Matusz Remains Unsigned

BALTIMORE, Aug. 7 -- With a week remaining before the Aug. 15 deadline to sign draft picks, the Baltimore Orioles have yet to sign first-rounder Brian Matusz, raising the possibility of another last-minute resolution.

Last year, the Orioles and Matt Wieters, the fifth overall pick, did not reach an agreement until minutes before the deadline. The Georgia Tech catcher eventually agreed to a $6 million signing bonus.

This year, Matusz was the first pitcher selected in the draft (No. 4 overall) after a standout season at the University of San Diego.

"I think there's some progress being made, but it's slow," said Orioles director of scouting Joe Jordan, who has been in negotiations with Matusz's agent this week. "We're trying to get together, but we've got some ground to cover."

Jordan said progress has been slowed partly because the market for Matusz has yet to be defined. As of Thursday, just three of the top 10 picks were signed.

"The next four or five days should hopefully bring some answers and things will start coming together," Jordan said. "We've been through this before, where it turns into an August situation."

Bradford Traded

The Orioles traded right-handed reliever Chad Bradford via a waiver claim to the Tampa Bay Rays, who were looking to improve their bullpen for the homestretch of the pennant race. In exchange, the Orioles will receive a player to be named.

Bradford, 33, is in the midst of another solid season, posting a 3-3 record with a 2.45 ERA in 47 appearances for the Orioles. The submarine-style righty signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract with Baltimore before the 2007 season. He is owed $3.5 million next year.

Bradford has a 0.00 ERA in 17 playoff games spanning 15 1/3 innings -- no active reliever has pitched more innings in the postseason without giving up a run.

Bradford has reached the playoffs with the Chicago White Sox, Oakland, Boston and the New York Mets.