Andy MacPhail, the Orioles’ president of baseball operations, oversaw his second non-waiver trading deadline with the franchise just like he did his first: by doing nothing.

“We had opportunities to do something stupid and we didn’t do it,” he said.

The Orioles listened to offers for their top two trading chips — All-Star closer George Sherrill and leadoff man Brian Roberts — but didn’t get any serious offers.

Clubs can still trade players, but all players involved must first clear waivers — meaning the other 29 teams must pass on claiming them.

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With several veterans having large contracts — most notably catcher Ramon Hernandez ($7.5 million), first baseman Aubrey Huff ($8 million), outfielder Jay Payton ($5 million) and relievers Jamie Walker  ($4.5 million) and Chad Bradford ($3.66 million) — MacPhail thinks August might be a busy month.

“My expectation might be that not unlike last year, we’ll have more activity in August than in July,” he said. “Again, it would have to be something that makes sense for us. It’s not a scenario that surprises me, that we’d be more active in August than in July.”

A player is less likely to be claimed by another club if he’s in the middle of a multi-year contract, which could make it easier for the Orioles to exchange veterans for prospects.

MacPhail said keeping Sherrill, who the Orioles likely would have traded for a great young shortstop, is a step in the rebuilding process of a team that’s posted 10 straight losing seasons.

“When I first came here, I also talked about getting a culture shift and an identity of guys who have character,” MacPhail said. “I think George, among the 24 others in the clubhouse, have done a nice job in a short period of time of helping that character grow.”

swelsh@baltimoreexaminer.com