The Baltimore Orioles’ offseason just got a little more complicated.
With Eugenio Suárez landing a one-year, $15 million deal to return to the Cincinnati Reds, the trade market for Ryan Mountcastle may have shrunk significantly. Suárez, fresh off a 49-homer campaign split between Arizona and Seattle, is expected to slot in primarily as Cincinnati’s designated hitter-but his ability to play the corner infield adds even more value.
And for the Orioles, that’s a problem. Because if they were hoping to move Mountcastle this winter, the Reds just crossed themselves off the list.
Let’s break this down.
Mountcastle, 29, is coming off a frustrating 2025 season. He slashed .250/.286/.367 with just seven home runs and 35 RBIs-a far cry from the 33-homer breakout he posted back in 2021.
That kind of power potential hasn’t disappeared, but injuries, including a hamstring issue last season, clearly slowed him down. Still, there’s reason to believe he could bounce back.
He posted a WAR over 2.0 in both 2023 and 2024, and he’s now on a one-year, $6.87 million deal after avoiding arbitration-an affordable number for a team looking to take a flier on a potential middle-of-the-order bat.
But here’s the rub: the Orioles’ roster construction is working against him.
Baltimore made a splash this offseason by signing Pete Alonso in free agency, and that move all but locked down first base. Alonso can also DH when needed, but that role is likely to be shared with top prospect Samuel Basallo, who’s expected to get plenty of at-bats in that spot. That leaves Mountcastle squeezed out of his natural positions.
Could he shift to a corner outfield role? In theory, yes-but even there, playing time would be hard to come by.
The Orioles are stacked with young, athletic outfielders, and Mountcastle’s defensive profile doesn’t exactly scream everyday outfielder. So if he’s not starting at first and not serving as the DH, the most logical path forward is a trade.
The challenge now is finding a partner.
With the Reds out of the picture, Baltimore has one less potential suitor for a right-handed bat who profiles as a first base/DH type. Mountcastle’s value isn’t sky-high after a down year, but he’s still a player with pop, a manageable contract, and a track record of production. That’s not nothing.
One team to keep an eye on? The San Diego Padres.
After Luis Arraez signed with the Giants, the Padres are left with a hole at first base and could use an offensive boost. Mountcastle could fit that need, especially if they’re looking for a cost-effective bat with upside.
The Orioles aren’t in a desperate spot-they’ve got depth, and Mountcastle could still be useful insurance if injuries strike. But with Alonso and Basallo expected to eat up most of the at-bats at his usual positions, it’s hard to see a clear path for Mountcastle to get regular playing time in Baltimore. If the front office wants to extract value before his contract year plays out, the clock is ticking.
Suárez’s deal with the Reds didn’t just take one name off the board-it may have forced the Orioles to rethink their options entirely.