Anyone Want an Overpaid Veteran?

Andy MacPhail and the Orioles may not be done dealing players. According to the Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, Aubrey Huff, Melvin Mora, and Danys Baez have all cleared waivers, but no one has claimed them.

Times are tough for the Orioles. They have not won a series since before the All-Star Break, and now are relying on four or five rookie starters to carry them through the rest of the season. Not to mention that the team is looking like it is going through the inevitable late season collapse that seems to happen each year. And that the Nationals have won seven in a row, which can't be good for Orioles fans to think about.

For the Orioles, they should better hope they will get something for these three. The only person of the trio that has any chance of being an Oriole next year is Huff, and that would require re-signing. Mora and Baez have next to no chance of being on the team next year, but the reality is probably all three will be gone after the 2009 season.

But do the Orioles realistically think they can get anyone for these three? Obviously there is no harm putting them through waivers, but it would be amazing if the Orioles got prospects for them. The trades that were offered to them before the deadline were not good enough for the Orioles to take. Huff had a terrible July, and even though he is doing better in August, he still has not regained his power, with just 12 home runs this year. Mora's only value to an opposing team is his great defense at third base, which teams do not go after in a playoff race. And despite that Baez has decent numbers, he has three losses in the past five appearances and is not worth his price tag.

But, MacPhail is trying to make moves with players that will not be on the roster. Hopefully for the Orioles, one of the above can get dealt for a prospect. Even if it is for a rookie level player that is hitting .190. But, likely the O's will not get anything for these guys.

(Photo credit: Baltimore Sun)