5 Baltimore Orioles Players Who Might Be Traded At The Deadline

5 Baltimore Orioles Players Who Might Be Traded At The Deadline

By Ben Linton

July 23, 2015

5 Baltimore Orioles Players Who Might Be Traded At The Deadline

Chris Davis — The Baltimore Orioles will be one of many MLB teams trying to improve at the looming trade deadline. The tricky dilemma for GM Dan Duquette is that Baltimore's farm system is currently thin, meaning that the Orioles may trade pending free agents instead. Let's take a look at five possible trade chips that Baltimore may give up in order to get the players needed for a playoff push.

The Baltimore Orioles will be one of many MLB teams trying to improve at the looming trade deadline. The tricky dilemma for GM Dan Duquette is that Baltimore's farm system is currently thin, meaning that the Orioles may trade pending free agents instead. Let's take a look at five possible trade chips that Baltimore may give up in order to get the players needed for a playoff push.

5. Tommy Hunter

Tommy hunter

5. Tommy Hunter

Tommy Hunter — Hunter was acquired by the Orioles in 2011 from the Texas Rangers and spent time as both a starter and reliever. He struggled during two seasons as a starter before being moved to the bullpen in 2013 where he's been used since, accumulating a 3.26 ERA in three seasons with Baltimore. Hunter is a pending free agent in 2016 and could be used in a package deal to acquire an impact player at the trade deadline.

Hunter was acquired by the Orioles in 2011 from the Texas Rangers and spent time as both a starter and reliever. He struggled during two seasons as a starter before being moved to the bullpen in 2013 where he's been used since, accumulating a 3.26 ERA in three seasons with Baltimore. Hunter is a pending free agent in 2016 and could be used in a package deal to acquire an impact player at the trade deadline.

4. Ryan Flaherty

Ryan Flaherty

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4. Ryan Flaherty

Ryan Flaherty — Flaherty is the Orioles' super utility player, similar to Ben Zobrist of the Oakland A's. He's a weaker hitter than Zobrist with a career .226 average in four seasons, but he's making improvements in nearly every statistical category this season. Flaherty's true value lies in his defensive talent and versatility. He is a superb defender with a .984 career fielding percentage (.995 this year) and has played 2B, SS, 3B, 1B and OF for Baltimore.

Flaherty is the Orioles' super utility player, similar to Ben Zobrist of the Oakland A's. He's a weaker hitter than Zobrist with a career .226 average in four seasons, but he's making improvements in nearly every statistical category this season. Flaherty's true value lies in his defensive talent and versatility. He is a superb defender with a .984 career fielding percentage (.995 this year) and has played 2B, SS, 3B, 1B and OF for Baltimore.

3. Kevin Gausman

Kevin Gausman

3. Kevin Gausman

Kevin Gausman — The Orioles will have a tough decision to make at the deadline regarding whether or not to trade Kevin Gausman. Both of Baltimore's top minor league pitchers are injured, making Gausman the most attractive young pitcher in the organization. He's shown plenty of promise and upside during his short career, including a 3.57 ERA and 7.0 K/9 in 20 starts last season. Trading him away to rent a starting pitcher or outfield would be a huge risk.

The Orioles will have a tough decision to make at the deadline regarding whether or not to trade Kevin Gausman. Both of Baltimore's top minor league pitchers are injured, making Gausman the most attractive young pitcher in the organization. He's shown plenty of promise and upside during his short career, including a 3.57 ERA and 7.0 K/9 in 20 starts last season. Trading him away to rent a starting pitcher or outfield would be a huge risk.

2. Chris Davis

Chris Davis

2. Chris Davis

Baltimore Orioles — Davis will be a free agent after this season, and although GM Dan Duquette said he wouldn't trade him while the Orioles are in contention, anything is possible. He will provide plenty of value on the trade market as a power bat with home run and strikeout potential. Baltimore is unlikely to re-sign him next year, so they could decide to move him while they can. Davis is tied for the team lead with 21 home runs while batting .238 this season.

Davis will be a free agent after this season, and although GM Dan Duquette said he wouldn't trade him while the Orioles are in contention, anything is possible. He will provide plenty of value on the trade market as a power bat with home run and strikeout potential. Baltimore is unlikely to re-sign him next year, so they could decide to move him while they can. Davis is tied for the team lead with 21 home runs while batting .238 this season.

1. Bud Norris

Bud Norris

1. Bud Norris

Bud Norris — Norris is enduring a terrible season after a breakout performance last year, leading the Orioles to put him on the trading block. His 6.71 ERA caused him to lose his starting job and move to the bullpen, where things haven't been much better. It's tough to say that Baltimore could receive value in return for Norris, but someone may take a chance on him. He averaged a 4.06 ERA and 8.1 K/9 from 2011-14 with Houston and Baltimore.

Norris is enduring a terrible season after a breakout performance last year, leading the Orioles to put him on the trading block. His 6.71 ERA caused him to lose his starting job and move to the bullpen, where things haven't been much better. It's tough to say that Baltimore could receive value in return for Norris, but someone may take a chance on him. He averaged a 4.06 ERA and 8.1 K/9 from 2011-14 with Houston and Baltimore.

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