What they're saying about the Orioles
No time to scour the web for every last bit of Orioles offseason news yourself? No problem.
Each week, What They're Saying About the Orioles will bring the news and info to you. Forget flagging favorites across the web. Simply bookmark MASN's What They're Saying and check back often for the latest news and insight all in one click.
Sunday, December 28:
Roch Kubatko reports on negotiations with Mark Hendrickson: "The Orioles are close to reaching an agreement with free-agent pitcher Mark Hendrickson, and an annoucement could be made early this week pending the results of a physical." [masnsports.com]
Roch Kubatko speculates on Hank Blalock: "For the readers who have asked about Hank Blalock, the Orioles and Rangers discussed a trade during the winter meetings. I'm not sure how much those talks have progressed lately, but the Orioles expressed interest in having him play first base and serve as the DH when Aubrey Huff's in the field, and I assume he's still an option. The Rangers naturally want pitching in return." [masnsports.com]
Saturday, December 27:
Roch Kubatko looks at the O's future pitching: "Meanwhile, the Orioles are still trying to find a couple of veterans who can join Jeremy Guthrie in a game of "Hold Down the Fort." Anyone who can provide some innings and stability to a rotation that's waiting for Chris Tillman, Jake Arrieta and Brian Matusz to join it." [masnsports.com]
Kubatko also updates us on the Spring Training situation: "All we know for sure is the Orioles will train in Fort Lauderdale next spring. After that, it's anybody's guess. Fort Myers remains a consideration. Vero Beach is a possibility. Sarasota isn't completely out of the picture." [masnsports.com]
Schmuck also says the O's could be talking with Ivan Rodriguez: "Former Oriole Gregg Zaun remains the free-agent catcher most likely to end up in the Orioles lineup on Opening Day, but there have been conversations with agent Scott Boras about veteran Ivan Rodriguez (left). Whether he would be a good fit to mentor Matt Wieters and eventually step aside for the O's top minor league prospect has been a subject of some discussion in the O's front office." [Baltimore Sun]
Friday, December 26:
Roch Kubatko looks at the possibility of a Japanese pitcher: "It's true that the club is interested in Kenshin Kawakami, 33, and continues to negotiate with his agent, Dan Evans (who also represents catcher Gregg Zaun). But if Kawakami is looking for the same deal that Hiroki Kuroda received from the Dodgers, three years and $35.3 million, forget about him." [masnsports.com]
Sam Latter questions the Mark Teixeira contract: "After getting over the initial frustration of hearing the Baltimore Orioles' swing and miss (pun intended) on signing big-time free agent Mark Teixeira, I came to grips with the situation after really thinking about it." [Hanover (Pa.) Evening Sun]
Peter Schmuck writes about the possibility of the Japanese market: "There is an additional rationale for pursuing a pitcher such as Kenshin Kawakami. Though he might be no better than a No. 4 starter for two or three years, he fills one of those holes and also puts Baltimore on the map for future players coming from Asia. He's no Daisuke Matsuzaka, but the Orioles have to start somewhere and right now they are basically invisible in the Far East." [Baltimore Sun]
Thursday, December 25:
Steve Melewski ponders a salary cap: "Even if a cap were negotiated in 2011, it would need to be phased in over years. So any cap relief for this sport is many years away, if that. For now that New York empire became even more evil." [masnsports.com]
Wednesday, December 24:
Roch Kubatko reflects on the Mark Teixeira situation: "The reality of these negotiations took on a much different form. The Orioles never went past seven years and, apparently, $140 million. They waited for agent Scott Boras to come back to them with a counter proposal so they could get creative, but the negotiations never got that serious. Boras tried to sell Andy MacPhail on his other clients. The message was clear." [masnsports.com]
Oriole Post gives his thoughts on Mark Teixeira: "After having a day to digest the news of Mark Teixeira signing with the Evil Empire, and I'll say I can't blame him for signing with New York, nor the Yankees for signing him. You can't blame Andy MacPhail or Peter Angelos -- despite the history and how many feel about him -- due to simply the Orioles not having a chance at all." [Oriole Post]
Anthony Amobi writes on Mark Teixeira: "Losing Teixeira to the Evil Empire sucks, but in all honesty -- would it have made the Baltimore Orioles better while paying him $20 million plus per season? No." [Oriole Magic]
Oriole Central looks at the Teixeira contract: "The terms are 8 years and 180 million dollars. That's 22.5 million are season for Mark Teixeria. Some of you are probably upset that the O's missed out. I would have liked to have Mark Teixeria, but not at that price and that length. When he's 36 or 37 and making 22.5 million....will that be worth it. The O's are rebuilding and committing that much one player (who..bear in mind...would probably be 32 or 33 when the team could possibly be a contender) would have been foolish. At the right price, I'd be in favor of signing him....but that wasn't it." [Oriole Central]
Tuesday, December 23:
Steve Melewski writes his thoughts on Mark Teixeira: "Don't let Mark Teixeira ruin your Christmas this time. Baltimore didn't have a fair shot this time. If so, why was there so little serious dialogue between Boras and Andy MacPhail after the winter meetings." [masnsports.com]
Gunaxin wonders about the O's as a franchise: "Now, with the news that Mark Teixeira is signing with the Yankees, one has to ask the question if the Orioles are done as a franchise. Granted they've have a decade of losing seasons, something that is only paralleled in recent history by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Is the Teixeira signing really anything different than the norm for O's fans and the franchise?" [Gunaxin]
Spencer Fordin has Nick Markakis news: "This time, the Orioles won't lose their best player to the World Baseball Classic. Right fielder Nick Markakis told The Baltimore Sun on Tuesday that he has declined an invitation to play for Team USA in next spring's Classic, a decision that mostly revolved around the impending birth of his first child." [MLB.com]
Roch Kubatko writes on Mark Teixeira: "The Yankees reportedly have reached agreement on an eight-year deal. Heyman has the total value at $180 million." [masnsports.com]
Chayse Held features Nolan Reimold: "Coming off of an injury that limited him to 50 games in 2007, Reimold rebounded with an outstanding season for Class AA Bowie (Md.) this past summer and is still listed as one of the Baltimore Orioles' top position-player prospects." [Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune]
Adam McCalvy reports on Mark Hendrickson: "The agent for free-agent left-hander Mark Hendrickson says there is mutual interest between his client and the Baltimore Orioles." [MLB.com]
Monday, December 22:
Roch Kubatko writes on possible interest on Ben Sheets: "Though the Orioles would like to add at least two veteran starters to their rotation, they don't appear to be interested in Ben Sheets." [masnsports.com]
Peter Schmuck names a few more players the O's might be interested in: "Along with the ongoing negotiations for pitchers Braden Looper, Tim Redding and Kenshin Kawakami, the Orioles have made overtures to non-tendered Cardinals utilityman Aaron Miles and veteran pitcher Mark Hendrickson." [Baltimore Sun]
Roch Kubatko keeps fans updated on progress with Mark Teixeira talks: "The hard feelings that used to exist in the warehouse, and a certain law office, have softened considerably. Boras came back to the Orioles about 20 minutes before the midnight deadline for signing Matt Wieters, and a deal was struck. They also signed another Boras client from that draft, pitcher Jake Arrieta, who is regarded as untouchable in any trade talks." [masnsports.com]
The Associated Press reports on a minor league suspension: "New York Yankees catcher Damian Taveras and Baltimore Orioles pitcher Ambiorix Suero were suspended for 50 games each Monday after positive tests for banned performance-enhancing substances under baseball's minor league program." [The Toronto Star]
Buster Olney keeps up with the Mark Teixeira race: "The Orioles made a seven-year, $140 million offer -- not $150 million, as widely reported, but $140 million -- and have not upgraded that offer. Unless Teixeira puts himself on a platter for the O's and gives them a major hometown discount, it's unlikely he will sign with them." [ESPN.com]
Oriole Post discusses Mark Teixeira and Scott Boras: "Most thought that the Angels were out the hunt for Teixeira, as they withdrew their names from contention this weekend; however, Boras may be trying to lure them back in." [Oriole Post]
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