As the year progresses forward, the Orioles will have some decisions to make regarding players who are performing at a high level and can bring some young prospects back in trades. Players that fit this mold are Danys Baez and Aubrey Huff and Jeremy Guthrie. Other names being tossed around the trade market are Chris Ray, Melvin Mora, Mark Hendrickson, Jamie Walker, and George Sherrill.

As far as the rest of the roster is concerned, there are very few untouchables at this point. We can all agree that Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Brian Roberts, and Nolan Reimold are not going anywhere. There is possibility even Luke Scott is dealt, depending on how well he returns from injury. On the pitchng side, Jim Johnson will stay put, as will Brad Bergeson and Koji Uehara.

The team believed to have interest in acquiring Aubrey Huff is the New York Mets, having lost 1B Carlos Delgado for an extended period of time. This is just a thought but the San Francisco Giants, in desperate need of power, could take a flier on Huff as well. The Giants have young pitching to deal from both in the minor leagues and in the majors.

Jeremy Guthrie could be dealt because he is cheap, durable, and under team control for a few more years. Guthrie will not bring in the haul that Erik Bedard did from Seattle but expect a decent return if he is dealt.

I am by no means signaling that the Orioles are going to throw in the towel now or any time soon, but if some of these trades may better the club now or in the future, they deserve to be looked at. An alternative route the Orioles could go is to let their free agents leave and get draft picks from the teams that sign them depending on Type A or B free agent status. Only time will tell what the Orioles decide to do and if trades are in their future.