If the Orioles have indeed begun to consider selling off some of their top-name players as a report by Ken Rosenthal indicated July 16, this weekend’s sweep by the Chicago Cubs has given that push greater impetus.
The July 31 non-waiver trade deadline is just over two weeks away, and after the 8-0 loss to the Cubs before 31,105 at Oriole Park, July 16, the Orioles are 42-49. They haven’t been seven games below .500 since Sept. 7, 2015.
While the Orioles, according to the report, won’t consider trading third baseman Manny Machado and center fielder Adam Jones, both eligible to be free agents after the 2018 season, they would consider parting with their top three relievers: left-hander Zach Britton and right-handers Brad Brach and Darren O’Day.
