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13 hours ago
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The direction the Baltimore Orioles take at the trade deadline is undecided.
There are two weeks until president of baseball operations Mike Elias has to make a decision.
His team is just two games back of the third and final AL Wild Card spot. Unless the O's unravel in the next two weeks, they should go for it.
If Baltimore does drop in the standings over the next 14 days, an impending free agent outfielder is an ideal trade chip.
"[Taylor] Ward was acquired during the offseason with the hope of adding an impact bat to the lineup. After hitting 36 home runs with 103 RBIs for the Angels in 2025, Ward’s production has fallen off this season; he has only seven home runs and 27 RBIs in 98 games, though his league-leading 77 walks have helped him post a career-high .386 on-base percentage," MLB.com's Mark Feinsand wrote.
Ward would likely be a popular name at the deadline if made available.
There's a shortage of right-handed hitting outfielders in the Majors who are consistent at the plate.
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"Ward is owed roughly $4 million over the rest of the season as he heads for free agency, a very reasonable figure for a player who has shown he can be a difference-maker," Feinsand added.
Perhaps the Philadelphia Phillies would target the 32-year-old veteran, since Byron Buxton is more than likely not accepting a trade away from the Minnesota Twins.
Otherwise, Ward should be a key contributor down the stretch for the Orioles. The power has diminished, but Ward's on-base skills are key for a postseason club.
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