Find MASN on your cable or satellite provider.

MLB.com is reporting it too . . .

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090730&content_id=6151526&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

It's a decent trade, but I'd much rather have had Elbert. Not a big fan of nepotism.

If true I am disappointed in AM. That's not much for your closer that was not a FA at the end of the year.

I'm absolutely going to miss Sherrill, but I guess this had to be done for the sake of the organization. Hope he does well in LA, and I hope our new guys pan out!

Great news !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For a closer that's going to be used as an 8th inning guy that's a heck of a haul. Johnson looks like a quality prospect to join the ranks of the young pitchers and Bell might be the starting 3B sometime next year. Looks like "Andrew" has pulled off a good trade guys.

I'm disappointed to see Sherrill go, on the other hand I'm really excited about Josh Bell, a real good power hitting 3rd baseman. I would much rather have gotten Elbert than Johnson, but Johnson has put up good numbers, doesn't have the injury issues that Elbert had, and of course he has that Orioles lineage, so that's a plus. The fans in Baltimore will miss you George Sherrill.

Roch- Andy blew this one. I mean, he just landed another AA pitcher, great.
But, the most important thing is the 3rd Baseman. He grabs 1 with mediocre stats AT BEST at AA?
I don't get this one.
Can you maybe explain it too me?

Roch,

Looks like it is official due to the fact that the dodgers have it up on their website. Can't find much info on the two guys coming back to the O's though other than their names.

it's on wikipedia, that's good enough for me. This is a great deal for us, we need infield prospects like it's nobodies business and with all of the young arms coming up over the next few years the bullpen will be crowded anyway. really like sherril and sad to see him go but such is life.

good luck George!!!

This looks like a win-win trade.

Dodgers get a great closer. We get our 3rd baseman of the future. Couldn't really find alot on Steve Johnson online though. The Elbert guy had alot more press on him. I'm guessing he's a better prospect than Johnson...but Bell was the catch here.

Macphail is top flight at making trades. Now if only the O's can spend premium dollars on Sano and some free agents - we'll be able to play with the big boys then.

Great move for the future of the O's today! Hendrickson next? We move him too and do we bring up Kam and Ray?

I'm not sure about this deal....It will be a year or two until we know for sure, but this doesn't look like a deal that McPhail was talking about being overwhelmed by.

Sherrill was cheap, effective and under team control for 2 more years. That's worth a lot.

If it's Johnson and Bell, it's poor value for Sherrill.

Roch, from what you and/or your sources know, is Josh Bell significantly better than Scott Moore? Seems like Moore was an option for a while; I'm curious why he never was given more of a chance. I realize he's hurt now, but do you think he could have competed, or will compete, for the full-time job at third base next year?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moore's been hurt the last two years and didn't exactly tear up Triple-A when playing. And he's going to be a minor league free agent. I like him and hoped he'd stay healthy and get a shot here, but it didn't happen. - Roch

Makes the Bedard trade look that much better. I like the trade, only problem is hendrickson is are only lefty on the pitching staff. Roch who do you see taking Sherrill's roster spot?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't know at the moment. Not sure Ray is ready yet. - Roch

Roch,

What do you think of this trade? Good or Bad?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It hasn't been announced yet, so will hold off commenting. There's still paperwork. - Roch

Well Roch, what do you think? Good return for Sherrill? I miss him already and I'm not even sure that hes gone. Johnson was putting up great numbers and looks to be a fast riser and Josh Bell is a VERY legit 3B prospect who can get on base and crush the ball. Happy with the return?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd rather wait until we know it's official. Neither team has confirmed. - Roch

So long Sherrill. We hardly knew ye. Who do you think will get them majority of save oppertunities, Roch? My guess is JJ.

Thank you, Erik Bedard. :)

I guess BO, KPB, and Jak should start their campaign now to discredit these guys to support their FO bashing. This after several posts indicating that he was a failure because he was asking for too much.

Hopefully these guys will get more support from the fans than Pie and Hill. I know we gave up FAR more to get them. Who would have ever thought we end up with 6 players from Bedard, 5 of which are pretty promising.

I will absolutely miss George Sherrill, but I REALLY like this trade. Pencil Josh Bell into the 2010 Opening Day lineup at 3B, and Steve Johnson looks very promising, and he's coming home to BALTIMORE!

Scott Elbert and Josh Bell for Sherrill is a great deal for the Orioles. Scott Elbert and Johnson is a little worse, but okay. But, Bell and Johnson? The O's gave the Dodgers a gift. This one hurts!

Roch,

Considering Sherrill was supposed to be the Orioles biggest trade chip, it doesn't appear they got much in return. A quick search of top 20 prospects for the Dodgers doesn't show Johnson (he's listed as "others"). Here's the remark I found about Bell:

Josh Bell, 3B, Grade C+: Making progress, but reports about weight are disturbing and he might not hit enough for first base.

So....what's your take on the "haul" the Orioles received? Where do you see these guys being assigned?

Jim Carter
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll wait until it's officially announced. As for assignments, I assume Double-A.

so does this pencil Bell in as the starting 3rd baseman next year?

Well, I have mixed feelings about this trade. I like Bell, fm what I've read, but he might not be ready for another year. I don't understand Johnson instead of Elbert, I understand why the Dodgers wanted that switch but don't know why we agreed to it. We didn't have to move Sherrill, and he was a good piece to have to help out the young pitchers. I think we should have held out for the better pitching prospect.

Roch,
Is there a way you can save Jack and Brummies messages so that if we start struggling to close games this year and they go to blame McPhail that it'll just auto post their comments from today? Sad to see Georgie go but hopefully the new guys work out for us.

Is Bell MLB ready? Why is he only in AA ? Im glad we made a deal for young talent, but are these the right guys??

Steve Johnson is good but, how come they couldn't get Elbert instead? Lefty with lots of K's that's in AAA.

I would have liked Elbert more. Especially after the uncertainty about Bergy, but I like getting a Baltimore native. The injuries probably hurt Elbert. I hope that Bell will be good and take over at 3rd.

Some of the thoughts out there on Josh Bell

Baseball America - Dodgers 9th best prospect, has the most raw power of any prospect in their system. (They had Snyder ranked as the O's 9th best for comparison)

John Sickels - Dodgers 10th best prospect. Described as "Making progress, but reports about weight are disturbing and he might not hit enough for first base." (He has David Hernandez ranked as the O's 9th best prospect for comparison)

Baseball Prospectus - Bell has swung a hot bat of late, but he saved his best for the Southern League All-Star Game. He earned MVP honors while hitting the game's only home run off Tampa's Jeremy Hellickson. Bell's raw power is significant, but he has had problems tapping into it this year, with just eight home runs in 281 at-bats. At the same time, he has already established a career high with 42 walks, and his .278/.368/.459 line has far more positives than negatives.

FLAT BREEZY
FLAT BREEZY
FLAT BREEZY
FLAT BREEZY
FLAT BREEZY
FLAT BREEZY
FLAT BREEZY
FLAT BREEZY
FLAT BREEZY

If I were a Dodger fan, I'd feel like I just got fleeced, but good for the O's. Andy found someone desperate for bullpen help and ripped them off. Hopefully this kid Bell will be ready to play for the big club by next spring.

Orioles Hangout crashed again? How embarrassing!

" KyleProBoller said:

On the brightside...at least Trembley won't face the questions about why he pulled his best pitcher after 7 innings when his pitch count was still manageable and he'd only given up 1 run."

That was a classic comment. You should ignore the person who ripped you for that. It was obviously tongue in cheek and obviously true since DT is always facing that question even when it isn't deserved, although 101 pitches is early.

Thanks for the laugh.

Horrible trade. Sorry.

Can someone please tell me why this is even a decent trade? To me, i think the Orioles have more than enough prospects. WHy dont we get someone who is already developed rather than a prospect. Just an allaround dumb trade considering Sherrill is one of the best closer in the bigs

I don't like this deal at all. We traded a major league closer at the top of his game for two Double A prospects?

Prospects are just that, prospects. Maybe they make it to the show and thrive, maybe they don't. I would have wanted at least one front line major leaguer who could fit into our starting line-up immediately.

I've been a supporter of McPhail all along, but I think he should have done better on this one.

Baseball America has Bell rated as the Dodgers 6th best prpspect. He was the MVP at the all star game. he missed last year after knee surgery but apparently he changed his approach after a poor start to his pro career and has done very well ever since. I think it's a good deal plus adding a good minor league pitcher. Good Job Front Office!

This seems like a lot less than what MacPhail had been saying the price was for Sherrill. I was expecting someone higher up in the Dodgers' prospects to go with Bell, someone like Dee Gordon, Chris Withrow, or Ethan Martin.

johnson seems to be set up like another bergeson...not a flame thrower but good control. i would have preferred to have elbert, seemed like he could be a dominate lefty. oh well...just pray that bell and johnson workout.

:( now i'll look dumb wearing my sherrill t-shirt. thanks for everything georgie. you will be missed

Nothing is Official until the Trolls chime in, come on Two Face-Jack/Brummie we are waiting for your verdict.

Sherrill made close to 3 mil this year. Maybe it was a money thing regarding Johnson instead of Elbert. Could Johnson be a Bergy type of pitcher? Not overpowering, but knows how to pitch? So I guess its Wiggy at third next year with Bell in AA and AAA at the halfway mark.

I'm guessing arbitration for Huff.

Bell has truly amazing power and he's only 22 years old. As he grows into his frame and advances as a hitter, he could turn into something exceptional. He's one of the top 3b prospects available anywhere and he fills a huge need. Kudos to AM.

I think we got a really good haul for a relief pitcher. However, no matter what Andy got for Sherrill, half the people on this blog would say it is a terrible trade. Whatever...I think we got plenty for a thirty something relief pitcher.

roch, I must be on a roll today because I called that Steve Johnson would be included in a deal if Sherrill went to the Dodgers earlier this week. I played against or with Johnson for the majority of my recently ended career and I just had a feeling he'd be included. Nice to bring him home.

Bell's AA stats are mediocre at best? He has an on base percentage of .386 and a slugging percentage of .497! In what universe is an OPS of .883 mediocre? This guy has legit major league 3B potential and is on every Dodgers top 10 prospect list. When he arrives at Bowie or Norfolk in a few days, he instantly becomes the best offensive prospect in the Orioles system. On top of that, McPhail was also able to get a pitching prospect with an upside who has good numbers at AA this season. Elbert was rated higher but to get two of the Dodgers top 20 prospects for a guy that most teams consider a setup man at best is a great haul. This was a very good trade for both teams considering their present needs.

Why all the whinning fro this bunch?

Sherrill is a 32 year old who was set in 2008 as a closer by default. They are not set to contend in the same manner this season. While it is sad to see he wanted to stay, the role of closer is less important than figuring out who is going to be a part of the Orioles future. There is Bob McCroy, Brandon Erbe, Pedro Beato, Kam Kam Mickilio, Jim R Johnson, Chris Ray, others that could impact today or in the near future.

With relief pitchers, one man's trash is another man's treasure. Arms can be found or plucked off the free agency line all of the time. So many afterthoughts are found each season. It is a crazy position to think someone cannot fill that roll by the time this team turns it around.

I like this deal. Will Bell be our starting third baseman in 2010?

Anyone who thinks this was a bad trade for the Orioles needs to get their head examined. The O's just got a new best position player in their minor league system and a spare part for a relief pitcher. This is what rebuilding teams are supposed to do. Trade the older players for younger ones with more upside.

Great trade, I love Sherrill, but let's face it, they were never going to get a major haul for him. Andy got a mid to high-level prospect with the potential to be our 3B of the future, and a mid-level pitching prospect with strong ties to Baltimore for a guy who was an afterthought in the Bedard trade, and is a set-up guy on most contending teams. Add to that the fact that the O's have two or three guys in the wings with closer stuff ready to get a try-out for the job and this trade seems like a no-brainer to me.

Well done Mr. McPhail.

I am not familiar with these Dodgers prospects. Dave Johnson has talked about his son Steve on the Sat am show with Tom Davis. I gather he has pitched well in AA from what Dave has said. Today Dave said Steve pitched
7 scoreless innings the other day. I will really miss George Sherrill and it scares me to think who will close for us now. I hope the Dodgers go to the World Series for George's sake. He deserves it. He acts as if he didnt want to be traded. I feel for him there. But, if he gets a chance to get a ring, he will forget about the rebuilding O's. I just hope the O's know what they are doing. I felt like Sherrill was real important in our future.
This trade makes me feel that money had to do with it. The O's didnt want to spend the money to get an already established 3rd baseman like Shone Figgins. I am a little upset over this trade.............

Great insight Alan in VA. "Horrible trade. Sorry." isn't quite the discussion generator. With wonderful thoughts like that, I think you may be a better fit as a Nationals fan.

Here's why I think it's a good trade Ben. You can never have enough prospects. Generally speaking, our position player prospects aren't going to cut the mustard. 3B is of particular concern, because there's no way Melvin comes back.

As far as getting another arm, today is a perfect example of why you can't have too many pitchers. Bergeson takes a rocket and goes down. In such a long season, you're going to need more than 5 starters to make it through. And it will create a competition, so that you don't have to sign the Adam Eatons of the world to fill holes.

This is the best that AM could come up with and he still has a day to go before the deadline? Did he give up trying to negotiate too early? Why in the world does he think this is a good enough haul for one of the very best closers in baseball. I couldn't care less about how the Dodgers may see him more as a set-up man. That doesn't matter...the fact is that he is a closer and has performed as a closer with All-Star numbers. Someone please tell me why Steve Johnson isn't just a ho-hum throw-in on this trade.

No one likes to see Sherrill go. He's a good guy who has done a really good job for us. But, a rebuilding team needs to continue to assemble the necessary pieces. Now we have a prospect at both corner infield positions (Snyder and Bell). Will they both succeed? Maybe, maybe not. But, there is reason to think they will. If they do, we now have every position in the field addressed. I would rather have had Elbert too, but, as I said when this was first discussed earlier this week, I don't think you get two top prospects for Sherrill. As it is, we got one top prospect and another major league prospect. I think it's a pretty good haul. The complainers on here would only be placated by an obviously imbalanced trade. That's not how trades get made.

If I've learned anything about Andy McPhail, it's that he doesn't give anything away, he won't make a trade for the sake of making a trade and he does his homework. I hate to see George go, but I have to believe this will improve the club in the (near) future.

I'll probably always remember the 3 gutsy scoreless innings George worked in last year's All-Star game (even though it may have blown the second half of his season). It was one of the few times in recent memory I was proud to be an O's fan.

Best of luck, George! Enjoy the playoffs.

~~If it's Johnson and Bell, it's poor value for Sherrill.~~

and you know this based on seeing how many games played by Johnson and Bell?

Anyone who does not like this trade knows squat about baseball. A young AA Pitcher and a young stud AA 3b for a 32 year old set up guy is one of the trades of the decade. If Bell lives up to half of the hype it is a win for the O's.

All hail Mcphail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This tells me the O's need to pull another trade, either now or post-season to find a closer. I don't see JJ in that role. Would be nice if this trade pays off at 3rd next season but if Bell is AA then seems like a gamble

~~ Pencil Josh Bell into the 2010 Opening Day lineup at 3B, and Steve Johnson looks very promising~~

and you state this based on seeing how many games played by Johnson and Bell?

If that trade is a done deal I will be sorely disappointed. That's really all I can think of to say at this point. Despite the win, today has been an all around bummer of a day in my book.

the two players bios

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=t498&t=p_pbp&pid=489002

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=t498&t=p_pbp&pid=489002

~~Horrible trade. Sorry.~~

and you state this based seeing how many games played by Johnson or Bell?

I think it is a fair trade for both teams. Sherrill, IMO, is a premiere LH setup guy, but only an average closer. Bell gives the O's something they truly lacked, a solid third base prospect. He is probably not going to be ready until sometime in 2011, so a stopgap is going to need to be found for a couple of years. As for Johnson, well, you can never have enough pithing.

I guess it's the age we live in, but here the L.A. Times HAS in fact reported on it:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/07/dodgers-active-in-halladay-trade-talks-sherrill-close.html

Good luck George. Who gets called up if Ray and Sarfate aren't ready? Jim Miller maybe?

I like Bell and think that eventually he will be a first baseman/DH. One thing that disturbs me is that he kills the ball from the left side. But is around the Mendoza line facing lefties. I don't get why these kids continue to try to be switch hitters when they are an automatic out from there bad side. Just hit from one side and his numbers would be really good.

~~I am not familiar with these Dodgers prospects. Dave Johnson has talked about his son Steve on the Sat am show with Tom Davis. I gather he has pitched well in AA from what Dave has said. Today Dave said Steve pitched
7 scoreless innings the other day. I will really miss George Sherrill and it scares me to think who will close for us now. I hope the Dodgers go to the World Series for George's sake. He deserves it. He acts as if he didnt want to be traded. I feel for him there. But, if he gets a chance to get a ring, he will forget about the rebuilding O's. I just hope the O's know what they are doing. I felt like Sherrill was real important in our future.
This trade makes me feel that money had to do with it. The O's didnt want to spend the money to get an already established 3rd baseman like Shone Figgins. I am a little upset over this trade.............~~~

first, thanks for admitting what is true about most of us . . . we are not familiar with these guys. I give you credit for prefacing your opinion with that. But what does this have to do with money? We had Sherrill tied up cheap for another year of two? We could still go after Figgins and move this kid to 1B. Or if this kid looks like the real deal, skip figgins and use the money elsewhere. . . including potentially for a closer down the road. Angelos has spent the money. That old line just doesnt hold water.

The more I look at this deal the more I just don't like it. Have I seen the minor league players..no, but I've seen there records. I have seen George Sherill and his record at the major league level. If we did not have Sherill under control next year I'd say OK, but this is a very poor haul for a guy who is reasonably priced and at the top of his game, an All Star last year. Essentially, this is what we picked up.

Jjohnson - A 13th round draft pick
A 3.82 ERA in A+ ball and a 1.41 WHIP
Only two starts at AA ball
Walks a ton of batters 42 in 96 innings in A+ ball

Bell -A 4th round pick
As to Bell, 11 Hrs in 334 AB’s at AA isn’t exactly a power guy in my opinion. 70 K’s in 334 AB's? Was medicore at A and A+ ball. Decent OBP and OPS but not overwhelming. Weight issues.

Elbert - The guy we didn't get.
If we had got Scott Elbert he was a former 1st round pick. Had a 1.02 WHIP at AA and a lifetime 1.30 WHIP in the minors. He’s also pitched decently on this last call up for LA.

Substitute Elbert for Johnson and I think it's a much better deal.

For Andy to say he would have to be overwhelmed on a deal is NOW laughable. This is about as underwhelming as it gets.

Seriously, we coudl have signed Andy Marte after the season and had a solid AAA hitter at 3B. His contract is up and can sign with other teams. Instead we gave up Sherill.

George I wish you well. You deserved better. It seems anyone over 30 who actually does the job on this team must be traded. Absurd.

Bell is a slugger, there's no debate about that. 30 doubles! 11 HR's. .296 BA is solid too.

The rub?... 17 errors. His fielding is a liability.

When I first heard that this Steve Johnson guy was Dave's son the first word that came to my mind was "nepotism". That was, however, until I looked at his stats. He's proven to be more than competent thus far at every level he's been at:

High A- 8-4, 3.82 ERA, 96.2 IP, 102 K's, 42 BB's
AA- 1-1, 1.62 ERA, 10.2 IP, 15 K's, 3 BB's

His K/IP ratio is well over 1:1, which is encouraging. In the major leagues groundball outs are just as effective, even moreso because it usually requires less pitches (see Bergesen). But an eventual quality major league starter should be able to overpower people at that level just going right after them and challenging them... and he is.

We wanted Elbert, but they weren't willing to part with him.

How do you guys hnow we wanted Elbert? He had been on DL almost a year,I think AM may have picked Johnson over Elbert. Bell is a great prospect. I love this trade! WTG AM