The GM meetings: Where the trade talk can start
Orioles President of Baseball Operations, Andy MacPhail, will join other executives in Dana Point, California this week for MLB's general manager meetings. The meetings run from Monday through Thursday.
MacPhail says trade talk can start at the GM's meetings. That talk might not lead to an immediate deal but can lay the groundwork for one to eventually be completed.
"If you look at the two big trades our franchise made last season, the seeds of the Bedard deal were discussed with Seattle at that time," MacPhail said. "I don't know how deep we got into talk with Houston about Tejada. But that's where the seeds get planted often with trades, some of which grow to fruition. Then there's some trade talk that never happens."
All of baseball knows of the O's needs in the starting rotation. MacPhail was asked if current Orioles Matt Albers and Jim Johnson are being considered for rotation spots next year.
"Some of those decisions depend on what else happens (with trades and free agency). Other player moves will influence those decisions. Also, Matt's health could influence that. Everything so far is fine with Albers. But we need to get guys in there in spring training to determine how they are and what other moves we can make."
Albers was placed on the DL in late June with a labrum tear in his right shoulder. He underwent rehab and returned to make two appearances with Aberdeen in early September but he didn't pitch in the Majors after June 25th.
Steve, I'm a long-time baseball fan, and I still don't know what the GM meetings really are. Are they meant as a precursor to the winter meetings? Why have a separate GM gathering, other than for what you said, to get trade talks started. Is that all, or do they discuss other things?
________________________________________________________
Andy:
I don't have the exact agenda, but I feel certain the GM's meet and discuss issues pertinant to the game. Last year, or maybe it was the year before, I think they had a major discussion and vote on instant replay in baseball.
The winter meetings involves more people from each organization and is on a bigger scale. Minor league teams attend and hold their own meetings. The winter meetings start December 8th in Las Vegas.
Steve
here's what i would try to do if i was running the o's. package ramon hernandez, luke scott and sherrill for 3 really good young players, preferably one being a ss. use j johnson as the closer or ray as the closer and jj as 8th inning guy. albers to the starting rotation. reimold, jones and nick in the o. f. lou hernandez as the 4th o.f./dh/1b huff at first/dh b roberts at 2nd, garcia(the guy we got from col) at ss mora at 3rd. weiters at c. guthrie, albers, at least one, probably 2 of the bowie pitchers for the rotation and good luck with the other starters picking from penn, liz, cabrera and one of the other bowie pitchers. tillman goes to norfolk, patton if healthy to bowie or norfolk try to sign burnett for no more than 3 yrs, though i don't think the o's are going to spend big money for burnett or tex. olson and burris to the bullpen or off the team and build a statue honoring brooks. take out the rubber warning track and replace it with sand, take out 3 rows of seats in l.f. to have a deeper power alley. add a couple rows of seats above the out of town scoreboard and call the place camden yards and drop "oriole park"
____________________________________________________
fkterp:
Wow, you even think of changes to the ballpark. Most people already just say "Camden Yards" but I am against dropping the Oriole Park part of it. As I said in another post on this page, the O's don't seem inclined to want some of those Bowie pitchers to start the 2009 season in Baltimore. We've rushed enough pitchers in this organization, time to end that trend.
Steve
Here is what i would do if I were running the O's
Catcher- with the MLB's best prospect Matt Weiters will solidify behind the plate and help our pitchers
First Baseman- Aubrey Huff great hitter with underated defense
Second Baseman- sign Brian Roberts to a long term deal or trade for future picks and prospects
Short Stop- Trade Ramon Hernadez and Juan Castro(good defense, absolutely no offense)for some SS prospects
Third Baseman- Melvin Mora what else can i say besides excellent hitter and great defense
Right Field- Nick Markakis rising power hitter who average may drop do to more home runs but what a star with all the intangables
Center Field- Adam Jones another rising star with a great future sucks for Seattle
Left Field- Lou Montanez he needs work but with two star out fielders helping him and some of the best OF coaches i wouldn't worry
Designated Hitter- Move Luke Scoot to DH and use that potential for just hitting he's just to slow with mediocre defense at best
Staring Pitching- Jeremy Guthrie, Chris Waters he showed something last year, trade for A.J Bernett, bring up Brad Bergeson and Troy Patten possibly Chris Tillman or Brian Matusz.
___________________________________________________
Kevin:
It all has to start with better starting pitching. Burnett is a free agent, they could try to sign him but can't get him through trade. Also the O's don't seem to want youngsters like Bergeson, Tillman and Matusz on the team at the start of 2009. That pretty much still leaves us at square one with the pitchers. Patton is a possibility for the rotation if healthy. Also, I still think Nolan Reimold could eventually be the left fielder, maybe not in April but sometime in 2009.
Steve