Will Orioles trade Ryan Mountcastle on the cheap?

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Even when he eventually returns from the 60-day Injured List, where will Ryan Mountcastle play in the Baltimore Orioles' lineup?

Not left field. The 2019 first overall draft pick hasn't played in the outfield for the past six seasons and Pete Alonso controls first base. That leaves designated hitter, but rookie Samuel Basallo continues emerging as an everyday option.

With the Orioles slumping for a second straight season, they could be one of the few sellers before the MLB trade deadline. Adley Rutschman, who endured two short IL stints this season, likely remains viewed as the franchise's biggest trade chip.

Mountcastle could be a buy-low acquisition prize by a contender seeking a proven right-handed bat.

Orioles’ Ryan Mountcastle needs place to play

As the Orioles continue to build around a young core featuring infielders Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday, Mountcastle, who hasn't played since he fractured a bone in his left foot April 11, could return after the All-Star break and serve as a top off-the-bench bat.

A former 33-homer slugger, Mountcastle, 29, hasn't matched his 2021 professional peak, but from 2022-24, he posted a combined .745 OPS.

Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias anticipated Mountcastle's return.

"Ryan’s still plugging along," Elias said, as reported by MASN. "We’re getting to the point where we can see if we can like weave that into his baseball activities. I still don’t have a timeline.

"(He's) making his way back.”

With over three weeks remaining until the Aug. 3 trade deadline, the right-handed hitting market appears to be dominated by Houston Astros' Christian Walker and Boston Red Sox's Willson Contreras.

Mountcastle, a seven-year professional who collected 98 career homers, could be a top consolation prize.