Question: With having the number 37 pick now after the Bryan Baker trade, do you expect our draft strategy to change at all with our current picks at 19, 30, and 31? From: Matthew Bagrowski
Answer: Matt, I think it increases the odds that at least one of those high picks will be a pitcher. I’ve long felt the Orioles should try to draft pitchers higher than they do, and I would be surprised if one or two of those four picks aren’t pitchers.
Question: It seems to me the Orioles should stand pat at the deadline. With minimal chances to crawl into playoff contention, the team still has the potential for a strong 2026 with the expectation that the rotation will improve with Grayson Rodriguez, Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells. So why ship out guys like Ryan O’Hearn, Ramón Laureano and others at the risk of weakening next season’s team.
I realize some like Cedric Mullins might leave for free agency, but the future looks brighter for next year by hanging on to our current key players. Disagree? From: Michael Janofsky
Answer: Michael wrote this before the Bryan Baker trade, and I think it will be the first of many. I will be very surprised if O’Hearn and Seranthony Domínguez aren’t traded. I think they along with Mullins have the most value to a contender.
O’Hearn will be a free agent after this season, and while the Orioles could hang on to him, hoping that increases the chance he re-signs here, I think that’s unlikely.
The next few weeks will be busy, and I think fans who think they’ll stand pat will be disappointed.
Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.