The All-Star game is over and it’s time to start the second half of the season, although the Orioles have already played 87 games, leaving 74 plus the suspended Yankee game left to play.

Come to think about it, I was going to comment that they at least hadn’t reached the 50 lost level, but that’s not really true since that game will no doubt also be a lost.

But now that it’s after the All-Star game it’s time to start thinking about the end of July trade deadline and who on the Orioles are safe.

These are the players that I put on my list of people that the club needs to keep and build the team of 2008 and beyond on. I’ll start with Mora, although that’s only because he has no-trade clause in his contact and to move him would be next to impossible, I’m sure.

In the field Brain Roberts is your second baseman and lead-off man for at least the next five years. He’s one I would put on the untouchable list. The only other non-pitcher I would put on that list would be Nick Markakis. There’s a couple of others, I would like to see remain on the team, such as Millar and Hernandez, but if the offer is right.

Now the pitchers. Is there any general manager out there who wouldn’t want to build a starting rotation around Guthrie and Bedard. Those are untouchable as are the rookies Olson and Burres. Well that depend on who you get in return.

I have a feeling that the team that takes the feild on August 1st will look a different than the one that takes the foeld on Thursday. And it won’t be because of people coming off of the disabled list.

Go O’s. Let’s make the moves for the future. This year is already down the drain.