Even the most optimistic Baltimore Orioles fans have started to come around to the idea that 2025 just isn't their team's year. The Orioles have certainly showed flashes recently, but it would take a Herculean effort to overcome the 8.5 game deficit in the AL Wild Card race, and even more so to defeat the 13.5 game deficit in the AL East. The other teams ahead of the O's in the standings are still playing well, after all, and Baltimore hasn't showed signs of becoming world-beaters all of a sudden.
Given their fringe playoff chances, the Orioles' front office had previously resisted committing to buying or selling at the trade deadline.