The market for right-handed hitting outfielders was too robust for the Orioles to hold onto Taylor Ward.

In an anticipated move, the Orioles traded Ward to the Mariners today. The on-base machine is chugging out of town.

A source confirmed the deal. Neither team has announced it.

Ward was acquired from the Angels on Nov. 19 for starter Grayson Rodriguez, an out-of-nowhere trade that gave the club a much-coveted right-handed power bat. Ironically, he’s hit only seven home runs, compared to 36 last season, but his .383 OBP leads the club and his .729 OPS is second to Pete Alonso’s .811 among qualified players.

Alonso arrived after Ward, signing a five-year, $155 million contract and overshadowing the earlier acquisition.

Ward’s 111 games were tied with Gunnar Henderson for second on the team behind Alonso’s 112. He slashed .246/.383/.346, and his 87 walks easily topped Alonso’s runner-up 56. His 20 doubles were one behind Alonso.

The motivation to trade Ward also included his free agent status after 2026.

The alternative was to hold onto Ward and perhaps make a qualifying offer.

Asked about the possibility of a trade following Saturday’s game, Ward said, “I’d love to stay here. I love the guys and the coaching staff, and I like where this organization is heading. I’d love to stay, but I understand that, at the end of the day, it’s a business and they have to do what’s best for the team.”

The Orioles have decisions to make with their outfield now that the most regular presence is gone. The active roster currently holds left-handed hitting Colton Cowser and Dylan Beavers, right-handed hitting Tyler O’Neill and switch-hitting Leody Taveras. The 40-man roster includes Heston Kjerstad and Reed Trimble.

Former first-rounder Enrique Bradfield Jr. is a left-handed hitter and a plus runner and defender who must be protected from the Rule 5 draft this winter – if one exists after the Collective Bargaining Agreement expires Dec. 1.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported the trade.

*A source confirmed multiple reports, including one from MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo, that the Orioles are receiving right-handers Alex Hoppe, Harrison Kreiling and Brock Moore.

Hoppe, 27, was a sixth-round pick of the Red Sox in 2022 who made 24 relief appearances this season as a rookie and posted a 5.79 ERA with 34 strikeouts and only two home runs allowed in 28 innings.

Kreiling, 24, was a 17th-round pick of the Mariners in 2024 out of Nebraska Omaha who made his first four professional appearances this season between the Arizona Complex League and Single-A. He struck out 16 in 10 2/3 innings.

Moore, 26, has a 5.56 ERA, 35 strikeouts and two homers allowed in 22 2/3 innings over 18 relief appearances for Double-A Arkansas. He was a seventh-rounder in 2024 out of Oregon.

MLB Pipeline ranked Moore as Seattle’s No. 24 prospect.

*The Orioles announced the trade.