Cubs Rumors: Orioles trade ripple could give Cubs new trade partner

The All-Star break is generally when meddling teams pick a lane ahead of the MLB trade deadline, and that will be a key moment for the Chicago Cubs as they look for upgrades to their starting rotation, bullpen, and potentially a replacement for Matt Shaw this season as the team's starting third baseman.

It seems that one team isn't waiting until the All-Star break to make a decision. FanSided's Robert Murray was first to report that the Baltimore Orioles are sending dependable right-handed relief pitcher Bryan Baker to the Tampa Bay Rays. In exchange, the Orioles will be receiving the Rays' competitive-balance pick in this Sunday's draft.

Baker has always been a respectable relief pitcher, but this season, he has added a level of swing-and-miss to his profile that wasn't seen in past seasons. Sporting a 3.52 ERA in 38 1/3 innings pitched with the Orioles, Baker struck out 32.5% of the batters he has faced. Well above his career average of 24.7 percent. Armed with a fastball in the upper 90s, Baker has been very good this season.

We emphasize Baker being very good as a reason why the Orioles may have just committed to selling ahead of the deadline. Despite a disastrous start to the season, the Orioles remain within shouting distance of the American League Wild-Card race, but a 7-game deficit with the deadline approaching may be a case of "too little, too late". In other words, if the Orioles weren't planning on selling, they likely wouldn't have moved Baker, who is under team control through 2029, for a competitive-balance pick.

Orioles deal may have unlocked a new pitching option

If the Orioles are indeed in sell mode, the Cubs should quickly make a move for veteran starting pitcher Charlie Morton. Morton, a free agent after the season, sports a 5.18 ERA on the season, but that doesn't tell the full story. Since May 14, Morton has been dominant, posting a 2.89 ERA while striking out over 28 percent of the batters he has faced during his last 7 starts.

If the Cubs are ready to make an addition to their rotation, without paying a steep price, the Orioles may be open for business, and Morton would be an ideal target.

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