A little something to start your day
Before I turn in for the night, or morning if you want to get technical, I wanted to pass along one small item about a former Oriole.
I saw Kris Benson in the casino area, and we chatted for a few minutes.
He says that he's fully recovered from his March 2007 rotator cuff surgery that ended his Orioles career.
The Blue Jays, Indians and Dodgers have expressed interest in him.
Benson finished up with Triple-A Lehigh Valley this year, going 1-4 with a 5.52 ERA in 11 starts. He allowed three earned runs or fewer in six of his last eight starts and might have joined the Phillies' roster if he hadn't come down with tendinitis in his arm.
The Orioles need starting pitching, which Benson found out during his Vegas trip, but they haven't contacted his agent, Gregg Clifton. If they'd consider Bartolo Colon and Matt Clement, should they consider a reunion with Benson?
I'm just asking. And no, I haven't been drinking. Pay no attention to the so-called witnesses.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Benson...Las Vegas...Is it Kris or Anna looking for work? Seems as though her "career" hasn't even seen Lehigh Valley since Kris's injury.
As you say if we're considering Colon and Clement a minor league contract with an invite can't hurt.
Plus MASN could give Anna a late night show (pending a physical of course).... the makings of a Baltimore / Washington cult classic .... surely more watchable than tonights' Arkansas St @ Troy football game! She could really show off that new "Baltimore" away jersey!
Roch,
You just want Anna around. Tell the truth.
No sightings of Kris Benson's wife?
Not even in a naughty Mrs. Claus outfit?
Roch,
Stay away from the Kool Aid!
I haven't seen much action on who the veteran catcher they might go after. Any news on a shortstop to play for the team? Has the team totally soured on Blake Davis? After watching the kid most of the summer, he reminds me of a young BRob
I think he's worth a shot, but I think we should chase the likes of Garland and a few of the Japanese pitchers first before we go that route.
In the meantime, I laughed hysterically when I read the Cincinnati Enquirer. Pertaining to the Ramon Hernandez trade, Mgr. Dusty Baker was quoted as saying "We're in the process of trying to obtain a guy with a track record of working with pitchers, someone who can give you offense, throw out runners and block balls," Baker said.
If Kris were up for signing a one year, incentive laden deal I don't see where it would be a bad idea to at least consider on the O's part. At best he could be a potential innings eater until the AAA kids are ready and another veteran to coach the younger guys while helping win a few games like he did in 2006...at worst he falls apart again and the O's can let him go without really losing anything (ala Steve Trachsel). If Kris wants more than one year or he's looking for a hefty contract before proving that he's back to his pre-injury form than the O's should pretend like they don't even see him there!!
Kris Benson? The Kris Benson who reported to Spring Training saying he couldn't play but didn't bother telling anyone about that before the club picked up his $7 million option? That Kris Benson?
No. They shouldn't.
I'd rather see Anna Benson pitch than have them put that thief back on the mound.
Roch,
Are you going to sleep now?
I am a firm believer that we should move DCab into the bullpen as a one-two inning reliever. Before everyone says that is a horrible idea, please consider this.
1. We would not have to watch him field for his normal 4 and 1/3 innings of pitching.
2. We all know his first inning numbers are not great, but if one of our pitchers gets knocked out in the third inning after giving up 8 runs what is the difference of a few more runs?
3. A bullpen move could increase his value/ confidence and allow him to live up to his hype.
4. He could eventually mature into a lights out closer.
Just food for thought.
Benson? Only if His wife where the ballgirl. Add Tex,1 or 2 starters and hope the kids learned something last year. If they stay healthy, one never knows.
No to Kris, but we will take Anna
I'd rather have Benson DuBois pitching for the Orioles than Kris Benson. Heck I hope the Orioles take a look at George Benson's curveball rather than reuniting Anna Benson's husband.
Benson is worth considering if he’s low cost, low commitment, which seems quite likely. There are other similar pitchers looking to make comebacks. The O’s should at least consider some of them if the terms are right as part of a plan to build a pitching staff.
Ryan Freel would not be a bad player to get in return for Ramon Hernandez. I’m assuming that Freel would be a free agent after 2009? Freel appears to be a better version of Jay Payton—younger, gets on base more, has versatility, and is cheaper (he made about $3 million last season). I’d be concerned about his last two seasons, though, even if he suffered an injury last season. The O’s, unfortunately, would probably have to pay a huge chunk of Hernandez’s contract. It’s essentially a dump, but at least Freel would bring a useful major league player in return.
If Jason Marquis ends up here, Chicago has to pay a huge chunk of that salary. I’d be afraid of this guy. He’s never pitched in the AL, he gives up a lot of hits, and in 2006 led the NL with number of HRs allowed. The O’s need pitching, but this guy sets off all kinds of warning bells. He could get hammered in the AL East, which wouldn’t differentiate him from most of the pitchers we already have.
I suppose the O’s are out of the Burnett running because of a five-year deal. Some called a five-year deal for him crazy and not likely, but none of that is relevant when it comes to free agency. I figured five years, as crazy as it is, would be where teams would go, and the O’s are wise to not go that far.
A year ago, I would’ve said keep Cabrera. Now I say don’t. I think last year was a make or break season for him and he clearly broke. It’s time to let him be someone else’s headache. The team will him to free agency after 2009 anyway. Even if he had a good 2009, I’d still be afraid to sign him for a few more years. At this point, I’d need more evidence than one good season to believe he’s turned the corner (though that won't stop other teams from overpaying him in free agency).
Interesting AND Familiar
USA Today's baseball folks (who are pretty good) predict the top twenty-five free agents and where they will end up. Six predicted in the AL East with zero in O-Land. And the beat goes on...
Roch- We hear Pie, Freel, and know of Scott etc. Is this organization giving up on Riemold as an everyday LF? If so, why? A player can not hit in this league without getting regular ABs and on a consistent basis. If not for the injuries back in 2006, I feel we Markakis would not have proven how good he is. If you remember, he was struggling for the first 2 months and he was on the verge of getting sent back down until I think it was Jay Gibbons got hurt, the next couple games Nick mashed it up and the rest is history. If you look at Riemold, he starts so slow, then turns it on and really puts up the numbers. He did the same at Bowie this year and in the AFL. He needs and should get April to show what he can do
Thanks for all the updates Roch! I was wondering if you could do a favor for a lot of fans. If you could walk over to Andy and over to Mark Tex. and explain that they would be a great match and that Mark has to come to Baltimore for whatever it takes. (b/c if he goes to boston or ny.. we will be sorry for a long time).. Thanks in advance... enjoy vegas
If he will accept a minor league deal why not?
Roch
Wouldn't the fact that Benson waited until the last minute possible to shelve himslef last year have a negative stigma attached to it? I think were I the O's I would politely say, 'No thanks' after the way he handled his situation....
Also, I would like to see Bedard get an offer to return to Baltimore. To get back what we gave up for Jones, Sherrill, et al would be remarkable. Even if Bedard wasn't the Ace of the staff, he would make a heck of an improvement to the staff over Burress, Trachsel, and the others..
Kris Benson,I say sure if you can get him on a minor league deal with an invite to Florida.Possibly even as much as a very low paying close to the minnimum Major league contract with incentives and an option built in for minor league assignment(if that can be done).I also hope we can do a little better on the Ramone Hernandez trade, I would rather bring Millar Back than Feeny, Millar can play some outfield and 1rst base and Huff can play third. Millar has been on winners and a major part of them. I am not really big on the Pie trade, why block Reimold or Montanez. I do believe in competition, but would it be a fair competition or would Pie be automatically the incumbant.
Roch,
What about Ben Sheets? Is that too much to ask for? I would even settle for giving Rodrigo Lopez another shot at this point. Hell, given last years complete collapse, a rotation featuring Kris Benson, Rodrigo Lopez and Bruce chenwould work, there is some dejavu. Where is old Bruce chen and Rodrigo Lopez these days? Does Denny Neagle want to pitch again? Roch, inform Palmer on the money he could make pitching today. He is in much better shape than Sidney Ponson. Sydney Ponson? David Wells? Scott Erickson? How is Jesse Orosco and Nolan Ryan doing these days? Roger Clemens will probably get some community service time. Can he do that here in Baltimore? If Angelos represents Clemens at his criminal trial he could suggest supervised probation with community service time attached. Assign 1,040 hrs of service that should cover a season ,Angelos can suggest that he can be the monitor. Think about the money he would save. I know the Orioles like the cheaper option. I have one last question. What is the average GM salary in baseball and where does Mcphail rate in that list? I like Mcphail I just want to see Angelos philosophy on off the field payroll.
P.S.
Roch, My wife is a almost religious reader of your blog. She took the day off work today which meens she will be refreshing your blog all day! can you let her know her name is Michelle, that she forgot to make me a lunch today and I will have to eat at Subway. Thanks Roch!
"" Alex said:
Roch, throughout the day I have checked your blog and there have been updates almost hourly it seems!!! I think I speak for all orioles fans who enjoy your writing and passion for the orioles and their news in thanking you for giving us all of the insight necessary.""
I agree Roch. I feel like I'm actually at the meetings too. Well done and keep it up!!
Hey Roch...would the O's have interest in Ben Sheets? What would his price tag be?
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I haven't heard their name attached to Sheets. Big health concerns. - Roch
Back from a week in Mexico & catching up.... Olson for Pie? That's nuts! I am not a big Olson fan but he sure seems to be needed alot more than Pie. If you ask me, Pie is a bust waiting to happen. He didn't do much last year when he had a chance & the O's have a decent OF, they need STARTING PITCHING.
Why deal a "chip" for excess underachieving OFers? I think MacFail has been drinking more in Vegas than I did in Mexico & that would be hard to do...
Anna must have been moonlighting in Vegas if Chris was there.... No way we want Benson back... unless it's a package deal.
Between the Red Bull and Vodka's (Vegas' official drink) and the oxygen being pumped into the rooms, you have officially lost it. ;-) Just say no to Benson and be aware those Red Bull/Vodka drinks leave you with a wicked hangover.
I don't think they are giving up on Nolan. I will say this, his defense is really suspect. Having watched him alot in Bowie he is a really weak fielder that misjudges alot of balls. He played RF almost the whole season because Lou Montanez was in left. Nolan did not move to LF till Lou was called up. He looked worse in LF then he did in RF. Mr. Pie would bring tremendous fielding ability to LF over Nolan...I think Nolan can hit the hell out of the ball tho.. but I think he is turning 26 and only in Double A because of injuries and so on... I don't like the trade but that is just my take on Nolan and why they would entertain the option of Pie over him... If he gets comfortable I think Lou could do some things..
Roch- We hear Pie, Freel, and know of Scott etc. Is this organization giving up on Riemold as an everyday LF? If so, why? A player can not hit in this league without getting regular ABs and on a consistent basis. If not for the injuries back in 2006, I feel we Markakis would not have proven how good he is. If you remember, he was struggling for the first 2 months and he was on the verge of getting sent back down until I think it was Jay Gibbons got hurt, the next couple games Nick mashed it up and the rest is history. If you look at Riemold, he starts so slow, then turns it on and really puts up the numbers. He did the same at Bowie this year and in the AFL. He needs and should get April to show what he can do
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Manager Dave Trembley said he'll evaluate Riemold in spring training to see whether the kid is an everyday player or a part-timer. I believe he'll start the season at Triple-A Norfolk. - Roch