The Loss Column — Baltimore Sports Blog and Community

Nothing significant to report 3 1/2 hours before the trade deadline. The Orioles are likely to just sit this one out. The only potential move remains dealing Payton to either the Cubs or the Mets, but even those discussions have apparently died down.

I think the Orioles make the right move here by not completing a trade. Why ship out key players in the lineup for a handful of prospects when the team is in the middle of making a serious bid to end that streak of losing seasons at nine? Why give Trembley a lineup full of (more) holes? The guys are vibing with each other - let them play it out. Of course, the one deal we would like to see get done involves unloading Trachsel, but it seems no team is that hard up on their rotation to warrant wanting that 5+ ERA.

So sit back and relax and enjoy the fact that we still have Erik Bedard, Jeremy Guthrie, and Kevin Millar.

(note: I wrote this before I realized that Dan had also put something up. His is just as good — probably better — but I’m putting this up anyway ‘cuz that’s what I do.)

According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegran, the Rangers and Braves have finally consummated a long-rumored deal that will land Mark Teixeira in Atlanta for the stretch run. This deal represents probably the lone blockbuster of the season, a refreshing throwback to the days when deadline deals routinely shocked and amazed. But what does it mean for the Orioles?

Overall I see no reason, based on Scott Boras‘ history, that Tex won’t hit the open market as expected in 2008. On the other, Atlanta gave up an awful lot to get him. You don’t give up your two best position prospects (Saltalamacchia in particular) if all you want is a rental.

So here’s where we stand. The market for Tex’s services — assuming he doesn’t get hurt or see a significant drop in production — just inched a little higher. That can’t be a good thing, but there’s no way to really know what kind of spending will — or won’t — take place under a MacPhail regime.

Either way, the Braves have taken a giant risk, a risk we should be glad the Orioles didn’t agree to take. The cost was way too high.

Mark Teixiera is going to Hotlanta to play for the Braves. The deal hasn’t been officially announced, but it would apparently involve Texas receiving Jarrod Saltalamacchia and three prospects, and Atlanta receiving Tex and lefty reliever Ron Mahay.

Before we start charging the Warehouse with a mob and some pitchforks, let’s dissect this trade a little. While Mark Teixiera and Ron Mahay fill a glaring void for a playoff-hunting Atlanta, the Braves are paying a very high price. Saltalamacchia is the Braves organization’s top prospect and make no mistake, he will be a star catcher. The three prospects in the deal are Elvin Andrus, a top notch defensive infielder, Matt Harrison, a lefty starter, and a third lesser pitching prospect that has yet to be named. Had the Orioles made this trade, it might have very well translated to: Nick Markakis (our top prospect and future star), Luis Hernandez, and Garrett Olson, and any number of our lesser minor league pitchers. I don’t speak for everyone, but I certainly would not have liked that trade, especially with no shot at an extension.

The bottom line is: we thought it would take a lot to get Tex and it sure did for Atlanta. Scott Boras will unquestionably not allow Teixiera to sign an extension - his history proves as much. All Boras clients enter free agency to get the highest dollar. There’s no guarentee Tex won’t sign with Atlanta in free agency, but for right now, the Braves are looking at a year and a half rental for a large chunk of their farm system. Enter the Orioles in 2008. Sometimes the best moves are the one’s that aren’t made.

You can’t win ‘em all. Give credit to Daniel Cabrera for finding enough of a groove to go 6 innings, and to the Orioles for chipping away until the end. It’s easy to fear another bullpen implosion, but I think they were just due for a bad game. This time Paul Shuey, who has been very good, was the culprit, allowing a run and filling the bases for Danys Baez. The offense didn’t give in though: Little Luis Hernandez had a 2-RBI hit, Paul Bako walked four times and singled, Brian Roberts hit another late-game bomb, and Corey Patterson continues to hit. Aubrey Huff, though, remains in a disheartening slump.

But we can take solace in the fact that the Orioles are simply killing the Yankees this season. The O’s will gladly play spoiler while progressing towards .500. It’s another series won for the O’s and they continue to play inspiring baseball. There’s an off day to rest the arms, and then it’s off to Boston. The O’s will be facing Josh Beckett, Kason Gabbard, and Tim Wakefield. A series win in Boston would be a rare and welcome occurance.

Update: The latest Oriole trade rumor has Jay Payton going to the Cubs for prospects, or perhaps Matt Murton. Murton is a 26-year old outfielder, who played all of the 2006 season with the Cubs, batting .297 for the year with 13 homers and 62 RBI.

I’m not generally real big on ceremony, which is why there hasn’t been much said here about Cal’s Hall of Fame induction. With that said, it’d be hard to overestimate how great he has been for this city. And it’s nice to have an Oriole on the national stage for the right reasons.

So for anyone who’s interested, here’s a thread to reminisce. To indulge in a little soul-soothing nostalgia. Post your thoughts and memories in the comments, then take a deep breath and wonder if the last two weeks or so are a fluke or if maybe we’re finally on the right path again.

Never again will I underestimate Brian Burres. Along with Erik Bedard, he makes the second Oriole pitcher to out-duel Roger Clemens. With 6 strong innings and 7 strikeouts against the Yankees, he’s earned himself that spot in the rotation for the rest of the season. If Garrett Olson wants a spot, he’s going to have to take it from Steve Trachsel instead. The strikeout of A-Rod, followed by the immediate throw-out of Derek Jeter ranked just behind Jeremy Guthrie’s genius series of pitches to strike out Jeter in the 5th inning of Friday’s game. Who would have thought that two waiver claim pitchers would have solidified spots in the starting rotation?

Our boys are hot right now, and they are bringing it to the Yankees. Boy, does it feel good. In particular, the bullpen is really getting it done. D.T. is using them like a master and in return, everyone, even Baez and Parrish, is pitching up to their capabilities. Except, of course, for Cory Doyne. His first outing against Tampa Bay after being called up a second time produced a couple of LONG fly outs, and likely had some of us concerned. His outing last night confirmed those worries as he nearly induced cardiac arrest in any O’s fan watching the game. You have to wonder what he’s doing differently in AAA, but then again, I don’t know that he’s faced any hitters down there even remotely close to anyone in the Yankee lineup. Luckily, Jamie Walker saved the day, getting Abreu to chase a hanging breaking ball, and leaving A-Rod in the on-deck circle without a chance at a game-winning 500th home run. Chris Ray, despite the sophomore slump, is sorely missed.

There’s currently a rain delay in effect for tonight’s matchup, featuring Daniel Cabrera (7-10, 5.04) going up against the always infuriating Chein-Ming Wang (11-5, 3.57). Last night Miggi came up big with 4 RBI and has been playing great defense at short. Let’s sweep ‘em.

I don’t get ESPN Classic, but if anyone had a chance to catch any of the ceremony, feel free to tell us about it in the comments.

The trade deadline is a mere three days away and the “big” trades thus far amount to:

-Reliever Dan Wheeler from the Astros to Tampa Bay for Ty Wigginton.

-Jorge Cantu to the Reds for pitching prospects.

-Kenny Lofton from Texas to his original team, the Indians, for a minor league catcher.

-Tadahito Iguchi from the White Sox to Philly for a minor league pitcher.

It’s looking more and more like the O’s won’t make a blockbuster trade, as they are either short on talent or the talent they have is too valuable to give up. Steve Trachsel hasn’t helped his cause and if I was a team looking to contend, he wouldn’t be my first choice for a number 5 starter. Kevin Millar, who is finally getting the playing time he has always wanted, is proving to be a huge asset to this team as they look to improve. Is he the guy you want long term at 1B? No. But he’s the guy I would want there right now, and his leadership during this year’s quest for .500 is more important than a couple of prospects. Jay Payton is more of a tradeable commodity than Gibbons, but you’re not going to get a whole lot for him, and his “gamer” attitude and defense is welcome on the club. I’d put money on Daniel Cabrera sticking around for another year.

All in all, I’m ok with all of this. This team is playing better, so let them play. The guys who are bad aren’t tradeable, and the guys who are tradeable aren’t going to get much in return. I’m not saying I’m against any trade, but I’ll be content with this year’s big “transactions” being the hiring of Andy MacPhail, the signing of Matt Wieters, and the removal of Dave Trembley’s “interim” tag. MacPhail’s real test will be during the offseason, because there’s not much going on at this year’s trade deadline.

-Cal Ripken will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame tomorrow at 1:30PM. Fittingly, he is the 8th Marylander to be a Hall of Famer. Ironically, his sponsor Comcast decided to remove ESPN Classic from basic cable a week or so ago, likely leaving many fans wondering why they can’t see their beloved hero be immortalized in Cooperstown. Oops…

As I type, Jeremy Guthrie (who is fast becoming a no-brainer for Rookie of the Year) is holding down the surging Yanks to the tune of 3-1 in the sixth. Now that I’ve written about it, mark this one up for the Yankees. Also mark up that sham make up game, which went the way we all knew it would.

As I predicted this has been a less than ideal week to go away. Michael Vick plead not guilty, setting the stage for a nasty trial if he doesn’t cop out. Both Nike and Reebok have done the right and honorable thing by suspending their relationships with the troubled QB — gotta love that.

On another sad and unfortunate note, Wake Forest head basketball coach Skip Prosser passed away from a heart attack this week. Prosser spent some time here in town with the Loyola Greyhounds before stepping up to Wake and doing a hell of a job. It’s a very sad situation, and the Loss Column’s sympathies go out to the entire Demon Deacons family.

Thanks to everyone for supporting the site and Dan the Man in my absence. Catch you soon.