A little bit more
The Orioles are supposed to meet today with the agents for Japanese pitchers Kenshin Kawakami (Dan Evans) and Koji Uehara (Mark Pieper). And if Pieper is in the room, Brian Roberts' contract extension will come up. Be sure of it.
Also, it's becoming more apparent that, barring a late change, the Orioles' shortstop options are down to one - Cesar Izturis. Two years at $6.5 million should get it done, though he might take $6 million.
J.J. Hardy seemed like a possibility with the Brewers, who would demand young pitching in return (Garrett Olson and Radhames Liz are two names I've heard who would interest Milwaukee, along with another player), but general manager Doug Melvin is telling folks that he wants to hold on to his shortstop.
Hardy comes relatively cheap - he's eligible for arbitration after making $2.65 million this year - and he's under the Brewers' control for two more years.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Roch,
Great info, I am a Reds fan and you are doing a much better job then they are.
Steve
roch
what do you think the chances are the orioles sign both japanese pitchers
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Very, very slim. One, perhaps, but not two. - Roch
I just read else were that the Ramon Hernandez deal is slightly sweeter for the Orioles than previously reported. The O's are believed to be getting two mid-level prospects and fourth outfielder Ryan Freel for Ramon.
Oh, that Hardy trade is interesting. I'd do a 3 for 1 involving Olsen, Liz, and another 4-A or projected back of the rotation guy. Like Roch said, he's cheap, and we all know he can produce. I'm guessing though, that this would remove us from the Pads/Cubs ordeal, or maybe this is a head fake to see if the Cubs/Pads trade is actually going to happen.
Wow thats a lot of money for a guy with a career OB% under .300. Could have signed Adam Everett for less and gotten the same production. OB% is similar but Izturis steals more bases while Everett hits for slightly more power.
I miss Khalil Green already... and we never even had him. Except in my video games.
Roch,
Who are these japanese pitchers and are they really worth signing? Are they starters or relievers? Sounds like the O's are going with defense and speed with Izturis and Freel. Opposite of what we have done lately so it's worth a try!
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One of the pitchers might project more as a reliever. - Roch
Give em Olson, Liz and Ramon for J.J.! He's a young gifted SS which would improve our lineup very much.
I assume you mean $6 million total, right, not per year?
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Correct. - Roch
The Orioles would be absolute card carrying fools if they didn't actively pursue Hardy.
It sounds like the O's might come out of this week having signed Izturis and pawned Hernandez for Freel. Not bad. Can't say I'm in favor of the Olson for Pie for Peavy thing... Any chance the O's could just trade Olson straight up for Peavy? Is there any way to convince Peavy to come to Baltimore? He has a reasonable contract and it would be a coup to get him. But I'm guessing he wants to stay in the NL from the sounds of it. Nevertheless, the O's would be delinquent if they didn't bring it up at least.
If they could get a deal done for Garland in a week or two, they would be in much better shape. Then perhaps they could really make a run at Tex. Let's hope! No reason in my mind they shouldn't be the highest bidder.
Roch, you're doing an amazing job! Keep the reports coming!
Roch,
If we want Hardy we are going to have to dip into our big 3 of pitching prospects at least, just for starters, IMHO.
why you trying to bump up his price tag roch? lol. JJ Hardy, sounds like just another pipe dream..but would be sweet imbmso...thanks for the updates.
Foxsports has reported that The Reds and Orioles have agree on the trade that brings Freel and 2 prospects to Baltimore for Hernandez. Since there is more that 1 million involved, League has to approve it.
How about Garrett Olsen and Luke Scott to the Cubs for Jason Marquis, Ronny Cedeno, and Felix Pie with us picking up the entire Marquis contract.
Who needs back-end starters, which these guys supposedly are? Don't we have enough of those?
Sudhir,
Depth became a serious problem for us last year, and we didn't have a rotation of major league ready starters. If we have Guthrie and four #3 or #4 guys, that's an upgrade in my eyes.
It's not a great situation, and it's not one that will lead to the playoffs, but better than last year. And if your club improves year after year, it shows free agents and draft selectees that you're going the right direction, and they'll be more likely to sign.
Wow thats a lot of money for a guy with a career OB% under .300. Could have signed Adam Everett for less and gotten the same production. OB% is similar but Izturis steals more bases while Everett hits for slightly more power.
I miss Khalil Green already... and we never even had him. Except in my video games.