There’s a learning curve for just about everyone, whether it’s a few weeks, a few months, or sometimes a full year or more. That’s a scary proposition in the middle of a pennant race.
One must also consider a team’s makeup, especially on the fly.
Frustrating as his slumps might be, Mountcastle is capable of going on a tear that carries an offense for a few weeks at a time. And there’s no guarantee that Mayo — as promising as he looks — will acclimate quickly enough to be a significant factor in Baltimore’s lineup the rest of the way.
And though Cowser has looked the part defensively when given opportunities to play center field this season, removing Mullins from the defensive equation and counting on others to handle the spacious Camden Yards left field might prove problematic.
Of course, being the subject of trade rumors isn’t the same as actually being dealt. We’ll have an answer on the immediate future of Mullins and Mountcastle by 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Elias and the Orioles may like the idea of parting with another veteran or two in lieu of trading prospects to address other areas of need. But it remains to be seen whether that is truly what’s best for the remainder of a 2024 season including World Series aspirations.
