With the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline 8 days away, the Orioles are definitely in ‘sell mode’. We have no chance at the playoffs and we have a few veterans that could help a contending team down the stretch. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Andy MacPhail has said he would like to avoid the late season collapses that have marred recent seasons, but I would look for us to make at least two trades before all is said and done. Heres a look at who I think has a chance of being dealt by next Friday at 4 pm.
RHP Danys Baez: The Colorado Rockies are apparently very interested in acquiring Baez to help their bullpen down the stretch. I can see us working out a deal with them or another team looking for bullpen help. I don’t think it would take much to take Baez off of our hands. He won’t net us draft picks if he signs with another team in the offseason and we have plenty of options to replace him when hes gone (Chris Ray, Dennis Sarfate, Kem Mickolio, Jim Miller, etc.). Baez has a pretty hefty salary for a middle reliever so we might have to pitch in some money in any deal.
Chances of being traded: 10 (out of 10)
LHP George Sherrill: After some early season struggles, Sherrill has really found his groove closing games for the O’s. He has a 2.52 ERA and 20 saves while striking out almost a batter an inning, plus he is under team control for two more years. He is dominant against lefties. His trade value is very high and there are a bunch of teams that are interested in him, with the Los Angeles Angels at the top of the heap. I could see us getting a potential third baseman of the future and a solid pitching prospect for Sherrill. In fact, I don’t see us settling for any less since hes under our control for a couple more years and his value should remain high entering the off-season and next year. Jim Johnson could step into the closers role if Sherrill is dealt.
Chances of being traded: 8
1B Aubrey Huff: In my opinion, I think the Orioles should have traded Huff either at last years trade deadline or the off-season. All signs pointed to a drop off from last year. Huff has had a very disappointing season, hes back to 2007 levels. That said, he is a notorious second half hitter and a team might be willing to take a chance on him. San Francisco and the New York Mets could be potential destinations for Aubrey. MacPhail might prefer to hold on to him and offer him arbitration in the off-season, but he might not be a type A free agent unless he starts hitting like last year. If he accepted arbitration a one year $8-10 million dollar deal wouldn’t be bad, but I’d rather take a decent prospect for him and play Ty Wiggington at first base until Brandon Snyder is ready to take over.
Chances of being traded: 6
LF/DH Luke Scott: Scott is having a tremendous season and I’m sure he could help out a team looking for some offensive help down the stretch. Luke has even been hitting left handed pitching this year, proving to be an everyday player. I wouldn’t give him up easily, but if some team wants to overpay for him I would strike while the iron is hot. Scott is a very streaky hitter and our outfield is set with Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and Nolan Reimold. The average O’s fan might not like it, but trading Scott while his value is highest would make a good Miguel Tejada trade even better.
Chances of being traded: 4
RHP Jeremy Guthrie: Guthrie has struggled so far this year, but he should still be able to collect a good bounty if last year’s Joe Blanton trade is any indicator. He has proven to be an innings eater at the least, or a number 2/3 starter if he bounces back to ’07/’08 levels. I don’t see us trading him at the deadline unless we’re really overwhelmed, but I think theres a good chance hes moved in the off-season. Our pitching prospects are finally at the cusp of being major league ready and we’ll need to make room for them somehow, might as well be with our most valuable starting pitcher. But I think Koji Uehara’s injury and Rich Hill’s struggles have put an end to any serious thought of trading Guthrie before the deadline.
Chances of being traded: 2
3B Melvin Mora: This might be wishful thinking but who knows, maybe some team with issues at third base will look at Mora’s second half resurgence last year and take a chance on him. Any Mora deal would most likely have to include the Orioles picking up the rest of this years salary. Mora has looked old and has seemingly lost any semblance of the power he once showed. Maybe an infamous Player To Be Named Later trade. Most likely the Orioles will just let Mora play out the season, decline his 2010 option, go our separate ways, and induct him into the Orioles Hall of Fame in a few years.
Chances of being traded: 1
1B/3B Ty Wiggington: Wiggington started off the season ice cold, but has returned to more of his career norms lately. He could be a useful bat off the bench for a National League team in need of some pop or help against lefties. Wiggington has limited range but is fairly sure handed with balls hit in his immediate vicinity. He can play all over the field and hes signed to a cheap deal through 2010. Those last two might be a reason why the Orioles keep him around. He could replace either Melvin Mora, Aubrey Huff, or even Luke Scott next season if we don’t acquire any long term options in other trades. At worst he does what hes doing now, a good bat on the bench and someone to plug into the lineup against lefties.
Chances of being traded: 3
