The Baltimore Orioles are in prime position to make a World Series run in 2024, but they may end up trading one of their most valued commodities to get to the promised land.
20-year-old Jackson Holliday, the son of former MLB star Matt Holliday, is not only the Orioles’ top prospect, he’s rated number one in the Major Leagues. Once thought to be untouchable, it appears that the youngster’s name has been popping up in multiple trade rumors recently. A notion that was almost unthinkable before the season started.
There was a lot of fanfare over Holliday making his Orioles debut this year after a solid spring training. But he only hit .095 with one RBI at the big league level. He’s currently back in the minors, honing his craft. But multiple reports indicate he may be suiting up for another team – provided the right offer comes along. How much longer will he be in Baltimore?
Jackson Holliday Is Highly Regarded
Jackson Holliday cranked two homers yesterday to open the second half.#Birdland pic.twitter.com/gV2eWN8pt1
— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) July 20, 2024
There’s no doubt that Holliday has all the tools that a team looks for in a franchise player. The infielder has a sweet swing from the left side of the plate and surprising power. He’s an adept defensive player at both shortstop and second base, and he’s young enough that any franchise that acquires him could see his very best years after he develops.
Holliday was considered the consensus top collegiate player upon entering the MLB Draft. All of those attributes led to the Baltimore Orioles handing out the biggest signing bonus ever for a player drafted out of high school – a whopping $8.19 million. Now, just two years later, he could be a bargaining chip as the July 30 trade deadline gets closer and closer.
Perhaps the Detroit Tigers are the most prominently talked about trade partner. Fox Sports MLB analyst Ben Verlander discussed a trade idea that would see Jackson Holliday sent to Motown in exchange for the Tigers’ ace pitcher Tarik Skubal. He felt it would take that type of deal to wrest the pitcher away from the Tigers.
Other teams that have been mentioned as a possible landing spot for Holliday have been the New York Yankees (in exchange for outfielder Jasson Dominguez) and the Houston Astros in a swap for Kyle Tucker.
The Baltimore Orioles are a Powerhouse
Baltimore held a 1.5-game lead in the American League East on July 25. However, it’s not a division title they’re gunning for. Their club – from top to bottom – has produced a 101-win season in 2023 and has looked like world-beaters once again this season. The Orioles have a winning percentage of nearly .600 while posting a record of 60-41 through their first 101 games.
However, with the Yankees nipping at their heels and also looking to make a deadline deal or two, the Orioles are expected to add more talent and depth before the trade deadline. Currently, the most mentioned area of improvement has been to seek pitching. This is, in essence, why a longshot trade to acquire Skubal makes sense from a baseball perspective.
That being stated, the Orioles face a dilemma that many other contenders face at this point in the season. How much potential greatness are they willing to give away to win right now? And looking at it from another perspective: Making a trade this week doesn’t necessarily guarantee you the trophy.
There’s a distinct possibility that the O’s could watch a player like Holliday go on to have a Hall of Fame career, while their franchise continually comes up short. Given the young star’s popularity among the fans already, it’s a risky proposition. And one that’s more than likely not in the cards.
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