The Orioles hold a slim one-game lead over the Yankees, but as the trade deadline approaches, they’ll have a much bigger advantage than that.
The Yankees have a deep pool of prospects and are adept at trading away the underdogs for quality players, but years of bottom-tier play and high draft picks mean the Orioles are better equipped than anyone to make an impact trade.
The Orioles are No. 1 in the farm rankings (the Yankees are No. 11) and will likely retain the No. 1 prospect in MLB overall, Jaxon Holiday, but they still have four players in the top 32: catcher/first baseman Samuel Vassallo (No. 17 at the start of the season), outfielder Colton Cowser (No. 19), third baseman Coby Mayo (No. 30) and outfielder Heston Kierstad (No. 32).
I wrote that the Yankees shouldn’t trade top prospect Spencer Jones (84) unless they can somehow acquire Tarik Skubal, but that may be a bit wishful thinking, since it would be difficult for the Yankees to outbid the Orioles for pitchers at the top of everyone’s desire list.
The Yankees have a solid roster of prospects, but top prospect Jason Dominguez (41) will be sidelined again until at least August, which is a major blow, and the Yankees are said to be “very reluctant” to trade either outfielder (especially with Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo both free agents). Shortstop Roderick Elias (86) and pitcher Chase Hampton (92) are also top-100 Yankees prospects.
The Orioles and Yankees (and many other teams) are competing for available pitching, with both teams looking at starting pitchers and relief pitchers (though the Yankees prioritize relief pitchers and the Orioles starters). But while the Orioles’ obvious need is a starting rotation, they also have access to big relievers, including two All-Stars in former Orioles Tanner Scott and 103.7 mph Mason Miller. Miller may not go anywhere, but it’s hard to rule out the possibility that the Orioles could acquire both a useful or even better starting pitcher and reliever.
