Dan Duquette, the Orioles' executive vice president of baseball operations, told Baltimore media members in Minneapolis that he's still approaching the late-July trade market as a buyer. The club has two starters from the Opening Day rotation on the active roster, including last night's pitcher, Tommy Hunter. Hunter tossed a pretty good game during the 2-1 win against Minnesota, but has been inconsistent during most of the season, and was demoted to Triple-A Norfolk at the start of the month.

Duquette told reporters of the need to stabilize the pitching staff with one arm. It's an issue that needed addressing in November and December, not now. The Orioles' future shouldn't have to pay for present mistakes. The Orioles can't start trading pieces as they're descending with the notion that it will save the club and give it enough juice to make the playoffs.

The Birds have many concerns offensively, defensively and in the rotation. That takes long-range answers, not short-term solutions.

Duquette has to be careful here. He can't mortgage the club's future and give Orioles fans false hope. This is a team that is tiring and lacking in depth. He needs to look at the club and see all of the issues plaguing the team. This is a year when a two-month trade could have detrimental ramifications.

Posted July 19, 2012.