The Sherrill Conundrum
Three hours before the waiver deadline and counting.
The consensus seems to be that the only Orioles player with a decent chance to be traded over the next few hours is closer George Sherrill, which makes perfect sense when you consider that he can both set up and close and everybody is always looking for more pitching depth going into August.
Still, the logic of it for the Orioles comes down to one question:
Is Sherrill the real deal?
If he isn't, then his value will never be better than it is right now. The guy has 30 saves and is on pace for 45 over a full season. Somebody out there is probably willing to give up a piece or two that will fit into the puzzle Andy MacPhail hopes to complete by 2010.
If he is, then he's under reserve long enough to be a part of the plan himself.
My opinion is the same as it was when the Orioles got lucky picking Rodrigo Lopez off the roster of the Culiacan Tomato Growers. He was found money and they could have gotten something good for him after his breakout season. Same with Sherrill. Get something while the getting's good.
Bonus trade comment: Congratulations to our old friend Arthur Rhodes, who was dealt from the worst team in the American League (the Mariners) to the surprise team of the National League (the Florida Marlins). I doubt the deal affects the Sherrill situation much, though Rhodes has been a very effective situational lefty this year.
Comments
Rhodes was one of my favorite Orioles back in the 90s. Amazing that he is still going strong and glad that he will be going to a contender.
Posted by: Keun Hee Oh | July 31, 2008 1:31 PM
Maybe a last minute trade is still possible? Look at this from Ken Rosenthal
1:13 p.m.: Phillies looking for lefty relievers
The Phillies continue to target three left-handed relievers — the Braves' Will Ohman, Pirates' John Grabow and Giants' Jack Taschner. The team also had been in the mix for the Royals' Ron Mahay, but could not meet the Royals' price.
An executive from one team in touch with the Royals says he does not believe that Mahay will be traded. The Royals have Mahay under contract next season for a salary of $4 million.
Posted by: Joe | July 31, 2008 1:38 PM
Hey Schmuckey
Anymore updates or is the Warehouse as silent as a day weekday game at the yard?
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Dooley, haven't heard anything in the last few minutes. Will make another inquiry soon. pete
Posted by: Dooley | July 31, 2008 1:38 PM
I AM reading that Angelos is blocking a trade with Tampa Bay whereby Sherrill goes to the Rays for a shortstop. Is this reaaly true or more rumor's about Angelos meddling which are unfounded. If they want the shortstop do an intra division trade. The Rays have passed the O's by anyway.
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Vance, I've heard nothing like that. Every indication has been that Angelos is letting MacPhail do his thing. I'm not going to assume otherwise until I hear something solid. Of course, nothing would surprise me. pete
Posted by: vance lee | July 31, 2008 2:16 PM
This is getting frustrating...all I heard a few weeks ago is how we were supposed to see so many moves made at the end of July and blah blah blah, and we haven't done squat. I think we are asking for way too much.
Pete, are they still shopping Ramon? I would think the Marlins would be the best fit.
Posted by: Eric in PA | July 31, 2008 2:16 PM
Don't the Phils have a AA SS that can hit the crap out of the ball? They seem like a perfect fit for a Sherrill trade.
Posted by: Stone Groove | July 31, 2008 2:18 PM
Wow hard to believe Rhodes is still around. What is that like 20 + years now?
Posted by: nebraska_jeff | July 31, 2008 2:19 PM
Proof again that Pete is smarter than 100% of the residents of the warehouse (okay, that's damning with faint praise).
Closers pitch ~50 innings per year and have tremendous variability. Sherrill's value will never be higher than it is now, and the Orioles are a dreadful, dreadful team pretty much bereft of young talent.
In two years, who on this team -- or anywhere in this organization -- will be any good? Markakis, sure. Adam Jones, almost certainly. Probably Matt Wieters. And then... who else? Brian Roberts, maybe.
But the rest of this sack o' garbage they call a team? Give me a break. Ramon Hernandez will be selling tires. Kevin Millar will be at Burke's Comedy Factory. Melvin Mora and Jay Payton will be in shallow, unmarked graves. And you don't want to *know* what institution Aubrey Huff will be in.
To the extent that the Orioles hold on to these players and fail to load up for 2010, 2011, or some point where there's even the faintest *dream* they could win more than 80 games... that's just a huge middle finger to the fans.
Posted by: Andrew T. | July 31, 2008 2:21 PM
Sherrill scares me...trade him now while he still has some value...
Posted by: Chas | July 31, 2008 2:33 PM
I agree with you Peter. I'm not saying Sherril isn't the real deal, but for a rebuilding team this seems to be a golden opportunity.
Posted by: AJ | July 31, 2008 2:33 PM
Anything on the horizon?????
Posted by: David Sturgill | July 31, 2008 3:01 PM
Dooley- dont screw with me lol I have been wanting a trade centered around Sherrill for Brignac for over a month now.
Posted by: Lucky Horseshoe | July 31, 2008 4:54 PM