Taylor Ward -- Trade Rumors

The Baltimore Orioles are facing early-season struggles at 18-23 with 41 games played in 2026, posting the worst run differential in the American League at minus-41. Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report included outfielder Taylor Ward among eight surprise players who could be traded by the August deadline. Ward was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels in the offseason in exchange for pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, but has underperformed significantly, batting .262 with just one home run and 12 RBIs in 40 games, a stark decline from his 36 home runs and 102 RBIs with Los Angeles in 2025. According to Kelly, if the Orioles fail to establish a path to the postseason, president of baseball operations Mike Elias will likely have difficulty retaining Ward, who will enter free agency after the season. The Orioles open a three-game homestand against the New York Yankees as they attempt to reverse their disappointing start, with potential roster moves possible if they continue to fall behind division leaders like the Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.