Lee looking like trade chip (Tigers out on Guthrie?)

With so much attention given to the non-waiver trade deadline and players increasing their value, it was easy to overlook how the Orioles actually beat the Yankees last night in New York. Oh, by the way ... It seems like such a rare occurrence, it should be savored instead of ignored. Now, getting back to the trade deadline and players increasing their value, it wouldn't surprise me if Derrek Lee is the first Oriole to change teams this weekend. Jeremy Guthrie and Koji Uehara are the prime trade chips on this club, and their stock rose with last night's performances, but the Orioles would gladly deal Lee and give the classy veteran a chance to play for a contender. Lee has been viewed as an Aug. 31 deadline guy, as I've written in the past - a player who could clear waivers and still be moved before teams have to set their playoff rosters. However, he's hitting .321 with four doubles, a triple, three homers and 13 RBIs in the second half. With the stands full of scouts last night, he went 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBIs. The Orioles were expected to make at least one trade before 4 p.m. tomorrow. Could they actually make three? If Lee is dealt, the Orioles would obviously need to find a replacement at first base. Very little escapes me. Maybe they acquire one in a separate trade. Or do they bring up Brandon Snyder from Triple-A Norfolk and give him a lengthy audition? They also could give Mark Reynolds some starts at first and let Josh Bell play third. Shameless plug alert: I'll be appearing on "Wall to Wall Baseball" from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on MASN. News tends to break while I'm on the air, so be ready for it. Update: The Tigers reportedly are close to acquiring Mariners pitcher Doug Fister. They had serious interest in Guthrie, but it looks like the Orioles have lost another suitor for him. Uehara could end up in Detroit. The door is wide open on that one. I could have sworn that I read yesterday that the Mariners weren't going to trade Fister, hoping instead to deal Erik Bedard. Beware of the speculation.