Orioles approaching unique trade deadline still focused on ‘broader picture’ of building for future

Even as a hot start has regressed toward preseason expectations, the Orioles entered Saturday’s game against the Boston Red Sox only two games out of playoff position.

But the organization will approach the Aug. 31 trade deadline in the same manner it has almost every move since Mike Elias became Baltimore’s executive vice president and general manager 21 months ago: with a focus on the future.

“I really don’t know what’s going to happen,” Elias said Saturday. “There’s so many dynamics and variables this year. It’s hard to list them all. It could be that nothing happens. It could be that we make three or four trades. I don’t know yet. We’re certainly talking and working on it.

“Despite the fact that our club is playing well and has a good record and is in the mix, we’re still listening on players that are on our major league roster if it makes sense for our future and for next year and the broader picture. But we’re not extra motivated to do anything, and we’re listening to baseball trades as they come along.”