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Roch Kubatko
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Roch Kubatko Orioles
Updating the negotiations
Orioles president Andy MacPhail told me earlier today that "each side is moving closer to the other" in the Brian Roberts contract negotiations.
Asked if he's more optimistic now that he's been previously, MacPhail said, "I'd say so. We're not there yet, but we're moving toward each other, which is a good sign."
Roberts and his agent, Mark Pieper, have made it clear that they don't want to engage in talks once spring training ends.
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Hey Roch, this is good news for two reasons: 1. Brian Roberts is an excellent 2nd baseman and is at the peak of his game. His commitment to the Orioles and Baltimore should lead to a contract that lets him finish his career in this city, and 2. He is an accomplished veteran presence among a lot of young faces who need mentors to lead the way. Great blog, keep it up. I break from work a couple of time of day to catch up on what you are saying.
Did you hear that we drafted three of the top 50 prospects in the Freshman class that didnt sign plus one in the Senior class. Thats shows how well The Orioles drafted this year
Roch.....after all the moves the O's have done this off season...that would simply be the icing on the cake and Roberts wants to be here..he deserves to be here..he has put up with all the suck teams and been a true pro and great player the whole time and now that the O's are headed in the right direction he should be part of the come back to life of this team and franchise as much as any body ever has...he should be an Oriole for life...great news...
Great news Roch! I used to think trading Roberts was a must. I wanted to see a repeat of the Bedard trade over and over again! But great work in drafting, free agency, and trades has put us (in my opinion) 2 years away from competing in the AL Beast.
So signing Roberts to a 4 year deal, will help us out that much more when our young bloods are ready.
Let's get it done!
Well..... I think the market has made Andy's mind up for him, he now has to sign him.. I hope it is 3 not 4 years...
Roch,
Can you please explain me why Seattle could take 8 months to sign Fields?
Also, if arbitration deals are non-guaranteed as Rosenthal worte, then why teams decide not to offer arbitration to some players because of what they may get when they can just release them if the team doesn't like the result of the hearing?
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They don't want to deal with the grievance that will follow. - Roch
Craig referred to signing Roberts as "icing on the cake". To me, I'd call signing Roberts as #1 or #1a (Markakis) in terms of everything else. It shows our prospects that if you work hard and produce, the organization will take care of you. This is a MUST for the team, and changes AM's report card from a B to an A for his off-season moves.
Jim
Would it be safe to say that March 1st is a more realistic date to get a feel for what Kranitz and Dunn can do with Rich Hill?
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Or later. - Roch
Timing is everything...this information would have saved you from having to answer all the panicky questions about 3 entries back!
Hopefully it gets done soon...I don't want Rich Hill and Brian Roberts both being snippy and complain about stolen bases in spring training games.
It seems more like McPhail is intent on signing BRob a lot more so than last year or even this off season.Not signing him would have created an ugly black cloud over the whole season. What I don't get is what everybody sees as McPhail having a great off season.We have one starter candidate who can be counted on for 6 innings per start. The bullpen will largely be the same as last year as well as the everyday line up. I give McPhail credit for doing the best he could becaue of the lack of FA willing to come here that would have been actual improvements.The O's aren't going to get any better with the players McPhail has acquired this off season,unless there's huge surprises.The O's are going to get better when the entire rotation gets replaced with the exception of Guthrie.There's 3-4 in the bullpen that needs to go also.Obviously being stuck with old contracts aren't McPhail's fault.So this will be largely a tread water year buying time for the young pitchers making progress.Positional talent is going to be a huge challenge also after this year.Can Snyder play defense well enough to be the everyday 1st baseman? Who's going to replace Mora unless it's Wiggy for a year? Maybe they should try this Justin Turner kid at 3rd this year?
Any validity to the thought that with Orlando Hudson still without a team and what Dunn had to settle for, that this might influenece BRob to take what the O's are offering?
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I doubt that Roberts feels pressure in that regard, but I can't speak for him. - Roch
Roch,
I must have been absent from the School of Roch when we covered this, but SI is reporting that Seattle has reach an agreement with their top pick in last year's draft (Josh Fields). I thought that teams only had until Aug. 15th to sign picks or they would lose their rights and the player could re-enter the draft?
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Fields didn't have any college eligibility left. The rule is for underclassmen. - Roch
Getting Brian signed will be awesome. This city is going to love guys like Freel and Wigginton.
The BRob news is what I wanted to hear. Thanks for staying on top of story. Andy continues to live up to his word and plan. I love it. With the signing of Nick and, if this takes place, should show all those "doubters" about the direction the team is going. So get on board with Andy.
JO
what the hell is taking so long. As of right now with all this new young tallent we have he is the kind of player u build a team around. There is very few players in the game today that can change a like brian can. This is a easy move, u sign him long term asap before its to late.
I'm sorry, but I cannot believe what some of you "fans" are writing here. Check the calendar. February has 28 days. ST games begin on the 25th, so, is 4 days enough time for Kranitz to evaluate Rich Hill? Do you really want to ask that question? Trust me, Kranitz knows Hill. As long as he doesn't think Hill is hopelessly lost, he (Hill) will make this team, and I sure hope so, 'cause this kid can pitch.
And now, for our unimproved team. Same as last year, right?
Patton.....Healthy
Albers.....Healthy
Ray........Healthy
Baez.......Healthy
Uehara.....New Guy
Hill.......New Guy
Pauley.....New Guy
Hendrickson New Guy
And that's just a few. Will they be better? I'd say so, but we need to wait and see, however, are they the same team? Are you serious?
Go O's!