O's: MacPhail on MASN
Andy MacPhail joined Gary Thorne and Buck Martinez for an extended television interview -- which was extended further when Red Sox manager asked the umpiring crew to review Nolan Reimold's two-run homer.
MacPhail didn't break a lot of new ground, but remained honest about the fact that trading George Sherrill is going to make it harder for the club to pump up the volume down the stretch. He referred again to "short-term pain," which hopefully refers only to the final two months of this season. You have to wonder when he traded Sherrill for a third base prospect who is not expected to compete for a major league job next year.
On the brighter side, MacPhail said that the Orioles are stockpiling "inventory" so that they'll be in position to trade some prospects if the right veteran becomes available. He also talked about the ability to fill some holes with quality free agents, but was not specific about a timetable.
Did he mean this offseason, or is the front office projecting beyond 2010? Kind of an important question.
> 
Comments
I like that MacPhail is generally pretty up front about stuff with the fans and I am pleased with the return we got on dealing Sherrill. I still was kind of hoping we could have introduced ourselves as the third team in this Indians, Boston, Padres saga that was rumored throughout a portion of this afternoon.
It would've been nice if we could've dealt a few 'prospect' and picked up Masterson or Bucholz.
But at the end of the day I think we made out okay with the exception that Huff and Mora are still on the team. Now we'll have to wait until after August 31st to see if we're truly done dealing.
Posted by: Lance | July 31, 2009 9:29 PM
Yes, Huff is on the roster and will hopefully stay there through next year and then some.
People tend to forget that Huff is the same age as Roberts and, yes, he has slumps, but so does everyone, and when he breaks out of his slumps - as he appears to be doing right about now - he does so with power.that is not really seen too much elsewhere on the roster.
Also, granted, it was not the greatest July 31 in the history of the world, but if you have seen the blasting that Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports gave General Manager JP Ricciardo of the Blue Jays for screwing up the Doc Halladay situation, you'd know that our days as the worst organization in baseball are finally over:
http://tinyurl.com/n5uhnj
Posted by: Fang Guy | July 31, 2009 9:48 PM
Pete
I find it hard to believe that you think that Sherrill was going to get us more than what he got in the trade. I think Andy did a excellent job getting what he did. Everything I have read has generally been positive about Josh Bell. If George Sherrill had been a starter that would have been a different story. None of the other teams were never going to place the value on George as we did and give us what we may have wanted.
Posted by: Ry | July 31, 2009 9:58 PM
Actually, Ricciardi was smart.
He wasn't going to let himself get sodomized the way Shapiro had been in the Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez deals.
How can you not come away with Drabek in the Phillies deal and Lars Anderson and/or Clay Bucholz in the Boston deal?
Ricciardi was asking for at least two elite prospects for Halladay...teams like Boston and Philly think they can steal superstars for below-average, even fringe, prospects.
Good for J.R.
Posted by: Hal W. | July 31, 2009 10:12 PM
Is Figgins a free agent after this season? I remember seeing his name on here a bit ago. If he is, think we might get him? If not, think the Angels would allow Wood to play everyday next season and give us Figgins for Bell and another prospect or two? Thanks Pete.
..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Figgins is eligible, yes. I would assume the Orioles would look at him if he becomes a free agent in November.
Posted by: christian | July 31, 2009 10:23 PM
Luke Scott should have been moved before the trading deadline since there was interest. You have heard of a fifth wheel well he is the fifth outfielder on this team. No way is his arm and range in the field close to the four guys ahead of him so Trembley is not putting his best team on the field when he plays him in the outfield. He does provide some power on a team that is short on sluggers but he is hitting .070 since the all-star game for goodness sakes. I really look for him to be moved in the off season.
Posted by: Donald | July 31, 2009 10:24 PM
Fang Guy you are a nutjob. I wouldn’t trade Doc either unless I got players to totally recharge the team.
The Orioles organization is far worse you cant even compare the two teams.
Posted by: Greg | July 31, 2009 10:27 PM
Your question of the timetable is certainly valid, but I think the players end up answering that question for you. I think in some degree, some of the onfield performances, and young prospects' excellent play forced MacPhail's hand this year. Injuries always play a part. I think It's somewhat close to the point where, whenever this team truly does start to gel and be ready to shake up the East, the prospects who would be trade bait are either already or will be in the system within the next year.
Posted by: Basemonkey | July 31, 2009 10:34 PM
Seems like AM knows whats going on. There's no need to rush things as the youngsters are only "just" beginning to develop.
it puts me at ease when he makes comments like "stock piling" young talent for players that become available.
have I mentioned...genius. he's like the Willy E. Coyote in land without Road Runners.
Posted by: paulie | August 1, 2009 1:45 AM
I WOULD HAVE LIKED WOOD BUT THIS IS OK. I like them but still need to move mora, baez, and maybe one more but won't get much for any of them..
Posted by: GRANT | August 1, 2009 3:14 AM