It?s been quite some time since the Orioles were buyers rather than sellers at the trading deadline. Actually, to call July 31 a “deadline” isn?t entirely accurate.
Deals can be made beyond that date, but first a team has to secure waivers on the players that might be dealt. That?s where it can get a little dicey, when team B claims a player to keep team A from acquiring him for the stretch drive. Most of the players acquired after the non-waiver trading deadline are of the higher-salaried variety and clear waivers fairly easily. The date that really matters to the true contenders is Aug. 31, since a player has to be on his new team?s roster by that date to be eligible for postseason play.
Fans tend to take a dim view when their team makes wholesale changes at the trading deadline. They see it as giving up, waving the white flag of surrender with the season just more than half complete, even though the club might describe it differently ? more like reshuffling the deck, restocking the farm system, retoolingfor the following year, re-this, re-that. They?re usually reluctant to say “rebuild,” since that sounds like starting over, and that?s not the impression a team wants to give, whether it?s the Orioles or the current dregs of the game, the Royals and Pirates.
A few years back, when then-Orioles Vice President Syd Thrift traded away Will Clark, Mike Bordick, B.J. Surhoff, Harold Baines and Charles Johnson in a 72-hour period, the fans screamed bloody murder, as no recognizable names ? with the possible exception of Melvin Mora, then a utility guy with the Mets ? came back in return. For whatever reason, diehard Oriole fans always feel like their guys are worth more, simply because they?re Orioles. In reality, the trade market for each of those players was extremely limited, and Thrift knew he could re-sign Bordick in the offseason. Nonetheless, that was a 20-percent turnover in the 25-man roster, and by Monday night, it?s possible we?ll see a similar turnover in this year?s Oriole clubhouse.
Or maybe nothing will happen. That doesn?t seem likely, with the rumors swirling around Rodrigo Lopez, Javy Lopez, LaTroy Hawkins, Jeff Conine, Kevin Millar, Kris Benson and even Miguel Tejada. Of that group, only the last two would seem to bring a significant return, but the way they package the other guys might surprise you.
One thing is for certain: There will be a significant number of players traded this year, Orioles or not. Look at the standings. Look at the number of teams that are contenders for a wild-card slot. Only six teams are over .500 in the National League, leaving open the possibility that a team could make postseason play with a sub-.500 record. There are eight AL wild-card contenders.
By Tuesday, you really will need a scorecard to know where the players are.
Listen to Phil Wood every Saturday at 11 a.m. on ESPN Radio 1300.
