As Spring Training gets underway, the Baltimore Orioles aren’t done tinkering. According to reports, the club is actively exploring trade possibilities involving corner infielders Coby Mayo and Ryan Mountcastle-a sign that roster flexibility and long-term planning remain top priorities in Baltimore.
The news comes on the heels of Jackson Holliday undergoing hamate surgery, which is expected to delay his season debut. That injury could open the door for the Orioles to temporarily shift Jordan Westburg over to second base and slot Mayo in at third-his natural position and where he’s logged most of his professional reps.
But there’s a catch: Mayo’s defense at the hot corner has been a concern. That’s part of why the Orioles had already started experimenting with him at first base and designated hitter, where his bat could shine without the defensive liability.
Still, even with Holliday sidelined, there’s a roster crunch brewing. Pete Alonso is locked in at first base.
Taylor Ward appears to have left field covered. And the club reportedly wants to keep Samuel Basallo in the DH mix when he’s not catching behind Adley Rutschman.
That leaves limited room for both Mayo and Mountcastle to get consistent at-bats, especially if Mayo can’t stick at third defensively.
Coby Mayo, at just 24 years old, offers the kind of upside that front offices drool over. A former top prospect, he’s still pre-arbitration and under team control for six more seasons.
While he hasn’t fully broken through at the big league level yet, there’s plenty of reason for optimism. He posted a 95 wRC+ across 85 games last season, and that number jumped to 109 after the All-Star break-an encouraging trend.
For teams looking to add controllable right-handed power at a corner spot, Mayo is the kind of piece that could headline a significant deal. The Orioles know that too, which means they won’t be parting with him lightly.
Mountcastle, on the other hand, is in a different phase of his career-and his trade value reflects that. The 29-year-old is coming off a tough 2025 season, one marred by injuries and diminished production.
He managed just an 81 wRC+ in 89 games, a far cry from his career line of .265/.316/.450 entering last year. He avoided the non-tender this offseason and is now playing on a one-year, $6.787 million deal, with a $7.5 million club option for 2027.
That option could be appealing to a team willing to bet on a bounce-back, but Mountcastle’s value is still limited. He was a below-replacement-level player last season, and with first base options like Ty France and Rhys Hoskins still available on the open market, it’s unlikely that a team would give up meaningful trade capital to acquire him.
That said, there’s always a market for power bats-especially for clubs looking to fill short-term holes or take a flyer on a reclamation project. Teams like the Guardians, Rangers, or Cubs could see Mountcastle as a depth addition at first base or DH. Meanwhile, rebuilding squads like the Nationals, Rockies, or White Sox might be more willing to give him regular at-bats in hopes of rebuilding his value and flipping him later.
As for Mayo, his potential fits are broader-and more intriguing. Teams with longer-term needs at third base or a desire to add controllable power could come calling. The Yankees, Red Sox, Pirates, and Marlins all make sense on paper, especially if they believe Mayo can continue developing defensively at third.
The Orioles are in a good spot here. They’ve built a deep, talented roster with a surplus of young infielders, and they’re now in a position to leverage that depth. Whether that means dealing from it now or holding onto their assets until the trade deadline, Baltimore has options-and that’s exactly where a contending team wants to be.