ARLINGTON, Texas — The Orioles’ rebuild faced its toughest move yet Monday, with Baltimore trading Trey Mancini, the roster’s lone holdover from its most recent playoff run and a player who endeared himself to the fan base with his personality and perseverance while facing cancer, to the Houston Astros, sources with knowledge of the agreement confirmed to The Baltimore Sun.
The return is not yet known. The deal comes a day before the Major League League trade deadline and with the Orioles only three games out of a wild-card spot, beginning a three-game series against the Texas Rangers at 51-51 after a 16-9 July that featured a 10-game winning streak. Mancini was on the field before Monday’s series opener giving hugs to Orioles teammates and staff.
Mancini made his major league debut late in the 2016 season and was in the final guaranteed year of his contract with the team, having agreed to a deal with a mutual option for the 2023 season during spring training to avoid arbitration. But he has always said he didn’t expect both sides to pick up the option, likely leaving his status as a trade candidate unchanged.
