Baseball America's Trade Central, my favorite place to get in-depth analysis of all the trades happening in MLB.

I'll probably be posting sporadically for the next two weeks as I am moving to NYC this weekend and won't have internet access at home until after the 14th.

Yankees stadium to be replaced by a new facility.

Jason Stark reports that the Giants are interested in O's closer Jorge Julio.

The Baltimore Sun reports that the O's offered Rafael Palmeiro to the Los Angeles Dodgers but were rejected. I don't see why anyone would want him if he has to play first base as his range is terrible. Maybe someone could use him as a bat off the bench? That is how far this guy has fallen in my eyes.

The mystery team from yesterday that was interested in Roberts or Hairston? Tampa Bay. They decided they are sellers however and won't be taking either. That may mean that neither player goes anywhere. However, "club officials said they are confident both will clear waivers next month" if there is trade interest.

BenMaller.com has a report today that the Orioles "were buoyed Wednesday by the emergence of a new potential suitor" for Jerry Hairston or Brian Roberts on Wednesday. Oakland has already been mentioned as one trade partner but there was no mention of this new team.

Ponson dropping weight and lowering his ERA.

Ponson has lost 10 lbs in the last month and is now down to a slim 250 lbs. How did he do it?

"I just watched what I ate," Ponson said. "I don't eat late at night like I used to. And I just keep working harder and harder."

It's nice to see Ponson finally take some responsibility for his weight. Let's see if it continues.

The O's also cut former No. 1 draft pick Mike Paradis on Tuesday. Paradis, 26, was the 13th pick overall in the 1999 draft.

"We've seen periods where we thought he was on his way, but they were infrequent and more infrequent as times went on," farm director Darrell "Doc" Rodgers said. "Part of our frustration, he could throw on the side and show pretty good stuff. The next step is to take it between the white lines. It was something we couldn't overcome."

Interesting Fact: "Since 1969, there have been 112 teams between 4-6½ games back on July 31, and just nine of them came back to win. That's 8 percent, or about a one in 12 shot."

According to the Baltimoresun "the Orioles are finding only mild interest in their two second basemen, Brian Roberts and Jerry Hairston" on the trade front. Oakland appears to be the only team looking to upgrade at 2b. It's likely they wouldn't want Roberts but the might be interested in Jerry Hairston and his .369 on-base percentage.

Jorge Julio and Buddy Groom are also mentioned as potential trade targets. Moving Julio might not be a bad move for the O's since BJ Ryan can easily step in and close. The only problem then is replacing Ryan in the setup role.

The Bergen Record is reporting that a major league official says Randy Johnson has asked that a trade to the Yankees be completed in time for his next start on Friday. The Yankees may be using a third team - Florida or more likely San Diego - to get a deal done. Steve Finley would be part of the deal, likely going to San Diego.

According to Newsday, the Yankees would also take on the contracts of Robby Alomar and Matt Mantei in any deal and then release both.

Obviously if this happens the Yankees will be very tough in the post-season. The Padres would also have to be considered favorites in the NL West. Arizona will hopefully get a number of solid prospects for their rebuilding efforts.

I love the trade deadline in baseball so you can expect to see a link regarding a rumor every day this week until Saturday when it all goes down.

ESPN.com's Jason Stark reports that Diamondbacks OF Steve Finley has decided he only wants to play for a West Coast club. It will be interesting to see if he lands with the Giants, Dodgers or Padres and what the Diamondbacks get for him.

Rob Neyer says the Twins need to deal for an arm (ESPN INsider)

I think most people would agree when you have Terry Mulholland in your rotation. The Twins are still rumored to be trading Doug Mientkiewicz and a prospect for Kris Benson. Hopefully for the Twins' sake the Pirates will take Michael Restovich as the prospect since losing him wouldn't hurt their prospect outfield depth at all.

Mientkiewicz told he is going to be traded.

Sounds like Mientkiewicz will be out of MN by the end of the week. The Pirates are supposedly interested in Mientkiewicz in a Kris Benson deal. However, the Angels are offering top prospect Kasey Kotchman meaning the Twins should lose out on this deal. Mientkiewicz could then be heading to Boston according to the article.

The good news here is a full-time gig for Twins uber prospect Justin Morneau. Since being called up July 17 Morneau is batting .299 with five homers and 13 RBI in 67 at-bats. If he keeps hitting the Twins should be neck and neck with the White Sox the rest of the season for the Central crown.

Carlos Delgado's protest (ESPN.com)

Carlos Delgado has been staying in the dugout for the playing of God Bless America at baseball games because he does not support the US war in Iraq. Delgado also opposes "the Navy's presence on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques, which the Navy used as a weapons testing ground for 60 years."

The ESPN article draws parrellels to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, the former Denver Nugget, who didn't stand at attention during the national anthem. Delgado's protest obviously isn't at the same level as that but it still will likely draw harsh treatment from some US fans.

ESPN.com reports that the Expos' new home is likely D.C. area.

"Sources familiar with the Expos' relocation process told ESPN.com on Thursday that union leaders Donald Fehr and Gene Orza met Wednesday with Montreal player representative Brian Schneider and assistant rep Brad Wilkerson.


The player reps were informed by the union that there is now an overwhelming probability that they will wind up in either Washington or Northern Virginia -- although there is still a small chance that baseball could opt to move the franchise to Las Vegas."


I'm watching the O's game and just heard that BJ Ryan has only allowed 2 hits to left-handed batters this season. Amazing. I still think BJ needs to be the Orioles' closer.

Bring back the old Brew Crew logo by signing this petition.  

A Midseason analysis of the O's from The Orioles Warehouse. (Thanks to Bob at the Belfry for pointing this one out)

Angelos is making a mess in Baltimore

"According to team sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity, he [Angelos] showed up minutes before the Orioles made their first-round pick in the June 7 amateur draft, and vetoed the front office's selection not once, but twice -- first nixing Florida State shortstop Stephen Drew, then Redan (Ga.) High School shortstop Chris Nelson, and mandating that the team select a college pitcher, which it did by taking Rice's Brad Townsend."

and

"Angelos was investigating the feasibility of trying to void Ponson's contract based on the "loyalty" clause in the Major League Uniform Player's Contract that requires a player to "keep himself in first-class physical condition," among other things. "

Unfortunately this is no longer going anywhere meaning the O's are stuck with Ponson.

It also seems the Mazzilli is losing control over his team.

"There's been some high school stuff that's gone on around here," one Orioles veteran said. Of Mazzilli, the player said, "He's gotten a free ride [from the media], and it's been noticed in [the clubhouse]."

and

"...two veteran Orioles, neither of whom would agree to be identified, said last week that Mazzilli has lost the clubhouse."

Sounds like the O's will have a new manager by the start of 2005.

Jim Callis makes his case against the notion that college pitchers are much safer picks than high schoolers in his latest article at Baseabll America (premium content).

"In a study of the first 10 rounds of the 1990-97 drafts last year, I found that regardless of round or position, high schools held their own versus colleges in terms of producing talent."

Also, a note to those of you that check out this blog. I will be moving towards a more MLB general approach and away from a lot of Orioles talk. I am moving to New York City in three weeks and that will make it difficult for me to follow the O's with any regularity. I'll still make mention from time to time as I'll likely be following the O's from afar. If you want to keep up with indepth O's coverage I suggest going to The Birds in the Belfry.

Miguel Tejada named to the All-Star Team. He was the only Oriole to earn a spot on the AL squad.

I am off to the O's game today to see Daniel Cabrera face Dewon Brazelton. Both have been pitching well of late so it should be a good game.

The Orioles will recall Dave Borkowski from Triple-A Ottawa to start the second game of the Monday double-header. Borkowski is 6-9 with a 4.85 ERA at Ottawa. He's given up too many hits and hasn't struck out enough batters in Triple-A making me believe he doesn't stand a chance of having any long-term or even short-term success with the O's.

Matt Riley is heading back to Triple-A Ottawa. He had another poor performance last night and will be replaced on the roster by Rick Bauer. Riley would be best off spending at least a month in the minors working on throwing strikes and developing his off-speed pitch.

Bauer will be used out of the pen meaning the O's are probably going to be calling up a starter from Triple-A or a trade could be made.

The O's are definitely going to be sellers in this month's trade market. However, only Jerry Hairston figures to garner much interest in the trade market. His position flexibility will make him a potential target for National League teams. Buddy Groom has also been involved in trade talks but I can't see any team giving up anything significant for him.

The latest Ask BA column at Baseball America discusses comparisons to Doc Gooden for Mariners phenom Felix Hernandez.