Orioles still looking for pitching
0 minutes ago by KenRosenthal

The Orioles have lost six of their last seven games and 17 of their last 24.

Their ace, right-hander Jason Hammel, is out 3 to 4 weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

Two of their second basemen, Brian Roberts and Robert Andino, also are on the disabled list.

Some in the organization believe that the team should pull back from the trade market, major-league sources say. General manager Dan Duquette disagrees.

Duquette, speaking emphatically, told FOXSports.com on Wednesday that the team is still a buyer.

“Our future is now,” Duquette said of the Orioles, who are 10 games back in the AL East but only a ½-game behind in the wild-card race.

Duquette said his No. 1 priority is stabilizing the team’s starting rotation, which ranks 12th in the AL with a 4.79 ERA.

“We’re going to try to do everything we can to get into the playoffs this year,” Duquette said. “I just think it’s important to the fans that they know we’re trying to put a good team on the field and have a good season.”

The Orioles have been linked to a number of starting pitchers, from Brewers right-hander Zack Greinke to Mariners lefty Jason Vargas to Phillies righty Joe Blanton. Duquette, however, said the market is “pretty tight” because of the number of teams in contention.

“The top pitchers are fairly well-defined,” Duquette said, referring to Greinke and Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels. “The teams that have the top pitchers, if they had their druthers, they’d rather sign them for their ballclubs.”

The Phillies are planning to make an offer to Hamels. The Brewers’ strategy with Greinke is less clear.

-Ken Rosenthal






Can we drug test Duquette?

Needed that win.

Another good win back to 4 games over.

3 Wins in a row 49-44

Part of me thinks that if we don't get a long term 3rd baseman, that they will leave Manny down there another half of a year and let him play a little third. I think Schoop could probably come up now and give us the same production that Flaherty/Tolleson are.

When Manny is ready, I will be super happy, but I think they will take their time with him....JMO

Lets see how Tillman does today, he needs to command the fastball inside to lefties to have a chance to be successful against the heavy lefty lineup, I am hoping for the best.

GO OS!

4 in a row great game Tillman 50-44.


http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?co...video_23225089 Not a bad pick up.

I think I'd have traded those two minor leaguers for one game winning HR by Thome. Anything else now will be gravy.

5 in a row 51-44,Dan Duquette first year as GM looking like a good one.


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Dan Connolly ‏@danconnollysun

#Orioles still looking for corner inf help. They've had talks concerning, among others, Headley, LaHair and Polanco. http://bsun.md/MEwYm1

They're giving JJ a day off; Quintanilla at SS. I think it's a good idea to rest Hardy a little now, after he's started to hit some. Sitting a guy because he's in the middle of a horrible slump seldom works, IMO.

Marlins, Orioles Talking Trades
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 24, 2012 at 1:31pm CST]

The Marlins and Orioles are discussing trade scenarios, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports (on Twitter). Miami is "knee deep" in trade talks and could complete a blockbuster in the next 24 hours, Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and MLB Network Radio reports (on Twitter).

Orioles looking into Colon, Liriano, Headley and hitters who can get on base

By Jon Heyman | Baseball Insider
July 26, 2012 11:15 am ET

5 | Comments

The contending Orioles have broadened their pitching search to inquire about Bartolo Colon and Francisco Liriano since their chances at a high-end starter such as Zack Greinke may not be great.

The amazing A's are still more likely than not to keep Colon as he has served a small role in the team's incredible surge and may not bring as much back as he's worth to them even though they have a lot of good younger arms, sources say. Liriano has drawn interest from several teams, including the Angels, Blue Jays, Yankees and Red Sox, though his up-and-down performance may give some teams pause.

Orioles GM Dan Duquette did a terrific job coming up with Wei-Yin Chen and Jason Hammel this winter and their pitching has been solid lately. But with several of their young starters still not developing as they would like, there's still a need there.

Greinke is the top pitcher on the market but since Duquette wouldn't consider trading top prospects Manny Machado or Dylan Bundy for a rental, the Orioles' thin prospect list has forced them to look a bit lower.

The Orioles' offense has been the bigger issue lately, and to that end they've shown interest in Padres third basmean Chase Headley and several others. Their list there reportedly includes Bryan LaHair and Placido Polanco (although Polanco's back injury is an issue), according to the Baltimore Sun. In the wake of current difficulties, they have special interest in hitters who can reach base.

Meh to all of 'em. Maybe Headley, but he'd have to adjust to AL pitchers, too.

52-47 Nice win today. Need 2 out of 3 vs the A's will be tough.