Potential suitors: : Colorado Rockies, Florida Marlins.
Outlook: : With Chris Ray and Dennis Sarfate on the mend, Cla Meredith on board and Bob McCrory and Kam Mickolio at Triple-A, the Orioles want to move Baez and get salary relief in the process. However, their ability to do so depends on how much of his remaining contract they're willing to absorb. It's a good bet that he'll be traded at some point.
Aubrey Huff
Why he'll be traded: : The first baseman is a proven run producer and middle-of-the-lineup bat. ... He has a well-earned reputation as a second-half player, with a .301 career average after the All-Star break. ... He's a free agent next season.
Why he won't: : The Orioles aren't especially motivated to move him as they would be content to offer him arbitration and get him back on a one-year basis or accept compensatory draft picks. ... He's considered below-average defensively, and teams view him as a designated hitter, limiting his market value. ... Has just one homer and six RBIs in his past 19 games.
Potential suitors: : Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants.
Outlook: : Huff will be traded only if the Orioles get an offer they deem better than what they could potentially get with the draft picks they would be awarded if he bolts via free agency. If Huff accepts arbitration - and there appears to be a decent chance of that - the Orioles would be comfortable having him back on a one-year basis, even at a hefty price tag.
Melvin Mora
Why he'll be traded: : There's virtually no chance the Orioles will pick up his 2010 option, so he might be willing to drop his blanket no-trade clause and join a contender for the last two months. ... He's still considered a very good defensive third baseman and a dangerous hitter (.328) with runners in scoring position.
Why he won't: : He would likely want some form of compensation in order to drop his no-trade clause to join another team. ... A market really hasn't developed for him. ... He hasn't found his power stroke, with just one homer and 15 RBIs since May 7.
Potential suitors: : Minnesota Twins, Seattle Mariners.
Outlook: : Mora, the longest-tenured Oriole, appears to be entering the final couple of months of his near-decade-long stint with the club. However, it is much more likely he leaves via free agency than trade.
George Sherrill
