Orioles Have Discussed Jackson Holliday, Colton Cowser In Trade Talks
The Orioles’ commerce deadline course continues to be up within the air with lower than every week to go. Baltimore sits on a disappointing 52-55 document, burying them 11 video games behind the division-leading Rays however leaving them simply two video games out within the AL Wild Card chase. They’re going through a equally disappointing Tigers membership proper now earlier than internet hosting the 57-50 Phillies for his or her closing three pre-deadline video games.
Baltimore might transfer leases like Taylor Ward and Trevor Rogers in the event that they slide additional down the standings, or they might string collectively just a few wins and make some modest additions to bolster these Wild Card hopes. Given their place within the standings and broader organizational outlook, it is unlikely they will be outstanding sellers. It appears they’re laying groundwork for numerous completely different potential talks, nevertheless; ESPN’s Jeff Passan experiences (video linkparticularly across the 24:55 mark) that they’ve talked with different golf equipment about second baseman Jackson Hollidayoutfielder Colton Cowser and catcher Adley Rutschman. The latter is now on the injured checklist alongside Samuel Basallo. Both catchers being banged up makes it more durable to see the O’s transferring on from Rutschman, who’s managed by way of 2027. An offseason deal — if Rutschman is traded in any respect — feels extra reasonable.
Holliday could be a very intriguing commerce candidate, though in all probability discussions surrounding him are merely a matter of due diligence. The 22-year-old was the No. 1 general draft decide in 2022 and was the No. 1 prospect in baseball previous to his massive league debut. He hasn’t but lived as much as that lofty prospect billing, however Holliday will not flip 23 till the offseason and is having fun with career-best output on the plate. In 55 video games and 178 plate appearances, he is hitting .243/.354/.392 with a career-high 15.2% stroll charge.
It’s not probably the most formidable batting line you may see, however Holliday’s season started with a prolonged absence because of a hamate fracture he suffered in spring coaching. Some setbacks alongside the best way delayed his season debut into mid-May. Holliday hit decently at first earlier than struggling for many of June. Hamate fractures can typically have lingering influence on a hitter’s efficiency, however Holliday has seemed a lot better of late. Over the previous three weeks, he is taken 50 plate appearances and was a ridiculous .410/.520/.487 slash with extra walks (10) than strikeouts (8). He’s not going to maintain that tempo, in fact, however Holliday is clearly seeing the ball properly. His chase charge on pitches outdoors the strike zone throughout this blistering stretch is a paltry 16.3%.
The Orioles management Holliday for 4 years past the present season. He’s but to succeed in the ceiling forecast for him previous to his massive league debut, however the asking worth would absolutely nonetheless be fairly excessive given his upside and remaining management. Clubs in want of assist at a number of infield spots might nonetheless attempt to make a push, however the O’s would not really feel pressured to conform to something shy of a major return. Holliday has performed primarily second base as an Oriole however has expertise at each shortstop and third base. Moving him now could be promoting low, but when a group is keen to pay for that upside within the type of some controllable beginning pitching, maybe the O’s would not less than think about it. They have Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz and Dean Kremer signed/managed past the present season however little certainty in any other case, and Kremer is managed solely by way of 2027.
The O’s haven’t got an apparent successor at second base in the event that they surprisingly choose to maneuver Holliday. Jeremiah Jackson‘s BABIP-driven 2025 exhibiting has given option to a bleak .248/.268/.393 slash in a bigger pattern this yr. Baltimore’s system is not particularly deep in infielders — not less than not within the higher minors. If the O’s are satisfied that Coby Mayo can deal with third base, then shifting Jordan Westburg to second base subsequent yr may make some sense, speculatively talking. (Certainly, the throws from second could be simpler on his surgically repaired proper elbow than the throws from his customary sizzling nook.) Utilityman Blaze Alexander might combine in, and there may even be a number of choices out there in free company (eg Luis Arraez, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Gleyber Torres, Brandon Lowe).
Cowser makes for a extra pure commerce risk. Baltimore can management him three extra years, by way of 2029, however he is had a mixed-bag tenure within the bigs. Back in 2024, Cowser seemed like a constructing block, hitting .242/.321/.447 with 24 homers and 9 steals whereas enjoying plus left area protection (along with briefer stints in heart area and proper area). That yr’s 30.4% strikeout charge was a pink flag, nevertheless, and in 2025 Cowser’s questionable hit software reached a breaking level. He fanned simply shy of 36% of his plate appearances whereas batting solely .196/.269/.385.
The 2026 season hasn’t been a lot kinder. Cowser fought in April, caught fireplace in May, and has now seen his offense wilt as soon as once more. He’s hitting .207/.315/.332 general however simply .156/.303/.222 in his previous 109 journeys to the plate. Cowser has performed primarily heart area this season and graded properly there (4 Defensive Runs Saved, 4 Outs Above Average) after posting lesser marks in earlier seasons.
A superb portion of Cowser’s struggles on the plate within the majors have come towards lefties. He’s not an ideal hitter versus right-handers, granted, however his .219/.312/.402 batting line (103 wRC+) is serviceable. Against southpaws, he is mustered solely a .200/.270/.349 line. Whether in Baltimore or elsewhere, he is finest deployed with in a platoon setting.
Still simply 26 years outdated, Cowser is a former No. 5 general decide and prime prospect. He hasn’t reached stardom and even cemented himself as an everyday. As with Holliday although, one other membership might nonetheless place a wager in the event that they really feel there’s some untapped upside. He has above common pace and a plus arm. Statcast has usually touted its plus vary.
The Orioles aren’t deep in ready-made replacements, however they’ve gotten common offense out of Dylan Beavers in a restricted pattern and have prospects like Nate George, Ike Irish and Enrique Bradfield Jr. climbing the system. Reed Trimble is a bit outdated (26) to be a real prospect however is already on the 40-man roster and near massive league prepared. The O’s might attempt to re-sign Ward (an impending free agent and a commerce candidate if issues go south over the subsequent week), and free company may even embody names like Randy Arozarena, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Trent Grisham, Daulton Varsho and Jake Bauers.
Talks this time of yr are each expansive and plentiful. The Orioles discussing greater strikes like probably dealing Holliday or Cowser actually doesn’t equate to both participant being shopped. At the identical time, it is also truthful to say that Baltimore’s ballyhooed core of younger gamers from a number of years in the past hasn’t panned out in addition to anticipated. Players like Holliday, Cowser, Mayo and Beavers have proven glimpses of breaking out however have not finished so in full. Westburg is a strong common however has incessantly been injured. Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson have performed like stars at occasions and “merely” high quality regulars at others. The O’s have held onto another touted prospects (eg Heston Kjerstad, Cade Povich) and easily not acquired a lot in the best way of main league contributions.
Whether the entrance workplace thinks this group can nonetheless perceive the core of a contending membership or feels that some bigger-picture modifications are crucial will develop into clearer over time. For now, the Orioles are doing what a group caught in the midst of a mediocre AL playoff race ought to do: discover choices on each ends of the purchase/promote spectrum to put the groundwork not just for theoretical deadline offers — but in addition some potential offseason dealings if it is decided that broader modifications are crucial.
