MLB Trade Rumors: Reds’ Frankie Montas, Martinez Interest Orioles Amid Skubal Buzz
Andrew PetersJuly 22, 2024
Greg Fiume/Getty Images
The Baltimore Orioles could be looking to add some pitching ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
The Orioles are reportedly interested in Cincinnati Reds pitchers Frankie Montas and Nick Martinez, per MLB Network’s Jon Morosi.
Morosi also noted that the Reds have indicated to teams that they are willing to trade players on expiring contracts.
The Orioles are also reportedly in talks with the Detroit Tigers about starting pitcher Tarik Skubal, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
Baltimore, which boasts the second-best record in the majors, is among the favorites to contend for the World Series, and adding some talent to the rotation could give the Orioles a major boost.
They currently have the sixth-best team ERA at 3.68, but supplementing the rotation with a starter like Montas and the bullpen with Martinez might help that number a bit.
Montas, who is in his first season with the Reds, has 72 strikeouts with a 4.85 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP in 18 games this season. Martinez, also in his first season in Cincinnati, has 56 strikeouts, a 3.88 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP in 28 appearances. Of note, the right-hander has a 1.94 ERA in 23 relief appearances this season compared to a 7.36 ERA in five starts.
If the Orioles are really committed to making a splash before the deadline, landing Skubal would certainly do that. The Cy Young contender has 140 strikeouts, a 2.41 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP, notching a 10-3 record in 19 starts this season.
But as Nightengale noted, it would likely take an impressive package to get Detroit to trade its top starter. He reported that the Tigers “will move him only if they are overwhelmed by an offer.”
It’s hard to imagine Baltimore would be willing to part with any of its top players, but they have a handful of talented prospects like Jackson Holiday that could intrigue the Tigers.
