5 Realistic Trade Targets for the Baltimore Orioles

For the first time in several years, the Baltimore Orioles front office is focused on building a consistent winner, and for the first time in several decades, they have the talent at both the big league and minor league level to orchestrate a trade.

Of course, this is all dependent on what kind of moves the O's make this offseason. 

It seems incredibly unlikely they're going to agree to terms with all of their departing free agents, namely Chris Davis, Nelson Cruz, Nick Markakis and Andrew Miller. If they don't lock down that quartet, they'll have some serious holes to fill on the roster before Opening Day.

With an underwhelming free-agent class, the best options for them may come via trade. But who will they target? Well, some of the names might surprise you, but make no mistake—the Orioles have the talent to swing these deals.

Let's examine a few potential trade targets and what it might take to get them.

1. RHP Miguel Gonzalez, RHP Dylan Bundy, RHP Pat Connaughton and OF Josh Hart to Chicago for 1B Anthony Rizzo

The best kind of trades are the ones that are successful for both parties. Not only do both teams get what they desire, but it makes both parties incredibly willing to be trade partners again. Take Seattle, for example. After suffering through the ignominy that was the Erik Bedard-for-Adam Jones-and-Chris Tillman trade, it's unlikely the Mariners will be dealing with the Orioles anytime soon.

The Cubs and O's, however, pulled off one of the more dually beneficial deals in recent memory. In July of 2013, the teams swapped Steve Clevenger and Scott Feldman (to Baltimore) for Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop (to Chicago). Feldman was Baltimore's best starter down the stretch that season, while Arrieta blossomed into the pitcher the O's envisioned in 2014.

This brings us to Anthony Rizzo.

The 25-year-old first baseman has been sensational for Chicago since coming over in a trade from San Diego and was rewarded in May of 2013 with a seven-year, $41 million contract extension that, while widely considered team-friendly, could escalate to a total value of $73 million with incentives.

So, why exactly would the Cubs have interest in trading Rizzo?

Steven Senne/Associated Press

Forgetting for a second the players they could steal away from the Orioles, take a look at the Cubs' farm system, where they have several heavy hitters coming up who are going to clog the infield. Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Addison Russell, Kyle Schwarber, Jeimer Candelario, Victor Caratini, Gleyber Torres and Dan Vogelbach are all destined to end up at either third base, first base or a corner-outfield spot.

With the Cubs not likely to compete in 2015, it might make sense for Theo Epstein to see what kind of haul he could get for Rizzo.

Any deal with the Orioles would likely revolve around their top prospect, right-hander Dylan Bundy. Despite the fact he's already had to deal with two season-ending injuries, Bundy is only 21 years old and has big league experience.

Thanks to a surplus of starting pitching, Bundy has become expendable for the Orioles. While he was once a crucial piece of the team's future plans, they've already made two playoff appearances in three years while he's been sidelined. With the growth and development of Kevin Gausman, Bundy could be dangled this winter.

The O's are going to have to add some other major pieces behind Bundy, though, and 30-year-old Miguel Gonzalez is a nice place to start. The right-hander has won 30 games for the Orioles since 2012, despite making an average of just 23 starts per season. His ERA has never ventured above 3.78, and he's been brilliant against the top competition in the American League East. 

Another key piece to dangle would be right-hander Pat Connaughton, the team's fourth-round pick from the 2014 draft. An incredible athlete, Connaughton also played basketball at Notre Dame, but his future is definitely on the mound. At 6'5'' and 215 pounds he can ratchet his fastball up to 95 mph. The pitch also has a ton of sink on it.

Since it's been less than a year since Connaughton was drafted, his inclusion would have to come in the form of a player to be named later.

Bundy, Gonzalez and Connaughton is a nice haul, but the deal will likely take another piece to bring the Cubs to the table. Outfielder Josh Hart has shown tremendous upside since joining the organization from the high school ranks in the 2013 draft. He's a typical top-of-the-order player, emphasizing speed and getting the bat on the ball. He's also shown tremendous ability in the outfield.

2. LHP Wei-Yin Chen, RHP Dylan Bundy, and RHP Mike Wright to Texas for 3B Adrian Beltre

At first glance, acquiring Beltre from Texas doesn't make much sense. The Orioles have Gold Glove winner Manny Machado at third base, while Beltre is a Gold Glove winner in his own right. He's also owed $18 million in 2015, making him a rather unappealing trade target.

With the Rangers looking like a team that won't be able to compete next year, the time might be right to deal Beltre to a team looking to eat some of his salary.

LM Otero/Associated Press

The O's could be that team. For starters, they'll have some room to eat that kind of money assuming they don't re-sign Chris Davis or Nelson Cruz. Taking on the majority of his salary would also allow the O's to offer a lesser package of players than the deal above. 

Again, Bundy would be at the center of the deal, while lefty Wei-Yin Chen would be a nice addition. He's reliable, durable and has served as a solid mid-rotation starter the past few years. 

Right-hander Mike Wright, who pitched all of 2014 at Triple-A Norfolk, would be nice throw-in as well.

As for where to put Beltre, assuming the O's don't bring back Davis, they could shift Steve Pearce to left field full time and slide Beltre across the diamond to first. Already 35 years old, his best defensive days are behind him. If Machado once again is felled by an injury, they would have an ideal replacement on the roster, eliminating the kind of situation they had at the end of this past season.

3. C Chance Sisco and 3B Drew Dosch to Philadelphia for OF Ben Revere

Make no mistake: While Nick Markakis has been serviceable as a leadoff hitter, the O's have lacked a true top-of-the-order hitter since Brian Roberts was at his peak.

Chris Szagola/Associated Press

Revere has quietly been a premium leadoff hitter the past few years, piling up hits, stealing bases and scoring runs. He appeared in a career-high 151 games this season, scoring 71 runs, racking up a team-high 184 hits and swiping 49 bases.

The Phillies would be wise to capitalize on Revere while they're still struggling to compete. 

If they could fleece the O's for their top hitting prospect and an underrated corner infielder, that would qualify as a resounding success. Sisco led the South Atlantic League with a .340 average this past season, driving in 63 runs while showing a mature approach at the plate. Dosch, on the other hand, hit .314 with 76 runs scored and 50 RBI, also at Low-A Delmarva. Both should be ready for Double-A by the end of the 2015 campaign.

4. LHP Wei-Yin Chen, RHP Dylan Bundy, C Chance Sisco and RHP Parker Bridwell to Miami for OF Giancarlo Stanton

Here we are. The big kahuna.

Any deal that has Stanton taking his talents away from South Beach will have to be a true blockbuster. The Orioles actually have the pieces, but it's just a question of whether they'd be willing to part with their most consistent starter at the big-league level, their top pitching prospect, their top hitting prospect and arguably the hardest-throwing pitcher in the system.

Even that might not be enough to entice the Marlins to move Stanton, who will be a free agent in 2017. There's no doubt they would likely request fellow pitcher Hunter Harvey as well, but that just might be asking too much.

5. RHP Dylan Bundy, OF Josh Hart and RHP Zach Davies to Atlanta for C Evan Gattis

The O's certainly have the inside track on re-signing franchise cornerstone Matt Wieters, but nothing is for certain with several teams looking for help behind the plate this offseason. Should the O's allow Wieters to walk, they might be willing to entertain a deal for Gattis, whose "rags to riches" story has culminated in back-to-back 20-home run campaigns.

Gattis doesn't compare to Wieters defensively, but he's solid enough, throwing out 23 percent of runners attempting to steal over his two-year career. The work he did with an overachieving pitching staff in 2014 shouldn't go overlooked either.

Dealing for Gattis, who will make slightly more than the league minimum in 2015, would likely cost the Orioles Bundy, a Georgia native in toolsy outfielder Josh Hart and diminutive right-hander Zach Davies. 

All statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.