MLB Trade Rumors: Red Sox-Giants Battle Brews Over $3.5M Star Days After Emotional Plea

This season’s loudest headline didn’t come from the field; it came from the front office. When the Red Sox traded away star slugger Rafael Devers to the Giants in a jaw-dropping deal, it sent shockwaves through the league. But one blockbuster move won’t be enough to patch up any leaky rosters. Now, as Boston scrambles to rebuild and San Francisco gears up for a deep run, both find themselves eyeing the same prize: a red-hot bat quietly lighting it up in Baltimore.

There hasn’t been much to celebrate for the Orioles this season. It’s almost like their rough start has swept away the confidence within the team. Far from the .500 team they once were, they now sit at the bottom of the AL East. With the team in a miserable state, they’re most likely going to be sellers at the deadline. But even amid the downward spiral, one player is showing promise: right fielder Ryan O’Hearn. His breakout season has him surrounded by all the trade buzz.

ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan have listed O’Hearn as one of the top 10 trade candidates. “O’Hearn is having an out-of-nowhere career year, hitting over .300 (and with the underlying metrics to support that) along with being on pace for a career high in homers,” they wrote. “He doesn’t face lefty pitchers much at all, and his splits suggest that he shouldn’t,” they added. Their observations are spot on; he’s everything the Sox and the Giants could ask for. While others are excited about the trade rumors, O’Hearn himself wants to stay where he is.

“We’ve got another month and a half till the deadline. And I’m dead set on finishing the year as an Oriole,” he said during a conversation with host A.J. Pierzynski on Foul Territory. “I think, you know, we’ve underperformed for sure. But I think the last, you know, two, three weeks have been pretty solid. And, you know, the confidence is building. And we’re getting some players back and all that,” O’Hearn shared hope. “So by any means, I’m not giving up on, you know, remaining an Oriole—at least through the end of the year.”, he made himself clear.

Sure, the O’s are showing signs of a surge, going 12–8 in their last 20 games. But unless a miracle happens, playoff chances are far off the table. So, when they inevitably become sellers, O’Hearn could become the unexpected star of the summer. Even though he has played mainly as a DH, his ability to defend at first base makes him even more attractive for Boston. After the Triston Casas injury, first base has remained an unresolved position, and O’Hearn could easily fill that gap. It’s obvious the Red Sox are desperate; they even asked Devers to move to first base. Well, that didn’t work out, and Devers was sent off to the Giants. A decision that might have just opened the door for O’Hearn to Atlanta.

Ryan O’Hearn thanks the Red Sox

When Devers was shipped off to the Giants, the Red Sox unknowingly did a favor for the Orioles veteran. Not only did Devers change teams, but he also left the American League altogether. And with that exit, he left behind a lead, too. The three-time All-Star was leading the All-Star voting this year, too, as the top hitting DH, but not anymore. That lead now belongs to O’Hearn.

“I just want to shout out Craig Breslow real quick,” O’Hearn joked during his Foul Territory appearance. “Appreciate you, man, [for] getting me in the standings. What a wild deal. That was crazy, huh?” he added. Surprisingly, he’s one of the few voices actually supporting the trade of a franchise icon like Devers. Of course, he has his own reasons. But if O’Hearn makes it, it would be the first All-Star Game for the 31-year-old.

Even his teammates are campaigning for him. “He’s 1,000% deserving,” said Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson to MLB.com’s Jake Rill. “He’s just been unbelievable this first half of the season, and he’s been one of the best hitters in baseball. It’s really cool to watch him do his thing, and really cool to see where he is now through the journey that he’s had through baseball. There’s no one more deserving than him,” Henderson added.

O’Hearn is slashing .305/.387/.480/.867 with 10 home runs and 39 RBIs in 65 games this season. If he continues delivering for the team like this, his first entry to the Midsummer Classic isn’t far off.