The Baltimore Orioles may soon need to consider offloading some assets, and one underperforming former top prospect could become a valuable trade chip. Among the potential trade partners, the Kansas City Royals might be an ideal destination for this player, especially given their needs in the outfield.
After showing some positive momentum in late May and early June, the Orioles offered a brief glimpse of hope that they could turn around their disappointing season. However, the reality has quickly set in. Despite their short-lived resurgence, their postseason hopes remain slim. As of now, they trail the New York Yankees by 14 games in the American League East and sit 8.5 games behind the Minnesota Twins, who currently occupy the last AL Wild Card spot.
With six teams standing between Baltimore and the final playoff berth, making a late-season push seems increasingly unlikely. This sets the stage for the Orioles to become sellers as the trade deadline approaches—a direction they would be wise to fully embrace.
The Orioles’ roster does have a strong core and could rebound in 2026 with the right adjustments during the offseason, including potential upgrades in coaching. In the meantime, Baltimore has several valuable pieces that could fetch promising returns in the trade market. Trading veterans on expiring contracts would allow the team to bring in new long-term assets to support their rebuild.
Among the more discussed names potentially on the move are designated hitter/first baseman/corner outfielder Ryan O’Hearn, outfielder Cedric Mullins, and starting pitcher Zach Eflin. Additionally, relievers Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto, both of whom are nearing free agency, could attract interest from playoff contenders in search of bullpen depth.
Beyond these established veterans, another intriguing name gaining attention in trade circles is outfielder Heston Kjerstad, according to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden. Once considered a cornerstone of Baltimore’s future, Kjerstad is now being mentioned as a possible trade target for the Royals, who are seeking help in the corner outfield positions.
Drafted second overall in the 2020 MLB Draft, Kjerstad excelled in the minors and made a name for himself before debuting in the majors. His minor league resume is impressive: a .304 batting average, a .387 on-base percentage, and a .524 slugging percentage across 249 games. He racked up 42 home runs, 61 doubles, 11 triples, 153 RBIs, and eight stolen bases, showcasing his potential as a complete offensive threat.
Unfortunately, Kjerstad has yet to replicate that success at the major league level. In 313 MLB plate appearances, his production has dropped significantly, with a .218 batting average, .284 on-base percentage, and .365 slugging percentage. He has recorded just 10 home runs, eight doubles, and two triples during that span.
His struggles led to a recent demotion back to Triple-A, a clear sign that the Orioles may be losing confidence in his ability to contribute at the big-league level in the near term. While his trade value is no longer what it once was, a change of scenery could offer the reset he needs to get back on track.
For the Kansas City Royals, acquiring Kjerstad could be a low-risk, high-reward move. Their roster offers a clearer path to everyday playing time—something Kjerstad has not consistently found in Baltimore due to the Orioles’ crowded and competitive outfield.
Ultimately, both franchises could benefit. The Orioles could recoup a prospect or two as part of their longer-term strategy, while the Royals could invest in a once-promising young talent who might still develop into a productive major leaguer given the right environment and opportunity.
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