If Bedard Is Traded, Is Roberts Next?

Ah, since Sunday night, it seems that business has picked up for the Orioles. Now, take a look at what CNN/Sports Illustrated writer John Heyman wrote last night...

First, more news on what most fans know already:

There are signs the deal is getting closer -- such as Jones telling reporters that he's headed to Baltimore for a physical -- but late word Sunday night is there's still some internal debate in Baltimore over the deal. Club owner Peter Angelos is famous for nixing deals involving his best players.

Mariners GM Bill Bavasi said by phone Sunday night that it was not a done deal. "We're not there yet,'' Bavasi said. "I can't tell you anything.''

Meanwhile, Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail echoed that sentiment to the Baltimore Sun. "We do not have an agreement with the Mariners," MacPhail said.

Sources told SI.com that Jones (.314 with 25 homers at Triple-A Tacoma), reliever George Sherrill (2-0, 2.36 with Seattle), a strikeout artist who could bolster Baltimore's injury-ravaged bullpen, and minor-league pitcher Chris Tillman (6-7, 5.26 at Class-A High Desert), are among players who have been prominently mentioned in trade talks. Catcher Jeff Clement (.275 with 20 homers also at Tacoma) was discussed at one point, but it's believed the Mariners will hold onto him.

Here's what Heyman says thereafter about the Cubs possibly acquiring Roberts:

If the Orioles do complete the Bedard trade, word is they would likely then send All-Star second baseman Brian Roberts (.290, 12 HR, 57 RBIs, 50 SBs) to the Chicago Cubs for prospects, possibly outfielder Felix Pie and pitcher Sean Gallagher (3-1, 2.66 at Triple-A Iowa). Pie batted .362 with nine home runs and 43 RBIs at Triple-A Iowa but hit just .215 in 177 at-bats with the Cubs in 2007.

However, the Roberts deal appears to be waiting on completion of the Bedard deal.

It looks like one deal may come after the other; however, let's wait and see. As most Orioles fans know by what is written by our great scribes is not gospel, as things can change by the minute.

If all goes as rumored, the Orioles would have accomplished in greatly turning over their roster, and more importantly getting guys under their control for several years.

Yet, another tip of the hat to Ian of Sox & Dawgs for the info...

Trachsel Traded

Steve Trachsel has been traded.

He's looked good in his past few starts, thus a contender needed an extra part, and Trax has been sent to the Cubs for prospects.

It kicks off the rebuilding of the Baltimore Orioles.

I guess we made our annual Chicago Trade after all...

A big tip of the hat to Ian of Sox and Dawgs for the quick note...

from Boston.com

The Orioles have traded RHP STEVE TRACHSEL to the Chicago Cubs for 3B SCOTT MOORE and RHP ROCKY CHERRY.

Trachsel, 36, went 6-8 with a 4.48 ERA (140.2IP, 70ER) in 25 starts for the Orioles this season. He allowed 3 earned runs or less in 17 of his 25 starts and missed 3 weeks while on the disabled list with a strained gluteus muscle. Trachsel was signed by the Orioles as a free agent on February 14, one day before pitchers and catchers reported to camp.

Moore, 23, has spent most of the season at AAA Iowa, batting .265 (85-321) with 19 home runs and 69 RBI. He appeared in 2 games for the Cubs this season, going 0-for-5. Moore also played 16 games for Chicago in 2006, batting .263 (10-36) with 2 home runs and 5 RBI.

Moore was originally selected by Detroit in the first round (8th overall) of the 2002 First Year Player Draft. He was traded to Chicago in 2005 and was selected to the Major League Future’s Game that season. He was named the Cubs’ 7th best prospect by Baseball America following the 2006 season.

Cherry, 28, has also spent most of the season at Iowa along with several stints with the Cubs. He went 2-0 with 7 saves and a 4.59 ERA (51.0IP, 26ER) in the minors, averaging 9.9 strikeouts per 9.0 innings. Cherry made 12 relief appearances for the Cubs this season, going 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA (15.0IP, 5ER) while holding opponents to a .224 batting average.

Cherry was named to the Southern League All-Star team in 2006, going 4-1 with 2 saves and a 2.22 ERA for AA West Tennessee. He was originally selected by the Cubs in the 14th round of the 2002 First Year Player Draft.

Moore and Cherry will report to the Orioles this weekend and be added to the roster on September 1.