Meeting with MacPhail
I'll get back to Ryan Freel later. Orioles president Andy MacPhail had his daily session with the media in his suite on the 29th floor, so we'll go there first.
MacPhail said the club made good progress toward signing a shortstop. He said it twice. And we all know that means Cesar Izturis is very close to becoming an Oriole. You have to learn Andy-speak.
Perhaps we'll get the announcement tomorrow, though I'm not sure that gets the Orioles to the podium again. They made it today for the first time since signing Miguel Tejada in 2003.
It really was the Reds' idea to make this much of a fuss over acquiring Ramon Hernandez, but whatever. At least the Orioles felt the heat from a spotlight rather than fan discontent.
MacPhail met with the representatives for both Japanese pitchers, but didn't make any offers.
Brian Roberts' contract extension came up with Mark Pieper in the room, but the focus stayed mainly on Pieper's other client, Koji Uehara.
It's interesting that the Orioles aren't fielding as many inquiries about Roberts as last winter. These meetings have centered more on free agents than trades, a stark contrast to 2007.
"I think their attention is focused elsewhere," MacPhail said of rival clubs.
It doesn't sound like the Orioles met with Scott Boras (Mark Teixeira) or Darek Braunecker (A.J. Burnett), though we're reading between the lines. MacPhail isn't looking to provide daily updates on which agents entered the suite because he doesn't find it beneficial to the club. The reporters, however, would benefit greatly.
As for Freel, it looks like the Orioles will send the Reds approximately $2 million. And again, MacPhail indicated that Matt Wieters will begin the 2009 season at Triple-A Norfolk, with an assumed call-up in the summer. That means the catcher they sign or acquire in trade - and they've held trade talks with other clubs - must accept that he'll be phased out during the season. He'll be a bridge for a few months until Wieters is ready.
Forget any Jason Varitek rumors that crop up. Totally false. Could you see him agreeing to that arrangement?
MacPhail said we might not even recognize the name of the veteran catcher who fills in, because it'll take a unique type to fit that description. I'm guessing we'd know the name, but it might not be the ones we've assumed.
The Orioles received "nibbles" from other teams about Hernandez, but the Reds easily were the most aggressive. And moving Hernandez was the top priority.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
That's great that we consumated this deal...and actually got a few players in return (as opposed to the bag of peanuts I offered yesterday for Hernandez). By the way, any other word on interest in Cabrera?
This is weird though...we don't seem to be making any moves towards our biggest hole (or should I say "holes" as in "4 big holes" in our pitching rotation). I know, I know, be patient...the waiting is the hardest part!
Roch...dude thanks for all the constant updates...i know many people have already thanked you but i think you needed to hear it from Nell Carter. I honestly believe the O's are doing all that they can do, given the bum of an owner that we have. Picking up 2 prospects and freel was a great deal all things considered. Yes we now need a catcher but with Wieters in the wings we should all be beating up on AM if we sign someone who just fills out a uniform for a few months. Rebuilding is not just about changing the names on the back of the uniform but changing the mentality of how the game is played in Baltimore. I think AM is making all the right moves to make this a positive environment and with a few more promising young players we could bring back some more wins.
The Orioles need to call up Wieters for the start of the season. He has nothing else to prove.
I know that Ryan Freel is a player to appreciate because of hustle, but I don't know if I want him to be an everyday outfielder. Good to get rid of Hernandez's money though.
Will we not recognize the name of the veteran catcher because he added an extra 'g'? ;)
I don't care about the bat, I care about game calling and serving as a mentor to Wieters, and willingness to move into a backup role as/when needed. That's a short list.
ESPN has us interested in Michael Barrett and Zaun.
The Reds fans from the Cincinnati Enquirer are saying the Ramon/Ryan trade is; flaredleg, "good that they got rid of a crash test dummy" (Freel) and from RandyL, "I just checked an Oriole blog and they are having a ball with this. They love the deal, hate Harnandez and think we got taken." Also from RandyL, "Now I have read that they have some crap hot prospect they want to give the starting job to."
Hey Roch, Any more about teams being interested in Cabrera? How about the rumor that we may be getting Marquis form the Cubs. Since you're in Vegas, what's the over/under on the # of ex-Cubs the Orioles will have on their opening day roster?
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Nothing new on Cabrera. It wouldn't shock me if Marquis becomes an Oriole, as long as the Cubs are going to absorb $4 million of his contract. - Roch
Michael Barrett is a clubhouse cancer and would not be a good role model for a young O's ball club.
What the heck is our problem!? Cesar Izturis!? The guy sucks! He can't get on base to save his life. Here we are talking about trading Olson for Pie when we could very well trade him for a AAA shortstop prospect, but no we'll him for something we don;t need instead! I don't care what is takes, trade for a solid SS prospect and stop signing stopgaps!
Have the Orioles even said anything about trading for a minor league SS prospect?