The 2006 trading deadline has come and gone and the only reason the Orioles' roster looks any different is because of some minor injuries and a death in the family of one of its relievers.  

So, where do the Orioles, as a franchise, go from here?

We've heard for several years now that the team's desire is to build young pitching depth and use it to stock its major league roster and trade for the position player help that it lacks within the confines of its own organization.  Perhaps this is the master plan, but it's always struck me as more of a necessity than something desired.  That is to say, it's not that the team isn't trying to develop its own position players, it just isn't succeeding--at least not in great quantity.  (In fairness to the club, Nick Markakis has improved each month of the season and is beginning to look like a real live plus offensive player.  But there's very little behind Markakis at the moment.)

The good news--and yes, there is some good news--is that the much ballyhooed organizational pitching depth is beginning to legitimately manifest itself throughout the organization.  In addition to Erik Bedard flashing major league staff ace form and Adam Loewen--despite obvious growing pains--showing steady signs of improvement despite a relative lack of professional experience, the Orioles have seen Chris Ray thrive as a big league closer and Chris Britton pitch worthy of a crack at the setup role this season.  

Positive signs lurk well below the major league level for the Orioles as well.  At Ottawa, Hayden Penn and Daniel Cabrera have both shown signs of being ready for a return to the big league rotation, and may very well do so by September.  Right behind them at Bowie are Garrett Olson and Radhames Liz, both of whom have thrived since being promoted from Frederick earlier this season and Beau Hale's comeback from serious arm injury several years ago continues to pay dividends as he improves with each succeeding appearance.  Carlos Jan has had tantalizing appearances out of the bullpen.  At Frederick, closer James Hoey continues his fine season after being promoted from Delmarva and Luis Ramirez continues to be a starter with intriguing numbers.  At Delmarva, Brandon Erbe's outstanding campaign continues and David Hernandez is putting together a season deserving of promotion.  At Aberdeen, the appearances are limited, but closer Luis Gustavo, starters Jeffrey Moore, Kyle Schmidt, Wilfredo Perez and relievers Henry Lozado, Chad Thall and Robert McCrory all appear deserving of a full-season assignment in 2007.  Finally, at Bluefield, starter Zach Clark has been the cream of the crop and reliever Joshua Faiola has been the best of the relievers.

The point is that the Orioles have multiple pitchers at just about every level who appear ready to move up starting next year.  That's what depth is--when you've got several pitchers on each minor league club who perform well enough to merit a promotion.  It's that kind of depth that keeps a franchise from having to rely on one or two would-be phenoms to make the leap or else come up empty.  This is where the Orioles were as an organization when, for instance, Matt Riley was climbing the rungs of the team's minor league system.  If Riley failed, the Orioles had little else going for them.  That's no longer the case.  If Daniel Cabrera ultimately flames out, for instance, there are a host of young pitchers who are pitching well enough to be given a shot to replace him.

Is this pitching depth enough to both satisfy the Orioles' direct needs and serve as the material used to obtain position player help from other organizations?  Unless a larger than expected percentage of the young pitchers pan out--and the pipeline remains full for the foreseeable future--probably not, at least not by itself.  Dipping into the free agent market wisely and the beginning of a process of obtaining more Nick Markakises and Brian Roberts (again, imagine two or three position players at each level who perform well enough to deserve a promotion; when that happens, we'll be looking at real depth in that realm as well) will be necessary to move the Orioles franchise where it wants to go (i.e. consistent contention).

Until then, we'll have to make do with the fact that there's something to look forward to.  It's not ideal, but it's a far, far cry better than anything we've seen in many years.  After all, some organizational depth is better than none.  With a little bit of luck, it might just be a lot better.

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