Report: Orioles exploring trades for Mountcastle, Mayo
The Baltimore Orioles' offseason makeover might not be over yet.
Baltimore's been one of the most active teams this winter and is still exploring trades for first baseman Ryan Mountcastle and infielder Coby Mayo, a source told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Mountcastle's spent his entire six-year career with the Orioles, though he's now without an everyday role after the club signed first baseman Pete Alonso. The 28-year-old hit a career-high 33 home runs in 2021, but has seen his power numbers decline in every season since. Mouncastle was limited to 89 games last season due to a hamstring strain. When he was in the lineup, he slashed .250/.286/.367 with seven home runs, 18 doubles, and a 27.5 K%.
Mountcastle's last 5 seasons
| Year | GP | HR | OPS | K% | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 144 | 33 | .796 | 27.5 | 0.8 |
| 2022 | 145 | 22 | .729 | 25.3 | 1.7 |
| 2023 | 115 | 18 | .779 | 22.8 | 1.6 |
| 2024 | 124 | 13 | .733 | 22.5 | 1.4 |
| 2025 | 89 | 7 | .653 | 27.5 | -0.4 |
The Orioles avoided arbitration with Mouncastle last month. He's owed $6.8 million in 2026 and has a $7.5-million team option for 2027. Potentially complicating Mouncastle's trade market is the fact that Rhys Hoskins remains unsigned. The 32-year-old is coming off a season in which he hit .237/.332/.416 with 12 home runs in 90 games.
There's likely going to be more of a market for Mayo. MLB's No. 30 prospect in 2024, Mayo's found his path to the majors blocked in Baltimore with Jordan Westburg and Alonso occupying corner infield spots. Mayo put up a .964 OPS in 93 games in the minors in 2024, but has struggled in the majors so far. He slashed .217/.299/.388 with 11 home runs and 84 strikeouts in 85 games last season with Baltimore while receiving the bulk of playing time at first base.
Mayo, who will earn close to the league minimum in 2026, is not projected to become arbitration eligible until 2028.
Baltimore would likely need to move only one of the two, though they don't necessarily need to trade either before Opening Day. Mayo's versatility makes him an easier fit on the roster, though he's eligible to still be optioned to the minors, where Mountcasle isn't.