Each rationale you try to pose for the Orioles doing this begs at least one question.

– Platoon him (a righty) with Basallo (a lefty)
First, Mayo is also a righty. Second, Mountcastle hit worse versus lefties last year than righties (though in his career, that’s not the case)

– Its a sign and trade
Who in their right mind wants to pay Mountcastle the ~8M he’s projected? What value does he still have? Maybe in November 2023 he had some, not much now.

– They think new coaching can fix him.
“He’s already been through a couple coaches and continued declining. Wouldn’t a new coach also be able to improve Mayo?

– Mayo is going to be traded
This is my conclusion. But then that begs the question are they going to get another 1B/DH type who’s much more productive? That’s $8M for a guy in a power hitting position who doesn’t hit for power on a team that’s supposed to contend. Mayo is a much more attractive asset and could return good pitching. Either way, they have to do better than Mountcastle.

They also tendered Cano, which I was against, but he’s cheap so I’m not surprised.

As for Basallo, this is the first time that they’ve actually extended a guy and made a commitment, he’s not going anywhere.