The Orioles made some moves at the trade deadline. They’re in last place again and that hot start is long forgotten so now it’s time to think about next year. The bigger deal had them sending Derrek Lee to the Pirates (who are buyers these days) for Pirates prospect Aaron Baker. Baker is having a solid season this year in the Pirates farm system and he has 15 home runs and 72 RBIs. He’s probably a year or two away but he could eventually be a solid big league first baseman.
The Orioles also sent Koji Uehera to the Rangers for Tommy Hunter and Chris Davis. Chris Davis was a top first base prospect and he’s never lived up to his billing. You could see him being the placeholder for a couple of years until someone down in the system develops. Hunter had a nice season in 2010 but a groin injury set him back and he missed the first three months of the season. He was pitching out of the pen but I’d expect him to start for Baltimore.
I like the moves. Lee was a placeholder and they would have had to re-sign him if the wanted to keep him so they got something for them. And Uehera was pitching out of his mind and they got someone for him when his stock was high.
