The Baltimore Orioles traded Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels just over a week ago, getting Taylor Ward back in a move that’s got fans scratching their heads.
Here’s the thing that doesn’t add up at first glance: Baltimore already needed pitching help, and they just dealt away a guy who could’ve been a frontline starter. Ward’s only under contract through 2026, so they might be getting a rental for someone with more long-term upside.
But the front office clearly had concerns about Rodriguez’s durability. The guy’s been banged up plenty, and maybe they decided his health wasn’t something they could count on moving forward.
What they did get is right-handed power, which was definitely a need. Ward can hit, and Baltimore’s betting that fills a bigger hole than Rodriguez would’ve as a starter.
The Offensive Plan Moving Forward
Sounds like the Orioles might be done making moves on the offensive side. Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter thinks the Ward trade was their big splash for the lineup.
“The Orioles might have already made their big offensive splash when they acquired slugger Taylor Ward from the Angels in exchange for oft-injured starter Grayson Rodriguez.”
Reuter’s projecting this as their Opening Day lineup:
- 2B Jackson Holliday
- C Adley Rutschman
- SS Gunnar Henderson
- LF Taylor Ward
- 3B Jordan Westburg
- CF Colton Cowser
- RF Tyler O’Neill
- DH Samuel Basallo
- 1B Coby Mayo
Ward slots in perfectly at the four spot, giving them that middle-of-the-order thump they were missing. The really interesting part is seeing both Coby Mayo and Samuel Basallo penciled in as everyday players.
That doesn’t mean Ryan Mountcastle is out of the picture entirely. They tendered him a contract, so he’ll be around as depth and could easily find his way back into the first base mix depending on how Mayo develops.
Where The Real Action Will Be
The way I see it, Baltimore’s saving their moves for the pitching market. They’re gonna need to be aggressive there because right now they’re looking at Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish as their top two starters.
That’s not gonna cut it if they want to compete in the AL East. They need at least one more frontline guy, maybe two, to give themselves a real shot.
So while the Rodriguez trade might look questionable on the surface, it makes more sense if you view it as Baltimore clearing salary and roster space to make a bigger push for established starting pitching. They’re betting they can find more reliable arms on the market than hoping Rodriguez stays healthy.
All things considered, it’s a calculated risk that could pay off if they use the flexibility to land the right starter.
