Hello, friends.
For the Orioles, the All-Star break is over and the second half of the season is here. Thanks to their carrying a .500 record into the break, this year marks the first one in the last several seasons where the month of July is something other than a dour processional towards the trade deadline, wondering which beloved, liked, or tolerated Orioles would be traded next, with hope deferred for another year and no feeling of a promise that it might soon arrive.
Guys could still end up being traded away from this team, especially if the homestand starting tonight, which will feature three games against the Yankees and four against the Rays, goes poorly.