Orioles' president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail spoke to reporters today, and MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli says he indicated that no young player on the team's roster is untouchable (Twitter link). He did, however, say that it would be hard to give up a young guy, even for a big bat.
Even with the majors' worst record at 29-60, the Orioles do have a promising young core to build around, led by Brian Matusz and Matt Wieters. Others like Chris Tillman, Adam Jones, Jake Arrieta, Josh Bell, and Felix Pie also fit into that fix. Nick Markakis remains extremely productive, though the big money in his contract kicks in next season, when he'll earn $10.25MM. Baltimore would find plenty of interest in the 26-year-old if they were to make him available.
Understandably, most of the trade rumors involving Orioles' players this summer have been about veterans, namely Ty Wigginton. The team would receive a better return if they moved younger players for obvious reasons, and I suppose it's not crazy to think MacPhail could deal a youngster for a package that could potentially address multiple needs.
ajf718
I feel sorry for orioles fan.
Ferrariman
markakis can definitely bring in a nice haul. very underrated player for where he plays.
.300 hitter/.400obp with 20HR power and good defense. of course he isn’t cheap.
maybe the giants?
fitz
underrated? not a chance
Piccamo
Who rates him as well as he plays?
RawlingsHeart
I was actually talking to my friend the other day about trying to acquire Markakais. He’s a big bat that could help us down the run and he won’t be a free agent til after 2015. Surely the Orioles have the right to ask for a HUGE bundle of prospects though. Maybe Zach Wheeler as a centerpiece?
Yankees420
I can’t see the O’s trading Markakis to the Giants without getting MadBum in return.
aap212
This is what it must have felt like for the people in the car when the cup of water rippled in Jurassic Park.
Chuck new kids on Knoblauch
The O’s cannot compete in that Division. I would love to see Markakis on the Chi Sox.
Ryan
Kakes to Soxs well we can start around Beckham and possibly throw in a mid-level prospects. MacPhail always get the better end of trade you want any of the youngsters good luck getting them for a price you like
Guest
I would love for the Padres to try to pry away home town product (SD) Adam Jones in a package with Guthrie. The Padres have many prospects that may OR may not be appealing. And.. the O’s have recently scouted the Padres system.
Some minor league arms that COULD be appealing: Castro is not goin anywhere (IMO) Pelzer, Poreda, Sampson, Portillo, Hefner, Sullivan, Italiano, Carter, Reyes etc. Just to name some.
I would love to see a package of Will Venble, Decker and Sampson for Guthrie and Adam Jones.
AirmanSD
Not enough. Decker value is down (and the Padres are likely to deal him anyways especially with his value down), though I believe he is starting to rebound now that he is healthy. Sampson is too far away for the O’s, they are going to want to add to the core they already have soon (think in the next year or two). So that limits the Padres trade chips.
Guest
Decker is still one of the best prospects in baseball (one year removed from 50 over all) despite his slow start after an injury. Yes, he got off to an atrocious start after being injured, but he hit .282 .372 .500 in June and .321 .433 .446 so far in July. His “stock” hasn’t fallen that much. And I am not sure the Padres “are likely to deal him anyways”. He is hit and miss with scouts because of his coined “bad body type” but is still extremely athletic and would fit well in Baltimore with the short porch in RF.Sampson is quickly becoming one of the Padres best pitching prospects and teams are noticing. Hence many inquiries by teams and his stock is only on the rise because of his stellar performance. Castro is a top 20 prospect in all of baseball right now and he’s not far off. If that was even a consideration, every team in BB would be interested. My main point is they(the Padres and O’s) could possible match up very well, IMO there is a deal to be had were both teams could win and improve.
Steve Shoup
I will admit that of all the O’s young players the one who might get moved is Jones, since they do have Pie but I fail to see how the O’s and Padres match up as you say.
Decker is a nice prospect, but he is no longer on the fast track, he is at least 3 (if not 4) years away. Veneble is nothing special, i’m not saying there is no value, and maybe he is part of a Guthrie deal, but he is not one of the top three players in a Jones trade. Maybe he would be like the 5th player but not a headliner.
Sampson is becoming a good young pitching prospect, but again he is years away, and not worth a starting caliber CF. In fact you could offer any 4 of those pitchers that you mentioned plus Decker and Veneble and it would be a bad deal for the O’s.
The Orioles need high end prospects, adding 6 2nd and 3rd tier guys don’t do anything for them. They already have plenty of those guys. Baltimore needs middle of the infield prospects, 1B prospects and power pitchers (mainly guys who can start first so Poreda is out). Decker is completely redundant in Baltimore and Venerable might not break the starting lineup even after say Jones, Wigginton and Scott are traded. I don’t think San Diego would be a good fit for a big trade. Maybe they can land a Guthrie for say 2 of those pitchers, but not an Adam Jones
AirmanSD
That was a typo, it was supposed to be “unlikely” to deal him. Sampson would make sense for a team that doesn’t have much in the majors are planning on going on a long term rebuilding plan, that just is not the O’s. (And I personally see Sampson and Castro as the two that the Padres should not move unless they are getting a long term star player in return) The Padres could make a deal with the O’s but they have made it clear they want to add to their core of young pitchers in the majors, which limits this to near-ready prospects.
Guest
True, but they have also stated their preference for a young controllable outfielder. I think for a premier player at a premiere POS. its possible.
baseball1
That’s not even close to enough. Look, the O’s aren’t just gonna give up talent for nothing. There is no reason to even trade Jones, unless some tremendous offer is given to the O’s.
Guest
For “nothing”? I mentioned several prospects, how much do you know about about of them?
Decker
Castro
Sampson
All very appealing prospects!
Castro would be “tremendous”.
aap212
Dude, you said Jones and Guthrie for Decker, Venable, and Sampson. That’s not nearly enough. Now you get defensive and throw in Castro, who’s better than any of those other names and you previously said was untouchable.
Guest
I am not “getting defensive”… read below.
Steve Shoup
You said Castro wasn’t going anywhere…now if he is included then possibly you could work something out…but it would be more than just Decker Castro and Sampson
Guest
“You said Castro wasn’t going anywhere”
(IMO) I AM NOT A GM! My MAIN point was the Padres have VERY appealing prospects. Castro would be one of them along with Sampson. IMO I do not think he (Castro) is going anywhere, but who is to say that wouldn’t happen? I have also said SEVERAL times on traderumors that the only way Castro is dealt is for a premium player, Jones COULD fit into that category.. or at least should.
I said I WOULD love to package Decker, Venable and Sampson. Of course I do not want to include Castro I am a Padre fan LOL. Obviously what I believe and what the two GM’s believe are very different things. I do however see the O’s and Padre making a deal, whether that is for just Guthrie or more.
aap212
So you want a completely ridiculous trade. Why don’t you just say so?
Guest
Why? Why instead of being insulting, don’t you provide facts (or logic) to support your reasoning why it is “a completely ridiculous trade”? Instead of the adult version of “I don’t give a care”.
Unless … you have no clue and are very uninformed by your rather sophomoric responses. Rhetorical of course.
aap212
Fine. Facts: Jones is a very good defensive centerfielder with solid offensive production, potential for more, and years of team control left. The price for him alone would probably be more than a so-so 27-year old centerfielder, a teenage corner-only hitter with a bad body who’s had a down year, and a good not great pitching prospect. Throw in a solid innings eater like Guthrie and the trade is ridiculous.
Guest
Decker, 50 OVERALL prospect last year. I think dropped to 87 but is now playing VERY well. OBVIOUSLY he is regarded VERY highly in ALL Of BB, not just by me (to be that high) DESPITE his age or body type. Sampson may not be enough I said so much. Castro is a top 20 prospect in all of baseball right now and he’s not far off. That right there would be TWO top 100’s and possibly two top 50’s (one of whom would be top 20) and a viable outfielder that is still under control despite his age (Venable) 27 and also has upside. I don’t think it’s so ridiculous that the O’s would give up Jones. He’s not a star (YET) like SOME are calling him, at least not with the bat. He’s hitting .276 .304 .453. That’s not all that much different than Venable’s .238 .314 .416. Venable’s OPS+ is actually better than Jones’, he’s stolen 11 more bases, and has been a lot more efficient. Obviously Venable isn’t the defender that Jones is in CF, but he is an above average defensive outfielder on a corner and the O’s have Felix Pie who’s been playing very well that could take over in CF. Both Pie and Venable have more years of team control and Jones is going to be making some money soon.
aap212
OK, but unless Castro is in there in addition to the guys you mentioned, it’s not enough for both.
Jeff
As an O’s fan, I would not want Castro. He has great stuff but no control. Reminds me of Daniel Cabrera. Pass! Keith Law left the futures game unimpressed, as did I.
Steve Shoup
Alright a couple of things…as for your rankings i’m curious as to where you get them. Baseball America has Castro 17th in their mid season rankings, but they don’t have another Padres prospect in the top 50, maybe Samson has moved up to 51 maybe Decker is still in the mix but maybe not. Also Keith Law doesn’t have Castro ranked in his top 25 or mention him in the 10-12 additional names he talks about. And was unimpressed with him at the Futures game. So I think it is a bit over the top to say that he is this golden prospect that teams can’t live without. Also as you admit Decker is young, been injured and isn’t performing well (for the year) I don’t know what part of that trio screams can’t miss for you, but those are all red flags for teams. Sure Decker tore up Low-A pitching, but that doesn’t exactly make him a sure thing. I’m not saying he isn’t a prospect or doesn’t have value, but Decker being a central part of a package to acquire a bright young centerfielder isn’t exactly heartwarming to Orioles fans. Jones is an immediate help for San Diego and he is cost controlled so it is no salary dump. Trading him for a guy like Decker who even if he makes it to the majors is 4 years away is a huge risk. As for Venable he isn’t even close to Jones in value. Jones is a centerfielder, Venable is a weak hitting corner outfielder. Sure he is good defensively but he plays the same position as Nick Markakis, whom the Orioles just signed to a long term deal. Not to mention the fact the O’s need to add more power to their lineup not less. Venable would be a significant downgrade for the O’s and would be no better than a bench player after this year.
Baltimore wants major league ready talent, prospects who can be ready by next season not 4 years from now like Sampson and Decker. And the Orioles need middle of the infield prospects. In neither area are the Padres a good match, and that is why I think it is not likely that Jones would be dealt to San Diego. Castro might possibly be ready next season, but it is far from a sure thing and honestly he doesn’t scream out to me as a central piece the way other top prospects do. I again believe the O’s -Padres could work out a Guthrie deal, maybe even one that included a lesser hitter, but I really can’t come up with 5 players in that system that make sense. Everyone is too young, injured (or both), haven’t lived up to their potential or redundant in Baltimore. I don’t even think you are suggesting a Castro, Sampson, Decker, Venable deal, but i’m telling you that isn’t enough for Jones alone, much less Guthrie included.
Frank
look man lemme help you out, youre trying to trade for 2 PROVEN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS, and in return you are offering 1 guy who is barely hitting above .200 and then a package of UNPROVENS. I hope you now understand why we are laughing at you.
Frank
look man lemme help you out, youre trying to trade for 2 PROVEN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS, and in return you are offering 1 guy who is barely hitting above .200 and then a package of UNPROVENS. I hope you now understand why we are laughing at you.
bjsguess
This love affair of Adam Jones is just crazy.Look, the kid is young. He has plenty of time to mature and improve. But … to date he has 1500+ PA’s. In that time he has amassed a career wOBA of 321. He is a below average offensive player for his position.On defense the metrics don’t love him either. For his career he has a UZR/150 rating of -2.5. All in all he has been worth a TOTAL of 4.4 WAR for his career. Basically, that averages out to under 2 wins per full season of playing.In 690 PA’s Venerable has a total of 4.1 WAR. He boasts a higher career wOBA and is above league average according to wRC+. For his career he has a UZR/150 of 11.5 in the outfield.To date, Venerable has been a better player than Jones. By any measurement. While Jones has the better pedigree and age, that’s all there is right now. People seem to only remember that 1st half from last year. They forget that after May of last year Jones’ best month was July where he posted a paltry 764 OPS. Mixed in were 2 months of 620 OPS performance. His overall disappointing season was masked by his crazy April/May.
basemonkey
In fairness Jones has his blemishes, as you point out. For me, I’d like to see his walk/strikeout ratios level off into better territory, which your stats tend to point out. All of that being said, when you watch him play everyday, you see a kid who will have stretches of expanding the zone when hes going bad, but suddenly flashes of very patient ABs that spark a hot streak. It’s only his second full season, and it’s fairly clear that he’s starting to get better at minimizing slumps while getting more patient.
So my guess is that, any potential team trading for him now may end up getting a player about to break out in 2011 or beyond. As decent as his numbers has been, he’s still not consistent enough to call established.
basemonkey
In fairness Jones has his blemishes, as you point out. For me, I’d like to see his walk/strikeout ratios level off into better territory, which your stats tend to point out. All of that being said, when you watch him play everyday, you see a kid who will have stretches of expanding the zone when hes going bad, but suddenly flashes of very patient ABs that spark a hot streak. It’s only his second full season, and it’s fairly clear that he’s starting to get better at minimizing slumps while getting more patient.
So my guess is that, any potential team trading for him now may end up getting a player about to break out in 2011 or beyond. As decent as his numbers has been, he’s still not consistent enough to call established.
baseball1
Even then I still wouldn’t do it. I’m not giving up a 24 year old OF who hasn’t hit his potential and still has been above average, for more prospects which may never reach their potential
Frank
+1…this
Frank
+1…this
Ryan
Like I posted before you want any of the O’s youngsters you going to give up people you may not want to. So if you want Guthrie okay but, if you also want Jones we can start with Donvan Tate or a Karsten Whitson & Kyle Blanks combo and that’s actually probably best deals because, Andy will more then likely target Gonzo
AirmanSD
New to this are you? Karsten can not be traded. (For a year, and PTBNL has to named within 6 months) Kyle Blanks is hurt, Tate is a long term project that I doubt given his struggles thus far the O’s are going to want.
I am not saying that Jones would come cheap, but its got to be reasonable (or at least sort of in touch with reality).
basemonkey
Such trades of recent draftees rarely happen but it’s happened before as PTBNL deals.
Yankees420
A “Player To Be Named Later” must be named within 6 months of the deal, and Karsten cannot be traded until a year after he has been drafted (or is it a year after signing the contract I can’t remember), so in any case the PTBNL must be at least 6 months removed from the draft (contract signing?).
basemonkey
The Os don’t have any reason or need to trade Jones. He’s not about to hit free agency. He hasn’t underperformed. There is no personality problem. Nothing like that at all. He’s played well for the Os and he’s seen as a young emerging leader on the team. I think what the Oriole fans here are expressing is that, if this good young player is exactly what they want, what is the reason to trade him? That has everything to do with the caliber of prospect or player(s) coming back. If it’s for a package of possible majorleaguers, it’s just the same old story of could-be good players the Os have seen for a decade.
Why would they take a step back by giving up Kones?
Guest
Whitson has not even signed yet lol
Frank
Cliff notes for everyone: this guy skillfully tells us the Padres may or may not have the something to offer, and mentions some random names of players hes never watched. then offers a current major leaguer that’s barely hitting over .200 and has been plagued by injuries. A+ post man.
Frank
Cliff notes for everyone: this guy skillfully tells us the Padres may or may not have the something to offer, and mentions some random names of players hes never watched. then offers a current major leaguer that’s barely hitting over .200 and has been plagued by injuries. A+ post man.
optionn
Markakis underated? I’d outright release that guy at the trade deadline, especially if he hauling in 10+ million next year. Any young guy with ‘potential’ makes a bad GM like McPhail give him the ‘face of the franchise’ enshrinement and thus gives him a generous contract that is way too much.
Mike Axisa
You do realize that if they release him, they’d still have to pay him, right?
baseball1
Please stop posting your opinions on here. They really suck.
aap212
Mr. Madison, what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
Sniderlover
Sounds like that guy in Around The Horn lol.
Guest
*you can do it Billy*
Moebarguy
Certainly a new angle.
basemonkey
10M/YR sounds like a ton to us, but if you’re talking about a quality starting position player, that’s pretty much the going rate. If Markakis has a All-Star season, which is likely at some point in the contract, it’s a downright bargain. If you want to complain about albatross contracts, you should find a player who actually doesn’t perform.
basemonkey
10M/YR sounds like a ton to us, but if you’re talking about a quality starting position player, that’s pretty much the going rate. If Markakis has a All-Star season, which is likely at some point in the contract, it’s a downright bargain. If you want to complain about albatross contracts, you should find a player who actually doesn’t perform.
optionn
The insanely idiotic video is getting old, but your a funny guy. What IS certainly insanely idiotic is locking up a young guy like Markakis for big money when he was nowhere close to being a free agent. That hurts a team in the Orioles position who need to be spending wisely. Now your probably stuck with this rag tag team.
The front office master plan was thinking ‘yeah, we got Markakis, Matusz, Wieters were all set to win big for a long time’. You can see their record this year that attests to that type of talent level.
Steve Shoup
So the front office should have predicted the injuries to Brian Roberts, Mike Gonzalez ect. and the fact that their young guys weren’t 100% ready?
The Markakis deal isn’t horrible, this isn’t Carlos Lee or Barry Zito money. It hasn’t impacted the O’s ability to sign any draft picks or free agents, so I fail to see the issue. He is young and still in the prime of his career, by locking him up long term the O’s actually INCREASED his value, if they did decide to trade him this year. Had they not he would have been a free agent after next season (i do believe) which would significantly decrease his value. His $10 million for next year would have easily been had in his 3rd Arb. year, so I fail to see how this is even a debate. Does his price go up after? Sure, but so would any free agent, compare him to Jason Bay.
Bay is making $66 million over 4 years (including the $3 million for the buyout in year 5), Markakis is making roughly $44 million over the next 4 years. Not only does that $22 million difference cover the extra year (and the buyout for the option year) of Markakis but there would still be $5 million left over. Not to mention Markakis is 5 years younger than Bay and should be valuable for the length of the deal. He might not be the most prestigious power hitter, but Markakis still gets on base and drives in runs.
Signing Markakis was spending wisely and while trading him away is a possibility and maybe the best thing for the team, by signing him the O’s ensured they wouldn’t be forced to just give him away.
baseball1
LOL you act like the O’s are the Marlins or Rays. They have money, they just have a cheap POS owner.
Once again, please stop posting your opinions on stuff you clearly haven no clue about.
Ryan
Actually the O’s have money we just don’t spend it like the Yankee’s if you remember O’s were offering mostly same amount to Texeria and offer more money then Astro’s did back when Carlos Lee was a free agent.
Piccamo
The Orioles spend the same amount of their revenue as most other teams. The rebuilding process merely takes longer than it would with most clubs given the Orioles’ division and the years where they did things so poorly. Angelos did his part to wreck the team and he’s no saint, but he’s getting a worse rap than he deserves.
Caakes
Among other problems with this post is the idea that anyone should release a player that they could get alot for. “Hey, you could probably get 2 top 100 prospects plus some mid-level prospects, but you should instead release him, while still continuing to pay him, and then get nothing in return. That way, you’re solving your problem of having signed him to a very reasonable contract in relation to his production, while simultaneously getting rid of the best player on a bad team and giving a dejected fanbase another reason to not pay attention.”Optionn: Please find work in any other AL East front office. At least that would give us O’s fans some hope for the future.
JTrea81
The Orioles don’t need prospects, they need established talent to win games.
baseball1
This is the truth
Lookouts400
The Orioles do need prospects because they’re not likely to get ML ready talent back for any of their motley collection of castoffs. The only way they get ML ready talent is if they trade some of their core, but why would you? You might strengthen one area but weaken another. So, allow their core to develop and try and get what you can for the veterans.
I’m all for a Jeremy Guthrie for Kyle Blanks deal. SD gets a power arm(he’s gone five strong tonight, one run on five hits, 3 Ks and the O’s lead 2-1 as I write this) and the Orioles get that big, strong RH hitting prospect. Blanks would move to first full time when they trade Wigginton and Tejada, Ohman, Hendrickson, and Patterson could also go as well.
Guest
Like someone else pointed out, Blanks is still on the DL and could be out for the SEASON. Guthrie for Blanks? You must be Joking? Despite his pathetic start to 2010 he is still regarded as the Padres future at 1st base when Adrian is dealt. I am not sure why so many people think Guthrie’s value is so high. I think he is solid but he will more than like (IMO) bring back a 2 tier type prospect not some one the Padres OR another organization are banking on for their future.
Lookouts400
There’s a lot of talk about Blanks. I know he’s been injured and I also know there are some that think he won’t develop. All I know is is that Guthrie, who is 31, can be a very big, under the radar acquisition. I’m telling you now, don’t under estimate him.
But the fact remains is that the Orioles need power position players. If not Blanks, then who?
Tim Valencia
Guthrie doesnt hold the same trade value he had a few years ago.
Lookouts400
All I know is is that
Guthrie, who is 31, can be a very big, under the radar acquisition.
I’m telling you now, don’t under estimate him.
roberty
Nick Markakis for Jair Jurrjens straight up.
Peter
Cubs and brian roberts again …
Peter
theriot and Cashner
Justin Myman
I’d love to see a prospect trade, jesus montero for tillman or matusz, then the orioles get a majors ready big bat, n the yankees get a young, cost-controllable pitcher.
Ferrariman
Tillman yeah. Matusz not a chance
Jeff
Yeah dude, that’s a joke. One of two top 3 (in a rotation) pitchers for a glorified DH?
Justin Myman
And whos the future of 1B for the orioles? hes a top 5 prospect in baseball, and is projected like miguel cabrera, hes just blocked
Jeff
I’d rather go into FA for a 1B than trade one of our two best pitchers (maybe 3, britton will be damn good) for a glorified DH.
Jeff
Also, if they really thought he could be a Miguel Cabrera he wouldn’t be blocked. They’d find a way for him to get DH at-bats. The Marlins did, and it got them to the WS.
Zack23
Who said they won’t find ABs for him? Obviously 1B is blocked.
Jeff
I understand 1B is blocked. By name and $$$ more than production. If Montero could really be a Miguel Cabrera type they would be bending over backwards to get him at-bats as the DH as I said above. Besides, he could probably hit better than their 1B now anyway haha
Sleepykarl
That’s pretty awful logic. It’s like saying if Matusz was gonna be a decent pitcher, he should be able to have a sub 5 era by now.
Jeff
You’re kidding, right? You honestly think matusz isn’t going to be good?
Jeff
I understand 1B is blocked. By name and $$$ more than production. If Montero could really be a Miguel Cabrera type they would be bending over backwards to get him at-bats as the DH as I said above. Besides, he could probably hit better than their 1B now anyway haha
Wilsonl
This is why their GM’s name is MacPHAIL.
Steve Shoup
Why because he makes excellent trades?? I know Cubs fans hate on him for not bringing in the great players/contracts his predecessor did like Soriano, Ramirez, Fukodome, Bradley ect. ect.
Wilsonl
Look at the orioles, 29-60, they should have done something a longgggggg time ago..
Caakes
Like what? Free agents don’t want to go there, so that route is closed. McPhail has spent money to finally get an international scouting department developed, and fleeced both Seattle (4 guys who have played in the majors for Bedard, who’s pitched about 3 innings since the trade) and Houston (getting anything about 24 hours before Tejada became untradeable is pretty ridiculous) in the two major trade that he’s made. Also, he signed the consensus best prospect in baseball at the time (Wieters) 10 minutes before the deadline. So, besides all those really good things that he did, he was horrible and should have done something else?
Baltimore is significantly better than they were before him, if for no other reason than that there is at least a plan to get better, which didn’t exist for the decade prior to his arrival.
bjsguess
I would definitely look to trade Markakis or Jones. The O’s, presently constructed, are nowhere near contention. Doesn’t matter if they add Lee, Werth, and Dunn in the off-season – this is still a team that has too many holes. Trading a good young outfielder could theoretically bring back more needed pieces.
Jeff
I understand you look at the record and make blanket statements like that, which is super. However, you should realize that the team has underperformed this year which leads to that bad record. Not to mention they are still very very young and key injuries to veterans have made even more young guys step up. They have the second fewest innings thrown by SPs in the AL and the highest starter ERA. That would be becausethey have 2 rookies and Tillman who had something like 3 IP too many to be a rookie in the rotation. Please, please stop making statements like “nowhere near contention”. Bell will replace Tejada, a new SS comes in, a FA 1B. So please, just stop.
Joe
I think everyone needs to just take a breather. Matusz, Wieters, Markakis, Britton, Tillman, Bell, Arrieta, Pie, Johnson, Scott, Reimold, Roberts, Bergesen, Gonzalez and Ohman seems like a pretty good start for next year! That is fifteen players I feel really comfortable with on a major league roster. Players like Sarfate, Erbe, Patton, Albers, Hernandez, Berken and Snyder offer at the very least depth. The O’s have a couple trade chips in Guthrie and Wigginton. The Dodgers need an arm right now and Guthrie would be legit in the NL west. How about De Jesus and Ellis with the O’s throwing in a little cash? After that sign a couple starters like Javy Vazquez and make a real play at Cliff Lee. I know it’s tough guys, but the Rays are the model we need to follow. Draft well and make wise trades. Clearly the coaching staff needs and overhaul and that will happen soon enough. We knew this wouldn’t happen overnight so let’s try to be patient.
Gigantes
Orioles get: Zach Wheeler, Roger Kieschnick, Brandon Crawford (Maybe one more decent prospect)Giants Get: Adam Jones and Will Ohman.
Jeff
Not a chance.
Gigantes
thats our 3rd, 7th and 9th best prospects along with one more decent prospect like say Travis Ishikawa who could start at 3rd right away for you guys. It’s not a bad haul at all.
ugen64
Ishikawa could not start at 3rd because he throws left-handed…
Gigantes
haha i meant 1st they have Bell at 3rd anyway but i think they need a good young first basemen
Jeff
I understand what you’re saying but the team can’t keep a cycle of trading 24 yr. olds for prospects or they’ll never compete. MacPhail has revamped the system trading thirty somethings, not CFs on the verge of (seriously) breaking out. To get Jones the haul would have to be epic, otherwise they’ll just end up trading wheeler, crawford, etc. once they get to the big leagues. See what I’m saying? It’s not that those players aren’t good, it’s that they CAN NOT trade Jones without getting MLB ready talent back. At least.
ugen64
Ishikawa could not start at 3rd because he throws left-handed…
Gigantes
thats our 3rd, 7th and 9th best prospects along with one more decent prospect like say Travis Ishikawa who could start at 3rd right away for you guys. It’s not a bad haul at all.
Heliosphan
Jeremy Guthrie and Matt Wieters to DET for Turner, Perry, Avila and PTBNL. You know the Tigers will likely screw up Turner somehow, just like all their young guns not named Justin Verlander.
Jeff
Again, not a chance. Wieters still has a chance to develop his power (he’s been focusing on defense) and is still a mega-prospect. This trade would never happen.
basemonkey
Gahds. These trade ideas are awful. It looks like this thread is basically about random fans from other teams covering one of the Os good young majorleague players, and then offering a mix of their extra pieces, lower A ball high-potential prospects, and/or projects. I haven’t seen any opposing team fan offer their own top prospects.
Jeff
Saying everyone is able to be traded is more or less posturing by MacPhail. He’s only gonna trade 30-something veterans. Jones, Markakis, Wieters, Matusz, Tillman, etc. are not going anywhere anytime soon.
Potrzeba
Crazy thought but worth thinking bout.
Trade youkilis for matsuz,wieters, tillman.
basemonkey
Yeah, crazy talk.
Youk makes sense for a team contending now. The Os are shooting to contend a few years from now. Why would the Os trade the biggest pieces of that nucleus, that includes their last two 1st round picks, who have done nothing but excel, to try to win now?
basemonkey
It’s only worth thinking about if you’re a Boston fan. Some of these young guys have been having growing pains, but no Orioles fan or official is remotely close to giving up on these guys. I mean, what other choice do the Os have really?
Just because MacPhail is willing to consider trading young players, doesn’t mean that he’s giving up on them. It just means he’s willing to be flexible and creative about trades. If the Os get back player(s) good enough for them to give up a Jones, Wieters, Matusz, etc he’s willing to consider it. It does not mean other teams should think they’ll get these young guys for their spare parts or older guys near the end.