MLB Insider Suggests Massive Trade To Send $91 Million Ace To Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles need to add a pitcher as desperately as any team in the league this season. Their season is going down the drain right in front of their eyes unless they add a pitcher this year.

The Athletic’s Jim Bowden expects them to do just that. Bowden recently urged the Orioles to swing a blockbuster trade for Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan.

Here’s the full deal pitched by Bowden to send Ryan to the Orioles:

• Baltimore Orioles receive: RHP Joe Ryan
• Minnesota Twins receive: LHP Cade Povich, 1B/3B Coby Mayo, RHP Michael Forret

“The Orioles need an ace if they want to contend in the American League East and return to the postseason,” Bowden wrote. “Enter Ryan, who has the ability to step into that role for them. The 28-year-old righty has a 2.93 ERA this season with 47 strikeouts in 40 innings. He’s averaged 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings and just 1.1 walks per nine.

“Ryan is 35-28 with a 3.84 ERA over his five-year career and has a 3.45 ERA in his past 30 starts. This season, batters have hit .189 against his four-seam fastball and .192 against his sweeper. He is under team control through 2027.”

Ryan is a pitcher who hasn’t been discussed on the trade market nearly enough. He’s an ace with upside who’s under contract for a few more years. Once he hits free agency, Spotrac predicts him to sign for five years and $91 million, making him affordable for the Orioles to extend.

The trade return pitched by Bowden would be massive, but it would be worth it to bring in an ace like Ryan with the team control he comes with.

Losing the duo of Coby Mayo and Cade Povich would cripple most farm systems, but not the Orioles’ system. It’s a lot to give up, but if Baltimore wants to contend this season, it might be necessary.

If Baltimore makes Mayo off-limits this season, it could change this idea drastically.

More MLB: MLB Insider Identifies ‘Straight-Up’ Cardinals Trade to Extract Value for $81 Million Star