How are all these guys clearing waivers? Neither player is great, but they could help some teams. Couldn't the Angels use Lindstrom or a team like the Rockies use Saunders?

It makes me very nervous to mess with a bullpen mix that's been so very successful and so central to Baltimore's great season. On the other hand, I suppose the idea here is simply that the Orioles get a pretty serious gain from swapping Hunter's remaining starts for Saunders'. If (and this is a big if) Gonzalez and Tillman can maintain what they've been doing, and if Hammel returns at full strength, the Orioles come down the stretch with 5 average or above-average starters and a still very well-stocked bullpen besides.

Lindstrom was basically the 6th best reliever in the bullpen.

In September, all of the failed starters will be sitting in the bullpen, so they should do a credible job covering for Lindstrom in short stints.

Hell, Saunders may end up filling that role if he has a couple bad starts.

Os ar playing the Yankees 6 times in the next coupel of weeks. I imagine they will use the lefty Saunders twice. Right now the Yankee lineup against lefties is terrible.

How are all these guys clearing waivers?

The unwritten gentleman's agreements.

Would you want to pay Joe Saunders 1 million dollars or so for 3 starts? How many teams out there really need a 4th or 5th starter for the rest of this year?

The Angels have openings in the 2-5 slots of their rotation, and all bullpen slots are also available.

Would you want to pay Joe Saunders 1 million dollars or so for 3 starts? How many teams out there really need a 4th or 5th starter for the rest of this year?

But if the Angels claim Lindstrom they either get him to replace one of the bums they have in their pen or they keep the Orioles--a direct competitor for a WC slot--from using him as a trade chit.

So, does Arizona think they are still in the Wild Card race? Is that why they asked for a MLB guy instead of a prospect for Saunders?

I like this move for the Orioles. Low risk, potential reward. As Big Fan points out, the Yankees haven't been good against lefties, and the margin of one win might be huge for the O's. (According to Cool Standings, they lose the WC spot by 3 games.)

So, does Arizona think they are still in the Wild Card race? Is that why they asked for a MLB guy instead of a prospect for Saunders?

Like Pot Arb said the other day, Kevin Towers has no idea what's going on.

My question is: does this mean there's nothing to the rumors of Dylan Bundy getting a callup and September starts?

What the Hombre said. Dipoto should have been on either Saunders or Lindstrom.

2013 it is, apparently.

But if the Angels claim Lindstrom they either get him to replace one of the bums they have in their pen or they keep the Orioles--a direct competitor for a WC slot--from using him as a trade chit.

Teams can't claim every potential trade chit on the waiver wire. Was it really reasonable to think that Lindstrom - a 32 year old with 3.2 WAR for his career according to BRef - would fetch much in return?

There's a reason that every team floods the waiver wire this time of year - it makes it almost impossible to claim every player who might be traded, unless a team is willing to risk a bunch of teams calling their bluffs.

There is a PTBNL in the deal according to Dan Connolly

Player to be named in deal -- wont be made til after season's end -- is expected to be a lower-level minor leaguer. Not a targeted prospect

I imagine they will use the lefty Saunders twice. Right now the Yankee lineup against lefties is terrible.

Joe Saunders = More MVP votes for Derek Jeter.

Why won't Baltimore die? (says this A's fan)