Orioles getting best of both worlds one month after trade deadline fire sale
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Orioles getting best of both worlds one month after trade deadline fire sale originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Baltimore Orioles made the tough decision to conduct a fire sale at the MLB trade deadline, as they shipped out many of their key players at the deadline.
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Adley Rutschman went to the Boston Red Sox, Taylor Ward was sent to the Seattle Mariners, and Tyler Wells went to the Tampa Bay Rays. It was a sell-off, and made with the belief this team wouldn't be contending.
However, since the August 3 deadline, the Orioles have gotten the best of both worlds. Johnny Flores Jr. of The Athletic gave the Orioles an "A" grade for their deadline moves one month later, as not only did they get some good prospects, but they're still contending.
Orioles get 'A' trade deadline re-grade amid contention and promising prospects
"Trade deadline report card: A," Flores writes. "... That the club is just one game back of the third and final AL wild-card spot, even after a busy Aug. 3, is all the more reason to celebrate."
Baltimore traded a few key players away and got back a massive selection of prospects in return. While losing Ward and Rutschman stings, the prospect capital so far has been good.
Anthony Eyanson, Kyson Witherspoon, Enddy Azocar, and Alex Hoppe, among others, have been great pickups for the Orioles.
But even with the big sell-off, the Orioles are just 1.5 games out of the third wild card spot on September 2. With one month to go in the 2026 regular season, the Orioles have a real chance of making the postseason.
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This team sold at the trade deadline, shipping out Ward and Rutschman, two very good players. Yet, they've hung around in the Wild Card race enough to have a real chance to earn a playoff spot.
Funnily enough, the Mariners, who acquired Ward, are 5.5 out of the Wild Card and 5.0 back in the AL West right now. The Orioles, a team that sold at the deadline, have a better chance of making the postseason than a buyer does.
Selling at the deadline and still contending for a postseason spot is the best of both worlds for the Orioles. It was a productive deadline for the future, and it's not hurt the team's chances this season in the process. It's a massive win, deserving of this "A" grade.
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