As the trade deadline approaches on Monday, everyone knows the main rumors going around, and what the playoff contenders’ strengths and weaknesses are. That does not mean, however, that teams have to play along.
Consider, for example, the Orioles, who lead the American League East by two games on the strength of a lineup that has hit the most home runs in the major leagues and a bullpen with the third-lowest ERA in baseball. Baltimore’s weak spot is the starting rotation, with a 4.94 combined ERA that is tied with the A’s for fifth-worst in the majors, better than only the Royals, Diamondbacks, Twins and Reds.