A little this, a little that, no other
Former Oriole Chris Richard finally has returned to the majors - just in time to commit a costly throwing error at first base on a potential double-play ball, and to make a futile dive for Derek Jeter's single that tied Lou Gehrig's franchise record for career hits.
It still beats Durham.
The Sun is reporting that Brandon Waring and Brian Matusz have been chosen as the organization's minor league Player and Pitcher of the Year, respectively. At least I got something right.
If you agree that the Orioles need to sign or trade for a veteran starter for the top of their rotation next season, are you enticed by Atlanta Braves right-hander Tim Hudson, who could opt for free agency?
Ken Rosenthal writes about Hudson here on FOXsports.com.
As Rosenthal points out, the Braves hold a $12 million mutual option on Hudson, so he could decline it and test the waters. He might be nuts to do it, since he's coming off Tommy John surgery and has made only two starts since July 2008, but it's conceivable.
On the plus side, Hudson is 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA since his return. And he probably wouldn't cost a compensatory draft pick.
Hudson might rate highly in a market that could include John Lackey, Rich Harden, Jarrod Washburn, Jon Garland, Randy Wolf and Jason Marquis.
Of course, a starter would have to be willing to come here. No West Coast excuses. No contender excuses. No "I wore a Royals cap to games when I was a kid" excuses.
Yeah, that one would sting.
The NFL Network is running a Steelers marathon today, recapping all the Super Bowl seasons. I'm sure it's a real ratings-grabber here.
One show concluded with the fun-fact that Randy Grossman is one of only two tight ends to win four Super Bowls. I had to look up the other. Do you know? (And no fair looking it up).
And finally, the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards today announced that it will unveil an updated and enhanced gallery honoring the Ravens when the team opens its season on Sunday.
Along with the championship trophy, the exhibit contains a number of new artifacts profiling the Ravens' history in Baltimore. Among those items are the 1997 jersey of the team's first quarterback, Vinny Testaverde; the Super Bowl jersey of Michael McCrary; the 2007 jersey of Steve McNair; Ozzie Newsome's notes on quarterback Joe Flacco prior to the 2008 NFL Draft; Derrick Mason's 2008 cleats; and two new videos chronicling the history of the Ravens and their 2008 season.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
my first thought is jay novacek from dallas.
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No, but that's a very good guess. Hadn't thought of him. - Roch
Brett Jones?
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Nope, but also a good guess. I was definitely thinking 49ers before giving up and cheating. - Roch
Roch,
I thought that since the Orioles will be picking in the top 15 spots in the draft, they can't lose their draft pick. They can sign who ever they want and they don't have to give up a pick. The other team just gets a sandwich pick
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Well, if you don't think the Orioles are gonna run the table the rest of the way... - Roch
This is my first time posting, but I read the blog everyday...
Speaking of Chris Richard...
Why all my fellow orioles fans have a love affair with Chris Richard type players, mainly Lou Montanez...I've seen people post that he has proven that he is a major league hitter...When? Where? He is not a prospect, he has no trade value, you will not be able to "package" him in a deal to get Adrian Gonzalez, which is a idea I have also seen posted as a comment...he is older than every outfielder on our current roster...help me understand...
One more thing, it has been and still believed by some that Felix Pie got the nod over Lou simply because he(he being Felix) came from the Cub organization...Lou was drafted by the CUBS...
How about who ever the Steelers tight end was during there runs in the 70's? Its before my time so I'd have to look it up.
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That was Grossman (and Bennie Cunningham when he was healthy). - Roch
As if I needed another reason to avoid Yankee Stadium tomorrow night, I do not want to be there to see Jeter break Gehrig's record. Obviously this is the exact opposite of 14 years ago when I badly wanted to be present to see another of Gehrig's records broken. :)
Marv Fleming, and I believe he also has played in the most as a TightEnd
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See what happens when you post?
Don Pardo, tell him what he's won! - Roch
Dwight Clark ?? TE from San Fran, I may have his name wrong??
The O's shouldnt concern themselves w/ any top of the line free agent starting pitching this offseason. Here's why;
1 - they are going to have to overpay b/c nobody in their right mind wants to pitch here.
2 - bringing in FA pitchers to long terms deals is risky.
They should consider one guy...I know it sound crazy but....
Bedard - 1 yr 6 mill
He's crazy enough to sigh here??? If they cant get him, just go w/ what you have. We are not winning anything next year anyway.
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It was Marv Fleming (Packers and Dolphins). Clark wasn't a TE with the 49ers, though he may have played the position at Clemson. - Roch
Marv Fleming - I looked it up.
Roch-
Hudson would make too much sense for the O's to take a shot on him. They do everything backwards.
Adam Eaton was released by the Rockies, so, we already have our ace.
I think Hudson would be great. At most, it would cost a 2nd round pick. Most likely a 3rd. And you have a guy that does nothing but win.
Maybe you could ask Andy next time. Everyone wanted him 4 years ago.
The other tight end is Todd Heap when he is injured and sits at home and plays 4 seasons of Madden while he recuperates.
Darn, I was going to guess Shannon Sharpe...
After looking it up, he only has 3.
INeverPost - I completely agree with you about guys like Montanez, except for one thing - a player like him does have trade value - if you consider "cash or a PTBNL" trade value!
I think a reclamation project like Hudson, Bedard, Duchscherer, etc. would not be a bad idea, mainly because we have a surprising amount of depth in terms of extra starters. I would be comfortable with picking 4 out of Guthrie, Bergesen, Tillman, Matusz, Berken, Hernandez, Arrieta, and then leaving a spot open for one of those projects. If it's successful, you can get a good pitcher for a great deal (say, 1 yr / $1-2 mil up to $6-7 mil with incentives), and you could trade them away or get some draft picks - see what the Indians did with Carl Pavano this year. On the other hand, if it fails, you're only on the hook for a little bit of money and we have enough warm bodies to make up the rotation spot.
Sure, you could spend big money on a guy like John Lackey (which I have advocated in the past), but you have to wonder, how likely is it that Lackey stays healthy and effective for the duration of the kind of contract he's going to ask for (you know, 5 years / $10-15 mil per)? You could either throw that money at Lackey, or you could try to find a diamond in the rough, someone like Pavano or Kevin Correia (4.30 ERA in 169.2 IP for the Padres, signed on a 1 yr / $1 million deal).
Roch,
Looking back on the season so far, are the Os performing about where you (and other reporters) expected them or has the play of all the rookies improved the perception of the team?
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We expected them to finish last, but the rookies slowly blending into the roster brings a lot more encouragement than we've had in the past. The final month seems more interesting now, even if the results tend to make you cringe. - Roch
BMS: i feel you on the laptop thing. Bloody IP address and Domain Name Server BS kept my laptop off the net for a week. Britain and the US can exchange intelligence and nuclear weapons. But when it comes to having similar IP setups..............NAHHH.
Sorry Roch, just ranting.
West Coast Fan -- only the O's first round pick is protected. If they sign a Type A who has been offered arb, they would lose their 2nd rounder.
Roch, I love the optimism, but if they ran the table they'd probably still have the #12 pick.
Hey Roch,
I am going up to New York for the Saturday game. I was planning on getting there early to try and catch batting practice. Do you know if they will be taking BP with the game starting at 1:05?
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Don't know what they'll do on the road. Normally, they don't take BP before a day game (at least on Sundays). Not sure what they have planned at Yankee Stadium. - Roch
Roch-
I saw some people asking about Fielder and AG. I think it started on the MLB Network.
They were analyzing a weak Free Agent class, and said that the Brewers are considering shopping Fielder, that they are willing to take the PR hit if they get enough in return to justify it, since they don't have too much money and won't be able to keep Braun and all their other studs.
The same basically for San Diego plus they dealt Peavy.
Anyway, when asking about teams with enough to get something done, they pointed out that the O's are LOADED with enough even without dealing Matusz or Tillman, and they will be in the hunt for that All-Star 1b to protect Markakis.
John Lackey, Rich Harden, Jarrod Washburn, Jon Garland, Randy Wolf, Jason Marquis, Bruce Chen and Sidney Ponson.
My guess is we'll get the last two, the Panamanian Lefty and the Aruban Fatty.
Is it Marv Flemming from the Packers? Goin way back.
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That's it. I tend to forget he was with the Packers for the first two Super Bowls. I always picture him as a Dolphin. - Roch
Trembley should give Jeter a free pass each AB for the whole series. No Yankees records broken against the Os.
Probably the best day on the NFL network in the history of the NFL network ... Ravens fans are just mad that they can't touch the Steelers.
Decisions decisions.
John Lackey, Rich Harden, Jarrod Washburn, Jon Garland, Randy Wolf and Jason Marquis would all be solid picks. Add them to Guts, Bergy, Matusz, Tillman that is a solid starting 5. By the Gary Thorne/Curt Schillings theory we should win a lot of games because that line up will start most of the season.
Hudson is a tough call because you would want (have to) limit his number of innings and for the price tag... not worth it. Spend more on the 6 above (maybe not Washburn).
Here are my questions and you may have a chance to ask the other Dave when we are home or if you have answers I am all ears (eyes since this isn't radio).
... what is the point of playing Baez, Hendrickson, Mora if they are free agents?
... also, if you consider Turner, Aubrey, Meredith are going to be around the future wouldn't getting them into the game be a priority? Rookies aren't allowed in Fenway?
... playing players on a schedule is that a good or bad thing? As a pro shouldn't you be ready to play everyday? If its pinch hitting, catching, coming in as a relief pitcher.... EVERYONE should be available. Only exceptions would be starting pitchers.
O's are 12-12 in games I attended this year. 2-3 on the road. I am O for in minor league games though... including one no-hitter vs. the Ironbirds.
Roch 2 things
1) Do you think that the O's mghtconsider Garland this offseason if the Dodgers don't sign him long term?
2) Realistically, if you had to guess who would be hat big bat in the lineup and a front end of the rotation guy? Also, who WOULD YOU want?
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Depends on Garland's price this time. He was asking for too much at the winter meetings. He also would have to want to pitch here. Don't know who the bat and pitcher will be, but would love to see Gonzalez or Fielder. But as I always ask, at what price? I'm not giving up Matusz or Tillman. Sorry. - Roch
Roch, Tim Hudson's 34 and a question mark coming off of surgery. Some pitchers bounce back stronger than ever from the Tommy John operation and some never get back at all.
His ratio of nearly a strikeout an inning since coming off of the DL bodes well in this regard. And while a bit long in the tooth, Hudson could still have several good seasons.
Before the injury he had six seasons of 30 or more games started, so he's normally a workhorse. That in itself is attractive in the AL East for an Oriole team that's struggled to protect its bullpen from overuse.
Hudson's a Georgia boy, so I think he'll be inclined to return there if he thinks the Braves can contend next year; that's a big "if," howeve, for a team that's a mere shadow of what it was throughout the '90s and well into this decade.
However, if he doesn't think they can compete, he may decide to test the free agent waters. That is if the Braves even want to gamble by picking up his option. Personally, I think he'll get close to that anyway, because cotending teams are always looking for a pitcher with his proven track record...let the bidding war begin!
So, I think he is someone that would be good for the O's rotation, if he'd even consider coming to Baltimore. But, then, signing Hudson goes against Andy MacPhail's philosophy of growing arms, not buying them. In fact, with his T.J. surgery, he'd be like a poster boy for why MacPhail avoids free agent hurlers, especially when Hudson probably will not go for under $10M a season.
Therefore, I doubt if the Orioles are going to be in the mix for his service.
Who the heck is Marv Fleming? I have been a football fan for over 35 years and would have never guessed that. Guess I am not as big a fan as I thought.
Roch,
Would love to have Hudson. I believe he approved a trade to Atlanta or re-signed with them because he has a home somewhere near there and wanted to be on the East Coast.
2nd choice would be Lackey. I believe he is more likely only because I do not believe the Angels offer arbitration. Wasn't it about the same time last year that another former Angel who would become a free agent talked about the O's in a somewhat positive light? Yes, I am still bitter.
I believe, knowing history, that the O's would settle for someone between Lackey and a Hendrickson or Eaton type. The O's have to prove they can win before someone established will come here and the short fences will never help. More than likely if the pitcher is found through FA then it would be an aging pitcher just looking to prove themselves on a one year deal. Pedro keeps coming to mind.
My gut tells me that the O's may just trade some of the talent for a bat and go with Guthrie, Bergesen, Matusz, one of a Tillman/Arrieta combo and one of Hernandez, Berken, Hill, or Patton. But Lord knows I have been wrong more than you even with your pre-season predictions, though you are rapidly closing the gap. You did get the Markakis prediction correct though, so you got that going for you.
Dear Roch,
I celebrated my 27th birthday yesterday on 09/09/09 (9+9+9=27). It was filled with lots of great stuff including multiple Orioles related gifts. However, when i entered my office this after noon my dirty co-workers thought it would be funny if they decorated my whole desk and its surroundings with Yankees S%&*. They had blue and white streemers with AROD and JETER pics all over them. A Yankee Baseball Cake, etc etc. They thought this would be a clever for a die hard Orioles fan. So to get my sanity back, i logged on to my favorite blog for some Orioles love and there right infront of me is a picture of Jeter you posted!! Been a tough afternoon.
You made up for it by mentioning my new favorite O, Wieters, so all is forgiven.
CRAIG (Sans dots).
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Man, with friends like that... Anyway, Happy Birthday! - Roch
I would be OK with the O's offering Hudson an incentive-laden contract. Give him a respectable base salary, then incentives for games started in each season.
My first choice would be John Lackey, but I'd be OK with Hudson, at the right price. ANother perk is that, as a sinkerballer, he would be a good mentor to Bergesen.
Now don't go all Anita Marks on us and turn this into a football blog. We still got month of Baseball to go. Can you hang on?
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Ah...so many witty comebacks in my head...but I'll keep 'em to myself. She'd kill me. Anyway, my baseball-to-football ratio is still pretty lopsided, so no worries. - Roch
I'd love to see Hudson AND Harden on the O's. The O's have lots of money coming off the books to play with next season. Hudson, Harden, Guthrie, Tillman, and Matusz w/ Berken and Dhernandez in the bully. Now, that's getting somewhere.
Then, trade for Dan Uggla, and move him to 3b...maybe Bell's destined for a move to 1b upon reading the opinions on his glove...Branyan's also a short term option while waiting.
Roch,
As much as I like Chone Figgins, the O's need punch and a lot of it...I prefer Uggla. The fish are always looking to dump salary.
It's becoming incredibly frustrating seeing this idea that the o's need to sign a "big time" free agent pitcher to a long term deal gaining legs. 1.) this is an extremely weak free agent market for everything, especially pitching, 2.) it's rarely a good move signing old (32+) pitchers to long term deals and 3.) the pitchers the o's would realistically go for (Marquis, Garland) can't keep their era's under 4:00 in the NL (marquis's era from this year is an aberration). Just what the o's need to do - spend a ton of money on a pitcher that probably will end up with a higher era than their 4 young starters (tillman, matusz, hernandez and bergesen).
everyone needs to practice some patience. Let these 4 pitch a full year before we write them off or block their opportunity. And if you really need to sign a high ceiling pitcher, then look high risk/high reward and cheaper contract (harden, maybe hudson - preferrably harden). Then trade him for some valuable prospects at the deadline.
DO NOT BLOCK YOUR HIGHLY TOUTED PITCHING PROSPECTS. We finally have the real deal.
I think Jeter is worthy of a top ten spot on everyones list..