Perrotto's Latest: Reliever Rumors, Bard, Cooper

Apparently MacPhail is under the delusion that if the Orioles can be a .500 team it will make them more attractive to free agents. I have to call bullcrap on that. What will make the team more attractive to free agents (i.e. Texiera, a SS, a SP or four) will be the sight of a system loaded with people who can make the O's *legitimate* contenders by 2010. We don't have that now, and Sherrill is someone who can move us towards that, so he needs to be dealt. Now, preferably, before Mora and Millar and Hernandez go on hitting streaks and convince the O's that they are back to being authentic major league hitters.

What qualifies as overwhelming for a 31-year-old LOOGY?

Before O's fans jump down my throat, a near 800 OPS against righties does not make you an effective late-inning reliever worthy of an overwhelming offer.

Neither does 28 saves.

I think MacPhail can be given the benefit of the doubt that he knows what he is doing. Look at the way that he fleeced the Mariners in the Bedard trade and moving Tejada to the Astros has worked out well for the Orioles also. I see this as just posturing to let other teams know that Sherrill is available but that they are going to have to pay up if they want him. I don't think they'll get any 5 for 1 deals but 2 good prospects that are (or nearly) major league ready should get it done.

I can't see Sherrill's value getting any higher than it is right now so as an Orioles fan, I'm all for trading him (and just about anyone else!)for the right package.

Please, for the love of God, Andy...trade Sherrill NOW! You made a shrewd this winter in the Bedard deal. Adam Jones looks like a future star in center field. Tillman is among the top pitching prospects in the game. Now there's a chance you can move the 31 reliever that looked like little more than a throw in at the time, for another prospect or two (depending who). This is manna from heaven! A chance to, essentially, add to the Bedard haul. DO IT! I have no idea what we could get, but I'd guess a package of Sherrill and Huff could net a couple legit youngsters. Rumor has it Tampa's interested. Maybe a Huff/Sherrill package could net a package centered around Reid Brignac? The Rays seem perfectly content with Bartlett and his terrific defense until Beckham is ready. Have 'em throw in a couple of their second tier arms and...? Or what about the Dodgers. If you don't do it, Beane will. Stop holding his jock and get in the game!!! With Saito out, they've gotta be getting desperate and it isn't as if Colletti is a particularly bright guy! Sure, he smart enough to hang on to Kershaw, but what about McDonald? Or maybe a package including, say, LaRoche, Lambo, and Bryan Morris? Too much? I'm just throwing things out there. Point is: make a @$*(%&Y*in' deal!!! .500 is for losers!!!

ctiger- I'm obviously an O's fan, but...the Tejada deal has worked out well? Not so sure. Seems a wash to me. I'm not exactly missing Tejada, but SS seems to be the most in-demand position there is (aside from starting pitching) as the deadline approaches and we might've done better. Consider: the two top arms we picked up- Troy Patton and Matt Albers have been lost for the season with labrum tears...not an easy injury to bounce back from- while Costanzo is FINALLY starting to hit...at Triple A...Sarfate can't hit the backside of a barn with his 100 MPH heater and...OK, Luke Scott's been good, especially of late. Maybe good enough to justify the deal. Still...you have to wonder what an All Star SS would net you right now.

Meoveryouok- you're a moron. No one's saying Sherrill is Mariano Rivera, but to dismiss him as a LOOGY after 28 saves and an All Star appearance is ignorant. Quote all the stats you want; on a team with some deserving players- Roberts, Huff, Markakis- Sherrill got picked for the midseason classic and was absolutely nails.

You're right to ask the definition of an 'overwhelming offer' but to dismiss Sherrill is idiotic...and quite telling as to your understanding of the game. If you're so into math, how 'bout fixing the economy and leaving baseball to those with some semblance of a clue.