Hey O's fans I don't know about you but I am very interested to see what Dan Duquette does at the deadline. Say we are above .500, but 4-6 GB of the Wild Card; What do we do? I would expect (and hope) that we do not mortgage the future for this season. I would expect that (and hope) Angelos would be willing to take on a large contract in lieu of dealing a top prospect. I personally think our biggest need is a consistent, veteran bat.

I think Carlos Lee is a good fit for the Orioles. He can 1B/LF/DH for us. I am imagining an Orioles team now with Roberts at 2B and Andino spending the majority of time at 3B, so yes i recognize this would downgrade us defensively, but I think Carlos Lee represents a sizeable upgrade over Betemit/Reynolds/Chavez/Pearce. I think that the Orioles cannot count on a healthy Reimold for 2012. It will be nice when he returns, but the O's need a steady bat in the lineup and Carlos Lee would upgrade the offense.

What would we give to acquire Carlos Lee you ask? Would the Astros deal him? Well yes, the Astros are definitely going to deal Carlos Lee as they are rebuilding and he is earning $19 million. I will make the math easy on you guys, let's assume this trade would be made around July 1st or whenver the exact midseason point is. The team that takes on Carlos Lee would have to then pay half of his salary, $9.5 million. From a Public Relations standpoint I think the Astros would throw some money in to get a B-level prospect to sell to their fanbase. I propose that the Astros throw in $4 million with Carlos Lee, and receive LJ Hoes from the Orioles. I personally think of Hoes as more of a 4th OF in the majors than anything major, and I think that it is a mutually benefical deal, where the Orioles do not mortgage their future, while also satisfying the fanbase in chasing a winning record and a possible playoff birth.

What do you think? Who do you hope the Orioles acquire? I know many are going to say Ryan Dempster or Chase Headley or Josh Willingham, but please review the contracts and realize how much it would take to acquire some of these guys. Carlos Lee is an FA at the end of the season and I really have faith that due to the fast start and increased revenue, that the front office would be willing to take on a salary such as Carlos Lee's for the second half of the season. I would like to hear feedback.

Note: Yes, Carlos Lee is hurt, but should be back within 10 days, and I think he is pretty reliable statistically and would expect .270/.335/.420