The Orioles are actively seeking pitching assistance at the trade deadline, as supporters are well aware. They have been associated with a number of arms, both starters and relievers, ranging from the old veteran Rich Hill to the Tigers’ ace Tarik Skubal.

Although it becomes more likely that the Tigers will cling onto Skubal as the deadline for trades on Tuesday of next week approaches, he is by no means their lone trade asset. They appear to be a match for the Orioles on paper, and they have a few assets that may be traded.

But it’s quite likely that right-hander Jack Flaherty will be the player the Tigers move. At the 2023 trade deadline, the Orioles acquired Flaherty from the Cardinals, sending Drew Rom and Cesar Prieto to St. Louis in exchange for the right-hander.

In his final seven starts in Baltimore, Flaherty pitched to a 6.75 ERA and struggled. In his only postseason game with the Orioles during the previous season, he gave up a run on two hits in two innings, and he left Baltimore in the off-season with a bad feeling.

This past winter, the righty signed a one-year contract with the Tigers, and he has pitched effectively enough to spark trade interest from teams around the league. He’s down to a 2.95 ERA with 133 strikeouts in 106.2 innings with Detroit, and it looks like he’s recovered his form again from 2019.

Orioles supporters don’t think highly of Jack Flaherty, the Tigers’ starter.

It looks like Mike Elias is thinking about getting back together with Flaherty despite his past setbacks in Baltimore. Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo of The Athletic have claimed that the O’s have not ruled out using Flaherty again for the final stretch in 2024.

For the Orioles, who have demonstrated a preference for signing and trading pitchers on one-year contracts, Flaherty makes a ton of sense. There is undoubtedly some reluctance to give up a sizable amount of potential capital in order to get Garrett Crochet of Chicago or Skubal.

However, Flaherty won’t need to worry about a long-term commitment because he will be a free agency following the 2024 season. Elias and the Orioles would have a major victory if Flaherty pans out, but if not, it won’t be a sweat off their backs.

Regrettably, Orioles supporters are still upset about Flaherty’s subpar 2023 season. The fact that he is throwing better in 2024 is almost meaningless. Fans seem really apprehensive to acquire him, even though he’s actually been lot better than he had been up to this point last year when the O’s traded for him.

Flaherty would undoubtedly be prepared to make amends with the Baltimore supporters if given the chance. And you can guarantee that Orioles supporters will be pleading with Elias to sign him this winter if he does come here and pitch well in the closing innings.

However, some supporters are still dubious about Flaherty returning for the time being. Even if Flaherty appears to be a fantastic fit for the O’s right now, it’s difficult to criticize someone with this perspective.

Baltimore is connected to an unexpected possible trade deadline seller.

At 9 p.m. on Sunday, Jon Morosi of MLB.com unexpectedly revealed that the Reds are informing other teams that they are available for trade at the trade deadline. It’s believed that the Reds are considering cutting ties with a few players whose contracts are about to expire, but we’ll have to wait and see how proactive they are over the next two weeks.

According to Morosi, the Orioles have made contact with right-hander Nick Martinez and left-hander Frankie Montas. The Orioles were rumored to be looking to acquire pitching depth at the deadline, and both of these Reds pitchers seem to suit the mold.

Sources: The Reds, swept by the Nats this weekend, are indicating to teams that they are willing to move players on expiring contracts.

The Orioles are among the clubs with interest in their pitching, including Frankie Montas and Nick Martinez. @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 22, 2024

Given his severe struggles since being dealt to the Yankees three years ago, Montas may be a bit of a stretch. This season, in 89 innings with Cincinnati, he has a 4.85 ERA with some of his lowest strikeout and walk rates ever.

Due to a shoulder injury, Montas was forced to miss nearly the whole 2023 season. However, this past offseason, he was able to sign a one-year, $16 million contract with the Reds. Due to missing a few starts this year and producing little on the mound, he hasn’t lived up to the hype.

These two Reds pitchers are apparently being targeted by the Orioles.

Right now, Martinez seems like the more intriguing pitcher out of the two. Similar to Montas, Martinez agreed to a deal with the Reds in the winter; however, he has a 2025 player option.

Martinez, who has a 3.88 ERA, 3.15 FIP, and outstanding strike zone control, has been a reliable option for Reds manager David Bell out of the bullpen. Although he has started five games this season, he has been far more effective when playing out of the pen, where he is not subject to the order penalty a third time.

Martinez would probably not cost the Orioles much, and he would be a valuable asset as they pursued success in the second half.

Roch Kubatko of MASN reported on Sunday that scouts from the Reds were recently in Delmarva. The Single-A affiliate of the Orioles is the Shorebirds.

A pitcher like Martinez would almost probably not be traded for a prospect of Leandro Arias’ caliber by the O’s. But depending on the Reds’ positional needs, someone like Jake Cunningham or Thomas Sosa may make sense.

As late as the end of June, the Reds were considered a contender for the postseason; but, a series of losses over the weekend to the Nationals appears to have convinced them to sell before the deadline. The Orioles will benefit if they can seize the opportunity and sign a potent reliever like Martinez.