[Sickboy]

Andy MacPhail, the Orioles' president of baseball operations, said yesterday he is looking for players who are either ready for the majors or close to it, and it is unlikely that he would require one of the Yankees' big three to be part of a deal for Tejada.

MacPhail seemed impressed with the job Cashman has done in rebuilding the minor-league system, saying the talent extends beyond the three pitchers.

One of the Orioles' top needs is in the outfield, the one area other than pitching that the Yankees actually have some legitimate prospects. Brett Gardner, who stole 39 bases in 99 games between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton this year after swiping 58 in the minors in 2006, is the closest to being ready for the big leagues, though lower-level prospects such as Jose Tabata and Austin Jackson are considered to be better long-term players.

The Orioles could take one of the outfielders along with a mid-level pitching prospect for Tejada, who hit .296 with 18 home runs and 81 RBI in 133 games this year. Tejada missed 29 games after breaking a bone in his wrist when he was hit by a pitch, but he had played in all 162 games in each of the previous six seasons.

Baltimore also would have interest in Kyle Farnsworth, as relievers Chris Ray and Danys Baez will miss the entire 2008 season following Tommy John surgery. Farnsworth pitched for the Cubs when MacPhail was an executive in Chicago.


Uhh..Cash...trade for Tejada please