Baltimore Swiped a Player Cincinnati Wanted, but the Move Unexpectedly Created a Fresh Trade Opportunity .MH
When one door closes, another door opens.
Taylor Ward was one of the most prominent names on the trade market as a rental outfielder with a strong pedigree and power-hitting profile. The Cincinnati Reds were often mentioned as one of the most obvious suitors for his services. Then, the Baltimore Orioles came in and messed everything up, acquiring Ward for former top pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez.
Ignoring for a moment the hilarious overpay that the Orioles executed to bring in yet another veteran, right-handed hitting outfielder — one year after handing Tyler O’Neil a three-year, $49.5 million contract — it should be mentioned that the Reds just lost an obvious trade target for their outfield and power-hitting needs, shrinking an already-thin market considerably.
Taylor Ward’s presence makes Orioles an obvious trade fit with Reds
Part of what makes the Orioles’ trade so stunning is that, more than anything, they need pitching. Rodriguez was a giant question mark after undergoing right elbow debridement surgery and missing the entire 2025 campaign, but his upside was as great as any pitcher’s in baseball a few years ago.
Baltimore’s need is now exacerbated with Rodriguez out the door, and assuming their usually-frugal habits don’t suddenly change on the cusp of a league-wide lockout in 2027, they’ll probably have to fill that hole with more trades.
And, wouldn’t you know it, the Reds are actually a perfect trade partner with the O’s. After acquiring, the Orioles still have seven other outfielders on their 40-man roster. A few of those players won’t be of much interest to the Reds. O’Neill has the power Cincinnati’s looking for, but he’s coming off an injury-plagued campaign and has two years and $33 million remaining on his contract. Likewise, Leodys Taveras doesn’t have the bat to appeal.
That still leaves a host of young, cost-controlled outfielders with versatility and hitting ability in their profiles. Colton Cowser is an excellent defender who posted a 119 wRC+ in 2024, though he ran an ugly 35.6% strikeout rate this year. Rookie Dylan Beavers has long crushed minor-league pitching, but he could be tough to pry away. Ditto for super-utility star Jeremiah Jackson.
Even eliminating those players from the mix reveals Heston Kjerstad and Reed Trimble, two young players with impressive pedigrees have nowhere to play in Baltimore right now.
Pick one (or even multiple) of those guys, and you can easily build a Reds trade package return. Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Andrew Abbott are probably off the table, but the Orioles would pay through the nose for Brady Singer. Regardless of the final form such a deal takes, it’s clear both sides have what the other needs. Missing out on Ward hurts, but it could open the door for something even better.
