Huff appears to be staying in Baltimore

Back in 2005, the Boston Red Sox seriously investigated acquiring Aubrey Huff from the Tampa Bay Rays. One team official opined, on the condition of the anonymity, "We think he's the type of guy who enjoys the spotlight and would thrive in high-pressure situations."

That evaluation remains largely theoretical; this marks Huff's 10th season in the big leagues, and only once, with the 82-80 Astros in 2006, has he played so much as half a season on a winning team. At best, we've seen Huff enjoy high-profile moments, like when he pumped his fist after a home run off first-pumper Joba Chamberlain earlier this season.

Now, as his contract with the rebuilding Orioles winds down, he yearns to play on a winner. But with nine days to go before the non-waivers trading deadline arrives, the safe bet falls on Huff staying in Baltimore.

"From what I'm hearing, they're not interested in trading at all," Huff told Midweek Insider of the Orioles. "They wanted to finish strong. We've really tanked it the last couple of years in August and September. I think (president of baseball operations) Andy MacPhail has expressed he wanted to finish strong."

Multiple reports have indicated that the O's like the idea of receiving compensatory draft picks assuming Huff, who turns 33 in December, rejects arbitration and signs elsewhere as a free agent. Huff will likely be a Type A free agent. Yet given the current trends in baseball's economy, the first baseman-designated hitter-outfielder might very well feel compelled to accept arbitration.

In truth, it appears that Huff, despite his impressive resume , isn't in high demand.

"I just don't see him as a difference-maker," one official from a National League club said, on the condition of anonymity. "He plays in a hitter's park and is very limited defensively. He's probably an AL-only player and he makes a lot of money ($8 million this year).

"Also, the Orioles are somewhat difficult to deal with on trades. I think it's a long shot (that Huff gets traded), as many teams don't have money and the Orioles would want a ton back if they were going to eat the rest of the contract."

Great points, all. Nevertheless, given that there's only one potential impact bat available in Oakland's Matt Holliday, you'd think someone might take a chance on Huff if the Orioles will split the difference on money and prospects. Huff entered Wednesday's game against the Yankees with a career OPS+ of 115. He put up a 135 OPS+ just last year, slamming 32 homers.

This season has been more trying, as Huff's .324 on-base percentage and .418 slugging percentage put him below the AL average.

"I think a lot of it has to do, we've been facing a tremendous amount of left-handed pitching this year," the lefty-hitting Huff said. "I think I've had the most at-bats in my career against lefties, and we've got two more months left."

He's a little off there, but his greater point holds. Huff entered the day with 144 at-bats against lefties this year, and a .272 on-base percentage and .368 slugging percentage. Last year, he tallied 196 at-bats against lefties and put up a superior .313 OBP and .439 SLG.

By looking at his splits, you see some evidence that Huff could do well in a pennant race. His numbers in situations baseball-reference.com identifies as "high leverage" (.350 OBP and .492 SLG, entering Tuesday night's game) -- "important" game situations, with close scores and late innings producing the highest leverage -- trump his overall numbers (.343, .478).

"When the game's on the line, certainly, that's what you want to be in," he said. "I've never been a real fan of garbage at-bats, I call 'em. Down 10-1 or up 10-1 in the eighth and there's nobody up with two outs. Obviously, you want to do well, but just that feeling of the focus and the energy and excitement is not there as in situations when the game's on the line."

And while he takes accountability for signing a three-year, $20-million deal with the perennially struggling Orioles prior to the 2007 season -- they offered the most years, he said, and no contending team made a serious offer -- he wants to play in more situations when the season is on the line.

"As many years as I've lost in this game, I'm not a selfish guy," he said. "You give me one playoff, and hopefully win a World Series ring, I'll take that one, and I wouldn't say I'd retire, but I'd definitely be happy with it. As many years as I've lost, I know how hard it is to get one of those things."



(newsday.com)