Orioles Trades

Or possible ones that is.

MLBTradeRumors lists the potential trade candidates for the Baltimore Orioles.

The Orioles are obviously struggling this year, but that was expected. All things considered I think you have to call this season a success so far, if for no other reason than the fact that Adam Jones is becoming a star. Even though Felix Pie hasn't worked out (.233 wOBA, barf), it's not like they gave anything up to get him. Currently the Orioles actually have an above average lineup, it's pitching that they need. And pitching is on the way, but you can never have too much, and maybe some of these trade candidates can fetch something of use.

Melvin Mora and Ty Wigginton have been pretty horrible (Wiggy especially) but a trade to the JV League to the Reds or Cubs to fill their 3b needs is certainly possible.

Two other trade candidates that I like are George Sherrill and Jeremy Guthrie:

Jeremy Guthrie, SP - $650K this year, under team control through 2012. The O's are not in a position to trade away pitching, but Guthrie is already 30 years old. 3.5 years of Guthrie could be appealing on the trade market. Maybe he could be cashed in for multiple young players.

George Sherrill, RP - $2.75MM this year, under team control through 2011. Sherrill is trying to hang on to the team's closer job. He may be best-served back in a lefty-specialist role. He's similar to Guthrie in that he's past 30 but under team control for a while.

Tim Dierkes hit it on the nose here. 2 pitchers that are both pretty good, cheap, and under team control. These wouldn't be one year rentals, and could fetch back more in a trade than the other players mentioned. In 2007 as a lefty specialist Sherrill had a 2.36 ERA, I don't think any team would acquire him to be their closer but take him out of the big boy leaugue and the AL East more specifically, then it's an interesting idea. Guthrie isn't going to wow you but he's been a reliable pitcher in that division the last two years, posting an ERA+ of 125 in 2007 and 2008.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Orioles traded 5 of these guys, or traded one or none. This year doesn't matter so the difference between winning 5 more games when your 10 games under .500 is negligible. But, teams like to try to stay competitive (sometimes for the worse, Astros) and there has been talk of trying to bring up Wieters to a winning environment. Taking that literally would be quite stupid, the Orioles aren't going to be a winning franchise this year and Wieters is going to come up regardless, but don't expect the Orioles to field Markakis, Jones, Wieters, and 6 replacement level players in the 2nd half of the year. However, if they can shed some salary or trade one of their more usable players like Guthrie or Sherrill for a promising prospect I think it's a move they have to make.

The Orioles are going to be good soon, it's only a matter of time, and a good move at the deadline could make their future even brighter. Now, if the Blue Jays are more than a mirage this year and the Orioles continue to get better, is it going to be fair to let the AL Central and West have 2 playoff spots?