What the Orioles can't do
One of the more popular phrases that I've heard from reporters, both local and national, at the Bellagio goes something like this: "They can't let the Nationals sign him."
"They" refers to the Orioles. "Him" is Mark Teixeira.
If I've heard it once, I've heard it 1,000 times. I've said it, too.
Losing Teixeira to the Yankees, Red Sox or Angels gives the Orioles an out. They can't promise Teixeira that they'll contend in 2009, and team officials concede that it puts them at a disadvantage. But how would they justify the Nationals signing him? Is that team going to be in the playoff hunt next summer?
And would anything grind owner Peter Angelos' gears more than having a club official with the team down the street holding up a jersey with Teixeira's name on the back? That's more than a kick in the groin. That's a sledgehammer swung over and over.
One national reporter said fans will "burn the place down" if the Orioles lose Teixeira to the Nationals. I'd hope the reaction would be a lot more subdued, but you get the point. It won't go over well.
Nobody wants to see Teixeira competing against the Orioles in their own division, his presence at Camden Yards in a rival's uniform bringing back images of that sledgehammer. And we probably don't have to worry about the Yankees. But the Red Sox are going to back up the truck for him.
The Orioles can't let the Nationals run over them.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Now that the Orioles have likely signed Cesar Izturis and are trying to ywork on a deal for Roberts. Have you heard anything about Emmanuel Burriss since the meetings started?
We have to do everything in our power to keep him away from the Red Sox most especially. We already can't compete with that team, and their lineup last year wasn't as overwhelming as it had been. If the Red Sox get Texiera, the chances of us trading Roberts probably go up, and then we're not talking about contending in 2010 anymore.
I would forgive Angelos everything if he's willing to pony up for Texiera, but it's still hard to stomach the idea of paying him 20 million , probably more, until he's what, 38? And, no matter who we sign, I'm probably not alone in not being able to afford tickets next year. So while I completely understand not wanting to sign anyone to that kind of contract, it's better than paying a pitcher more than 20 million a year. And if he goes to any of the teams discussed besides the Angels, I agree that we seem to be screwed.
And imagine, we'd have arguably the best roster of position players in baseball, and we'd have added 13 feet of switch-hitter to the middle of the lineup between he and Wieters.
Nice use of "Grinds my gears." Bonus points if you can name the film reference.
Roch,
Dont pay any attention to the "spin" comment.
You are easily one of the best three Oriole bloggers in Baltimore.
-Rob B
What is the lasted you heard about this situation?
I'd love to see Tex in Baltimore next year. But if not, I want him to go to the Angels. I don't know what would be worse, though. Losing to the Yanks/Sox or the Nats. From a purely baseball mindset, it'd obviously be our divisional rivals. But losing to the Nats... well burning down the place might not be too far off. It would be a sting that wouldn't go away any time soon.
MLB is always trying to sell fans on the DC/Baltimore rivalry that most of us doesn't think exist. If the Nats sign Tex, that'd start to change.
It's refreshing hearing some O's news, but in another direction, have you heard anything on Juan Castro signing with another team? I really loved his glove work this year even though his bat wasn't working.
I prefer Castro's glove over Izturis, but overall we need Izturis.
No way he plays for the Expos. I'll believe the O's are making a move when I hear about a concrete offer.
The Orioles are probably the second favorite right now. The Yankees might not offer another 150+ million contract this offseason and I doubt Angelos would let McPhail sit idle while Tex signed with the Nationals. If the Os can get in the ballpark with the Redsox, I like the Os chances. All I want for Christmas is two power switch hitting Georgia Tech alums in the lineup...Wieters is already on the way.
It's a double edged sword for PA.... he would hate to see Tex playing for the Nats but just think of the revenue stream it would create for MASN???
first - thanks for first rate and frequent posting through the meetings and flying on US airlines to get there and back.
second - you seem to me to be writing with the same objectivity and humor that has been true since your first blog over at the paper-whose-name-be-forbidden-to-mention.
third - The answer to your previous question (would we be satisfied) is NO. 2 startes and Teix. None yet done. 2 Starters and Teix. I am, however, pleased with the Ramon trade and would be happy to have Zaun. But none of it is satisfactory. A passing grade for me would be substantial and demonstrable progress towards 2 starters and Teix.
Fourth - to the poster who says you allow too many words: learn to use the page down key. No one forces you to read it.
The best news I heard all day was that Peter Angelos wants Teix. Given that it makes eminent sense, fits into Andy's system, acelerates, not inhibits the rebuilding, I think we will get it done. Angelos' desire level was the only thing holding us back.
For those who say it can't or won't happen, please choose a clear position: Either he will go where the money is best (and that is likely to be Baltimore in my opinion) - OR he will only go with a current contender (I find no evidence of that kind of thinking in anything he has said over the past couple of years.) OR perhaps you don't think we will offer $20m per year and so we will lose out to bigger bucks. I think we will. As we did Pavano.
I think we only lose if he puts contending in 2009 above all other criteria. And that is not what I expect him to do.
dc radio reprtd nats ofrd 156m over 7 yrs. has there been any indication that years are more important than dollar per year with boras/tex?
Ahhh, when it comes to Tex, Scott Boras is playing all these owners off each other like a beauty queen with a bunch of drunk frat boys. He's got the media whispering sweet nothings and jealous-inducing rumors into their ears. Can't blame the guy for being the master! I know I'd want his greedy a** to represent me if I was an MLB player. We'll see if Angelos still has what it takes to man-up and sweep Tex off his feet.
Roch - can you shed some light on why Gammons won't even mention the O's in connection with Tex? Does he have some reason to despise this franchise?
Nats offer Tex 8 years for 160 million ESPN reports
I don't think he's worth the $ - and I would rather he be with the Nationals that the Yankkes or Red Sox? I don't see your logic here Roch - froma baseball standpoit you do things that are best for your team, not because someone else in the OTHER league is doing something? I hope they sign him.
Are the Red Sox really going to be in it? I've heard that they had a pretty good 1B that played in AA last year. Recent history provides that they haven't been as free spending of late and have been bringing a lot of guys up through their system and trading for players. Matsuzaka and Lowell are really the only the big name guys they have really spent money on in recent years.
And ESPN reports that the Nats deal for Tex is up to 8 years 180 million. Not good. Spend Peter spend.
Careful Roch the Nats are very very close. Like inches below your name. They could strike back at us!
Of course if Teixeira does go to the Nats I know which games I'll be watching on MASN. And going to.
If media guys are telling you those things, how do you think the O's fans feel about it. I know you haven't agreed with some of us fans wanting Teixeira and some of your points are valid. But if he goes to the Nats the O's fans will be furious. I don't know if they will burn things down, but I would check my insurance policies to cover my bases.
"And would anything grind owner Peter Angelos' gears more than having a club official with the team down the street holding up a jersey with Teixeira's name on the back?"
Ummm, yes, how about 11 straight losing seasons? Oh that's right, Peter Angelos doesn't care.
mark c... i heart you, and couldn't have said it any better. or in as few words, even.
note to self: next year, take this week as vacation time just to keep up with this foolishness. or get a job that allows personal internet use on company time. or activate crackberry instead of using it as a $200 portable Brickbreaker game.
Gary,
Are you a Nationals fan? Really? You hope the Nationals sign him? Should there be no losers in baseball? Should everyone win Gary? Is high stakes competition too much for you to stomach? simple rules for oriole success, develop pitching sign big bats! Jim palmer, Frank Robinson. That combo worked well. who says which one has to happen first. cant sig big bat because pitching still developing? why? Those pitchers who we are so highly touted in our system would have a lot more confidence knowing we were going to score plenty of runs for them! WE must sign Teixeira!!! Priority number !! Andy knows it! He will downplay it. That is the smart way to do it when dealing with a guy like Boras. The tactic worked for Wieters. Gary here are the reasons we need to sign him . Can you give me at least half as mnay on the opposing side?
1)Confidence for our young pitchers!
2)Superstar veteran leadership that really cares about city?
( Even if oriole magic is a joke to everyone else in that clubhouse, do you really think its a joke to him? Deeep down that would be a battle cry no matter what he shows in the clubhouse!)
3) Marketing and merchandsing!( we would start selling tickets again!
4) His bat in the lineup would make Juan Castro a 300 hitter let alone the kind of potential bats we have!
5) Arent you sick of rooting for just a jersey.( thats what it feels like since Cal left) Mark Teixeira is Baltimore, he gets it! crabs, the inner harbor, Cal Ripken, Johnny U, The inner harbor, Willy Don, Those darn Mr. Tire Commercials. How many other Orioles know what each of those things meen?
6)Every other offensive pice is in place. They arent all rookies!Mr. Mcphail said we probably wouldnt win it all this year but we would be competitive. Mark teixeira makes us instantly that! Sign teixeira and we will get a couple starters because now we will have something to offer! Watch how quickly this orgnaization falls into place with signing like that!
"Are there losers in baseball" - yes, teams in a division that cannot afford to overpay for a VERY good first baseman - and have those same players playing against them for the next 8 years! HELLOOOOOOO! We're not going to be facing him the the World Series are we if he goes to the Nats - if he ends up in Bostong or NY we will...Gammons doesn't talk about it becasue he's probably aware the O's are not in the picture. You win with PITCHING - not pitching and big bats - seldom is it that a team is blessed with both - the Yankees had a team loaded with bats last year and they were awful...develop and trade for young arms - then trade those young arms for a bat with a salary you do not compete for (as you do in free agency)...they're all overpriced. My vote is young arms and internal development. My main point - if not here - then the Nats are the next best thing. I would have loved the Nats to sign Sabathis as well - but he is now in our division! That was the thrust of my comment.