Mayo addresses trade rumors, his fit with O's heading into 2026

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The trade rumors surrounding Coby Mayo picked up as soon as the Orioles signed Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million deal in mid-December. The move seemingly created a three-man logjam at first base -- Alonso, Ryan Mountcastle and Mayo -- with the 24-year-old Mayo appearing to be the most likely trade chip due to his youth and upside.

Spring Training is now underway for the O’s in Sarasota, and the trade rumors haven’t stopped. There continues to be speculation about whether Baltimore would consider moving somebody like Mayo in an attempt to bolster a pitching staff that could still use another high-quality arm.

Mayo hasn’t been oblivious to it. At the same time, he’s not stressing over it.

“There’s no surprise that there can be trades happening. It wouldn’t be a shocker to anybody,” Mayo said Wednesday morning at Orioles camp. “You kind of know the situation you’re in and you have to not worry about the future, kind of live in the moment, and that’s what I kind of did all offseason, just worrying about where my feet were at and working really hard at the gym and in the cages and at the field.

“Just trying to be the best player I can be and whatever happens, happens. But right now, I’m here and I’m trying to do what I can to help the team out.”

Late last season, Mayo made a strong case to become Baltimore’s starting first baseman for the foreseeable future. His defense at the position improved, and he hit .301 with five home runs and a .941 OPS over 24 games in September.

Then, the Alonso signing happened. And not only that, but Mountcastle -- speculated to be a potential non-tender candidate -- was tendered a contract before avoiding arbitration with a $6.787 million deal for this year that also added a $7.5 million team option for 2027.

Was it at all frustrating for Mayo to see his path to increased playing time close a bit?

“No, not frustrating at all,” Mayo said. “Pete Alonso’s one of the best first basemen in the league, and as a player on this team, you’ve got to be super happy for this organization, for the fans, that they went after a big fish and got him. It’s great for the team. As far as myself, I’ve just got to play well. ... Good things happen when you hit. I think there’s going to be opportunities there.”

Mayo said he’s been working at third base “a good bit” of late, while still getting reps at first as well. The 2020 fourth-round Draft pick came up through the Minors as a third baseman, but his large frame (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) allowed him to have better results at first.

The Orioles have long discussed the possibility of trying Mayo in the corner outfield. It has never materialized, but president of baseball operations Mike Elias didn’t rule it out this week.

But Mayo (who has one Minor League option remaining) could have an opportunity for more time at third if Baltimore opts to use Jordan Westburg more frequently at second, which now has a hole following the news that Jackson Holliday will open the season on the injured list due to a broken hamate bone in his right hand. Utility man Blaze Alexander and Jeremiah Jackson are also in the infield mix.

Mayo again expressed a willingness to do what’s best for the team, and it’s an eagerness greatly appreciated by his new manager.

“He has a great mindset coming into camp, and he did a great job in the offseason,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “That’s a part of the game, a part of the business, like the trade [rumors] and stuff. But Coby’s mature, he’s handled it, and he’s in a great spot right now, working hard.”

Although Mayo may not be playing as much first base as he once expected -- at least if he remains with the Orioles and breaks camp with the team -- he’s hopeful he can carry over the positive momentum he had at the end of 2025.

“I was really proud of the way I finished last year. Really, really proud,” Mayo said. “It gave me confidence going into the offseason that I can be a really good big league player in this league.”