Inside The Orioles

Rival Teams Take Stance on if Orioles Will Trade Felix Bautista

Will the Baltimore Orioles trade Felix Bautista?
Brad Wakai|
Jul 5, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Felix Bautista (74) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning at Truist Park
Jul 5, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Felix Bautista (74) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning at Truist Park | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

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Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles made their first notable trade prior to the deadline.

By shipping Bryan Baker to the Tampa Bay Rays, that seems to indicate what the front office is planning to do ahead of July 31.

They previously stated they were undecided about what direction they were going to take, but moving one of their most effective bullpen arms suggests more selling moves are set to come.

More News: Does Orioles First Significant Trade Mean They Will Be Deadline Sellers?

That has firmly put Felix Bautista back into the forefront of minds across the baseball world.

It would have been crazy to suggest the 2023 Mariano Rivera Reliever of the Year winner could be traded even as little as a few months ago, but a disastrous season has put just about everything on the table when it comes to improving this roster so something like this doesn't happen again.

More News: Four Orioles Players That Have Been Pleasant Surprises Through First Half of 2025

However, it seems like the Orioles aren't willing to be that drastic with their sale.

According to Andy Martino of SNY, rival teams "do not believe that Baltimore will trade closer Felix Bautista."

That should at least make this fanbase sigh in relief for now.

Despite the potential return the right-hander could have netted, moving him never seemed to make a lot of sense based on the current window Baltimore is in where they are a few roster tweaks away from competing at the top of the American League.

More News: Orioles Make Important Roster Decision After Baker Trade

And with Bautista getting better and better coming off his long layoff after undergoing Tommy John surgery -- owning a 2.41 ERA with 18 out of his 19 save opportunities converted -- trading away one of the best closers in the game doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Things could change before the deadline, but it sounds like the Orioles aren't going to trade Bautista.

For more Orioles news, head over to Orioles On SI.

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Brad Wakai
BRAD WAKAI

Brad Wakai graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Journalism. While an undergrad, he did work at the student radio station covering different Penn State athletic programs like football, basketball, volleyball, soccer and other sports. Brad currently covers the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros for Sports Illustrated/FanNation. He is also the Lead Contributor for Nittany Lions Wire of Gannett Media where he continues to cover Penn State athletics. Brad is the host of the sports podcast I Said What I Said, discussing topics across the NFL, College Football, the NBA and other sports. You can follow him on Twitter: @bwakai

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