Bill Ordine: Looking ahead to the trade deadline

O's stars likely to stay, but don't be surprised By Bill Ordine | O, by the Way Clearly, it's unwise to let a short-term turn - good or bad - dictate long-term strategy, but the Orioles' slide that began just after the Fourth of July and has landed them in last place in the American League East is indicative that the current roster is not going to be the one that makes this franchise a contender in a year or two or three. The O's have had their moments this year and have showed some tenacity, but outfielder Jay Payton put it well after a 6-5 home loss to Detroit on Thursday night when he said, "We've got to play perfect baseball." That's just the point, and it has been all season. This team has no margin for error, and that's no way to go through a season and hope to make it to the playoffs. Any error, on the field or on the... [read full story]