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"Dunn over Duncan?"
Orioles Not Duncan for This player"
"Shell No! We Don't Want Duncan"
"We Don't Need No Stinking Duncans"
"DunnCan Be Better than Duncan."

Sexson's numbers are still excellent against lefties. For first base and DH, Trembly could play Sexson (1st) and Huff (DH) against lefties, and Huff (1st) and Scott (DH) against righties. That could be a potent trio.

Shelley not a Slam Dunc for the O's?

I'm not too good with naming stuff.

Ugh, my heart is torn on the whole Millar thing. I really don't feel that it makes any sense for the O's to bring him back as a first baseman in any role - be it starting or reserve - BUT I absolutely love having his personality and antics on the club. Aside from possibly coming back to the Orioles, do you see any other clubs interested in him? And if he doesn't sign on with another team as a player do you think there is any potential room on Trembley's staff for Kevlar as a coach?
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Certainly not at the moment. And I'm not sure that's what Millar wants to do. He seems like a natural for TV. There's always a studio job out there. - Roch

Re-signing Millar would be a less than intelligent move by the FO, but that's never stopped them in the past.

Roch,
What's your opinion on Rocco Baldelli?
I think he would be a good option and would draw more interest in the team.
He could turn into another Josh Hamilton and put togther a solid season. Maybe like a 1 or 2 year deal.
Speaking of interest, can't wait to see Uehara pitch and will try to catch one of his games at the yard in April.
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I've always been a huge Baldelli fan, though I never thought of him as a first baseman. The only concerns center on his health. It used to be his hamstrings. Now its the disorder that leaves him fatigued (sorry I don't have the correct term in front of me). He could be such a bargain if he's OK and able to play regularly. I'm just not sure how the condition is going to influence his playing time. Can he play nine innings on consecutive nights and go all-out? He is forced to be more of a part-time player? That's what I don't know. - Roch

Hey Roch-

Is Millar looking to play ball or just be the "clubhouse" personality as his career draws to an inevitable close?

The guy is loved by the fans, loves the fans and once in a while can hit.

I say keep him around for a while, let him retire and than give him a job on the coaching staff.
He's a bright spot on the team for his personality, not his performance.
If he's not a greedy guy, and is willing to take a reserve role just to wear the new uniform, what the heck, right?
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Hey Jeff. Good hearing from you. Millar still wants to play, but he really likes it here and would be more willing to come off the bench now than he was in previous years. - Roch

Roch,
Sexson will not fit as part of the "plan" So acquiring him is unrealistic.
I can see a "has been" pitcher to fill the gap. But any position player should be a "long term" acquisition unless you are talking catcher. If not, then the "plan" is all about the cheapest alternative. Spend the money on locking up Markakis or Roberts if he is willing to play for this ownership?

THANKS OLE PETER & McFAIL

And Hannibal is not even in my league

No Shell Shock Here: Duncan won't be an Oriole

You would expect that kind of title from someone who likes Special K and red berries... How long have you been on the K? Has it worked? I've been looking for something to use to shed a few, but the chicken breast and rice gets old quick. Roc what are your feelings on the Ravens game Saturday. I say 24 - 10 Ravens

Let me know about the K, my wife gets this ceral that has dried strawberries in it that is "Heathy" so she says, have you seen it? She says its pretty good.
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Special K has those same dried strawberries. Not as gross as it might sound. I like it. And I'm sure it would help my diet if I didn't cheat on it later. As for the Ravens, I'm thinking they win, 20-17, but the Titans have me a lot more worried than the Fins. - Roch

hm. I'm all for getting an AAA guy who is ready for his "put up or shut up" time. Michael Aubrey (that wouldn't be confusing for anyone, two Aubreys on a team, one at each corner, not at all) who was DFA'd to make room for Pavano, Jordan Brown (can't believe I'm saying that), both formerly/currently in the Tribe system. Both 1B/DH/Brown can play LF too. Aubrey is more of a hit-for-average guy, while Brown is a power hitting guy, but lots of doubles in 08 (Tribe parks are notoriously pitchers parks). Head over to Toledo and we can get Jeff Larish who hits a lot of doubles and is a 20+HR guy. Since that spot is thin at Norfolk (Costanzo? Salazar? Really? Not yet.), bring someone over and up to fill in until someone ELSE is looking to move payroll at the break. Can we do that? Then again, Doug Mienkiewicz is still available....
Let's pillage where we can. DET and CLE have a veritable logjam at 1B, with lots of payroll at their major league spot that they're not ready to move, so there's plenty of pickins to choose from.
There's always Kit Pellow. He played in the Mexican League last few years. He's a gamer. He'll do it. On the cheap, I'd bet.

Just *my* hypotenuse.

Roch

Judging from the list of remaining free agents there's not really anyone left who fits the bill as a right-handed LF/1B with power. My guess is they'll settle for throwing one of the farmboys in there and hope that it pans out.

What say you, Roch ?
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They're not necessarily looking for someone who plays both 1B and LF. They'd settle for 1B. I just thought having someone who could do both would be an added bonus. Provides more flexibility. I have a feeling we're going to see a bunch of guys taking ground balls and throws at first base in spring training who normally play other positions more regularly. - Roch

So I see in the Sun that Markakis is believed to have turned down a 6 year/$60 million dollar offer. That seems like a good offer, but it says the sides are about $10 million apart. So should the Orioles offer $70 million over 6 years to Markakis -- maybe a tad high at this time, but YES, make offer and have a couple of 1 year options at the end.

Having watched Sexson more than I wanted to when he was an M, I can safely report that he is done, finished, washed up, of no use to the O's and should not be signed under any circumstances.

He will be another symbol of futility, a la Hendrickson. Having both Sexson and Hendrickson on the same team is more depressing than I care to imagine.

Here's a title: O's are Duncan Do Nots.
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WOW! Hold those calls, we have a winner! I feel like I should mail you a prize, or name my next born after you. - Roch

"NO SLAM DUNC!"

What's my prize?

"America runs on Duncan; the Orioles do not"

i would go with the simple: "Duncan't"

Roch - It seems like Xavier Nady would be an excellent fit for the O's with his ability to hit right-handed (something the O's need), play left field and 1st base. Have you heard of any internal discussion to see what it might cost the O's to get Nady?

Another thought may be to expand the deal and include Roberts and another player for Cano and Nady. Cano is 5 years younger and while he's a defensive liability, getting kicked out of NY might light a fire under him. I know, I know - the thought of Roberts going to the Yankees makes me sick too but they likely wouldn't require a window to sign him to a longer term deal since they are desperate to unload a corner outfielder (Nady, Swisher, Matsui) and would likely be happy to upgrade at second base and unload Cano after a season in which he regressed offensively and defensively. It would fill a hole short-term and even if Roberts were to sign a longer-term deal here, he's likely to be gone or in decline by the time the O's get competitive. With a year until free agency, Roberts could sign with whoever he wants and if he wants to go to NY, we might as well get a younger player that fills a hole longer-term and who will be here when the O's get back into contention. The Yankees are putting all their cards on the table this year to win a World Series and Roberts would be a huge upgrade. Besides, for all Brian has done for this city, why not let the guy get his chance to win a ring. Any thoughts?
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Haven't heard of any trade discussions involving Nady. I would bet my left kidney that Roberts doesn't go to the Yankees. If Brian gets a chance to win a ring, I'm thinking it will be with another team. - Roch

I wouldn't be opposed to bringing Millar back, he did hit 20 homeruns last year, plus his personality is great. offense did not seem to be to much of a problem last year, i don't see the need to throw a lot of money at a guy like Adam Dunn who probably won't be with the club once we start to contend, why don't we save the money and pay less for a player who wants to come here.

As for Markakis, isn't 6year/70 million the same contract Hanley Ramirez got? I would be willing to bet that Hanley Ramirez has already reached his potential and Markakis hasn't. I say give Markakis the same contract, we're giving him half the money we would have given Tex, for almost similar production in a younger player. why are we stopping at 6 years though, why not 7, 8, or even 9. there is nothing in markakis' history to say that his production will drop or a serious injury.

Where are the Roberts extensions, any idea what he is asking for and what the O's are offering?
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Check out Dan Connolly's story in tomorrow's Sun (or you can go to the Web site now). Nobody knows the exact figures, but the Orioles are offering around $10 million per. No idea for how many years. The sides continue to talk, but it's not close to being settled. - Roch

After the music stops, and Millar has no chair, is there any possibility the O's bring back Millar as coach. I can certainly see him as a manager down the road.

Jack, you're right. Hannibal is not in YOUR league...he's in the majors.

Roch,Do you think the ravens might be interested in signing pac man jones since he was released?
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They could use a cornerback with Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle not assured of returning, but Jones' reputation might be enough to turn them off. I don't cover the team and don't have any inside information. Just speculating. The talent is there, but is he worth the risk? I'm sure some fans will say the veterans could keep him in line, especially if Ray Lewis returns. Not sure about that. Ray has tried with McAlister and he's marching to his own beat. - Roch

In 2- 3 years 6 $70-80 for Nick is going to be a steal. Time to be pre-emptive. Tampa Bay showed how with Longoria. Time to be awake and get it done. No deal now and I bet Nick says no more negotiations. He will wait it out.
Nick will not come cheap. In 3 years he is free. Well he is able to get his $20 mil/.

No more on the cheap for talent. Pay for it and get it done!

Hey Roch,

Been a couple weeks since I've posted. Hope your holidays went well!

I'm just wondering how nobody has made one reference from Major League II

I can see it now. First day of spring training, Uehara walks up to Markakis and says:

"YOU HAVE NO MARBLES!!!!!!!!"

Please no Sexton or Millar! I thought this was a youth movement? Niether one of these guys has any up side for us!

Ugh! Roch bet one of his kidneys that B-Rob wouldn't go to NY...hopefully this works out better than the Loewen forecast. Hopefully its Texas-USC accurate!
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Thanks for remembering the Texas-USC prediction. Dead-on! - Roch

i think a signing like ty wigginton who also can play 3rd or 1st would be a good fit. and still think we neeed one more free agent starter like redding. was there any mention of derek lowe?? he eats innings and doesnt get hurt but is a long shot.

I'd rather see the O's give Jeff Nettles a spring training invite to see if he can play 1st than signing Sexson. Any chance of that happening?
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I haven't seen a list of invites. I hadn't considered him, but it's a possibility. He's been playing winter ball. The name alone would make him an interesting spring story, and heck, that's what I'm looking for. - Roch

I read this post and had to skip only 1 of Jack's entries.

My take (not Schmuck's):
Adam Dunn is a waste ...;
Andrew Jones ... get real;
Shelley Duncan ... ugh!
Daric Barton ... a definite possibility;
What about Michael Aubrey? Even though he bats lefty?
Bascom has some good stuff. Have not heard the 'makeup' angle before.

Roch

Your right I have seen the K with strawberry's but the stuff my wife buy's is "all natural" any way lets talk Ravens... I have been bombarded with phone calls at work all week about purple light bulbs if I could find someone who actully makes them I would be a rich man same thing happened the year we went to the Super Bowl (hope that is a good sign). Anyway what is your thoughts on Jim Leonard? Is he signed to a one year deal? Does he have a full time starting job when Landry returns next year? Are the Bills kicking themselves for letting him go. He is quickly becomeing my favorate player.
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I don't see how he starts over Landry, but he's an exciting player. I'd have him returning kicks, for sure. - Roch

I don't think I could handle watching Shelly Duncan in an Orioles uniform. He is a little too flamboyant for my taste. I certainly didn't like the way he carried on in a Yankee uniform when he circled the bases after he hit an occasional home run. Really, he's not as good as he thinks he is.

would you rather have
Aaron Laffey, Wes Hodges, and Asdrubal Cabrera
or
Gavin Floyd and Chris Getz
thats if all of them where available or more for Roberts?'

Isnt 10 Mill per a lot for Roberts considering the Red Sox signed second baseman Dustin Pedroia to a six-year, $40.5 million contract with a club option for 2105
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A lot of people in the industry think Pedroia came in too low, but for a non-arbitration guy, he did very well. - Roch

"SHell will freeze over before Duncan wears an Orioles jersey."

Hey John Porter... I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with having a guy named Asdrubal on the team.

Roch, I haven't seen you on TV in months, but I find it hard to believe you need to diet. You've got less body fat than Manute Bol, but with the ripped, stacked bod of Jake the Snake Roberts or Bret The Hit Man Hart. That orange polo in your MASN headshot appears to be painted on. Meanwhile my Jelly Belly and Five Guys Burgers and Fries diet doesn't seem to be eliminating my Jim Traber-esque waistline...
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Am I the only person who's never sampled a Five Guys burger? (I almost typed, "Am I the only person who's never sampled Five Guys?") I hear such good things about them. Maybe someday... - Roch

roch,
I don't blog too often, but love to read your blogs. Keep up the good work. After reading the blogs from the past few days , I have a few (ok, more than a few) comments:
1. blueberry vodka and lemonade go great together.
2. special k makes a breakfast bar that is only 90 calories, comes in lots of flavors too.
3. too much soy is not good for you. it is hard for the body to digest and can cause liver problems.
4. eat anything you want. Portions are what is important.
5. kevin millar reminds me a lot of rick dempsey. he has that fun upbeat attitude. i remember rick ice skating of sorts in his socks on the tarp during a rain delay.
6. watching rick dempsey on the pregame show before the o's games, he talks a lot about what a catcher needs to do....so yes to greg zaun.
7. i believe that jack once worked for peter angelos and was fired because he couldn't perform (his job).
8. sorry to hear your daughter is in a cast, hope she heals soon.
9. GO O's..i will support my hometeam, but then i usually root for the underdog.
10. GO RAVENS.....to the superbowl.
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Great post, Mary. You should comment more often. I love the Special K blueberry bar. Bought a box for my daughter's lunches and devoured them myself. So I went back to the store and bought two boxes. I'll try adding lemonade to the blueberry vodka. I've been sipping it on the rocks with a slice of lime. You're also so right about portions being important. I hear it's better to eat a lot of small meals instead of one or two big ones. Keeps the metabolism going, doesn't stuff you, etc. My daughter's cast is supposed to come off Jan. 19, and not a moment too soon. Thanks. - Roch

sorry, one more thing i forgot.....
wasn't duncan a yoyo?

Roch - Dang it you have a title winner already. Guess I should not go with "The Orioles won't Mary Shelley" (Author of Frankenstien). It's awful but should get an "honorable mention".

Blue cheese or blueberries can't make a martini taste good. Nasty stuff. (though I think I'd better have one because I agree with Jack concerning his last entiry about Sexton).

Have you noticed you have several Nebraska Oriole fans on this blog? I was amazed when I was assigned out here via the military of how many folks were wearing Oriole sporting goods. My theory is that Gregg Olson is from Omaha and a lot of kids at that time became fans. I'm a native Marylander and that's my excuse.

I think they should bring back Millar myself for 1B. All his attributes have been previously mentioned by other bloggers already. If he was to learn from what Mora did last year when he started hitting the ball the other way his numbers took off. Quit trying to pull every year and Kevin might be able to squeak a few more years onto his successful career.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------That title is very, very good. Nicely played! - Roch

Are the Orioles considering trade options for a first baseman?
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Yes. I know they had talks with the Rangers about Hank Blalock, but nothing is hot there. I've heard they have/had interest in Garko. - Roch

Shelly Duncan-Shelly Winters-Sandy Duncan NO THANX

Speaking of shell-shocked-- did I just get an update that Morgan St. beat the Terps? So much for the "soft" part of the schedule. Good win for the Bears though.

By the way, I am thrilled that we have a few bloggers chiming in from the far east. Love to hear more about Uehara and differences between the leagues in general. And will the USA be able to sniff a medal at the WBC or will Japan, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the DR take care of business yet again?

Kevin Millar has my vote for first base. He's durable and makes things happen when we play NY and Boston.
My second choice is Ryan Garko.

Roch, why exactly would the O's be interested in Sexson? He's no better than Millar and had terrible, terrible numbers last season. It doesn't make much sense to me, can you shed some light on why they would prefer him to cheap, in-house, power hitters like Salazar? Thanks.
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Sexson probably will come pretty cheaply, as well. They're considering him as one of those "catch lightning in a bottle" guys. Unlike Salazar, he has a track record and was once one of the most feared hitters in baseball. Personally, I doubt he can get back to that level, but he could be seen as a low-risk investment. And there's room in camp for both players. - Roch

Let's eliminate both Shelley Duncan and Richie Sexson from consideration. Why would we be interested in either one? Nuts.

Play Huff and Salazar at first. Give Scott and Montanez a look there.

I'm grateful to Kevin Millar for all he's given the Birds. He's a gamer and an excellent teammate. But, it was hard not to notice that Kevin's stance last season became some sort of weird unbalanced, toppling over the plate thing that made it look like his back was killing him. And it probably was. He wasn't the same hitter.

O's Prefer Donuts to Duncan

Son of Former O's Catcher Won't Be Coming Home to Baltimore Either

Andy Won't Play Macbeth to Shelley's Duncan

Ok so the Orioles are going to go after 1B next...............

Here are the possibilities being mentioned..

Richie Sexson .261 Career Avg 308 HR's before he stopped juicing, would be horrible signing as he looked horrid last season, maybe on a minor league deal with Spring invitation but nothing more.....would look great on the office summer league basketball team with Mark Hendrickson but thats about all..

Ty Wigginton .270 Career Avg 110 HR's can play 3B, 2B, 1B and all outfield positions but is rumored according to fanposts on Astros fan sites to be commanding 8 to 10 mil a year because he had a good season last year, no way the Orioles sign him at those demands although he would be the best available option because of his versatility

Daric Barton .243 Career Avg 13 HR he bats left so not really sure why we would go after him if we are looking for a right handed batter, although I like his potential as he is very disciplined at the plate, only 22 years old.... worth trading for but would require trading another pitcher say LIZ, which I don't like

Michael Aubrey- basically the same as Barton just four years older with less MLB experience looks like a AAAA player to me not very patient at the plate, might be worth a shot on waivers,

Shelley Duncan- need I say more,,,,,,,,,,,, minor league deal to Cardinals

Kevin Millar- we already know what we are getting

Doug Mientkiewicz- career .270 avg but bats left handed something we don't need, good player tho, great in the field and very interesting that he dosen't wear batting gloves like Greg Zaun

Jeff Nettles- he has power but has limited to no patience.. He is 30 y/o and struck out over 80 times last year at AA Bowie. He hits alot of pop ups.... Just don't see it happening....

I would like the signing of Wigginton to a 2 year deal for 10 million with incentives to 12

My guess we end up with Sexson or another season of Millar........

Only time will tell.......

Roch, you yourself had floated Oscar Salazar backing up Huff. It seems to me that this is as good as any free agent option... unless we sign Adam Dunn.

I guess that makes sense. I'd be ok with a ST invite, but I really think it'd be a mistake to guarantee the guy a contract. There's got to be a better option.

Hey Roch.

I'm not sure i understand McPhail's line of thinking with these contract offers. He talks about making the smart moves and spreading out the money over several players and there are two players in Roberts and Markakis that are not only superstars (at least in Baltimore), but they also want to see this team turn it around and want to be here when they make a run at the playoffs.

The O's have been consistently burned by contracts for players that aren't worth the years or the money and yet the players they have that are worth the years and the money are being nickel and dime-d to death. I can't understand how they can offer $140 million to one player, but can't offer the money that is needed to sign Markakis and Roberts.

Now it's not all gloom and doom. I love the pitching depth that the O's have developed and i think that, at least on paper, they appear to be in a youth movement. I'm excited to see the O's expanding their sphere of influence to areas such as Japan and I think this move will end up paying dividends for years to come. I also like the fact that the O's have at least been mentioned by some of the bigger free agents. In the meantime, however, isn't it time to lock up the players that will not only bring in these big time free agents, but will also help to cultivate a whole new generation of Orioles fans?

Sidebar story title: "Shelley" to go down in baseball annals as most unmanly name since "Fay" [Vincent], "Gail" [Hopkins], "Robin" [Roberts more so than Yount or Ventura], "Coco" [Laboy], and "Cookie" [Rojas]?

boy I like salazar. Does he hit right or left? I like special k strawberries but my boys (16 and 10} luv the special k with chocolate chunks. Try frosted mini wheats with strawberry. They don't last around here. I say sign a catcher and a another starting pitcher. Bring sexton in on a spring training invite only. Unless we get Dunn but Dunn will go to dodgers or giants depending on manny's decision. O's Dunk Duncan!

I think a 2 year ext for Brob at 7.5M a year is reasonable.

Baldelli and Barton should be the targets. Young and with upside. Those should be the only considerations for '09.

Millar - keep him! Youth is great, but experience and morale count for a bunch, too. Clubhouse personality often equates to energy on a team. If he wants to stay here, I say we let him and groom him for a coaching job. You can see it when he talks that he will make a great coach soon.

Notice I left Adam Dunn out of my list of options for first base because I'm not going to kid myself into thinking the Orioles would actually be a player in signing him..................... if we think it's going to be bad this season wait till Next Year when we have no HUFF or Roberts, or anybody to replace them, that should be an exciting team....

This offseason was a statement season for the Orioles. Not only to the fans but to the players. To the fans it was to show them that the Orioles care about winning and are taking the steps towards putting a winning team into place. Are you kidding me with signings like Mark Hendrickson......

To the players, sign players to contracts near what other people offer ( I'm not talking about Mark Teixeria) to let players know the Orioles want to win again....... that's not going to happen......

Look, I am all about the youth movement, so I don't mind the caution that McPhail has displayed so far. But having just read that Baldelli has signed a one year deal with the Red Sox I am angry. He's still young, he's cheap and he most likely would have been receptive to an offer from the Orioles that would have given him a better chance to play regularly. He is exactly the kind of guy they should be targeting in free agency. But, NO!! Too much risk, too much of an unknown. Let someone other team take the risk. Let a perennial world series contender make that mistake. Why would they not be more aggressive with a 27 year old player who has tremendous upside but signed for a bargain price because of previous health issues? Those are the risks they need to take, and that is money better spent than a similar amount on a stop gap guy like Richie Sexson. Oh man, this is frustrating. They should have been aggressive on him from day one. I guess Angelose is still waiting for the medical reports.

Hey Roch; What about Flanny? I hope the O's are not kicking him out like some of the other people we've had. He really didn't have the backing from Mr. Angelo's as Mr. McPhail has. It really made me sad as an Oriole fan the way the players handle the situation when Elrod passed away. The only one that went was Melvin Mora. That wasn't a class act on part of the O's players. I hope they don't do the same to Flanny.Beleive me Iam a total Oriole fan .

Thanks! Looking forward to your reply
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Mike Flanagan's contract ran out at the end of the year, but he's still at the warehouse. I've heard for months that he could end up doing broadcast work with MASN. It's all up in the air at the moment. - Roch

I think the O's should look into S. Duncan 1B as he has upside and Sexson and Millar are past their prime. Look what happened in TB with C. Pena when given a chance.