A ghost of a chance?
Happy Halloween to all of you candy snatchers.
I'm dressing up as a bullpen phone this year because I know how much it scares folks here everytime it rings.
It's funny that I can't remember which costumes I wore as a kid. I'd walk around the neighborhood with my sister and mom, willing to eat anything that total strangers dropped into my bag, and I seem to recall being a skeleton once. But I honestly don't know for sure. I must not have been too creative.
Quick story: My mom was paranoid about people slipping razor blades into candy and apples, so half of my haul would get tossed in the trash. One year, she chucked a Tastykake cupcake because she thought it was suspicious that someone would be handing them out, and they could easily be injected with something that would either kill me or leave a nasty scar on the roof of my mouth. My sister was in total agreement, and I lost out on the argument.
Later that night, my sister mentioned how strange it was to see a Tastykake truck parked in front of a house in our neighborhood. I guess that was because the guy worked for the company and he was giving away yummy cupcakes instead of candy. And mine was buried in the trash.
Talk about being scarred. I still haven't gotten over it.
Anyway, you already know that John Stockstill, director of international scouting, met yesterday with Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman and his agent, Edwin Mejia, in New York.
I passed along that nugget on my BlackBerry last night while hanging out with friends in Severn, where I grew up (and a few blocks from the infamous Tastykake incident), and I'm pretty sure that I remembered to use punctuation.
Stockstill returned my call and I left my notepad in my car, so I improvised by snatching a sheet of paper out of a printer and scribbling down a few comments.
Stockstill didn't know the exact date at the time, but he arranged a meeting with Chapman and Mejia about three weeks ago "to see how interested he is, and to show our interest." They want to visit Baltimore, so I suggest introducing them to the pork bites at Little Havana on Key Hwy. I'd put my name on a contract after a few plates.
Stockstill also said Chapman has been "discussed thoroughly" with Andy MacPhail, president of baseball operations, and other team officials over the last three weeks.
"I think we have an offer in mind," he said.
Stockstill wasn't more specific, but there's no way the Orioles are going to fork over $40-$60 million for Chapman. I just don't see that happening. And there are no guarantees that any team will go that high.
The Orioles will stay in touch with Chapman, "but we won't know the next step until after his meetings with the other clubs," Stockstill said.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
I was at Little Havana yesterday for lunch. Very nice. I can't see any team going 40-60 million. Maybe 25.
If I went to a party dressed as a phone, it would be because I want to get picked up.
At least the Orioles are looking into what it would take to land Chapman. If they don't sign him, I won't mind. If they do sign him and he flops, I won't mind. After all, how would I know how risky a move this is? How would any of us know? And if they sign him and he performs well, I won't mind.
Guess that makes me easy to please.
I've got enough things in my life to worry about or get me angry. Baseball won't ever be one of them. As long as the Orioles make an effort and demonstrate they care about the future, that's all I ask for. So far, so good.
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Nicely played, my friend. Nicely played. - Roch
Chapman should be included in next June's first year player draft. He will go instead to one of the evil empires and that will be their equivalent of a top ten draft pick. Baseball is so broken. I didn't want to give up my season tickets or my extra innings package or mlb radio on XM but they forced me into it. Much like Detroit forced me into buying foreign cars, its sad.
You had to have been Superman or Batman at least once, since every other kid has been that at some point.
After passing on Sano for a whole lot less money, I don't see the O's being too competitive on Chapman, esp. with the Yanks and Sox overbidding in all probability.
With the demotion/release of Hill, do you think he returns or goes elsewhere next year. Any vibes from the warehouse? Low risk, high upside if they can keep him. BTW, was there ever an announcement on the PTBNL for him or was it cash?
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The warehouse now waits to see whether he accepts the outright assignment or elects to become a free agent. I would expect him to test free agency. I believe the Orioles received a small cash sum for Hill. That's what made it such a low-risk acquisition. - Roch
I remember several of my old Halloween costumes, but that's because we have a whole album full of pictures (polaroids) my mother took of my brother and me in them. It was like prom night at our house before we were allowed to go trick-or-treating.
Even now I sometimes feel a little "naughty" when I eat a Three Musketeers without cutting it up into impossible-to-miss-a-razor-blade size pieces first!
As far as Chapman goes, I'm just happy that the Orioles are making the concerted effort. I realize that it is a long shot that we outbid the competitors (I'm not sure that we should try, anyhow), but at least they are throwing their hat in the ring. It's probably too late for us with Chapman, but I really do believe -with this young group that is being put together - that in the next couple of years there is going to be a major increase on players and free agents wanting to come to Baltimore.
Roch, Happy Halloween to you as well. Earlier this year, you'd posted videos of two Japanese pitchers, including one of Koji. Can you please try to acquire a video of Chapman as well? Some of the scouting reports on Chapman are downright spine tingling.
The Chapman talks are what they are.....talks. Nothing more. Let's not heap praise on Andrew just for having a chat with this guy. I can go talk to Jordan at a bar, but it doesn't mean she is coming home with me :)
Seriously though, the Chapman situation is probably ideal for the front office. No deadlines. No race against the clock to sign someone. Andrew and John can mull over an offer for weeks or months at a time before finally coming to a decision one way or the other.
Deadlines are not ideal for this slow paced reactionary front office. These guys will not be rushed or pushed into anything, as they proved time and again last year.
The Hendrickson talks are far more important in my opinion, simply because he actually wants to sign here and there is a 15 day deadline.
Be very careful with this kid. We've all already seen the pictures of "fun" he got into in Boston, not exactly what I'd want to be doing trying to impress a Major League Baseball team but that's just me.
Off to the raid the state of Arizona for a last minute costume. I'm going to guess that half of me will end up looking like a pirate while the other half is looking like the tin man from The Wizard of Oz.
I'm the biggest birds fan you will find in delaware at least and, i am onboard the mcphail rocket ship 100%. One thing i would like to see is lets go all in on this cuban kid what do we have to lose? We jumped in on jason scmith amd kernorco (i know neither one is spelled rite probally im good at other things not spellin lol) for 100mil plus or close to it. And we saw what happened with those guys. So andy throw 55 mil at this kid make his head spin and lets bring him home a 100mph+ heater from the left side last time that happened was some nobody called randy johnson his numbers sucked. All the busts we avoided excluding bell is worth getting burned once u think? Andy has made ten rite moves so lets cut him some slack if he falls on his face on this one. And we have to give up nothing but masn money thanks roch!!!! Lets not let this one get away if hes a stud like he could be he would go at 200mil like c c so lets steal him at what he wants 50-60mil.
Roch, have you seen Chapman pitch? Is he on par with a Contreras, better, worse??? Ive heard his FB hits 100, how are is secondary pitches?
Thanks Roch, Happy Halloween.
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I've never seen him pitch. Sorry. Just go by the various scouting reports. - Roch
Btw, if people want to go out for Halloween, there is no better place in the world to celebrate it than Fells Point. Period. Especially on a Saturday night.
" Baron said:
If I went to a party dressed as a phone, it would be because I want to get picked up."
Baron, I am sending you my doctor's bill for my pulled stomach muscle....my nine year old daughter even came rushing to my side to ask me if everything was OK I was laughing so darn hard. One of the best lines I have read in a long time!!
As for Chapman, we are involved, I believe we will make a reasonable offer and if someone wants to pay stupid money, let them.
Roch, here is my Halloween question for you......what is your favorite candy?
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I'll crush an entire bag of mini Almond Joys. That's why I don't buy them. I hand out the crap that I won't eat. - Roch
Did anyone see the Sun's poll on weather or not to keep Hendrickson? 2300 votes and almost 80% said no. I think in the role he finished at last year, lefty long man, emergency starter, he was valuable, and the contract is right for that slot.
Damn. Gotta remember "phone" for next year. Thanks, Baron =)
Meanwhile, I'm going out as Flo from Progressive because it totally isn't a stretch. And apparently I remind everyone of her.
Re: Chapman... Woo him and sign him. Worst that could happen? We have a Cuban guy who can serve up better authentic Cuban sandwiches than I used to get in Ybor City. And he won't steal my car. Jackpot!
Comment of the year Baron, all around.
The reactionary, slow FO is really narrowing down the 40 man roster quickly contrary to ONE person's belief.
There's no discount for agreeing with me.
Schoolman,
Feel your pain. Depending on the topic, a boy kid might be able to pull the right heart-strings when negotiating with mom; when a know-it-all sister joins the opposition team -- and when would she not -- the Tastykake is hitting the trash.
Coming up, the opposition had me down 4-1. My sisters were as careless as a counterfeit-journalist in reporting certain disagreements to my mother; they rewrote history before it became history. I never had a chance.
Schoolman,
Do you have your picks lined up for Sunday and Monday, or are you waiting for Y.K. Who to weigh-in with a sleep-like-a-baby lock?
Halloween Fare at the Kubatko residence? I trust that a man of the people does not turn off the porch light and draw the curtains.
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Nah, my sister is the best. Was just looking out for me. I bought a couple bags with a bunch of different candies in it. If I run out, I'll start rummaging through the gummies and anything else I can find in the cupboards. - Roch
Roch,
What do you think of these lineups for next year?
2B Brian Roberts
RF Nick Markakis
C Matt Wieters
1B Derek Lee
CF Adam Jones
LF Nolan Reimold
3B Josh Bell
DH Luke Scott
SS Cesar Iztuirs
SP John Lackey
SP Brian Matusz
SP Brad Bergesen
SP Jeremy Guthire
SP Chris Tillman
MR Kojji Uehara
SM Jim Johnson
CP Rafael Soriano
Bench: Felix Pie
Ty Wigginton
Michael Aubrey
AAA
Arrieta
Erbe
Johnson
Snyder
Hernandez
Waring
Berken
Orioles should try to exteact a promise from Team Chapman that if they're, indeed the highest bidders for his services, then he'd not snub Baltimore. If thay can't secure any promises then it probably means that they're using Orioles to drive-up the pitcher's value.
From Olney's insider:
Buster Olney's take
What went wrong: Nothing that a little division realignment couldn't fix. The Orioles' front office knew this would be a year of growth for the team's wave of young talent, but the monsters in the AL East, Boston and New York, don't really allow for that kind of thing. Baltimore was swallowed up. Along the way, however, the Orioles introduced their stars of the future -- catcher Matt Wieters, and pitchers Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman -- to the big leagues. "We're very satisfied with the progress" of that trio, club president Andy MacPhail wrote in an e-mail.
Biggest puzzler on the drawing board: The Orioles have some solid building blocks with their pitching, with Wieters, with 2B Brian Roberts and with OF Nick Markakis. But as the Indians of 2007 and the Rays and Brewers of 2008 will testify, the window of opportunity for a team with a midlevel budget opens and closes faster than it used to; the Orioles probably need to be in position to make their move in 2011 or 2012. Their immediate challenge will be to find corner fielders who can lengthen their lineup -- and in the big picture, they will need a front-line shortstop. Ownership's position all along has been that once the Orioles have a core of talented young players in place, the team will spend for free agents.
Baseball Prospectus' take
Another year, another losing record and another fifth-place finish. Our early expectation was that the Orioles' lineup would rock the AL by finishing second in runs scored, while their patchwork pitching staff would get rocked, finishing next to last. The pitching staff lived down to our expecations -- its 775 runs allowed are dead last in the AL, although the Indians (769) have a chance to catch up. The lineup, though, most definitely did not rock. The only hitter we could call a pleasant surprise was Nolan Reimold, who forced his way up by hitting .394 in Norfolk. Aubrey Huff, Melvin Mora and Ty Wigginton were big disappointments, but none so much as the eagerly awaited Wieters. The catcher produced some of the best minor league numbers in recent memory, including his first two months in Triple-A this year, but upon his big league debut, he didn't show much in the way of big league power. -- Clay Davenport, Baseball Prospectus
Key stat: 86
That's the number of starts the Orioles have given so far to pitchers who, prior to this season, had never pitched in the major leagues. Japanese import Koji Uehara (12 starts, 4.05 ERA) was the only one of these neophytes who actually was expected to play a major role this year. When veteran retreads like Adam Eaton, Rich Hill and Mark Hendrickson combined for 28 starts and a 7.60 ERA, the Birds had little choice but to accelerate the timetables of their young pitching prospects. There were growing pains aplenty, as Jason Berken lost 11 straight decisions while David Hernandez struggled to keep baseballs inside the park, but Brad Bergesen emerged as the team's best starter while plum prospects Tillman and Matusz made solid auditions for 2010. -- Clay Davenport, Baseball Prospectus
Rumor Central
Trades: The Orioles are in a bind. Nobody has a better pile of pitching prospects, but because the group has been given so much notoriety, the Orioles can't make a deal for the middle-of-the-order bat they need without a team naming one of those untouchables as the price in return. So the void at first base, where they produced an AL-worst 13 home runs through Sept. 16? Don't expect Adrian Gonzalez to fill it. With a tight window, expect the Orioles to at least check the market on free agents Jason Bay and Matt Holliday. A dark horse: How about bringing Carlos Delgado back to the AL for DH/1B duty? Another name that fits: Hank Blalock.
Free Agency: When your entire franchise rests on the talented arms of a bunch of kids, it could help to find a steadying influence. The Orioles could: (A) go for a cheaper veteran like Jon Garland; or (B) make a splash and take some pressure off the kids with a John Lackey. Anything to make sure Bergesen, Matusz and Tillman don't become Jason Isringhausen, Paul Wilson and Bill Pulsipher.
Who 2 Watch 4: Josh Bell, 3B (age: 22)
The big prize from the Dodgers in the George Sherrill deal, Bell took tremendous steps forward in nearly every aspect of his game in 2009, hitting for a better average -- thanks in part to a much-improved approach. He tapped more into his power, including nine home runs in 114 at-bats with Double-A Bowie, and morphed from a solid defender to a plus at the hot corner. It would be risky to throw him right into the big leagues at this point, but he's a better solution than picking up the 2010 option of unproductive incumbent Melvin Mora. -- Kevin Goldstein, Baseball Prospectus
Draft recap
Signed: 29 of 50 Spent: Just more than $6 million
Hit: RHP Ryan Berry (No. 266 overall) -- Berry is a command righty out of Rice who seems relatively unscathed by the Owls' history of overusing their pitchers. He signed for just more than $400k and projects as a No. 4 starter.
Miss: SS Mychal Givens (No. 54 overall) -- Givens was signed as a bat, but more scouts like his mid-90s arm in relief. -- Jason A. Churchill
The bottom line
The Orioles are going to get out from under a bunch of bad contracts that expire this year (Jay Gibbons, Jamie Walker, Danys Baez, Mora), and they have the makings of a dirt-cheap pitching rotation that should be a lot better than this season's. That should mean they'll have money to spend on offense. The outfield is well set, but apart from Roberts at second, their infield is full of holes. A quality shortstop ought to be first on their wish list (the minor league cupboard is completely bare there), and some corner mashers would be nice too. But this being the Orioles, expect them to settle for a second- or third-tier veteran trying to postpone retirement. The best trade they could pull off would be one that gets them into the Central Division, and away from the Yankees and Red Sox. -- Clay Davenport, Baseball Prospectus
"Brummie_Oriole said:
The Chapman talks are what they are.....talks. Nothing more. Let's not heap praise on Andrew just for having a chat with this guy. I can go talk to Jordan at a bar, but it doesn't mean she is coming home with me :)"
Brummie,
Maybe you should try talking to "Jordan" about something else besides how much you hate Andrew and Peter. Then maybe He will give you a chance ;)
Hey Roch,
Take a day off man. You work to hard. I am doing things a little different this off season. I am not getting my hopes up on signing anyone good. Every winter I consume my life with dreaming of signing good players like Vlad, Delgado, Carlos Lee and last year Tex. I was crushed last year when the announcement was made of his signing with NY. This year I have my mind set that none of this talk will work out and if by chance we sign someone then it will be a plesant surprise.
Love that we're being aggressive on the international front. Time to play with the big boys. Lets git er done AM!
The cuban sammies at Lil Havanas are m o n e y Money! So are the all you can drink mimosas for brunch. I love Mt. Airy, but Federal Hill was a great time!
What's the worst that can happen from signing Chapman for 10-20 more times than we used to sign Matusz? I think we should focus more on keeping the guys we have that perform happy.
These numbers are ludicrous. You're way better off spending the money to keep your owner players happy once they prove their worth. If we make an offer for this guy and we don't get him, some will say it's because the O's FO isn't serious. I'd say it's because they aren't completely crazy.
It would make no sense to sign Chapman btw. No need, we've got a starting rotation, either now or with Erbe, Arrieta, Patton and Britton. That's the main thing, rotation. We all know it.
I tired as hell of hearing MacPhail telling us what the Orioles won't do. It's way past time for him to tell us what he will do. Flooding the void again from the trash heap is on the horizon. Bank it. Plan, my asz.
Roch,
I keep hearing this $40-60 million number being thrown around, but no terms. How many years is that for?
I still think I would rather the O's throw big money at Lackey. If they want to make a splash, that would do it.
Dummie_oriole, one question. What big deadlines have the front office missed? You keep saying they work to slow, give us some examples. I think you want them to run around like some excited little puppies, do you see other organization operating that way? They play it the same way I would if I were in that position, close to the vest. Again, I would love to play poker with you! I would be able to retire on what I'd take from you.
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I've only seen the money figure, from ESPN's Jorge Arangure. It's speculation. - Roch
Roch, what did Aroldis Chapman say about Baltimore other than he wants to visit?
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I didn't interview him. Just know that he indicated to Stockstill that he'd like to visit. Guess he can't say much about a place he's never seen. - Roch
Capella: JORDAN is a female. Google Image her.
Ahh, nothing like another win for Man U. It was ugly, but a win is a win is a win.
I recall a many a fine Halloween in Rodgers Forge... don't remember the costumes, just going around as fast as possible until I filled up an entire garbage bag.
I'm becoming a disillusioned fan... not because of the Orioles recent dealings.. I think they are doing the best job they can at this point. Just the fact that in the last 12 years, only one team in the division besides the Sox and Yanks has gone to the playoffs... one time (Rays last year). Considering that plus the Sox and Yanks have the top two payrolls in baseball, way, way more than the O's. My Baltimore County public school education tells me that of the Rays, O's, and Jays one of those teams will make it to the playoffs once every ten years. That's one playoff appearance every 30 years. Can you say "contraction". Teams don't survive that kind of thing. In the current climate they basically have no shot no matter how well they are run. Why bother watching?
Here's a seven-minute video of Chapman pitching in the WBC this year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE0iQmsFSms
There's more out there. Search Youtube for "Albertin Chapman" which I think is his actual name.
Basically he throws a four-seam fastball between 94 and 100 MPH, and a slider with good movement but no sink. I've seen half a dozen vids of him taken over the last three years and that's basically it. He does not command either pitch.
I would be happy for the Yankees to pay him $40 million.
Roch,
I was wrong when I thought Chapman threw bullpen sessions for Red Sox and Yankees. Lesson learned: never post comments to Roch's blog while drunk at a bar in Delray Beach. Second Lesson: Why am I reading your blog on my Blackberry while i'm drunk at a bar in Delray Beach?
I looked it up today. He was supposed to throw for Red Sox, but it got rained out. That must've been what I was thinking about.
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Exactly. MLBtraderumors says he hasn't thrown for anyone. I had a GREAT Italian meal in Delray Beach - that nice street with all the white lights that has a bunch of restaurants on it. One of the bars at this place allows you to sit/stand outside, and there's another one indoors. They bring you these wood cutting boards covered with meats and cheeses. How can you go wrong? - Roch
Jeff
Its so sad. Grew up near you but probably older.
the Michael Phelps hood but 30 years prior. My education says the same.
baseball is broken. Over and out.
I love my memories.
Frank,Brooks,Kenny,jim.Rick,Earl,Boog,paul,Flanny,Tippy,Mike,on and on
And than the turnover period to a slight era of hope(96&97)
To the wandering tribe we are now. Lost. without any real hope.
Not with baseballs structure.
Watching the Yanks congrat themselves with how tough they are and how they are a special group of guys is beyond exasperating. Ok yanks you get paid more than the world and want credit for being tough? a team?good? what the f...
Hell,give me 100 grand a year and boys lets go. Damn good fast pitch softball guy when the best game on earth in my day. Give me 75 sheets,lol
Will be a great teamate and damn fun on road trips.
The game is simply lost.
Lost.
Grew up near Memorial. Skipped my prom to go to a game.Stupid cause she was damn cute,lol
Yeah saw all the great games we can list forever.
But it is over. Done. Love these kids but as a franchise/city/team /fans it is truly hopeless
But we have memories and can look to that 1 year somewhere in the next 10 to do ok.
OK
I think you are talking about Mano y Mano on Atlantic Avenue. It's now called Taverna Eros. Great nightclub/restaurant hybrid.
Hopefully the nightlife in Sarasota will suffice for Spring Training. You think you can get us Spring Training folks a nightllife breakdown for Sarasota so when we come to see the games we'll know where to go?
All night shuffleboard..."making it rain" bingo chips...Speed Dating Putt-Putt...Sarasota is where it's at!
Capella
Sometimes they take the hook,line and sinker.
And sometimes , they swallow the whole rod.
Brummie_Oriole said:
Btw, if people want to go out for Halloween, there is no better place in the world to celebrate it than Fells Point. Period. Especially on a Saturday night.
October 31, 2009 12:55 PM
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....and especially for the 16 to 22 years of age crowd. I'd rather watch paint dry than set foot in Fells Playground for Children. The Point hasn't been good since the days of Turkey Joes and EJ Buggs. Nothing there but weekend wannabes since then.
Jedd,
Long shot ... do you recall a guy in the Delray bar named Ted who appeared to be using his Blackberry between drinks and mumbling about his memories of the Orioles?
Brummie,
I google imaged JORDAN, all I got was a tall bald black man with a basketball.
Ok, I'm sorry about the Tastykakes! I was still dealing with the guilt for having OD'd you on baby vitamins when I was 3. Then again, that could explain your arms. Hmmmm. . . Next time I see you I'll bring you a Krimpit. Also, you were a Baltimore Colt and a vampire.
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Butterscotch? You've got a deal! Love you. - Roch
I liked Ripken8's lineup allot, it's good to see another rider on the Derrek Lee bandwagon, I do believe we can put together a reasonable package for him with the new owners coming out of bankruptcy. Now lets move on to the Gavin Floyd and Asdrubul Cabrera bandwagons especially the homeboy, he really would be a perfect fit for us. Your sister was never around Raffy with those "baby vitamins" was she?
Thanks Leon
I guess I'm just going to comment on old food related entries from now on. It is less maddening than thinking about the Yankees.
The pork bites are very tasty at Havanas. It's a short walk from work for me, I'll be on the look out for you from now on.