Is now the time to trade Luke Scott?

With Nolan Reimold a solid option for the DH position and Felix Pie a competent replacement in left, although I wonder who would serve as a forth outfielder, does it make sense to put feelers out there for Luke Scott?

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Last season I was ecstatic to hear that the Orioles were interested in Japanese pitchers Koji Uehara, Kenshin Kawakami, Ryoji Aikawa, and Ryohei Tanaka.  The Os had been lacking in global appeal for years and signing one or more Japanese players would go a long way.  Marketing, increased international revenue, and some new faces are always promised when signing or drafting players from outside the US and this was no exception.  With Uehara, the "Greg Maddux of Japan", pitching in the majors and Tanaka developing in the minors, the Orioles are looking to take the next step into the Asian market.

Which leads us to word that international scouting director John Stockstill is interested in former Yomirui Giants teammate of Uehara, Hisanori Takahashi, a lefty starter/reliever, and I'm thinking, good but not great.

Takahasi's a solid lefty, but at 34 years old and with an erratic ERA and a sharp decline in innings pitched (dropped from 186 2/3 innings in 2007 to 122 in 2008), it makes me wonder what they'd get.  Sure, the Os could use a lefty both in the back-end of their rotation and in their bullpen but I'm not sure Takahashi is the answer.

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For over three years people on this blog have complained that the Orioles have lacked a true ace for years.  At some point two seasons ago, many believed that Jeremy Guthrie might be the closest this team has had since the migration of Moose and were rebuffed by a subpar performance this passed season.  The reality is this team has two, maybe three, aces in the making in Chris Tillman and Brian Matusz (also, Jake Arrieta), but whose to say they will ever be as good as #2 on a good team.

This leads us to the question that has waved around the FanPost comments since the offseason: Should the Orioles trade for or sign an ace this or next season to solidify their rotation?  If so, whom and who would it cost?

The Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, and Houston Astros need financial relief; the Toronto Blue Jays have an ace in the final year of his current contract; the Seattle Mariners might not be able to sign their ace to a contract extension; and the Atlanta Braves need a big bat.  Every indication points to a few of these teams trading their aces.

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Rumors abound that our beloved Orioles are one of two teams, the Giants being the other, expressly interested in trading for slugging second baseman Dan Uggla.  In the immortal words of Kent Brockman, "I for one think it's about f-ing time."

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Jim Johnson has struggled in the closers role, but then again, he hasn't been as solid this season as last and this could all be simply a down year.

Flat Breezy is with the Dodgers now and flourishing as their LOOGY/occasional closer.

Danys Baez is a free agent and will not be resigned by the Os.

Koji Uehara was a both a starter and closer in Japan so he's an option, but he's been hurt so often it makes one wonder if he might be better as a set-up or middle reliever than a closer.

Kam Mickolio looks like he has closer potential but might need a year or two of major league playing time before jumping into that role.

David Hernandez has been mentioned several times as a closer candidate, and after the year he's had, it might make sense.

So, I ask you, who closes?

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These rumors are getting out of control.

Jhoulys Chacin, #1 prospect in the Rockies system, has been pulled from his start at Double-A, and it is now speculated that he is part of a trade.  Tim Dierkes of mlbtraderumors tells us the Rockies have announced he was pulled "as a precaution for possible, future organizational moves" and tries to connect the dots to a Jon Heyman article about how the Rockies were interested in a slew of relievers, including George Sherrill.

Could Andy MacPhail have pulled off another steal by getting Chacin for Sherrill straight up?  Did we have to sweeten the deal in order to get the much covetted Ian Stewart?

Find out soon!  A Sherrill trade is going to happen.  Its just a matter of time now.

Bill Shaikin of the LA Times is reporting that the Angels are also interested in George Sherrill.  mlbtraderumors's Ben Nicholson-Smith points out that Andy MacPhail is looking for two top prospects in return, although its more likely that he'll get one B+ prospect for Sherrill.  However, with reports that the Dodgers, Marlins, and now the Angels are interested in Sherrill it becomes imperative that MacPhail begin using bids against each other and strongly consider not only trading Sherrill but packaging him with other veterans to maximize return.  Meaning we could see a trade including Baez and/or Huff for at least one top level prospect and a spare part or two (in the case of Baez, much more for Huff).

The article also mentions that Os scouts were in attendance for the Angels/A's game last night and will probably swing by their Triple- and Double-A affiliates to see what they can get in a trade.  But if logic is any indication, MacPhail will focus any trade with the Angels on Brandon Wood and/or Mark Trumbo.  They are, after all, aside from Hank Conger (C) and Peter Bourjos (OF), the Angels only position prospects on most lists.

So, Os fans.  What say ye of a trade to the Angels?  Or do the Dodgers/Marlins make more sense based on the bounty?

Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports is talking about ways in which the Cinncinati Reds could improve their club with a right-handed hitter and has mentioned Ty Wigginton as a target since they lost out on DeRosa to St. Louis.  Morosi says Wigginton can slot in at third or second base or first when Votto needs a spell, and can break up their lefties at the middle of their line-up.  This seems to make a lot of sense for them if they're interested in making a push, and they seem to be, for first in a wobbly NL Central, given Wigginton's experience in that division and normal second-half surge.

So, the question is, does it make sense to trade Wigginton to the Reds or Giants or other contention team if the price is right?

Keep in mind that Huff and Mora will be gone next season unless offered arbitration, resigned, or Mora's option picked up (unlikely).

And, for funsies, who mans first and third base next season without Wigginton?  Outside of Brandon Snyder, the newly acquired Michael Aubrey (12 AB for the Tides, .250/.250/.333/.583) who will be used as organizational depth in the minors and doesn't seem to be in consideration for the majors at this moment, and Oscar Salazar.

The youth of tomorrow are here! ...Today!

As it stands, the Orioles have some solid veteran pieces to be traded sooner-than-later.  The rotation is eight guys deep and could use some thinning out (Guthrie and Hendrickson, first and foremost), the bullpen (Baez and Ray) is overcrowded, and Mora, Huff, and Scott are at their peak.  Its time to suggest some trades.

As for fill-ins:

Dorta could be brought up to fill-in at third if Mora's traded, even though Dorta was promoted to Triple-A recently and might not be ready.  So, with third there's a bit of a problem unless the Os can get a major league ready third baseman in a trade somewhere.
Oscar Salazar can be brought up to play first if Huff's traded.  Defense would be sorely lacking, but, again, they could get a major league ready guy in trade to take over.

What options are there?

MASN's Steve Melewski is reporting that Ryan Freel isn't happy with his situation.

Freel went on the DL April 21st after getting beaned on a throw to second and was hospitalized with a mild concussion.

Since then, he was supposed to go on a rehab assignment at Delmarva but that was called off for precautionary reasons.

I'm sorry Freel feels this way.  I really am.  But he needs to get over it.  He's had several concussions in his career and for the Orioles Front Office to be concerned with this most recent one makes perfect sense.  Andy seems to be treating Freel as if he were an investment, protecting him to maximize his time with the team once he's back from the DL, instead of simply as a player.

Freel, unfortunately, doesn't get that.  His comments are dripping with inuendo that he wants to be traded, that he doesn't feel appreciated, and that, perhaps, the Orioles are conspiring against his career.

For a guy who has been referred to as a team first player, with less personal motivation, these comments seem entirely selfish.  He's more concerned with his career playing time and numbers than the possibilty that he could get hurt again later in the season and hurt the team.

Seriously, calm your britches.  You'll be back when you're healthy.  You were hit in the head by a baseball!  It's not like the team is holding you back after a back spazm.

A reporter asked Freel if he was not happy here, did he think MacPhail would attempt to move him somewhere where he can be happy.

"Yes, I think so. I think Andy and I are on the same page. I wasn't very happy with the situation but what can you do."

Melewski says.

All right, bye.  Hope we can get some pieces for you and you don't suffer any perminanent brain damage after your next concussion.

P.S. - What team is looking for a guy like Freel?  The Yankees will undoubtably have some injuries in the near future with Matsui and Damon, and with Nady out it seems like a possibilty.  Then again, what's Freel worth?