Why Orioles should regret Taylor Ward trade with Mariners originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. As of Monday morning, the Baltimore Orioles are in sole possession of the third and final American League Wild Card spot. The Orioles were sellers at the deadline but have won three consecutive games and are now just two games below .500 at 61-63. MLB's expanded Wild Card format keeps borderline competitive teams in reach of a playoff opportunity. There are six clubs within 2.5 games of the Orioles. Should the Orioles have added to their roster at the deadline? Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly wrote that trading outfielder Taylor Ward to the Seattle Mariners may have been Baltimore's biggest mess-up. Orioles shouldn't have traded Ward "In return for Ward, the Orioles received RHP Alex Hoppe (5.17 ERA in 28 appearances), along with 26-year-old minor league reliever Brock Moore and 24-year-old RHP Harrison Kreiling, who is currently at Single-A," Kelly wrote. "If the O's unlock Hoppe—who has a 98 mph fastball—this deal could prove very successful. It just doesn't feel like a sure enough thing to make this move when you're still in contention. " Ward is an impending free agent. Perhaps the Orioles were not so confident in their postseason hopes two weeks ago and would have rather not lost Ward for nothing this offseason. MORE: Phillies receive slightly worrying 65% playoff odds projection from ESPN Ward has made drastic sacrifices in power for a higher on-base percentage in 2026. He had a .317 OBP last season, and that number has skyrocketed to .370. "He homered 36 times last year for the Angels, but has just seven homers in 2026. However, Ward leads the junior circuit with 87 walks," Kelly added. "It's not out of the question he could have helped the Orioles win an extra game or two, which may be the difference between reaching the postseason or not." Even without Ward, the Orioles can return to the postseason. But it would've been nice to have him in the lineup against tough left-handed pitching. More MLB news:
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