Baltimore Orioles trade promising arm to Los Angeles Angels for big bat

The O's have traded right-hander Grayson Rodriguez to the Halos for outfielder Taylor Ward. The Angels have also announced the trade.

Rodriguez missed the entire 2025 season due to multiple arm injuries. Ward will be a free agent after 2026.

O's GM Mike Alias told reporter Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner a week ago at the GM meetings that Rodriguez «provides a real wild card for us talent-wise.»

Elias will now play that card, turning Rodriguez into a year of a dependable power bat.

The Orioles are shipping out one of their most promising arms since the Kevin Gausman / Dylan Bundy era. Rodriguez was electric at times since his 2023 debut, but injuries have marred his career.

The 26-year-old was sidelined with shoulder inflammation and a lat strain this past year. A shoulder injury cost him half of the 2024 campaign.

Injuries in 2022 limited him to 75 2/3 minor league innings and potentially delayed his big-league debut. Rodriguez is under team control through 2029.

Ward hit a career-high 36 home runs last season. Since becoming a regular in 2022, the 31-year-old has launched 98 homers with decent plate discipline and fine run production.

Ward's batting average slipped to .228 last season, but his slugging percentage jumped to a career-high .475. He drove in 100+ runs for the first time as a big leaguer, while scoring a career-best 86 times.