Orioles urged to trade away first-time All-Star to make room for No. 1 prospect

The Baltimore Orioles were swept by the Kansas City Royals in the American League Wild Card Series. They could look to move some of their young pieces while the value is high this offseason.

While proposing unpopular trade ideas for each team, Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer urged the Orioles to trade Jordan Westburg this winter.

"The expression "good problem to have" comes to mind, but it's nonetheless fair to raise the point that the Orioles have more young hitters than they're going to have at-bats for," wrote Rymer. "Should they seek to subtract from this surplus, Westburg is a sensible selection on multiple fronts."

Westburg was an All-Star in 2023 for the first time in his young career. However, he plays the same position as the Orioles' top prospect Coby Mayo. Mayo made his debut last season and is three years younger than Westburg.

"For starters, the 25-year-old's value is up after an All-Star season," Rymer wrote of reasons to trade Westburg. "There's also how his right-handed swing suffers a power penalty at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, where the left field wall is miles away from home plate."

The Orioles could move Westburg to another position in the infield, but the Orioles simply have too many young talents. Westburg, like all right-handers is hindered by the deep left field wall in Baltimore. Mayo is also a right-hander but brings more power than Westburg.

"The expression 'good problem to have' comes to mind, but it's nonetheless fair to raise the point that the Orioles have more young hitters than they're going to have at-bats for," wrote Rymer.

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