Winning at the highest level isn’t just about talent—it’s about making the tough calls. That’s exactly the situation the Baltimore Orioles find themselves in as they enter the 2025 season stacked with young, promising players. The problem? Too much talent and not enough spots. That means someone might have to go. And right now, their starting first baseman—who’s solid but also in a crowded position group. With a $6.78 million salary this year and trade buzz growing, it’s fair to wonder: Is his time in Baltimore running out?
This roster puzzle is most evident at first base and the designated hitter position. Right now, Ryan Mountcastle is the established right-handed hitter for the Orioles. They also signed Ryan O’Hearn, whose left-handed bat had a lot of breakout potential in recent seasons. Then there’s Coby Mayo—a top-tier prospect with a powerful bat and a bright future. Many believe Mayo is best suited for first base in the long run. With 3 players vying for the same spots, the Orioles’ front office has a major decision to make.
Due to this crowded situation, serious trade talk has begun to swirl. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, as reported by MLB Trade Rumors, the Orioles have let other teams know that they are open to offers for Ryan Mountcastle. Although reports indicate a trade isn’t imminent, the fact that Baltimore is even open to listening means they might be planning a significant roster shake-up surrounding their starting first baseman.
Orioles Reportedly Open To Offers On Ryan Mountcastle https://t.co/ne7K6ZH3vZ pic.twitter.com/ECo7ZDi4I3
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) March 30, 2025
Why would the Orioles move on from Mountcastle? Simple—his production, while solid, isn’t irreplaceable. Since the start of 2022, he’s hit .262/.312/.431. Compare that to Ryan O’Hearn, who has quietly outperformed him since his 2023 resurgence (.276/.329/.449). Then there’s Coby Mayo, who crushed Triple-A pitching last season with a .276/.373/.536 line, making a strong case for a promotion. Since Mayo is also a right-handed hitter, the Orioles may see him as a younger, higher-upside alternative to Mountcastle—especially since O’Hearn balances things out from the left side. With these factors in mind, trading Mountcastle could be more about optimizing the roster than just shedding salary.
Orioles’ offseason moves hint at a bigger plan
Here comes the climax! The Orioles’ front office has been busy reshaping the team. They recently added pitcher Cody Poteet and free-agent veterans such as pitchers Kyle Gibson, Andrew Kittredge, and Charlie Morton this past offseason. They added hitters Tyler O’Neill and Gary Sánchez, too. These moves represent General Manager Mike Elias’ proactive reshaping of the roster, which may involve trading from areas of depth, like first base.
Orioles leaders haven’t openly acknowledged they plan to trade Mountcastle, but their words uncover the pressure mounting from the depth in their infield. GM Mike Elias said way back in July 2024 that Coby Mayo was already “very close” to being a major leaguer. Elias echoed that complexity, saying, “We are very careful to not let somebody who’s playing as well as he is in Triple-A stay there too much longer,” but added “a player’s got to fit” the big-league roster. These comments directly underscore the challenge of including Mayo and the hard decisions to come.
But don’t count Mountcastle out of Baltimore just yet. He demonstrated his strength this spring, including a two-homer game against the Blue Jays. He was recently described by the analyst Carlos Peña as a “steady force” for the team, and over the last year, Mountcastle made significant strides with his glove, even earning consideration as a Gold Glove finalist. Considering his reasonable $6.78 million salary for 2025 and team control through 2026, the Orioles still have good reasons to keep him.
If the Orioles choose to trade him, Mountcastle’s right-handed power should draw interest from a number of teams. Teams such as the Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, and San Diego Padres could consider him a potential upgrade to improve their offense or fill a hole at first base. The trade buzz surrounding the $6.78 million first baseman is indeed getting louder. Where might Ryan Mountcastle end up if Baltimore makes this bold move?
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