The Orioles didn?t find their next power hitter at the non-waiver trade deadline. But they may have found their manager.
On a teleconference shortly after Tuesday?s 4 p.m. trading deadline, Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail gave interim manager Dave Trembley the thumbs-up for the remainder of the 2007 season.
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“I think it is pretty self evident that we won?t be making any managerial change in-season,” MacPhail said. “In terms of beyond this season, I?ll sit down with Dave and talk a little about the future when they get back off the road.”
The Orioles have gone 20-15 under Trembley, who replaced Sam Perlozzo June 18. The team, 49-55 entering Tuesday night?s series-opener in Boston,went 5-1 on its recent home stand and has won seven of its last nine.
“The things that I thought were important, the preparation level, the enthusiasm, the effort, you have to be pleased with all of those things at this point,” MacPhail said. “When I was asked about a manager [when I was introduced June 20], I wanted somebody that would have our team prepared.”
MacPhail has been preparing for the deadline since he was hired. Though the Orioles have several attractive veterans, other teams inquired about the Orioles? strength ? young starting pitchers.
“That was well over 90 percent of the conversations we had, about the core, young starters,” MacPhail said.
The Texas Rangers wanted young, starting pitchers in exchange for switch hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira, a Severna Park native and former All-Star, who wound up with the Atlanta Braves.
Orioles starter Steve Trachsel, reliever Chad Bradford, outfielders Jay Payton and Jay Gibbons and first baseman/designated hitter Kevin Millar were considered valuable to teams contending for the playoffs.
However, the Orioles could still deal those players before the end of the season. Players passing through waivers can be dealt until Aug. 31.
