With Deadline strategy clear, O's send LHP Soto to Mets for two RHP prospects

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles will be operating as sellers ahead of Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline. The speculation surrounding the club’s potential strategy turned into confirmation with a move that was made Friday afternoon.

Left-handed reliever Gregory Soto was traded from the O’s to the Mets. Baltimore received a pair of pitchers in return -- righties Wellington Aracena (New York’s No. 19 prospect, per MLB Pipeline) and Cameron Foster.

TRADE DETAILS
Orioles get: RHP Wellington Aracena (Mets’ No. 19 prospect), RHP Cameron Foster
Mets get: LHP Gregory Soto

The O’s -- 45-58 after a 6-5 loss to the Rockies on Friday night -- are likely to make quite a few moves like this before Thursday, as their postseason chances are slim and they’re beginning to look toward 2026. It began with Soto, who was sent from Philadelphia to Baltimore ahead of last year’s Trade Deadline and is set to be a free agent after this season.

“It’s hard,” said right-handed reliever Seranthony Domínguez, who was also traded from the Phillies to the Orioles prior to the 2024 Deadline. “It’s part of the business. We do what we have to do, and I wish him the best and good luck to him.”

Soto had a 5.09 ERA in 23 appearances after joining the Orioles last year. However, he had a 1.10 ERA over his final 20 outings of the season.

This year, the 30-year-old Soto had a 3.96 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP over 45 games. He picked up his first save of the season on Thursday in Cleveland after closer Félix Bautista went on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder discomfort.

Shortly after Soto learned the news of the trade, he chatted with fellow Baltimore reliever Yennier Cano in the Camden Yards parking lot. It’s not only difficult for O’s players to lose teammates and friends, but to also digest the disappointment of how the season has unfolded to get to this point.

“Just wishing him the best, honestly,” Cano said via team interpreter Brandon Quinones. “He was saying how happy he was to be here with the Orioles, but ultimately, having the chance to compete with the Mets and continue doing what’s best for his career, I think that’s something to be happy about.”

Baltimore acquired a pair of intriguing arms who could help the organization long term.

Now ranked as Baltimore's No. 19 prospect, Aracena, 20, had a 2.38 ERA in 17 games (eight starts) for Single-A St. Lucie this season. The Mao, Dominican Republic, native has a five-pitch mix -- fastball (60 grade), curveball (50), slider (55), cutter (60) and changeup (40). His velocity often sits in the upper 90s and can hit triple digits.

The Mets signed Aracena for $70,000 as part of their 2022 international class.

Foster, 26, was a 14th-round pick of New York in the 2022 MLB Draft out of McNeese State University. This year, the righty thrived for Double-A Binghamton, recording a 1.01 ERA over 19 relief appearances.

However, Foster struggled a bit in limited exposure to Triple-A, posting a 17.18 ERA over two games (one start) for Syracuse.

Aracena is more of a project, as he’s likely multiple years away from the big leagues. Foster is closer, although he’ll probably need more time in Triple-A before reaching the Majors, so he’s unlikely to do so until next year at the earliest.

As the trade dominoes continue to fall, the Orioles’ MLB roster will continue to change. Their bullpen has lost several key pieces of late, with Soto and righty Bryan Baker (traded to the Rays on July 10) gone and Bautista going on the IL.

Other high-leverage relievers such as righties Andrew Kittredge ($9 million team option for 2026) and Domínguez (free agent after the season) are also potential trade chips.

“Don’t try to think about it. Just try to go a step at a time,” said Domínguez, who has a 3.32 ERA over 42 appearances this year. “I’m here today. I’m going to do my best to help the team win. That’s all I can do.”

More O’s players on expiring contracts who could be traded are All-Star designated hitter/first baseman Ryan O’Hearn, center fielder Cedric Mullins and starters Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano. Perhaps the team will also listen to offers on others who aren’t part of the core.

Baltimore plans on returning to postseason contention in 2026. By this time next week, however, the approach could change for the final two months of the ‘25 season, as the Orioles will likely focus more on developing young players via big league reps.

“If you’re losing rotation pieces and bullpen pieces and everyday players, then in terms of the direction turning, the wins and losses possibly could be affected, but by no means do I think the mentality of the organization changes in any way,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “We’re still going to try to go out there and win games with whoever’s in the building. What it will probably create is more opportunities for other guys who maybe haven’t gotten them in the past.”