Market for Sosa not even so-so
Sammy Sosa wants to play next season. Says so right here.
Sosa tells the Dominican paper Listin Diario that he still doesn't have an offer, "and I shouldn't be looking for offers out there."
Except for the fact that he sat out the 2008 season. Teams usually take that as a sign that you're done playing.
The Orioles will pass.
The Yankees will, too, since they're stocked with corner outfielders, including Nick Swisher, who got bumped off first base.
Swisher is reportedly available, along with Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Xavier Nady. Take your pick.
Meanwhile, Manny Ramirez might have just as much trouble finding a team as Sosa. The Dodgers could be his only choice, which is remarkable.
We're talking about Manny Ramirez here, but the Angels said they're no longer interested. The Red Sox aren't going to take him back. The Yankees were supposed to offer him a three-year deal, but that ended on Tuesday.
I've already stated that the Orioles won't consider him. Not a chance.
Besides the whole personality issue, they were only willing to spend big on one free agent (and $140 million qualifies as big, no matter what other teams were offering). Mark Teixeira was an exception. That entire sum won't be used on other players.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Roch
"That entire sum won't be used on other players."
Will ANY of it be used on other players? If McFAIL is having this much trouble signing a backup catcher, how could we ever expect him to put together a respectable pitching staff. They have waited so long now, what remaining pitchers would you consider for our staff?
What has he done since he has come here besides reduce payroll?
International scouting was suppose to be a big priority? Have we signed anybody yet....nope! He is suppose to have entire control of running the operation, then why is Flanigan still there?
On the old A - E grading scale, what would you give McFAIL for his performance to date?
It is looking more and more like we are NOT in a rebuilding phase but simply a REDUCING phase.....SALARIES
Want to bet that Brob jumps ship and Markakis will enter the FA market...if you played here, would you take that option to get OUT?
Maybe Manny should star in a relity based sitcom. His acting (out) is remarkable.
Call me names, but I think the O's should sign Barry Bonds. The 2009 season is lost before it begins, anyway. Might as well make it interesting.
Be good for the blog biz, too.
I am praying to god the orioles dont sign dunn.
why do we need to add another player to the left field queue line? isnt scott, freel, montanez and reimold enough of a logjam?
the o's should put aubrey huff at 1st, luke at DH, and freel/montanez in LF while reimold starts in aaa-norfolk.
the orioles dont need 40 extra homers. if you watched most of their games last year, all you saw was the offense puting up 6,7 and 8 runs per game while the pitchers gave up 9,10 and 11. the team doesnt need more hitting. especially with wieters sure to join the club by may.
the orioles need solid, middle-of-the-rotation arms like braden looper, koji uehera or paul byrd just to give the o's a chance every night out. if the orioles sign 1 or 2 of those guys, i would be pleased.
if mark teixeira, a severna park boy, didnt wanna come to baltimore, why the hell would adam dunn? let him go to the cubs and get some arms.
then maybe, in 2 or 3 years, once the young stud prospects (arrieta, tillman, matusz, bergesen) are producing in the bigs, sign a power hitting first baseman (prince fielder) who would actually want to come to an orioles team that would actually be 1 or 2 peices away from contending.
Roch, Merry Christmas. I didn't think you'd be blogging on Christmas. I even checked this morning about three times before you posted your 10:30 am bit. It was weird to think you would taking the day off, but was happy thinking you'd be having Christmas with your family. I just checked again and see you had three today. Thank you for keeping us entertained and don't worry about what Jack said. Happy holidays.
Heck, if Swisher is available, he wouldn't be a bad fit. He's still pretty young, his contract is reasonable, and he has something to prove after a down year last season. I would definitely pass on the rest of that lot.
what are our chances of getting adam dunn do we have interest i would almost like him more then texeria
Hey Roch,
I hope all is well. I just want to thank you for putting out a comedic and true blog. It seems that some people are unhappy with what you say. I think it was a guy named Jack..., Jack A**
Well sometimes you cant help the, dumb, dense, dim-witted, doltish, dull, feeble minded, foolish, people in this world. Also if people wanted to hear Jack @ss' opinion maybe he would have is own blog.
So Roch, Happy Holidays.
-Bryan From Dundalk
Hey Roch,
So what's so bad about Dunn? .390 obp, 40 hrs, 100+ rbi, and he's under 30. Also, he's not demanding the sun, moon and stars in salary...although, he would have been cheaper before Tex signed. Heck, with the Crow working with him, maybe he could even get to .265. Is there a first baseman in our Minors that is close to that? Or, even close to being ready?
Roch - how do you think missing out on Teixeira affects the Brian Roberts contract situation? If he is not willing to sign an extension does the organization feel they can get more return via trade or compensatory draft picks in 2010?
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The chances of signing Roberts definitely were hurt by Teixeira's decision, but the Orioles will continue discussing an extension. If they sense he doesn't want to come back, they'll try to move him before Opening Day. But as always, it will have to be in the right deal. They're not just going to unload him. - Roch
Hey Roch,
Now that the Tex mess is done, and you've had a chance to breathe (at least for a bit), I have a spring training question for you. Is MASN going to send you down to Florida for ST like the Sun did? Your blogs during the games always makes B'more a little warmer in March.
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I'll be there. - Roch
Hey guys , I'm feeling Jacks pain also , you can't tell me your not feeling the pain the O's have inflicted on it's fan base or whats left of it. Some of us do care but are fearful of whats happening to this team. The Tex fiasco will no doubt leave less fans in the stands and will be the catalyst for more fans exiles. Some fans have to voice their opinions to help ease the pain , heaven knows Peter the Great won't help us............I can't speak for Jack or anyone else but I highly doubt anything personal is meant by any comments that have been made , at least I hope so.
lftyg33,
Your right about signing a couple of pitchers, but they are just stop gaps too till the younger ones come up, and then they are not sure things. Why can't we add an Adam Dunn to the team and the pitchers?
Also, trying to get Swisher, or any of those Yankees will cost us a couple of decent minor leaguers, and we don't need to do that. The Yankees will not give them away. If they are willing to give them away for a midlevel minor leaguer or 2 then yes maybe Swisher. The others are just too old.
I have to agree about spending money to be competitive. Until we can finish in the top 2, I would resist. I would rather get top picks and loading up for a dynasty. However, if you think there was a meltdown when Tex went to the Yankees, wait and see what happens if we cannot sign Markakis to a long term contract. if he goes the McPhail model fails as well and baseball is officially dead. if you raise your own players, but can't keep them, what is the point?
Roch,
Hey, tvdpdx, said we could call him names and clever would be the first one. If we could sign Barry Bonds as a 1B/DH for a couple of years it would sure put some "dupas" in the seats while he stretches his record. Again though I urge the O's to look at Dymitry Young as a stop gap guy.
Roch, I have a solid orange O's hat with Orioles in black across the front and Sammy Sosa's autograph on the underside of the bill. What's the opening bid?
Hey Roch, the Yankees can't sign Manny Ramirez due to the 3 Type A free agent signing limit for the 2009 season, is that correct?