Currently a game over .500 at 46-45 and four games behind the division-leading Yankees in the AL East, the Baltimore Orioles are looking to add one or more big pieces at the trade deadline for a playoff push in the last two months of the season.
In the last day or so, the Orioles have been linked to several of the bigger names on the trade market, with their priority looking to be adding a corner outfielder or a starting pitcher. Here are some of the players that could be on the move to Baltimore:
Justin Upton, OF, Padres
In their pursuit of an outfielder, the Orioles have expressed interest in the Padres slugger, according to FOX Sports' Jon Morosi:
#Orioles have expressed interest in trading for #Padres OF Justin Upton, sources say. Baltimore wants to add an outfielder. @FOXSports
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 19, 2015
Upton has hit .252/.331/.426 with 15 home runs in his lone season in San Diego and could provide stability to an Orioles outfield that has seen them use Chris Davis, Travis Snider, David Lough and Nolan Reimold, among others, in their corner outfield spots alongside center fielder Adam Jones.
Upton also has a contract that expires, so the financial commitment would be reduced, as would the likely return of prospects to San Diego.
Carlos Gomez, OF, Brewers
With the All-Star Jones there currently, center field is not a significant position of need for the Orioles, they may look to take advantage of the Brewers' fire sale, reports FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal:
To add to @jonmorosi report on #Orioles’ interest in J. Upton: Team also has inquired on C. Gomez. But does BAL have prospects for big move?
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 19, 2015
After missing time early in the season with an injury, Gomez has hit .268/.329/.440 with eight home runs in 65 games this season, following up a 2014 that saw him hit .284/.356/.477 with 23 home runs and 34 stolen bases in 2014. Gomez does have experience as a corner outfielder, so he could move there if acquired by the Orioles.
Jay Bruce and Johnny Cueto, OF and RHP, Reds
In addition to Upton and Gomez, the Orioles are interested in the Reds duo, according to Morosi:
#Orioles have been scouting #Reds recently and have interest in Cueto and Bruce, among other trade options, sources say. @FOXSports
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 20, 2015
Bruce would be an alternative to Upton and Gomez that would likely come at a lower prospect cost. He is hitting .252/.338/.468 this season with 14 home runs.
Baltimore could also stabilize the top of its rotation with Cueto, who has a 2.79 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 122⅔ innings this season with 28 walks and 115 strikeouts.
With all of the rumors currently swirling, the Orioles are definitely a team to keep an eye on in the next 11 days.