Reds could find surprise outfield help with unlikely Orioles trade target

As the MLB trade deadline approaches, plenty of eyes are on the Baltimore Orioles. A team that once had playoff aspirations but now finds itself plummeting toward a fire sale. With some movable veterans and expiring deals on their roster, Baltimore has quietly become one of the most intriguing sellers on the market. It's time for the Cincinnati Reds to check-in.

While flashier names are commanding the headlines, there’s an under-the-radar veteran quietly putting together one of his best seasons in years — Ramon Laureano. The 31-year-old outfielder, now in Baltimore, might just be the perfect mid-tier target for a Reds team that needs help in the outfield but isn’t looking to mortgage its future.

Laureano signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Orioles and has done more than just justify that payday. He’s slashing .280/.343/.511 with 12 home runs and 40 RBI through 72 games. Numbers that would immediately inject life into a Reds lineup that’s been inconsistent in the outfield majority of the season. His 2.4 WAR is already his highest since 2021 and has him on pace to post a new career high.

Reds solution to the outfield could come from the Orioles at the MLB trade deadline

Laureano comes with a 2026 club option, giving teams some control and flexibility — a massive bonus for buyers wary of one-and-done rentals.

The Reds have shown time and again that they prefer calculated moves over all-in splurges. They aren’t the type of team to throw top-5 prospects into a package just to make a splash. They lean toward savvy additions that fill immediate needs while maintaining long-term flexibility. Laureano checks that box.

Cincinnati’s outfield situation has been a work in progress all year. From injuries to underperformance to makeshift experiments (like recently trying Noelvi Marte in right field), it’s clear the Reds are still searching for the right combination of offense and defense. Laureano, a proven right-handed bat with strong defensive instincts and a plus arm, would bring immediate stability.

More importantly, the acquisition cost wouldn’t be astronomical. The Orioles are clearly headed toward a sell-off and have every reason to flip expiring veterans like Laureano to contenders, especially if it means getting younger, controllable pieces in return. For the Reds, it’s a chance to add a high-performing outfielder without dipping into the elite tiers of their farm system.

If the Reds aren’t in the market for a blockbuster, they may already have a perfect match in Baltimore. Laureano won’t move the needle the way a Luis Robert Jr. might, but he doesn’t have to. He’s the kind of midseason pickup that wins games in August and makes a difference in a tight division race.

For a Reds team still firmly in the mix and hoping to find lightning in a bottle without burning future assets, Laureano could be exactly that.

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