If not Teixeira...
...then what will the Orioles do at first base?
Don't take this entry to mean I've given up on the Orioles signing Mark Teixeira. But it doesn't hurt to consider the options.
The logical move would be to give Aubrey Huff most of the starts at first base. It's easy to plug in guys as the designated hitter. But another possibility is trying to work out a trade with the Cleveland Indians for first baseman Ryan Garko.
Garko has fallen out of favor in Cleveland and I'm told the Indians might part with him if Travis Hafner recovers from shoulder surgery. Hafner could get most of his at-bats as the DH, and catchers Victor Martinez and Kelly Shopach could share first base.
Garko doesn't hit for much power, though his 14 home runs this season don't suggest that he's swinging a newspaper. And he drove in 90 runs. He doesn't run well and won't win a Gold Glove. He could DH while Huff plays first. At least it would be another run-producer in the lineup.
Would that make up for losing out on Mark Teixeira? Nope. But it's an option.
The Indians are looking for a middle infielder, or a third baseman if they can't shift some people. They need a starting pitcher - join the club - but also might want to do a little more work on their bullpen.
Just throwing it out there. And if I'm right, somebody remind me because I'll probaby forget.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Why not Salazar at 1st? If memory serves, he can play 3rd and 1st. He can hit pretty well too. Or Huff at 1st and Montanez DH with Salazar filling in at those two places? This would mean we wouldn't have to give up anyone in a trade (read re-sign Roberts), not spend any more money, and still keep some pretty good bats in the lineup.
The only reason I want to not spend the money is because SOME DAY we will need to throw a bunch of money at a pitcher or two (not just some Japan-league fill ins).
This is horrible to admit (because I really do bleed black & orange), but if we don't land Tex when this whole emotional roller coaster comes to an end I'm probably not gonna care a whole lot about what they do for a while. I would probably just prefer to move on to non-baseball related things until spring rolls around and then try to get excited again.
It's not JUST Tex, but if we aren't able to get him (assuming it is because we only stuck our toes in the water rather than go in up to the ankle as is being inferred) I don't think I'll have the heart to stay strong through the Roberts and Markakis sagas when they begin! :o(
Do you see us making a play for Dunn?
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I think they figured Teixeira was worth throwing a lot of money his way, but if they can't get him, a portion of that cash will be re-directed elsewhere. They weren't supposed to be big players in the free agent market this winter. We tend to forget that fact because of the Teixeira frenzy. - Roch
Roch,
What is your opinion on when the O's become small market? Back in the 90's we had the highest payroll in baseball with enough stars to fill the Allstar squad. Now we won't spend money on big name players. Are we small market because revenues are down? Thats because no one wants to watch a bad team. Have a winning team and ticket sales will go up. It's not like ticket prices have gone down in the past 10 years.
The o's will never spend the money to buy a Ace Pitcher, but that has been the case for years - they need to develop an Ace. 10 years of trying hasn't really paid off.
In the event we are stabbed in the heart ........... again, my guess is they bring back Millar. His presence in the clubhouse just may outweigh his stats on the field.
Don't worry Roch, even if this turns out bad there will always be the Brian Roberts rumors!
Roch,
I think you've been doing a great job... Garko is very interesting but I'm sure we would have to give up pitching to the Indians something we are not going to do.. I like the thought of looking at different options because I think Tiexeria is about to be landing at Logan International, any second now... It's a really sad day for the Orioles and their fans, thanks to Peter Angelos not willing to give out the money to a player that would generate so much on and off the field. Not only through attendance, but Tiexeria is know to be a huge player in the community and would defintly play a huge role in OriolesREACH.. What gets me is how you let him get away reguardless of the price, Tiexeria unlike alot of players would pay for himself because he is from the state the team plays in... It's hard to continue to support a team who's owner doesn't do what is necessary when it comes to marquee players.. You have got to spend money to win, both on the field and in attendance ... Pass it along to the boss
If we don't get Tex, I think I'd rather plug Huff in at 1b and give some of the younger guys like Salazar etc a chance to stick. I can't see Garko factoring into our long term plans so unless there is another real impact bat we can trade for I'd rather see these other guys get playing time.
If we don't get Tex we should just stick it out with what we got. I mean we have a few guys who could DH or play LF if Scott DH's in Reimold, Montanez, or Freel.
And whats the use in wasting the money or prospects if we can fill it internally with something similar to what we will get from outside the organization. Unless there is some Tex replacement out there we arn't thinking of.
Thankyou Roch,
Your effort has been tremendous and appreciated. I still think everyone should take all this in stride. The media has only ever in most occasions ever proven one thing. That one thing is to completely and undeniably not report news only speculate!! No one should believe anything from any source other than the parties directly involved. ESPN is aweful at this speculation game, as is The Sunpapers. These meessage boards survive on this, getting plenty of hits for adverisers.
Good job guys!!
Pat,
Lou Montanez as our DH would be so sour to my eyes.........
Hey Roch-
I have to admit that it is not looking good on the Teixeira front. I think what is most frustrating about this situation is not that he might sign with Boston, or even Washington, but that the Orioles seem to be just putting a token offer out there "just to say they tried." I know it is silly to call 20 million a token offer, but in this race it is.
What this signifies to all Oriole fans is that we will never contend for a big name free agent. If we are unwilling to go all out over a locally born, big time player at a position of need, then when will we ever?
If Angelos really wants Teixeira, he could have him. But it is obvious that we are unwilling to budge. Its not like it was in 95, 96, and 97 when we were the first choice of almost every free agent during that time. Alomar, Myers, and Palmeiro all wanted to be here. It is not that way anymore. We have to overpay to get a couple of these guys to come here.
So the question I have for you Roch is under what scenario do you ever see the Orioles competing for a big time free agent? If we are unwilling to pay Teixeira, and unwilling to go more than 3 years for a pitcher, then where does that leave us?
Roch,
What about rolling the dice with someone like Rocco Baldelli? The guy has more upside than Garko, wouldn't cost the Orioles anything other than money. He could get most of his atbats at the DH while Huff plays first and be a fifth outfielder, first base plug-in. If the O's show him some love and he plays up to his potential, the O's could have long-term could righthanded bat in the fold, he seems perfectly capable of hitting .280 with 20+ homers and the rbis to go with it... then again he could pull his hammy in a bad dream tomorrow night...
I agree.. I think we should use an internal player to fill that spot. Because if Huff plays there then there will be an extra roster spot of maybe a pitcher.. or a guy like salazar to play and see what hes got.
I wouldn't give up much for Garko, but he would be an upgrade over the present cast. Huff & him can share 1B/DH. They can't trade any more SP's on the roster or at AAA after letting Cabrera go, they are horribly thin on proven ML ready SPs. I'd offer them Mora & try Salazar at 3B or look at available FA 3B for a year stop gap.
Roch -
Just a couple thoughts here.
If we do not sign Tex, why not take a look at Adam Dunn. He's a pretty big name and can play 1st/DH/LF. I know he strikes out a lot, but the 45 hr's he'll hit will be fun to watch. They could also work with Reimold and Montanez and see if they can play a little 1B. These two are at the age where they either can play in the big leagues or not.
On the pitching front, they should get 2 Redding/Wolf types for behind Guthrie and let Olson, Liz, Patton, Waters and whoever battle out for the last 2 spots. The bullpen seems in descent shape, but it usually does before all the injuries.
And it would be nice to see them re-up with B-Rob, Nick, and Huff.
The front office keeps talking about the youth movement, I would rather see some of the young guys play. We will never know if they will amount to anything if they don't some playing time.
Any thoughts on Dunn, Roch?
DUNN! seriously the guys a monster at the plate and has to be way cheaper then texeira, I say let huff play first plug dunn in as the DH and tell texeira to take his greedy butt to boston if he wants to so bad. Texeira is a great player no doubt about it, but I think his monetary value is being sorely overestimated this year. whatever team ends up with him will never get a return to compensate what they paid for him. not because he's not a great player but because the price tag is laughable.
How about one of the AA outfielders that had 24+ homers last year and appear to be hitters. You have to carry six outfielders, so why not get one with a stick or rotate them at DH to keep them sharp.
I would not be over joyed by picking up a NL pitcher with a 4.95 era in the league without a DH. What good if he eats up innings, but allows more runs.
hey roch,
since you know buster olney pretty well from working together when he was in baltimore, i'm curious your take on this article that he posted a couple days ago. you think his thoughts are wise, or is the atmosphere different in baltimore than when he was the beat writer?
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3770058&name=olney_buster
Roch,
Should we look into Mills and Hodges instead of Garko.
These guys were preforming just as good as Snyder and Wieters in AFL.
I think Mills plays 1B and Hodges plays 3B.
I think Indians could use BRob. BRob most definitely will be on the move if Tex doesn't come back home.
Hank Blalock maybe?!? I have heard/read some rumors around about him potentially being tradebait from the Rangers.
I'd love to see them swoop in and get Dunn for DH before the Nats lose out on Tex and start driving up the price. Dunn would demand a shorter, cheaper contract and put up similar or better offensive numbers.
I'm sure I'm in the minority of the Chicken Little crowd here, but I have no problem with the O's offer to Tex or the fact that he'll probably turn it down. We have bigger problems, and we're not going to solve enough of them to finish any better than 5th this year anyway. Save the money to put into the draft and continue the rebuild.
Is it premature to start the Donnie Garko jokes?
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You may be asking the wrong guy, but I say it's never too soon. - Roch
Roch what do you think about if they bring back Millar to fill in at DH and play some at 1st base? he didn't do that bad last year. Do you think that he has enough years left in him to be on the team when we start winning again?
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You're reading my mind (try to ignore the creepy stuff). I'm going to mention him in my next entry. - Roch
Roch,
If the poster "Debbie" thinks it is hard to get a reply from you, she should be in my shoes. I tried emailing the Orioles front office for the past 5 days. I asked them one simple question. Before I continue my 3 season tickets for next year, what assurances can they give me that they are committed to field a competitive team for 2009.
NO ANSWER
So what that tells mee is if they are not even committed to giving a response to a season ticket holder, do you think they even care about the fans desires for a winning team? Of course not! One poster put it correctly, this is all about the P/L statement which Angelos probably reviews daily and with each year coming up with a fancy slogan to try and get people out to the stadium. Why dont you hear the Yanks or BoSox coming out with slogans like "come see the kids" How many years ago was that one. Werent we in a rebuilding phase back then too. Angelos has to realize that the "small market team" BS doesnt cut it anymore. We are NOT a small market team in terms of the profit margin the team makes each year. If I am not mistaken, I thought I read we had the 2nd best last year.
Question for you Roch: At this point, what incentive does a "fan" have to continue to support the O's when we have no proof that a) MacPhail is serious about fielding a winning team and b)every year Angelos says we are all in on players only to have the O's PR say, we tried.
Can you help me out here with an answer?
In the meantime, everyone keep buying tickets, support MASN and if you have a injury from tabacco or asbestos, make sure you call our hometown hero.....P "A" Angelos.
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I believe MacPhail is serious. I also believe he's trying to stick to the rebuilding plan that he mapped out when he first took the job. Teixeira is a special case. The Orioles are going to offer $20 mil for him. Otherwise, they want to build through the farm system, trying not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Hard to ask fans to be more patient after 11 straight losing seasons. I totally understand. But that's basically what they're doing. - Roch
Perhaps Seattle might have some more players to give us.
Pat hits the nail on the head - paying too much for one player is just not sound economics. Everyone wants to sign Markakis (agree) - down the road if Tillman, Matus, etc. turn out the way we hope, they will want them signed also. Blame Angelos all you want, but Tampa Bay is the blueprint, not the Yanks or Sox.
If the Red Sox do sign Tex, that means they have to trade Lowell basically. Lowell is coming off of an injury filled year, and no team out there is going to take on a majority of the 12.5 million dollars owed to him over each of the next two years. So, lets say the Red Sox sign Tex for 25 mil/per, and trade Lowell and eat at least 6.5 mil/per year. That means, the next 2 years they will be spending over 30 million dollars for one player basically, and raise their payroll over 150 million.
Now, I think it is getting close for the Sox to extend Paps, Beckett, and a slew of the other good, young players they have. I know that they would have the money to do that after Lowell's contract is out of the picture, but I think it will put them in a financial bind over the next couple seasons as well. I mean, sure they have a lot of money, but Henry has most likely lost a lot in the stock market, and who knows when and if the bottom will really drop out. Would he really take that risk over the next couple years?
It appears that the Orioles are not at all interested in Milton Bradley, because of his off-the-field behavior; otherwise, they could have easily inserted him at DH and moved Huff to first. Last year, Bradley's offensive numbers were comparable to that of Tex's. Maybe, the O's should enroll him in an anger management class, and give him a second chance. Neither do they want to pay-up for a top notch player and person nor do they want to compromise.
The O's baby thier 'propects' way too much. When you come up to the big leagues, there's a learning curve. (except if your name is Ken Griffey Jr) At some point we need to see these 'wave' of prospects and let them take thier bumps and bruises. Look at Smoltz, Glavine, Avery's record in thier first season or two. How good was Nick in his first couple of months? Some of us are tired of hearing, they need more time in the minor leagues. Next thing you know they're 24, 25, 26 years old and lost in the system. Let these guys come up and play while we're in full rebuilding mode.
Pat & James are right on - If we sign Tex for a $20+ per year contract, then by the time we finish up with Roberts, Nick, Wieters, A. Jones and Guthrie, we're looking at $90+ million for 6 players. It makes no sense whatsoever.
About Tex:
I just don't understand this whole, "wants to go to a contender" thing. I mean, I understand if you are looking at a 3 - 4 year contract. I mean, that makes sense but when you are looking at a 8 - 10 year contract?
It's total BS. It's just about the money. Nothing else.
Just make your decision Tex, so we can all move on. And if it is the Sox or the Yankees... fine. We are used to it. If it's the Nats, then you are a total idiot.
If O's don't get Teixiera will be the end of Baltimore O's the way we know it. All the players we have now that are stars and future ones will leave the team. What will be left on the team? The next Pittsburgh team that has no chance in our life time if at all!
It will show that the owner must go! What was the last time he did something right for team? This is the time to put up or get out of the way so that Cal or some baseball guy can bring back the O's. Rays were so bad for years and lucky got the right players in the last seven years draft. We had 10 years of losing and seems be many more years coming up. Who wants to wait 20 years if that, some of us may not be around to injoy it!
Do what is needed now or get out of the way (owner).
Daniel
Do you think that the O's are saying that they are out of the bidding for Tex, becuase they are waiting for the Sox and Nats to finally punch themselves out over OUR! hometown boy and then they come in with a bid after the dust settles.
Point of fact - I'm uninterested in what we do after not getting Teixeira. I simply don't care anymore about Redding and his 6.92 second half ERA being sold to us as some kind of upgrade. Bye, Roch.
I still think Adam Dunn is a hell of a hitter. Outstanding .obp and power. Is his fielding or price tag that much of an issue he couldn't be explored?
Hey Roch: I have a twist on this story that is stranger than fiction, but it is worth sharing. In today's NY Daily News, Mark Feinsand ties Manny to Tex. He says Boras isn't going to pick up a contract for Manny until Tex is signed, because the three teams that get left out will be candidates to go after Manny.(Don't laugh yet-please!) He also says the Yankees are possibly serious about Manny, not Tex and could drop a two year, $50 million dollar deal on the table for Manny if the market drops. (You can laugh now-it's OK) There is no doubt in my mind that many of these stories appear to be pure fabrications. Stay steady on my man. The inmates are running the hospital.
Tex or Adam Dunn or I walk...for good this time
Im hearing that Tex wants to play here...we wont pony up. I quit
Well then, they should sign Dunn for what he is worth, if they arn't willing to do that it gets a bit more complicated...
1-Keep making sounds about upgrading the pitching, all the while avoiding any real money being spent or injury risk being assumed.
2-Trade Roberts and Huff.
3-Trade Izturis; unlike Walker, Freel and Baez he might have trade value, unlike Mora he doesn't have a no trade clause, like the rest of the guys listed he makes too much money to keep past 2009.
4-Continue to lowball Markakis, can't have money tied into him long term, start talking to teams about trading him after '09
5-Keep Wieters in the minors to at least May 2010, we can't have his clock getting started too soon so we loose him before we contend in 2016!
That should about do it.
Hey Roch,
do you really think Garko is an upgrade from Millar. why not sign Dunn, put him in LF, move Huff to 1b and DH Scott. Also, don't you think this Freel guy will take away major league chances for Montanez and Reimold.
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Garko may drive in more runs, but he's certainly not an upgrade in the clubhouse or in the field. I believe Reimold is going to Triple-A Norfolk, no matter what. Montanez could be impacted by Freel. Same with Salazar. - Roch
I sent the Wharehouse an email last week and a Kevin responded to me. He responded quickly and courteously. He assured me the O's are doing everything they can to make the team better in '09.
All ESPN is saying is that the Orioles appear out of it due to the fact that we haven't upped our original offer. Ok... but as of late last night, Boras and AM haven't spoken since then. AM was waiting for Boras to "get back to him." That's what we knew last night.
I don't think AM wants to make an offer just for Boras to run back to the Red Sox and jack it up again. I DO believe Tex wants to come here and he will when the O's up their offer. They'll do that later today or tomorrow morning... AFTER Boras calls McPhail back.
What do you think? Last night, the word was, We're waiting for Boras to get back to us. Has anyone at the Wharehouse said we're out? Did they say we're not making a better offer? AM is smart and he will make a good offer. And Tex will either take it or leave it.
If he is as much a "hometown guy" as we all think, there would be absolutely no thoughts of signing in BOS or NY. I wouldn't. NEVER. I'd want to play for my team and help them win.
Roch, You posted this in the response section and I was wondering if you could log this away, and maybe get back to it at a different time:
"I believe MacPhail is serious. I also believe he's trying to stick to the rebuilding plan that he mapped out when he first took the job. Teixeira is a special case. The Orioles are going to offer $20 mil for him. Otherwise, they want to build through the farm system, trying not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Hard to ask fans to be more patient after 11 straight losing seasons. I totally understand. But that's basically what they're doing."
Everyone knows that AM is tight lipped, but I think many of us do not actually see a "plan" in place. He may not want to express it very clearly in his words, but his actions, really, don't scream, "Hey guys! I'm doing a rebuild over here!" Yes, the minor league talent is improving, we have ONE scout in Asia, a new facility in the Caribbean, but what about the big club? How does it impact the big club? And what is the time line? At what point does he, or someone else, hold himself accountable? Trading Bedard and Tejada impacted the big club, but we accepted it because they received talent in return. What I'm most interested in is - what's the bottom line AM is willing to accept for MLB failure? How many games lost is too many?
I don't understand how there's money for Tex, but not other free agents. Getting Tex makes contending significantly closer. Not getting tex and not getting anyone else, means winning is significantly further away - two obviously, and drastically different "plans". This is not Iraq, a time line won't allow our enemies in the AL East a greater opportunity to bit the stupid out of us anymore than they already have done for 11 (and most assuredly 12) seasons.
Thanks for reading.
Hey roch dan connolly article in the baltimore sun today said that macphail said he had discussions with scott boras. Then if thats true then the orioles are not out if it yet. could you shed more light on this article.
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MacPhail basically is saying, without giving away too much, that they've talked over time. But that doesn't mean it was yesterday or the day before, from what I could tell. - Roch
Really, Roch -
I wouldn't care less about what the Orioles do if Teixiera does not sign with the Orioles because after Teixiera, there is a considerable lack of production. Many people have been talking about Adam Dunn but he hasn't really produced that consistently except for racking up the strikeouts and home-runs. I mean, look at his average last year, it was only .236, and his lifetime average is just .247. Please. I don't think so.
As much as I like Kevin Millar, I don't want him back. He was just good for the defense but never really put up great numbers. He's not the guy that would strike fear in pitchers' hearts, behind Nick Markakis. The point is to give Nick good at-bats, and make it impossible for the pitchers to bat around him or other players in the line-up.
Hank Blalock is an option that I like but I don't think he's a free agent so we would have to ask for a trade. But I don't know who we would have to give up anyway.
And I am not particularly excited to see Oscar Salazar at first. The options are just so limited. I also am amazed at how much the news changes overnight. The Orioles were the "front runners" according to Karl Ravech, then they were dropped last, and out, according to Buster Olney. 24 hours apart. I mean, come on. Enough is enough.
I understand Scott Boras trying to drive the price up and everything because that's his job, but it all falls down to Mark Teixiera and what he really wants to do. All of the factors fit for Teixiera, like I mentioned in an earlier post, with his family, his desire to play for his hometown team, and so on. Well, I guess we will all find out very soon. But if we don't get him, then pretty much, the Orioles are reduced to shopping for has-beens, re-treads, and pitchers with 4.00+ ERAs.
Roch, I have a question to ask you to ask Orioles brass.
Please ask them if they feel that the media is too harsh AND NOT AT ALL ACCURATE IN COUNTING THEM OUT? They should be able to answer that straight up.
Roch, I'm just being honest about this comment with you...
" I believe MacPhail is serious. I also believe he's trying to stick to the rebuilding plan that he mapped out when he first took the job. Teixeira is a special case. The Orioles are going to offer $20 mil for him."
If MacPhail was ever serious about Teixeira than he would be offering more than 20 mil a year, which the RANGERS offered him THREE YEARS AGO, lets be honest the Orioles are done. To think that attendance last year on April 2nd 2008 the day after opening day was only 10,505, imagine what it is going to be on April 8th. But wait we play the Yankees so that means at least 30,000 of their fans will be there and maybe 5,000 Orioles fans. Let's face it we have no chance... as painful as it is to say.. my 5,000 dollar contribution wont be going to the Orioles anymore if they don't sign him.. for what it's a waste i should just make the check out to Peter Angelos mutal fund....
Garko doesn't really sound like such an improvement over Millar, and Millar provides something Garko can't, leadership, personality, and likability. I love Millar just for that, and would love to keep him around.
Never believe ESPN on the O's until you hear it from Andy himself. We are NOT OUT OF THE RUNNING, like I've been saying.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-orioles1217,0,3564313.story
To add about Kevin Millar....
I would love to have him back but not as a player. Just as a coach.
To teach the young guys how to play baseball the right way. To be able to be in the clubhouse during games to get that personality into the players and get the clubhouse excited and fun.
I endorse Kevin Millar as a coach in any capacity.
Roch, how does it feel being the Orioles Oracle? Can we call you the Oracle at OPACY?
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It would be an improvement over what I've been called lately. - Roch
A reliable source said the O's offer was seven years 147 million. The source also said Boras wants nine years @ 21 million a year and the O's are countering with eight years at 21 million a year......
Well, it's good to at least see that Andy MacPhail is not giving up on Teixiera as in this article from the Baltimore Sun:
"MacPhail: 'We have flexibility' on Teixeira offer" - http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-orioles1217,0,3564313.story
Let's hope that this gets wrapped up sometime soon this week. I just cannot take this anymore since ESPN has contradicted itself and speculation is rampant this week.
And then I see Matt Treanor has signed with the Tigers. I guess it's time for the Zaunster!
Hey Ben W,
You say that Dunn isn't consistent except in hitting home runs and striking out.
He's also consistent in taking walks. That's why his on base percentage is nearly .400 every year. OBP is way more important than average, but keep living in the 1950s.
Sincerely,
The rest of the world
The view from the shore is if Tex, the home town boy, doesn't WANT to play for his howmetown team that he grew up rooting for, because 150+ million $ AIN'T ENOUGH then to heck with him. Take his greedy butt to Boston or wherever he can squeeze a few $ more and he can bask in the torrent of never ending boos raining down upon his sorry tail every time he comes to play AGAINST his boyhood dream team! I can see a poor working man needing to go where the $ is to stay afloat - but when IS enough $, not enough for these greedy suckers? If he goes - then good riddance we don't need his kind anyhow if that's what he's made of!!
I just saw Tex at the Sheraton in Baltimore.
He was holding a sign that read....
Will work for a team committed to winning.
He also had a Red Sox jersey on.
What a shame that we are letting this fish go. He could have been a conerstone in the lineup and a "identity" that this organization has painfully missed since Ripken.
I put a lot of notice that Ripken is rarely if ever related to the Orioles anymore except when there is talk of Angelos selling. Roch, what is your take on Ripen and Robinson so distant from the team that they once were icons for?
You thoughts please
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Ripken still comes around the Yard, and he'd do more with the club if asked. As for Brooks, I think it's been too many years of feeling ignored, though he's too nice a guy to say so publicly. He'll say he's too busy now, but I know he tried for years to have an active role in the organization - even in spring training. The Orioles mishandled that situation badly. - Roch
Roch,
Want to be the first to apologize for what you are about to get bombarded with.
McPhail just said we are flexible again.
I really can't imagine what life is like for you. And I personally hope that all these posters who claim they will stop rooting for the O's when (did I say when, I meant to say if) we don't get Teixeira, don't stop reading your blog - some of us still appreciate the work you do.
The big picture is what people are failing to see. You are right about us not being big players in free agency besides Tex. We weren't last year, and I consider that offseason to be one of the most productive in recent memory. It's possible that McPhail knows what he is doing.
Me, I'm not jumping ship after 22 years and lots of frustration. Our young rotation in 2010 is gonna be more fun to watch and enjoy!
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I wrote yesterday, and again today, that the offer is flexible. Just not sure HOW flexible. And apparently, Buster Olney's sources were correct. So far, one offer has been made. And I also wrote that the Orioles know Scott Boras doesn't jump at the first offer. - Roch
we need to give him the big bucks. Many O's fans will be very disappointed without Tex. I think the O's need to go all out for him. 9 years 189 million
OK, what about the Oriolacle? That's better ain't it?
Rest of the World:
That's good, you pointed that out. Walks are good but all it does is get the man to first base. I'd rather have a .300+ average than taking more than 100 walks. Dunn also doesn't hit for doubles, only 23 last year, and barely 200 for his career. I'd rather have a complete player than a guy who aims for the fences every time he is up at bat.
Ryan Howard is the same model. The Phillies can afford Ryan to strike out as much as he hits home runs because they have a offense that can afford to have that happen. The Orioles don't have that luxury as of now.
We can even get Matt Treanor signed- how can we get Tex? We'll be debating about backup catchers while the rest of the division decides to pick up Cy Youngs and MVPs.
I think this Tex fiasco will be the final straw for many, many fans- a number that Angelos and MacPhail likely underestimate. I don't think this is an implied threat but I do think perception is reality in this case. The fans' voice has been muffled for years and now that the orgnization has taken PR steps to improve that aspect, the team has decided to go small market. I personally do not believe you can have a 4-5 year rebuilding plan in today's market.
We continue to lose ground- not even break even- in nearly every category of player acquisition and development. And we don't spend money- MASN $$ or even FREE revenue sharing money from the big boys (I imagine that's a sizable check). In fact, Angelos may be drooling over the extra money we will receive after Tex signs with Boston. Same with Pitt, KC, and Wash. Has that much changed that Tex should trust that we have "turned the corner"? I hope Miggy's number is unlisted!
Don't need to post this...I put my words out of order last time. McPhail just said AGAIN that we are flexible, not that we are again flexible. He never has said anything to the contrary, and you are right that Olney was indeed correct also.
Sorry for the confusion - although I'm sure you are used to it by now.
Thanks for responding!
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No need to apologize. Thanks, as always, for writing. - Roch
If not Teixeira then who? Well I won't be watching ... but lets think.
Ryan Shealy (KC) - KC has a glut of 1B/DH types. Shealy hit over .300 with 7 HR in slightly over 70 ABs.
Chad Tracy (Ari) - Solid hitter and should not cost too much in a trade. Solid .275/ .340/ .450 guy that can go 20 HR 80 RBI. And when Mora leaves he can move over the 3B.
Kendry Morales (LAA) - If Teixeira signs with the Angels he should be available. Seems to be a solid hitter in the minors.
Adam LaRoche (Pit) - Tried to aquire him before. He is a slow starter but good for .270/ .340/ .475 25 HR 90 RBI.
Nick Johnson (Was) - If healthy he is a good hitter. Of course this is if Was signs Teixeira. .270/ .380/ .450 is pretty solid. If he doesn't get hurt of course.
Or Free Agents such as:
Eric Hinske - He hit fine last year but not exactly a true middle of the line up guy. .250/ .335/ .425 15 HR 50 RBI
Jason Giambi - More of a DH. He is still a good power/OB% guy even at age 36. .250/ .370/ .500 30 HR 90 RBI
Kevin Millar - We know what we would get with him.
Put a mannequin out there. There won't be any fans to see it anyways.
OK, let's breakthis down. The Texiera alert is simply Konerko, part two. The O's try to convince their "fan base" that they made a legitimate offer when, in reality, they had no intention of paying him the going rate. So, let's get over it and move on. The money they don't spend on Tex shouldbe used to sign Adam Dunn, Garland and Wolfe. I'm actually ok with Dunn in LF so, why not package Scott and a young pitcher (Liz/Olson) and look for aright-handed hitting LF/1B/DH type to help balance the line-up.
Roberts
Markakis
RH Hitter
Dunn
Huff
Mora
Jones
Catcher
Itzoris
Guthrie
Garland
Wolfe
Patton
??????
Roch, what do you think?
Just another exercise in futility. Roch, you threw a name out there so I'm throwing Dunn's name out there too. Once the Teixeira frenzied fans stop their crying, they'll jump on his bandwagon big time. And yeah, he can play 1b as well as Huff or whoever we currently have.
Adam Dunn? Pat Burrell? I have a feeling Huff will be gone after this season. Might as well get a cleanup hitter now.
I have the same information as SPY, wonder if the same person..??
"A reliable source said the O's offer was seven years 147 million. The source also said Boras wants nine years @ 21 million a year and the O's are countering with eight years at 21 million a year......"
Somebody, I think would defintely know told me the same thing, but they are really worried about the Nationals giving him 9 years they said.. He also said the counter offer was made last night before Olney's report this morning and that's all they can give... so we will see annoucement before Friday...
Roch,
WHEN we don't get Tex, I feel Dunn is the best option. Agreeing with a poster from an earlier blog entry, sure Dunn strikes out alot, but I'll take a strikout over a double-play any day of the week.
The truth is, as fans we are being used. Teixeira has no intention of signing here and stating to Ravich that we are in the mix is a tactic used to up other offers, I thought he was a high character guy but it will be the highest bidder (Boston unfortunately). He should have said, "I want to play for my hometown team as long as they pay me the most..." The thing that get’s lost is that Teixeira could make additional $$ millions in endorsements in Baltimore but in Boston he is just another member of the team with maybe some small additional $$.
We are also being used by PA/AM, they want us to believe that they where in the mix so we don't jump ship but being 1 yr and $$ millions behind the other three is not "in the mix". They knew he would not accept such an offer with the others on the table, that's why they made it, face it there is no intention by O's ownership to bring him here, just to sit on the periphery and say "Ooops, we tried... Now buy your season tickets for the new kids in town".
I have been an O's fan unquestionably all my life and have endured the last 11 years like the rest of you but no more. I live in California so whenever the O's come to town I spend good $$ to get seats in the front row, behind the plate, behind the dugout, I wear my O's jersey and bring my kids, I traveled to Baltimore and paid the scalpers $$, purchase merchandise online, I also bought the MLB package on DTV to watch the games since I get nothing if I don't.
I went to games in Ca when the O's fans outnumbered the angels fans by at least 3-4 to one and the total attendance was less than 20k a game, all that is gone now. PA has decimated this team with his poor decisions and lack of concern for the fans (without the fans there is no team). It’s all about the will and determination to win of ownership.
I don't believe they really tried, they think the fans aren't smart enough, it's insulting and I've had enough... I'll bet you all of my O's merchandise (2 game balls, signed Ripken ball, jerseys, the #2 produced 50th anniversary bat, other signed merchandise and trinkets) I am right, Teixeira signs elsewhere and the O's offer never went beyond 7 yrs...
gaaahhhhh. Garko. Ramon 2.0.
And I love Ryan. I really do. Bless his cholesterol-laden heart, he runs about as slow as Ramon, hits better (had a bad year last year and fell out of favor with Wedge, and ultimately someone else who influences Wedge and it's not anyone in the FO or coaching staff...), and is an all-around good guy. But you can't field a team of "good guys" and instantly get 20+ wins over last year.
The Indians are bursting at the seams with 1B prospects: Beau Mills, Michael Brantley (not giving him up after selling CC for him), Jordan Brown (who could benefit from a change of scenery), Stephen Head, Michael Aubrey (my opinion... "meh."), and probably a couple more that aren't coming right at me. I doubt they'll give up Wes Hodges (though, another GaTech guy would make me DELIROUS with excitement!) for anything other than Brian and several PTBNL's... because we do well working with THOSE...
I kinda wish the O's would've picked up Chuck Lofgren from them via Rule 5-not-V, as he WILL benefit from a change of scenery. And why not add another "What the hell, why not?" guy to our roster....
And I'm so in love (not in THAT way, silly) with almost everyone who plays LF in their organization, I would not mind if any of 'em came to the O's. Even Dellucci. Want young, sick upside, and basically Brian 2.0? Trevor Crowe. Totally. I'm all over it. Let's steal either Toregas or Gimenez and send 'em Torrealba (really? he's still playing baseball?) and see if we can dupe them as easily as we duped Seattle. Could happen, I suppose. There's your stupidly young'n'cheap backup for Wieters in '10.
I totally work for the wrong team.
Ok, folks, let's all slow down. Maybe I'm older, and a little slow of mind here, but I think everything is progressing nicely. Andy MacPhail is in control, as he has been for the last 2 years, and, although many seem to disagree, he seems like he does have a plan for the club. Let the pundits at ESPN flap their gums as much as they want, because i haven't noticed their names on the O's payroll recently. MacPhail is not playing Boras' "beat this offer" game. He has made an offer and is waiting for the agent to get back to him, will evaluate the O's position, then make a counteroffer, if necessary. I really doubt the reporters at ESPN have any better info than Roch, and a lot less insight.
With, or without Teixiera, I believe the O's will be a force to be reckoned with in 2011, but we must hold the course and not panic. The errors of the last decade can not be remedied in a year or two, it's going to take a while, but do tell me, when has the O's future looked as promising as it now does? Yes, Tex is a special case, were he not this whole scenario would be nonexistent, and all of us fans would be a lot less anxious, but then, what fun would the off season be?
And let's try to give Peter a break, ok? He offered Vlad more money, but we didn't have a large enough Hispanic community, he offered Konerko more money, but we aren't Chitown. I don't know where he gets the cheap moniker when he only refuses to throw money at these guys. The very fact that we have allegedly offered Tex 140-150 MILLION dollars tells me, things are different here, and please, don't tell me he deliberately underbids, because, should someone desire to play here, and accept the offer, he would be obligated to pay them, correct?
And before I go, a hats off to the agent for Raffy Furcal. The sleaze of the day goes to his agent for taking an offer sheet from the Braves and scurrying to the Dodgers to get them to up the ante. What a guy!!
Just remember Mark, be it ever so humble (less money maybe?), there's no place like HOME!
Go O's!
$20+ million per yr is insane, but it is reality in MLB. McPhail wants to stick to the rebuilding process and I respect that. Giving Tex a contract for 3 or 4 yrs would not fit into the rebuilding plan, however 10 yrs does. He is the core you rebuild around. Besides he is a 1st basemen, not near the wear and tear as on a pitcher or SS. I totally believe in building around pitching and defense. Tex gives you the defense and he is one of those special hitters. If you allow Boston to pick him up, forget about competing in the AL East for the next 5 or 6 yrs. Also, Angelos and McPhail, think of the fans he will bring to the park. I will always remain an O's fan, but I'm not interested in driving an hour and a half to see a team who can't compete past the first 40 games of the season. Signing Tex will make it easier to sign other free agents. Signing Tex makes sense all around.
I am disappointed with some of you guys.
The Cubbies haven't done much in over 100 years and their fans aren't giving up on them.
Yes, losing sucks.
But we'll get there.
Hey Roch,
How much longer are you going to hold out on us before we have an entry titled "Who's On First?"
Maybe after Tex signs with someone else?
I'm a young die hard fan, and haven't been around to watch this kinda stuff for years. But I do know that We're competeing with the Red Sox for him...he's from around here, and he grew up watching the O's, and if he's in it for the fans like he says, then he'll come here. If he wants millions and millions of dollars, and to win right away, then he'll go to the Sox and be a hypocrite. That would be awesome to get him in the lineup! But, I'd take my Millar over him anyday :)
Hope we get him, if not, I hope he feels like a turd when we're winning and having fun.