MLB Rumors: Orioles 'Intently Exploring' Trade Market for Bullpen Help, Outfielder

Amid their battle with the New York Yankees for American League East supremacy, the Baltimore Orioles are reportedly making plans for the July 30 MLB trade deadline.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Orioles are "intently exploring" the trade market for bullpen help and could be in the market for a right-handed hitting outfielder as well.

Rosenthal added that Orioles general manager Mike Elias has told opposing teams he could also be interested in acquiring a starting pitcher, although that may not happen unless further injuries strike Baltimore's rotation.

After going 101-61 last season and winning the AL East for the first time since 2014, the Orioles are off to a 44-22 start this season, placing them 2.5 games behind the Yankees for the AL East lead.

While the Orioles are a solid fourth in Major League Baseball with a bullpen ERA of 3.24 this season, they would undoubtedly benefit from another solid reliever.

Félix Bautista, who was the Orioles' closer last season and was in the Cy Young Award mix before getting injured, will not pitch this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Baltimore brought in 36-year-old veteran Craig Kimbrel to replace him as closer, and he has performed admirably, posting a 2.70 ERA and converting 15 out of a possible 18 saves.

Jacob Webb and Yennier Canó have also shown the ability to get the job done in late-game situations with 1.76 and 2.37 ERAs, respectively.

Baltimore's biggest bullpen need may be a lefty, as top southpaw Danny Coulombe was placed on the injured list Tuesday with elbow inflammation.

Offensively, the likes of Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Jordan Westburg, Ryan Mountcastle and Ryan O'Hearn are enjoying strong years, but Baltimore's outfield production has been lacking.

One-time All-Star Cedric Mullins is having a miserable year with a .174 batting average, 24-year-old Colton Cowser is hitting just .230, Anthony Santander is second on the team with 14 home runs, but is hitting just .224, and Austin Hays is hitting .234 with only two homers.

The Orioles have one of the top lineups in baseball even with those issues, but adding a quality righty bat to the outfield mix could make the lineup even deeper and more well-rounded.

As for the Orioles' starting rotation, they have a formidable group of Corbin Burnes, Grayson Rodriguez, Kyle Bradish and Cole Irvin, all of whom have an ERA of 3.27 or lower.

They also have a solid fifth starter in Dean Kremer, although he is currently on the IL with a triceps injury.

Baltimore has already lost two starting pitchers for the season due to injury in Tyler Wells and John Means, and if one more starter suffers an injury of significance, then acquiring a starting pitcher will likely become a far more realistic option for the organization.