Trade talk and tonight's game

The Orioles are trying to move pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez, and multiple reports have them in heavy discussions with the Padres involving outfielder Melvin Upton.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette insisted yesterday that his primary focus was on the rotation. He's still determined to find a starter, but he may have understated his concerns over the outfield.

Hyun Soo Kim could be back by Tuesday, but Joey Rickard won't resurface until September due to a thumb injury. The roster currently includes outfielder Julio Borbon and Dariel Alvarez. Complementary pieces, but not impact players. At least that we're aware of, since Alvarez has played a grand total of 13 major league games.

I find it interesting that Rickard's absence has raised such high concerns, considering that he transitioned into a platoon role with Kim playing left field against right-handers. He was more of a defensive replacement, offering a plus glove at all three spots and rare speed on a team that prefers to mash.

FOXSports.com reported that Upton would play left field for the Orioles. So Kim and his .329/.410/.454 slash line go to the bench?

Maybe this is what I wrote about recently when someone in the organization suggested that if the Orioles couldn't land a quality starting pitcher, they should just bring in another bat and try to pound opponents into submission.

The Padres want a prospect to complete the deal, and FOXSports.com reported that the sides aren't close to an agreement. If that prospect is Tanner Scott, who made his Double-A debut last night, the Orioles should move away.

Scott is a left-hander throwing 101 mph. And he just turned 22 yesterday.

The Orioles have traded away Jake Arrieta, Eduardo Rodriguez, Josh Hader, Zach Davies and Steven Brault, among others, while trying to find the missing pieces to get them into the World Series, to deliver the first championship since 1983. Can they afford to part with Scott, who's struck out 146 batters in 114 2/3 innings over 58 minor league games and held opponents to a .194 average?

Scott also owns a career 4.63 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. He's a work in progress, but scouts love him. Teams have been checking on his availability since the Winter Meetings.

I'd be slightly more inclined if the return was a frontline starting pitcher, but not an outfielder when the club has a more pressing need.

A Jimenez-for-Upton deal makes sense for the Padres because they'd save money. Upton is owed the rest of his $15.45 million salary this year and $16.45 million in 2017. Jimenez is owed the rest of his $13 million this year and $13.5 million next season.

It makes sense for the Orioles because at least they could use Upton. They're doing nothing with Jimenez, who hasn't pitched since July 8. I don't recall seeing him warm up since he was demoted again to the bullpen, which needs room for Darren O'Day's pending return.

I've reported that ownership was willing to release Jimenez. The Orioles instead could get something for him. But the player they're eyeing hit .198/.279/.314 in two seasons with the Braves and struck out at such an alarming rate, he should have come with a snooze button.

The Orioles saw the best of Upton during the two-game series in San Diego. The guy was making sensational grabs all over the field, including a leaping catch to rob J.J. Hardy of a home run before firing to first base to double up Mark Trumbo, and he homered off Jimenez in the first inning, the ball traveling an estimated 444 feet to center.

The Padres saw the best of Jimenez, who held them to three runs and struck out 12 over 11 innings in back-to-back starts on June 22 and 28. He'd also benefit from a return to the National League.

Are the Padres aware that Jimenez no longer would be facing their hitters? Their .243 average yesterday ranked 25th in the majors and their .303 on-base percentage ranked 28th.

Upton would give the Orioles a backup to Adam Jones, though Borbon and Nolan Reimold also play center field. Upton and Jones are friends. Perhaps it's just meant to be - two teams trying to get out from under hefty contracts.

Meanwhile, Kevin Gausman is stuck on one win this season. One win in eight decisions over 16 starts.

He's allowed three earned runs or fewer in three of his last four starts. He held the Yankees to two runs in 6 2/3 innings in his last outing.

One win this season.

Gausman is 1-1 with a 3.12 ERA in two games (one start) versus the Indians, with three runs and five hits in eight innings. He's walked six and struck out five.

The current group is 5-for-24 against him. Jason Kipnis is 2-for-4.

Josh Tomlin is 10-2 with a 3.34 ERA in 17 starts this season. He's allowed two earned runs or fewer in 10 of those starts.

Tomlin has a 4.60 ERA in eight home starts and a 2.44 ERA in nine road starts. He's 3-2 with a 5.02 ERA in six career games (five starts) versus the Orioles and 2-0 with an 8.18 ERA in two starts at Camden Yards, with 10 runs and 13 hits in 11 innings.

The current group is 18-for-47 against Tomlin. Jones is 8-for-15 with four doubles and a home run. Chris Davis is 3-for-6 with a home run.

Upton is 3-for-12 with five strikeouts. Guess that trade can wait another day.