Three Landing Spots for Orioles First Baseman After Trade Prediction

Newsweek

6 days ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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The early season struggles for the Baltimore Orioles were a bit unexpected to most and put a quick halt to Baltimore's plans to stay atop the AL East for years to come.
Because of that, the Orioles will more than likely be sellers at this year's trade deadline and according to Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller, first baseman Ryan O'Hearn is among one of the trade candidates in Baltimore.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 25: Pitcher Zack Kelly #76 of the Boston Red Sox looks on as Ryan O'Hearn #32 of the Baltimore Orioles smiles as he heads for home after his double and two...
BOSTON, MA - MAY 25: Pitcher Zack Kelly #76 of the Boston Red Sox looks on as Ryan O'Hearn #32 of the Baltimore Orioles smiles as he heads for home after his double and two errors allowed him to score during the eighth inning at Fenway Park on May 25, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. More"Though he has served as designated hitter more than anything else this season, O'Hearn is more than capable of playing first base or right field," Miller wrote. "He even occasionally sets up shop out in left field. And that means with very few exceptions, every tentative buyer has a weak point in its lineup that could be filled by O'Hearn."
He is in the middle of a career season, with a .338 batting average, nine home runs, 21 RBI and a .977 OPS. It is an unexpected breakout year for the 31-year-old, and it has put him at the forefront of trade conversations. If the Orioles decide to move him, here are three potential landing spots.
Detroit Tigers
Detroit has picked up right where it left off last season and has jumped out to a six-game division lead. The Tigers have a perfect combination of timely pitching, timely hitting and lockdown relief pitching.
O'Hearn's ability to play a multitude of positions makes him a perfect fit in a Detroit lineup that manager AJ Hinch loves to mix and match depending on the pitching matchups.
He would an excellent addition to a Tigers team that looks like it is headed back to the postseason for the second consecutive year.
Boston Red Sox
Boston will need to play better down the stretch to find itself in any sort of position to acquire players at the trade deadline and if it is able to do that, O'Hearn would be a nice fit.
The Red Sox rank 27th in Wins Above Average from first basemen this season and O'Hearn's gaudy numbers this season would help that tremendously.
Boston would likely have to give up a little more than other teams since it is division rivals with the Orioles. It would be well worth it if O'Hearn stays hot and gets the Red Sox back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
San Francisco Giants
Another team that is near the bottom of the Wins Above Average list at first base, the Giants rank 25th at -1.3 for the season.
LaMonte Wade's .171 average with one home run is not going to cut it much longer and San Francisco may make a move sooner rather than later to help itself stay in the hunt for a NL West title.
Replacing the struggling Wade with the scorching hot O'Hearn could provide not only an instant spark, but constant production in the Giants lineup for the remainder of the season.
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