Orioles GM Mike Elias discusses trade deadline, Holiday, Mayo

Orioles GM Mike Elias spoke with reporters ahead of this afternoon’s game against the Yankees and touched on a number of topics, including the club’s needs and goals ahead of the trade deadline as well as the club’s two key, upper-tier prospects. The situation was also included. :infielders jackson holiday And Kobe Mayo, As noted by MASN’s Roch Kubatko, Elias suggested to reporters that both Holiday and Mayo would figure into the club’s plans as “big contributors” in the second half of the year.

Undoubtedly, Holiday is the consensus top prospect in the entire game and he got a brief cup of coffee at the big league level earlier this year. The 20-year-old looked unmatched in the majors at the time, slashing just .059/.111/.059 in 36 outings over ten games. He then returned to the Triple-A level and hit .252/.418/.429 in his next 40 games. That’s a solid overall slash line, but a far cry from what Holiday has done in the past, especially considering his production in early June, when he finished in the first ten with a 26.7% strikeout rate and a .394 slugging percentage. Hit just .212 in the game. It was placed in the minor league IL due to what was referred to by the club at the time as a “barking” shoulder.

The young phenom returned to action after two weeks on the shelf and has looked like himself at the plate, slashing a solid .250/.464/.425 in the 12 games since his return. He has been limited to appearances at DH since returning, but that restriction will soon be over as Elias told reporters (including Baltimore Baseball’s Rich Dubroff) this afternoon that he plans to return to playing the field after the holiday All-Star break. will start. This should leave Holiday ready to take on a regular role at second base for the Orioles at some point in the second half.

is counting on the combination of baltimore Ramon Urias And george mateo To fill the infield mix, with Jordan Westberg Plays second base on days Urias is in the lineup and third base on days Mateo is in the lineup. Holiday’s arrival would open the door for Westberg to settle into the hot corner on a more permanent basis, while both Urias and Mateo would be shifted into bench roles. Of course, that infield picture becomes more complicated with the introduction of Mayo, which Elias talked about eloquently in a conversation with reporters (including MLB.com’s Jake Rill) this afternoon.

,She is in exceptionally good condition. We talk about him all the time.” According to Riley, Elias said about Mayo. “He is very close. He’s going to help us this year. It would just be about the right time, the right opportunity and the right runway for something like this.,

Mayo’s readiness for a new challenge is almost unquestionable at this point. The 22-year-old infielder posted a 127 wRC+ in 62 games at the Triple-A level last season and has followed it up with even stronger numbers this year. In 284 trips to Triple-A this season, Mayo has slashed an incredible .297/.380/.606 with a wRC+ of 147. While his 24.6% strikeout rate is probably a little higher than ideal, he more than makes up for the swing-and-miss with a 10.4% walk rate and an unprecedented 19 homers in just 63 games.

However, as talented as the slugger is, his roster fit in Baltimore is difficult to sort out. Mayo’s original position is third base, and it is where he has received nearly all of his reps throughout the minors. That being said, their defense has received mixed reviews and with Halliday heading into the ascendency for the Chiefs, Westberg is likely to shut down the hot corner on an everyday basis, which will force Mayo to be on the outside looking in when it comes to reps. Will come back to natural state. However, Mayo has also seen occasional time at first base, and it’s quite easy to imagine him being included in the club’s first base/DH mix. However, that part of the roster is also extremely crowded Ryan Mountcastle And Ryan O’Hearn currently sharing time there Adley Ratshman When not behind the plate and the club’s five outfield batters, he also spends time at DH. austin hayes, anthony santander, Colton Cowser, Cedric MullinsAnd heston kjerstad– Compete for whatever playing time is left at DH when not patrolling the grass.

Of course, the Orioles’ overflow of positional talent could be mitigated somewhat by trades made before the July 30 deadline. Elias told reporters (including Dubroff) that while the front office is largely focused on the draft, which will run from tomorrow through Tuesday, the club will turn its attention toward the upcoming deadline and additional salary increases as well. There will also be an exemption to add payroll. Kubatko says that while Elias suggested the payroll could increase under the club’s new ownership group, that doesn’t mean it’s “definitely” going to happen this summer and that the front office plans to reduce its spending even further. I have to be “disciplined”. Because the purse strings became looser than where the payroll was under the Angelos family. Of course, even getting around the top payroll under the Angelos family, which Cott’s Baseball Contracts listed as less than $165MM in 2017, the Orioles will have work to do this summer and going into the offseason. Will provide adequate space for.

In terms of specific needs, Elias acknowledged (as reported by Matt Weyrich of the Baltimore Sun) that adding a starting pitcher with multiple years of team control would be a “huge bonus” for the club as they eye an offseason. Keeping where they belong. Only needed to fill the Opening Day rotation grayson rodriguezbeginner elementary cad povichand struggling the right way dean kramer Can be credibly penned thanks to pending free agencies of john means And corbin burns As well as surgery done through mediums, kyle bradishAnd tyler wells This figure is to sideline them in 2025. While adding a control arm would be tempting, Weyrich said Elias has made it clear the club will “approach this deadline with 2024 front and center.”

A look at MLBTR’s top 50 trade candidates for the summer will reveal a list full of potential options, ranging from breakout White Sox stars to multi-year players in control. Garrett Crochet and experienced righty Eric Feddeto the rockies hurler cal quantile And Austin GomberAnd even raise starters zach eflin And jack littell, While an interdivision trade with Tampa seems somewhat unlikely, the Orioles certainly have the farm system to acquire any player they set their sights on, even aside from Holiday or Mayo. Even without happening.

That said, it’s certainly possible the club could look to acquire a short-term pitching option as well. right handed batsman jack flaherty Is the top rental pitcher on the market this summer and after struggling to a 6.75 ERA with Baltimore last year, it seems like a less than ideal fit, but the hurler likes frankie montas, Michael LorenzenAnd trevor williams May also be available as a pure rental this summer depending on the competitiveness of their respective clubs before the deadline. It would hardly be a surprise to see the Orioles attempt to strengthen the bullpen mix, having recently lost a left-hander. danny coulombe The surgery will keep him out of action until at least September.