Should The Orioles Go All In?

Anyone who tells you that they knew the Orioles would be two games over .500 near the halfway point of the season is either a cockeyed optimist or a liar. Back in March no one was predicting success, they were pointing to Andy MacPhail's trades as reason to be hopeful about the years following 2008 but not in 2008.

It's worked out much better than expected. The Orioles are in the mix and rather than dealing vets for more prospects, there's some call for them doing the opposite so they can maximize their chances at October baseball.

"We are the future," Kevin Millar said. "If we make the playoffs and win the World Series, the future is now."

Not a surprising sentiment from a 36-year old but hardly reason enough for the Orioles to sacrifice the future for the present. Making a splashy deal for a big ticket item isn't in Baltimore's best interests. It's important that McPhail look at the big picture and realize that the Orioles have been a bit lucky, four games up on their Pythagorean record, and not get pie-eyed.

That doesn't mean they should sell off their remaining veterans either. Stay the course and use this season as a building block with fans toward the future. Make small deals for a competent shortstop or a little pitching help if they come your way but don't bet the farm on a playoff run that remains a serious longshot.