O's Not Looking To Break Up Core

[ThomasTomasz]

At this point last year, the Orioles were one of the league's biggest surprises and expected to be big-time buyers before the trade deadline. They held a dwindling lead over their big-spending and hard-charging brethren in the American League East, and with injuries mounting, reinforcements were clearly needed.

However, after a long flirtation with the Florida Marlins about pitcher A.J. Burnett, the Orioles' big-time trade deadline addition was outfielder Eric Byrnes. The Orioles fell out of first place in late June and never got it back and several players cited the perceived front office inactivity as a key factor in the club's eventual collapse.

The lead-up to this year's trade deadline brings a vastly different set of circumstances. Still 35 games before the July 31 deadline, the Orioles (32-39) are 9 1/2 games out of first place in the AL East with the fourth worst winning percentage in the league. Barring an about-face, a ninth straight losing season is on the horizon, but Orioles officials stress that major changes - at least around the trade deadline - likely aren't.

They are happy with the club's nucleus and see no reason for a drastic overhaul.

"We are playing to win. We're not trying to break anything down," said Orioles vice president Jim Duquette. "We're going to be both buyers and sellers. That's our plan. If it makes sense to trade somebody to improve ourselves in another area, we may do that. And hopefully, there's a trade out there that without giving up our entire farm system, we can get better immediately."

Duquette said that the volume of phone calls that Orioles executives have gotten in recent days has picked up considerably. Orioles officials say no deals are imminent, that with the deadline still more than a month away, teams are mostly just touching base.

"Just based on the more recent phone calls, there are teams interested in some of our players, for sure," Duquette said. "We're going to be active, but for us to make a deal, it has to make us better this year and next year."

Catcher/designated hitter Javy Lopez may well be the Orioles' biggest trade chip, and interest in the 35-year-old catcher, who has 257 career home runs, has picked up throughout the season. However, Lopez is in the final year of his contract and is making $8.5 million this season. The Orioles may have to eat some of the remaining money to expect to get a decent return.

LaTroy Hawkins and Bruce Chen will also be free agents after the season and arms are always at a premium around the deadline. The Orioles have gotten several calls about Chen and Rodrigo Lopez , though the club is not currently looking to deal either, unless the price is right.

Veterans Kevin Millar , Luis Matos and Jeff Conine , who has an option in his contract that will vest with 450 plate appearances, also figure to be discussed in trade talks, though interest at this point has been minimal. Both Duquette and Orioles executive vice president Mike Flanagan stressed that in most cases, the club is not just looking to dump major leaguers for mid-level prospects.

"Everybody looks at it the same," Flanagan said. "You are looking for major league-ready players, players that are mostly established or players who are as close to the big league level as possible."

Though the Orioles say they will be both buyers and sellers, they vow not to be renters. They will not make a trade to bring back a player in the last year of his contract unless they have assurances that the player will sign a long-term deal with them.

Some of the biggest names expected to be available, including Washington outfielder Alfonso Soriano, Oakland pitcher Barry Zito and Milwaukee outfielder Carlos Lee, are all free agents after this season.

Florida pitcher Dontrelle Willis and Tampa Bay outfielder Carl Crawford are among the biggest names not facing impending free agency who could be available, and the Orioles, whose biggest need is a top-of-the-rotation starter, would be interested in either.

At this point, they are being told like seemingly every other team that Willis is not available and discussion about Crawford would likely require that the Orioles part with one of their young major league arms (Erik Bedard or Daniel Cabrera ) and one of their top pitching prospects (Hayden Penn or Adam Loewen).

"What we're trying to do is to get better, make sure we improve ourselves long term," Duquette said. "Ideally [with a trade], we can improve ourselves for the rest of the season, but also improve ourselves long term with a guy that we can control. We're not going to make a trade with a rental player. That doesn't make any sense for us."
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Available for a price

Jeff Conine: If his offense improves, versatility and playoff pedigree will attract in terest from winning teams. Would likely draw mid-level prospects in return.

Luis Matos: Tenure with Orioles could be drawing to an end. As of now, Orioles haven't gotten many calls on out fielder, but that could change with injuries.

Bruce Chen: Free agent next year has attracted some attention despite struggles. Every body wants pitching, but Orioles aren't going to just give him away.

Biggest trade chips

LaTroy Hawkins: Orioles not looking to move him, but free-agent status next year and league-wide bullpen concerns certainly create a market.

Rodrigo Lopez: Has won 14 games or more in three of past four seasons. There won't be that many pitchers on market with better resumes.

Javy Lopez: The Orioles' biggest trade chip, Lopez brings power and catching depth. He is also due $8.5 million, a price that has already scared teams away.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/b...ports-baseball

[ThomasTomasz]

Lopez and Chen are just blocking the way to the majors for some of our best pitching prospects, Hayden Penn among them. I would just as soon get something for them, than to keep them and have them waste roster spots. The same with Hawkins- the bullpen has done well since some of the new guys have been called up, and the Ottawa pitching coach receiving the bullpen coach job with the Orioles, so we can live without Hawkins. He is a proven setup man, and will draw plenty of interest.

I'd rather keep Conine for his leadership than trade him for "mid-level" prospects. Its just that simple, he isn't worth giving up for some guy that probably won't make an impact at the major league level.

Javy Lopez could draw some interest, but he's also said he is interested in finishing his career with the Orioles. I would trade him, maybe getting a good prospect in return, and re-sign him to a one or two year deal this offseason, allowing him to finish up with the Orioles, and also benefitting him this year in playing for another ring.