Ramon and Garland
The Orioles will announce the Ramon Hernandez trade in about an hour.
I just spoke with Craig Landis, who represents free-agent pitcher Jon Garland.
The Orioles were pursuing the right-hander, but Landis hasn't spoken with team president Andy MacPhail since arriving in Las Vegas. Their last conversation took place a few days ago over the phone.
"Is there some interest? Yes, they said there's some interest," Landis said, as I walked briskly beside him while he hustled to a meeting, my pen bouncing off my notepad. "It's still in the preliminary stages. That's about all it is."
Landis suggested the two sides keep the lines of communication open. The Orioles are waiting for Landis to lower his asking price.
"They need a guy who's healthy, who's been healthy and has no issues," Landis said. "He's never been on the disabled list. And he's young enough that he can still help the team down the road and be there when the other guys get there. He just turned 29."
Landis pointed out that Garland's 60 wins over the last four seasons are more than A.J. Burnett, Ben Sheets and Derek Lowe.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
aaaannnnnndddd all of these landis comments will be used to jack up his asking price.
g r e a t . . .
Brandon Waring seems like a decent prospect. He is another third baseman but 20 HRs in each of his two professional seasons is pretty impressive.
Justin Turner seems like a decent prospect too with a solid OBP and Average. Doesnt look like he has much speed. Kinda resembles David Eckstein.
Garland might not be as talented as Burnett, but he is actually a more stabilizing force...
with Ramon gone are the orioles going to put wieters in to start or sign a veteran catcher?
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They will probably give Wieters the Nick Markakis treatment and see if he can make the team out of spring training. They'd prefer that he get more experience at Triple-A Norfolk, but maybe he forces their hand. Either way, they need a veteran catcher. - Roch
Do you think the O's would do 8 mil for Garland? The one thing that would be good is he is durable but his price needs to come way down.
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He wants a lot more than that. - Roch
What is the contract status on Freel? How many years will we have him?
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He's a free agent after 2009, same as Hernandez. - Roch
Get Garland-- he is an innings eater !!!!
Roch...forget about Garland,Pie etc. I just read some REAL breaking news on cbssports. It seems that Scott Erickson one of your favorite players of all time has contacted the Twins about a comeback.
I bet the thought of him back at OPACY again just sends shivers up and down your spine.
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I heard the same thing today about Erickson and the Twins. Was going to mention it later. I won't make any guarantees - you know I'd never do that - but it's very hard to imagine him making that club or any other. But it'll be a fun story to track if he does. I'll do so from a safe distance. - Roch
As much as I agree with Landis' assessment of his client's value to our team I am eternally optimistic that our first wave of pitching (Tillman, Patton, and Bergesen) will be ready by August; that the second wave (Arrieta, Hernandez) will be ready by opening day, 2009; and that the third wave (Matusz, Erbe, et al) will be ready by August 2010.
With that in mind we really only need a couple of pitchers that can work about 200 innings this year, work into the seventh, and keep the other guys to four runs or less on one year contracts. That sounds a lot like Jason Marquis and Brandon Looper.
I no longer hold out any hope for Burnett but I would love to see us pick up a SS that uses his bat for more than something to keep his shoulder occupied as he walks back to the dugout from home plate, and Tex. No matter what else happens, signing Tex will make this a successful off season because he would be an impact piece of a 2010 winner.
Roch,
Do you think the O's are going after Izturis because he can play both second and short just for insurance if they decide to trade B-Rob?
Just got done watching the ESPN Hot Stove show .... Not one word about the O's in on the Tex talk. I think you were generous Roch in saying 10 percent chance.
Ryan Freel, Brandon Waring and Justin Turner for Roman....another great trade, thanks Andy!