The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal revealed the Red Sox could look at multiple Baltimore Orioles players in an inter-division trade to bolster their roster at the 2025 MLB trade deadline.
MLB Insider Reveals Red Sox Could Look at Inter-Division Trade With Orioles to Bolster Roster originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The American League East has turned into one of the most competitive divisions in baseball over the last couple of years, with the emergence of the Baltimore Orioles from the basement. Although the Orioles have struggled in 2025, the division still has four of the five teams over .500 and in the playoff hunt.
The Toronto Blue Jays finished the first half of the season strong and have a two-game lead in the division over the New York Yankees. Then, the Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays are all within 3.5 games of each other, and the Orioles sit at the bottom with a 43-52 record.
The Blue Jays, Yankees, and Red Sox will be buyers at the 2025 MLB trade deadline, the Rays will likely be on the fence depending on how they perform over the next two weeks, and the Orioles will be sellers.
Inter-division trades are uncommon because often, those are the main teams you're competing against. However, the Orioles have a lot to offer and likely aren't making a postseason run in 2025.
"I do think that (the Red Sox) are more motivated this trade deadline than we have seen in years."
— Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) July 17, 2025
- @bradfo on @JonesandKeefe // @WEEIpic.twitter.com/T5zkqcmLb7
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal revealed a few names the Orioles could have up for sale, and a couple could be great fits for the Red Sox.
During MLB's All-Star preview show on Monday, Rosenthal mentioned that Orioles starting pitcher Charlie Morton was a possible target for the Red Sox.
Morton is on a one-year deal and will be a free agent at the end of the season, so he would be a perfect trade piece for the Orioles. The veteran pitcher has a 5.18 ERA on the season, but has been impressive since the start of May. Over the last two and a half months, Morton has dropped his ERA from 9.76 to 5.18, allowing more than four runs per nine innings fewer than the first month and a half of the season.
Furthermore, Morton has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his last five starts, including a shutout and two quality starts.
The latest from @Ken_Rosenthal continues to mention the Red Sox along with starter Charlie Morton from the Orioles
— Matthew Crory (@matthewcrory) July 17, 2025
-Alex Cora is familiar with Morton from the 2017 Houston Astros
-Over his last 59 innings, dating to April 29, his ERA is 3.05.
-41 Yrs old with expiring contract… pic.twitter.com/gks6J8Cbgr
"Yes, the Red Sox would love to do better, and perhaps they will. But the starting pitching market is thin and Sox manager Alex Cora is familiar with Morton from the 2017 Houston Astros," Rosenthal wrote. "With Bryan Bello and Lucas Giolito both on a roll, perhaps the Sox would be OK with someone like Morton rather than a pure (and possibly unattainable) No. 2 starter."
Rosenthal also named pitcher Trevor Rogers and closer Felix Bautista as guys the Orioles are listening to offers on. Both players have multiple years of team control remaining and would cost a higher price. However, Bautista has returned to his All-Star form in 2025 with 18 saves and a 2.41 ERA, and Rogers has been lights out since his return from injury. The starter only has six starts on the season, but holds a 1.53 ERA and has three scoreless outings.
However, with the multiple years of control on both players, and the Orioles still looking to win in the near future, Rosenthal said multiple sources briefed with the team don't believe either will be traded.
The last name Rosenthal brought up was Ryan O'Hearn, who could be another target for the Red Sox.
"The Orioles have nearly a dozen potential free agents to work through, including All-Star designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn," Rosenthal wrote. "Trades involving some or most of those players will be the priority."
O'Hearn is another rental player who can play first base, outfield, and serve as the DH. The Red Sox will be looking for a first baseman at the deadline, and O'Hearn could be a potential answer, especially if they could package him with Morton.
The Orioles' DH was named an All-Star this season after finishing the first half hitting .286 with an .840 OPS. O'Hearn hit 11 home runs and drove in 34 runs through the first 82 games, which puts him on pace for career-highs in both categories.
Inter-division trades don't happen as often, but when one team feels they're out of contention, it's always a possibility. The Orioles have a couple of guys that could solve some holes for the Red Sox, and they would come at a smaller price than many of the top market candidates.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
