The atmosphere in the Orioles’ dugout was tense—not full-blown panic, but far from composed. The players’ dejected walks back to the bench and audible sighs after missed chances painted a clear picture. The season’s start wasn’t just rough; it was veering into a concerning downward spiral, prompting fans to question the team’s direction and forcing a hard look at the unforgiving statistics.​

Known for their gritty energy, the Orioles found themselves entangled in early-season struggles. Then, as if a breath of fresh air entered a stifling room, Ryan O’Hearn, typically more action than words, stepped up. The $3.5 million slugger broke his silence, providing a much-needed voice amid the turmoil.

Let’s be honest—the Orioles’ situation has been more than just shaky; it’s been downright harsh. Holding a 9-14 record and sitting at the bottom of the AL East is a tough pill to swallow for a team that had playoff aspirations not long ago . It’s not merely the number of losses but the manner of them that’s concerning. A 24-2 blowout by the Reds stands out as a particularly painful low point . Adding to the woes, a narrow 4-3 defeat to the Nationals highlighted the team’s ongoing struggles .​

That’s when Ryan O’Hearn stepped up—not just with his performance at the plate, but with candid words. He expressed, “It’s April 23. I’m not going to be miserable for five months in the [expletive] dumps.” He continued, “Guys are going to go through [stuff]… Let’s just play our [butts] off.” His unfiltered honesty resonated, providing a spark the team desperately needed.

It was not sugarcoated and a rah-rah statement. It was raw and honestly? Exactly what the Orioles needed. In addition, O’Hearn did not just talk tough—he has been delivering. While other stars in the team are searching for rhythm, he has quietly established an identical stat line. With a .281 batting average, a .850 OPS and 17.6% percent HR of his games in 2025, the star is walking the walk.

Trade winds and temporary fixes

After enduring a challenging stretch, the Orioles might be reaching the limits of internal morale boosts. While O’Hearn’s leadership is invaluable, the harsh reality is that the lineup struggles to stay competitive. Injuries have sidelined key starters Zach Eflin and Grayson Rodriguez ​, and veteran Charlie Morton has underperformed, holding a 0-5 record with a 10.89 ERA . It’s clear the team needs to prioritize consistent production over sheer power.

That brings the focus to a new star floating around trade interaction: Andrew Heaney. He is no ace, however, currently, Baltimore does not need an elite — the team needs stability. Heaney, currently with the Pirates, is delivering a 1.74 ERA with 31 strikeouts and a 2.13 FIP. This is exactly the type of mid-tier stability the Orioles lack. The lefty was part of the 2023 World Series-winning Rangers. That is why he will not only carry a veteran presence, but also the experience related to October baseball.

The logic is simple: the Pirates will be sellers again this year. In addition, Baltimore has offensive stars to dangle. The cost will not break the farm system, however, the reward could manage a sinking ship. Sure, Heaney will not fix everything — he is not a Band-Aid for the broken Orioles. However, the star can be a reliable power every five days. In short? The team needs to stop waiting for aspects to click and begin to make things happen. The time to trade is not July — it is now.