3 Orioles trade candidates Billy Eppler should keep an eye on this year

There's no doubt that the New York Mets could be on the verge of reloading at this year's trade deadline based on what their needs may be. One team that could be of interest to the Mets, depending on need, would be the Baltimore Orioles.

The Orioles were surprisingly more competitive than expected last season as they wound up making a strong push late in the season for a wild card spot but ultimately came up short. The Orioles have a plethora of young talent on their team and it's fair to wonder what their outlook will be in 2023.

Surprisingly after their momentous push towards the postseason last year, they made no real significant upgrades to their team this offseason and they continue to operate with one of the lowest payrolls in baseball. Depending on how the season turns out, similar to last season there may be a few of their players on the trade block late in the summer when the trade deadline approaches.

There are a few players the Mets should keep their eye on as there are some players who could make sense for them depending on what their 26-man roster looks like heading into August.

1) NY Mets trade target: Anthony Santander

I have been banging my fist on the table all winter for the Mets to inquire about the availability of Anthony Santander, and I believe he may be a valuable trade chip for the Orioles at this year's trade deadline. Santander would fill the void of another bat that I believe the Mets need in the middle of their lineup and could also rotate between a corner outfield spot and the designated hitter position.

The switch-hitting outfielder had a huge year in 2022 where he slugged 33 home runs and 89 RBIs over 152 games played for the Orioles. The 28-year-old Santander seems to be in his prime and the Mets would have team control until he is scheduled to become a free agent in 2025.

Santander is scheduled to make $7.4 million in 2023 and with that type of production, it would be considered a steal in today's inflated MLB market. It certainly would cost the Mets some young talent in return based on his production and the team control he has remaining, but the Mets would fill a huge need that was not addressed this past offseason.

With the glut of young outfield talent that the Orioles possess, it would make sense for them to make Santander expandable later this summer, and the Mets should be all ears if he is made available.

3). NY Mets Trade Target: Cionel Perez

They always say having a quality reliever or a great closer on a non-contending team is a luxury, and that could potentially be the case for the Orioles this upcoming season should they be out of contention at the trade deadline. Last year the Orioles traded their All-Star closer Jorge Lopez at the Trade Deadline to the Minnesota Twins and the same could happen again this season with reliever Cionel Perez.

The 26-year-old southpaw had a stellar 2022 campaign with the Orioles as he pitched to a 1.40 ERA and 1.162 WHIP over 66 appearances out of the bullpen. Perez pitched equally well against both right-handed and left-handed hitters as right-handers hit .218 and lefties hit .224 against him.

It was a true breakout season for Perez who is going to be a major part of the Orioles bullpen this season, but he also could be a valuable trade chip for contending teams looking to upgrade their bullpen later this summer. Perez may also cost some significant talent in return as he is arbitration-eligible for the first time in 2024 and is not scheduled to be a free agent until 2027.

If the Mets are looking for another left-hander later in the summer, Perez may be worth a long look, especially if the Orioles are making him available to be had.