JUST NOW: Two Orioles have been used as trade chips to bring in Corbin Burnes’ replacement

With the MLB offseason progressing, it’s becoming evident that if the Baltimore Orioles want to address the gap at the top of their rotation left by Corbin Burnes, they’ll likely need to explore trade options.

The longer Burnes stays on the market, the more optimistic I feel about the possibility of his return to Birdland. However, if he lands on the West Coast as many predict, the Orioles will need to rely on the trade market to secure a frontline starter. Despite parting with several top prospects at the 2024 trade deadline, Baltimore still boasts a deep and highly talented farm system, capable of facilitating a trade for any elite pitcher they target.

That said, Mike Elias has shown reluctance to part with his top-tier prospects, a cautious approach shared by many MLB general managers today. Fortunately, the Orioles’ farm system is particularly strong at a few positions, providing ample resources for potential trades without significantly depleting their pipeline.

Here are two Orioles prospects who should be “untouchable” this offseason, and two who shouldn’t be

Catching prospect Samuel Basallo stands out as an intriguing trade chip or future asset for the Orioles. The 19-year-old impressed in 2024, belting 16 home runs with an .820 OPS and a stellar 134 wRC+ in Double-A before earning a promotion to Triple-A. While his brief stint in Norfolk yielded modest results, the promotion itself at such a young age was a significant milestone. Notably, all 532 of his plate appearances in 2024 came against older pitchers, underscoring his advanced skill set for his age.

Defensively, Basallo’s improvement has been described as “cerebral,” with the organization reportedly thrilled with his progress behind the plate. However, with Adley Rutschman entrenched as the Orioles’ catcher, Basallo may spend more time at first base, where his athleticism has been impressive. Ultimately, Basallo’s true value lies in his bat. Veteran MLB player Niko Goodrum, who was a teammate in Norfolk, compared Basallo to a young Yordan Alvarez—a striking compliment given Goodrum’s experience playing alongside Alvarez in Houston.

Another name to watch is Enrique Bradfield Jr., an outfielder whose speed and elite defense make him a key asset for the Orioles’ future. While many might consider infielder Coby Mayo the next untouchable prospect, Bradfield offers a unique blend of tools. His defense and base-stealing ability are already MLB-ready, positioning him as a potential playoff contributor if Jorge Mateo departs. Additionally, with Cedric Mullins‘ future in Baltimore uncertain, Bradfield could seamlessly step into the role of a dynamic center fielder.

Offensively, Bradfield’s bat still has room to grow, but he showed significant improvement after recovering from a concussion during his High-A stint in 2024. If he can develop into a league-average hitter, his defense and speed alone could make him an All-Star-caliber player.

Bradfield finished the season with 27 Double-A games, hitting.287 with a 133 wRC+, a 12.5% walk rate, and an 11.7% strikeout rate. His swing choices in the closing moments and the quality of his contact wowed the organization.

Bradfield is currently “untouchable” since the Orioles don’t need to let go of him this offseason, even though he might be traded or challenged in the future by a Vance Honeycutt, Jud Fabian, Dylan Beavers, or Austin Overn breakthrough. If a transaction is made now, they might also be selling low on Bradfield because he still has more improvement left in his bat.

Based on the Orioles’ current offseason landscape, it’s clear that addressing the void in their rotation left by Corbin Burnes will likely require a trade. While Burnes remains on the market, a return to Baltimore feels less likely as speculation points to him heading to the West Coast. If that happens, the Orioles will need to turn to their farm system, one of the deepest in baseball, to acquire a top-of-the-rotation arm. Despite trading several prospects at the 2024 deadline, Baltimore still has a wealth of talent to leverage without significantly depleting their pipeline.

Mike Elias, like many GMs today, is cautious about trading top-tier prospects. However, the Orioles’ depth at certain positions offers flexibility to make a significant move. Let’s explore two prospects who should be considered untouchable this offseason, along with two who might serve as valuable trade chips.

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Untouchable Prospects

 

Samuel Basallo

The 19-year-old catcher showed remarkable potential in 2024, slugging 16 home runs with an .820 OPS and a 134 wRC+ in Double-A. His late-season promotion to Triple-A, even with modest numbers in a small sample, marked a significant milestone. Notably, all 532 of his plate appearances came against older pitchers, emphasizing his advanced development.

Basallo’s defensive growth has been described as “cerebral,” and the Orioles are thrilled with his progress. With Adley Rutschman anchoring the major league catching position, Basallo has also seen time at first base, where he’s demonstrated surprising athleticism. Offensively, his bat is his greatest asset. MLB veteran Niko Goodrum, who played alongside Basallo, compared him to a young Yordan Alvarez, underscoring his immense potential.

Enrique Bradfield Jr.

While infielder Coby Mayo might seem like the more obvious choice, Bradfield’s unique skill set makes him indispensable for now. His elite defense and speed are already MLB-ready, offering significant value in playoff scenarios or as a future replacement for Cedric Mullins. Bradfield’s offensive game made strides in 2024, especially after recovering from a concussion during his High-A stint.

In Double-A, Bradfield hit .287 with a 133 wRC+, a 12.5% walk rate, and an 11.7% strikeout rate over 27 games, impressing the organization with his swing decisions and quality of contact. His ceiling as an All-Star-caliber player depends on developing a league-average bat, but his current tools make him too valuable to move this offseason. Trading him now could mean selling low, which the Orioles should avoid.

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Potential Trade Chips

Dylan Beavers

Beavers, a highly regarded outfield prospect, has shown promise but lacks the defensive polish and speed of Bradfield. While his power and offensive upside are appealing, the Orioles’ depth in outfield prospects could make him expendable in the right deal.

Jud Fabian

Fabian brings a mix of power and defensive skill but has a more limited ceiling compared to the Orioles’ top prospects. With other players like Bradfield and Vance Honeycutt ahead of him in the pecking order, Fabian represents a strong trade piece without significantly impacting the organization’s future.

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The Orioles have the talent to land a top-tier arm without parting with their crown jewels like Basallo or Bradfield. By leveraging their depth, Baltimore can strengthen their rotation while maintaining a bright future.