Baltimore Orioles: Possible Trade Partners for Outfield Help

Aug 7, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) forces out San Diego Padres right fielder Will Venable (25) in the 5th inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

With Colby Rasmus, Nori Aoki, Nelson Cruz and about all other free agent outfielders gone, the Baltimore Orioles should look to the trade market to find a starting outfielder.

So you aren’t convinced that Adam Jones and the combination of Alejandro De Aza, Steve Pearce, David Lough and Delmon Young is a good enough outfield for 2015? Well, then the Orioles likely need to trade in order to find some outfield help.

Here are five of the most likely trade partners. These teams all have a need the Orioles can fill and have a surplus in the outfield that would improve the O’s outfield. I’m talking a significant improvement, not just another OF body. But I’m also not in the fantasy world where you can get Wil Myers or Carlos Gonzalez without giving up the top young pitching, which I am deeming untouchable. I’m leaving out the AL East, because I can’t see any team partnering with the Orioles, and also Washington, because I detailed a possible trade with them here.

After looking through the rosters, the options are worse than I thought. Maybe it is me overvaluing the foursome listed above. But when I said five most likely trade partners, I only found five trade partners.

5. Los Angeles Dodgers – Orioles acquire Andre Ethier or Chris Heisey for Matt Wieters and relief pitching

This is the least likely, because the talks have already occurred, and the Dodgers want the Orioles’ top young pitching. Ethier or Heisey would not be major upgrades, but would be upgrades. The Dodgers only have Yasmani Grandal and A.J. Ellis at catcher, so Wieters would certainly help them. And, as with most teams, their bullpen is suspect. Of course, with their rotation, that isn’t a major issue. Although the Dodgers just acquired Heisey, I still think Andrew Friedman would part with him; and for Heisey, it would be like coming home, since he grew up in south central PA.

4. Milwaukee Brewers – Orioles acquire Khris Davis or Geraldo Parra for young pitching

The Brewers starting rotation is led by Kyle Lohse and Matt Garza. Not exactly spring chickens. So they could use some up and coming young pitching. Davis is one of their top young position players, so the O’s would likely have to give up a lot. Parra would be cheaper, but some would argue (myself included) he is not much different from De Aza, and more injury prone. Parra can play around the outfield and would be able to hit leadoff.

3. Detroit Tigers – Orioles acquire Rajai Davis for relief pitching

Davis is certainly expendable, with Anthony Gose the new center fielder for Detroit. And with Yoenis Cespedes in one corner and J.D. Martinez in the other, Davis is a fourth outfielder. He is a speed guy who could bat leadoff and play around the outfield, and he has played in the AL East. And everyone knows the dumpster fire that is the Tigers bullpen, so I think they would gladly take a few of the Orioles’ relievers in a trade.

However, the question again comes back to, do you believe he is better than De Aza or Lough?

2. San Diego Padres – Orioles receive Will Venable for Ubaldo Jimenez and more pitching

The Padres are in pretty good shape at all positions, except for maybe needing a middle infielder. And although Ryan Flaherty would probably be a bit of an upgrade, or at least competition, I doubt he has high trade value. But, their pitching behind their top starters is suspect at best, and the bullpen is scary, and not in a good way. They also have a wealth of outfielders, with Venable not starting.

Venable had a down year in 2014 and might have a bit lower value. He has some power and also speed and has a pretty good on-base percentage as a full-time starter over the last three years.

1. Colorado Rockies – Orioles receive Charlie Blackmon or Brandon Barnes for Ubaldo Jimenez and/or more pitching

I didn’t intend for this to happen, but it did. Maybe the Rockies and Orioles trading makes the most sense. Right now, Blackmon is starting center field. However, the Rockies are shopping Blackmon, and they need pitching desperately. Maybe they would take Ubaldo back, or other pitching. When LaTroy Hawkins is your closer, you are in trouble.

The possibility of getting Blackmon was well-documented by Randy Buchman here. Barnes also is intriguing, as he is a solid defensive player who could use some work with his patience at the plate. The Orioles would probably give up the least in trading with Colorado.