The Orioles, desperately seeking a shortstop, have engaged in substantive conversations with the Nationals about a trade for infielder Felipe Lopez, according to major league sources.
The Nationals reportedly are close to signing shortstop Cristian Guzman to a two-year contract extension for an unknown dollar amount and are unlikely to retain Lopez as a free agent after this season.In return for Lopez, the Nationals likely would receive a marginal minor-league prospect.
The Orioles have been looking for help at shortstop ever since trading Miguel Tejada to the Astros last off-season.
Lopez is hitting .247 with 25 runs and 20 RBI.
If a deal is completed, it likely would not be announced until after the completion of the Orioles-Nationals series this weekend in Washington, sources say.
