Orioles Predicted To Trade 26-Year-Old Star Outfielder This Season

The Baltimore Orioles desperately need to bring in a starting pitcher to replace their former ace, Corbin Burnes, who signed a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks this offseason.

Baltimore added Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano this offseason, but neither of these two will replace Burnes. The Orioles will also be without Grayson Rodriguez and Trevor Rogers to begin the season as well.

CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa recently made the bold prediction that the Orioles would trade former top prospect Heston Kjerstad in a trade to acquire a pitcher this season.

“GM Mike Elias doesn’t seem to like trading his top prospects (who does?), though it kind of feels like Kjerstad is more useful to the Orioles as a trade chip than as a bench guy,” Axisa wrote. ”

So, for this bold prediction, I say Elias will give in and trade Kjerstad for a starting pitcher this summer, specifically one with control beyond 2024. Who that is, I do not know, but there are a few guys in South Florida who would make sense.”

This prediction makes a lot of sense. If the Orioles end up chasing an ace like Sandy Alcántara or Dylan Cease on the trade market,

Kjerstad would likely be the beginning of a huge trade. While he might not have a clear path to playing time in Baltimore, it’s important to note that Kjerstad is still just 26 years old and he packs a lot of talent. The outfielder has some of the best raw power in Baltimore’s entire organization.

Michael King Predicted to Sign $182 Million Deal With AL Contender

Michael King continues to be floated around as a starting pitcher who could be on the move. Former general manager Jim Bowden brought up his name once again as one of his predictions for the 2025 season (subscription required). He believes King will sign with the Baltimore Orioles next offseason on a five-year, $182 million deal. King posted a 2.95 ERA with the San Diego Padres in 2024 in his first full season as a starting pitcher with 201 strikeouts and 65 walks. The Orioles

would not necessarily need to acquire King via trade, but it’s more likely that would be the method of choice. He’s currently under control through the 2026 season. However, he has a mutual option for 2026 that could be avoided with a $3.75 million buyout. If the Padres do move on from King at the deadline, it would be because they have no chance at a playoff run in 2025. At that point, the organization would likely offload more talent heading into 2026. If the team is pushing for a wildcard spot, King may not be dealt until the offseason. Jake Rill of MLB.com posted his Orioles rotation projection on Sunday, and this is currently how the rotation looks.

Zach Eflin Dean Kremer Charlie Morton Tomoyuki Sagano Cade Povich Grayson Rodriguez** — Starting Season on Injured List When Rodriguez returns from injury, Povich is the likely corresponding move to be optioned to Triple-A. As long as Sagano performs well and Morton continues to throw strikes, acquiring King during the season would likely send Kremer to the bullpen. King would be a huge upgrade to the rotation for the Orioles. If the team is pushing for a wildcard spot this year, or even the AL East title, going out and acquiring him should be a no-brainer.

Orioles Trade Proposal Swaps Former No. 2 Pick for Cy Young Winner

Former top outfield prospect Heston Kjerstad figured to be a significant part of the Baltimore Orioles’ long-term plans when the team drafted him second overall in 2020. Kjerstad could still help the Orioles win their first title in over 40 years. He may just be wearing a Miami Marlins uniform when that time comes. CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa revealed 30 predictions, one for each team, earlier this week. Axisa said he believes the Orioles will eventually trade Kjerstad, who turned 26 last month and lacks a clear path to playing time. The Orioles can’t hold onto Kjerstad forever, and there’ll likely be at least one team out there willing to bite on a former No. 2 pick. Therefore, Axisa predicted the Orioles would deal Kjerstad for a starting pitcher this summer. “Who that is, I do not know,” Axisa wrote, “but there are a few guys in South Florida who would make sense.”

A starting pitcher based in South Florida? That certainly sounds a lot like Marlins ace and 2022 NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcántara.

To be clear, Axisa never specifically named Alcántara. It’s entirely possible he instead alluded to Edward Cabrera, who owns a 4.32 ERA over 63 games (61 starts) in four seasons. However, Axisa noted he thinks the Orioles should target a starter with team control, and Alcántara is under contract through 2027. Plus, Alcántara makes far more sense for an Orioles team seeking its first playoff victory since 2014. On its own, a Kjerstad-for-Alcántara swap likely won’t work. The Marlins are amid their latest rebuild, and the 29-year-old Alcántara is easily their best trade chip. We’d expect Baltimore to add another notable prospect or two, especially if Alcántara-who missed all of last season following Tommy John surgery-resembles his 2022 form before the trade deadline.

Sandy Alcántara, 100mph Challenge Paint. Sandy’s arm & eyes are in Mid-Season form. pic.twitter.com/FzO6Qa19J3 — Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) February 28, 2025 The Orioles are currently without their ace after Grayson Rodriguez suffered a triceps injury earlier this month.

As for Kjerstad, we imagine he’d almost immediately join the Marlins’ starting lineup. Miami lacks impact hitters, and Kjerstad, who tallied a .248 average, six homers, and a .745 OPS over his first 52 big-league games, deserves an opportunity to prove himself. Besides, who says Kjerstad can’t still win a title with the Orioles? Maybe the Marlins could trade him back to Baltimore during their next rebuild. Related: Diamondbacks Make Unexpected Decision on Beloved Former Orioles Star