When the Baltimore Orioles signed Pete Alonso to a blockbuster $155 million deal this offseason, they knew they were getting one of the most feared power hitters in baseball. What they might not have anticipated was the roster domino effect it would create—and the trade buzz now surrounding one of their own.

Alonso, a four-time All-Star, left the New York Mets after seven seasons to anchor first base for the Orioles. His arrival, however, has left Ryan Mountcastle without a clear path back into the lineup once he returns from injury. According to Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller, that makes Mountcastle Baltimore's most likely trade candidate.

"Goodness only knows why they held onto Mountcastle after signing Pete Alonso, but regardless of whether the O's are buying or selling, he is one of the most obvious trade candidates out there," Miller wrote, noting that Mountcastle's availability depends on his recovery from a broken foot.

The timing is curious. The Orioles tendered Mountcastle a contract this offseason—even after Alonso was already signed—despite the first baseman being limited to just 89 games in 2025 due to a hamstring strain. This season, it took only eight games for Mountcastle to land on the injured list again, this time with a broken foot that could sideline him until after the All-Star break.

When healthy, Mountcastle is a legitimate power threat, having crushed a career-high 33 home runs in 2023. For a team in need of right-handed pop, the 29-year-old could be a low-risk, high-reward acquisition. Any club trading for him would also have the option to decline his 2027 contract if he doesn't perform, adding a layer of flexibility.

Injuries remain a concern, but in a market hungry for bats, Mountcastle's potential makes him a name to watch as the trade deadline approaches. For the Orioles, moving him could free up payroll and playing time—and Alonso's massive deal makes that decision all the more logical.