I'd like to see us get Alcides Escobar from the Brewers but idk what they'd want in return. I wouldn't deal Sherrill until we see how Chris Ray and Jim Hoey recover

McPhail has made a good move by not making one at all.

He has found the right balance between keeping this team competitive/respectable, and thinking about the long term future of his club.

Sure, don't deal Sherrill "until we see how Chris Ray and Jim Hoey recover," because there's no more critical component for a 75-win team than a 50-inning reliever.

I'm sorry, "Alan in VA," but that's idiocy. Right now, the Orioles have 2/3 of an outfield, the best catching prospect in baseball, and that's it. You CANNOT build a contender without an infield (at least, not the last time I checked). If Sherrill can get you part of the way there, you do it.

People: THIS is how you wind up with a decade of mediocrity. "Oh, we can't trade Aubrey Huff now that he's hitting .310; let's wait until he's hitting .205 and worth absolutely nothing. ... Trade Ramon Hernandez to the Yankees and help a division rival?? Heaven forfend!"

The Orioles are idiots. And we fans are idiots when we start to hope again that maybe, someday, eventually this team might be watchable again.

I'm right with Alan when it comes to seeing Chris Ray before we unload Flat & Breezy.

No News is Good News - I'm Gary Gnews.

Thanks for the updates today, Pete. You're starting to win me over. Maybe this won't be just one big Red Lobster love-fest after all...

Lot's of pundits have stated that Sherrill's value will never be higher than it is right now. However, if no one is willing to part with a top prospect in return for him, then McPhail is doing the right thing by keeping him.

Perhaps another season as an effective closer will boost his value to potential trading partners because right now, it seems, no other teams are willing to place a "closer's value" on Sherrill and offer a decent return.

I would agree that Alcides Escobar would be a great one-for-one trade for the Orioles in return for Sherrill (and a reasonable request for the Brewers as well). Unfortunately, either the Brewers don't agree, or McPhail is asking for more in return. (And if that's the case, which seems unlikely, McPhail is asking for too much in return.)

Too bad the Brewers won't blink after getting shelled by the Cubs this week because they've already got J.J. Hardy at SS and some additional middle infield depth in the minor leagues as well.

Could someone remind me the best deal a team ever got for trading a closer? The Astros gave up Chris Burke and righthanded pitchers Chad Qualls and Juan Gutierrez for Valverde. Who was pretty much lights out last year. I don't see anything can't miss in that group.

If people think a record of 5 below .500 and 10 below .500 since they had that winning streak in early April is respectable then they have sold their souls to The Gods of mediocrity.

Andrew: The closer is a huge part of how the game is played these days. Having a shutdown closer is a key piece of a winning team (whether Sherrill qualifies as one is a whole different argument). I don't think Sherrill's value will be that much lower at next year's deadline (since it isnt actually very high right now), and we'll have a much better gauge on the rest of our pen by then.

MacPhail knows what he's doing. He isn't going to make a deal just to make a deal. I have to assume that the right offer wasn't there.

I never said that we couldn't trade Huff. I would do it if the right deal was there.

"You CANNOT build a contender without an infield" -- Well then re-sign Roberts and sign someone like David Eckstein or Orlando Cabrera. You act like our only way to fill these holes is via trades. It's not. MacPhail historically fills position player holes with a few free agents, and hordes pitching.

Pete, you're working hard to gain Roch's followers! Lots of posts today, and personal responses to readers' posts. Keep up the good work! You even have an updated blog photo, unlike Roch's cheesy grin... although frankly, your photo reminds me of Poochy.

For people questioning Wieters defensive skills, Baseball America noted that one scout put him on par with Charles Johnson. He's also drawn comparisons to Varitek for his leadership and ability to handle a staff. He's the complete package.

"I'm sorry, "Alan in VA," but that's idiocy. Right now, the Orioles have 2/3 of an outfield, the best catching prospect in baseball, and that's it. You CANNOT build a contender without an infield (at least, not the last time I checked). If Sherrill can get you part of the way there, you do it.
People: THIS is how you wind up with a decade of mediocrity. "Oh, we can't trade Aubrey Huff now that he's hitting .310; let's wait until he's hitting .205 and worth absolutely nothing. ... Trade Ramon Hernandez to the Yankees and help a division rival?? Heaven forfend!"
The Orioles are idiots. And we fans are idiots when we start to hope again that maybe, someday, eventually this team might be watchable again."

Let’s talk about idiocy. Just because you may want to trade a player doesn't guarantee you a return. Trades work both ways and teams offering prospects want to give up as little as possible. If a team is going to pick up someone like Aubrey Huff’s contact don’t think for a minute they’re going to offer their best prospects for them. Unless you’re trying to dump salary only an “idiot” would trade for prospects they deemed inferior. You don’t just trade to trade, you trade to improve. Obviously McPhail did not feel the return was worth the talent he was offering. Based on the lack of trade activity today, neither did a lot of other GM’s.

And what does McPhail know? He only orchestrated the trade that brought Sherrill here in the first place, along with A. Jones, Luke Scott and 8 other pitchers and position players. I guess he’s an “idiot” too.

I guess just like a lot of other so called fans, you’re looking for reasons to hate this team. Why don’t you at least wait until McPhail fails before you label him a failure?

I'm so glad we didn't pull the rug out from under this team! I'm so relieved.