Around The Beat: ESPN.com’s Crasnick talks deadline deals, Orioles and AL East

We take a break from our regularly scheduled podcasts with team beat writers to bring you national perspective again this week.

I’ll admit, part of it is self-serving. Our podcast with Fox Sports baseball writer Ken Rosenthal two weeks ago was our most listened to since we began this feature in April.

But this is also about you guys, the listeners, and what you want, too.

I feel like the most interesting thing right now surrounding the Orioles is what moves they may make heading into Monday’s 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline. We’ll get back to individual team scouting reports next week, but I wanted to focus on who may change clubs before Tuesday and how the Orioles could be involved.

So I brought in ESPN.com’s senior baseball writer Jerry Crasnick as this week’s guest.

Crasnick talks about the AL East race and how he sees it shaking out over the next 60 or so games. He gives an in-depth look at the starting pitching market, whether any difference-makers are available and which serviceable arms might be on the move.

He speculates about what the Orioles might be able to offer in return for a starting arm and he provides his insight on Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette, whom Crasnick has known for years.

Jerry is one of the most knowledgeable people in our business, and so I think his perspective is intriguing, especially at this time of year. Give it a spin.