Brian's song
OK, let's get the important stuff out of the way.
Brian Matusz confirmed that he'll wear No. 17 next season if the Orioles follow through on his request.
"I asked for Aubrey Huff's number last year when he got traded," Matusz told me last night after we decided to stop playing phone tag. "I said, 'Would you mind if I took over 17?' And he said, 'No, I'm done.' I asked when I knew he was leaving.
"I know I'm still a rookie next year and shouldn't be asking for my own number, but I asked (clubhouse manager) Jimmy Tyler and he said, 'You got it, No. 17. I'll make a mental note of it.' I don't know if it's set in stone, and I still feel like I shouldn't be asking for numbers."
I reminded Matusz that if the Orioles bring in an accomplished veteran with an attachment to 17, he stands to make a nice profit off it.
"I'm always willing to negotiate," he said, playing along. "That's for sure."
While scanning photos from last week's Orioles Christmas party at ESPNZone, Matusz noticed that pitcher Brandon Erbe was wearing a No. 52 jersey with his own name on the back.
"I figured I'm not 52 anymore," he said.
So keep this in mind if you're planning on giving Orioles jerseys as holiday gifts.
Matusz just returned from a Hawaiian vacation and has resumed working out at Athletes' Performance Institute in Arizona. Single-A Frederick catcher Caleb Joseph joins him each day.
"He's staying at my house for a month so we can both work out," Matusz said. "We both get after it in the weight room and then play some golf."
Other players at API include Brian Roberts, Adam Jones, Pat Burrell, Evan Longoria, Jacoby Ellsbury, Bill Hall, Dontrelle Willis and Dice-K.
"It's a good group of guys," Matusz said.
Now for Matusz's reaction to the Kevin Millwood trade, which was the original purpose of my call.
"I was excited right away when I heard about it," he said. "He's a piece of the puzzle we needed. We needed a veteran pitcher in the rotation, obviously, with all the young guys who came up last year. And when you think of all the stuff we took from (Jeremy) Guthrie, who's only been up for three years, imagine what we can learn from Millwood, who's been in the playoffs and had so many successful seasons and is coming off another good year.
"It seems like he's a good fit for us and can anchor our pitching staff, and we can all take a lot from him. We're all real young and he's just what we needed in our rotation. Everything I've heard about Kevin has been positive. I talked to Guthrie - I know he played with him in Cleveland - and he says nothing but good things about him. I'm really happy with the move.
"Obviously, losing Chris Ray is a bummer. We all know the potential he has. We saw it a couple years ago when he was the closer with the Orioles. But you've got to look at the positive side. We brought in a huge piece of the puzzle."
 |
Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
I wish the Orioles would and could do this in this order.
Sign Erik Bedard 2 year deal with incentives and option year for club.
Trade for Miguel Cabrera.
- Luke Scott, Justin Turner, Jake Arrieta, and Timothy Bascom.
- plus we take on most of his contract
Sign Matt Capps 2 year deal, 3 millon a year
Trade for Mark Reynolds.
- David Hernandez, Matt Angle, and Billy Rowell.
Hey Roch,
I wish he kept the number 52 I envisioned him having the same career as Ray Lewis since 52 is a great number to have in the city of Baltimore, lol. Keep up the great work, great coverage from winter meetings and have a good holiday season.
Roch,
Two things.
1. The U.S.S. Mariner blog is reporting that the M's have spoken with the O's at length about Scott. Hearing anything on your end?
2. Ignore the haters. We love what you bring to this blog each and everyday. Thanks for all your hard work! :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks. And no, haven't heard that or seen it reported anywhere. - Roch
Roch-
Why is it that, it seems, no, it IS, that the only players the O's ever seem to get are ones no one else is interested in?
Is Macphail scared to bid against another team or something?
I was reading where the O's would like Valverde, but Seatle might want to keep him, so the O's are out.
The O's like Rodney, but the Sox like him too, so the O's are out.
Same for Mike Gonzales.
Have they even made any offers as far as you can tell?
Look at the Sox, Yankees, Rays, and Toronto. They are all out doing stuff to get better. We got Millwood. Great. But there is so much to do that I hate how slow they move. The market for 3b is thinning out every day.
Here's the thing, good players, other teams are going to be interested in them.
Also, when I see that Doc/Lee trade, and the prospects who went in it, I guess I just don't get it when it comes to value. NOT 1 of them was a top 80 prospect last year. And ONLY Drabek (#16) could I find on ANY Fall list.
It really makes you wonder what the O's would have had to give up to grab Lee. From the looks of what Seattle gave up, I'd say Arrieta and Snyder and thats it.
But, the O's are NEVER involved in trade talks with an impact player. Not since Glen Davis, then Frank Robinson.
I'm really racking my brain now, but, is it possible that those are truly the ONLY 2 FREAKING TRADES IN ORIOLES HISTORY where they were the buyer?
Matusz is quickly becoming my favorite oriole, if for nothing else his positive attitude. Hasn't done enough to be cocky yet, but I get the feeling that regardless of the success he has, he will still be a pretty down to earth guy. Keep up the hard work Matusz!
How about comfirming something important?
Like Andy finally doing something to improve this team?
Oh that is right, I didnt start the day out right by praising Ole Might Andy
Brummie...you out of everyone telling me to tone it down? When someone finally has enough of this regime and the puppets who condone this type of ownership...you ask to tone it down? If people just sit back and condone this type of behavior, they are in all essence, part of the problem. Roch sees what is going on and he wont write anything critical of this front office. If you are not part of the solution, you are the problem!
Just like Andy is holding everyone accountable, that too goes for the people who promote this type of irrational ownership!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, that's me, the guy who keeps writing that everything the front office does is perfect and this team will win 100 games next season.... Again ignorance showing. I'm going to guess this will be your final post of the day. - Roch
Hey Roch,
Am I the only one who thinks Philly really hasn't improved by trading for Halliday? All they did was swap aces and they're losing Blanton, which makes their overall staff weaker. If they kept Lee, then they would have had the one of the best 1-2 combos ever. Instead they swap out Lee, who helped them win the penant last year, lose another pitcher and a prospect just to make headlines. None of it matters to us O's fans, I'm defintely glad he's out of the AL.
I love this guy...platonically of course
The thing that struck me most about Brian's comments was talking to Guthrie about Millwood. I think that we're going to see a much different Guthrie this year. He is a preparation fiend, we've all seen the videos of him throwing fake pitches holding a towel. Now that he doesn't have to be "the mentor", he can relax and take some of the weight off his shoulders, which was causing his curveball to flatten out and get hit 429 feet.
Any word of Wieters going back to wearing #32?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That's the plan, unless something suddenly changes. - Roch
Tick tick tick...........
Andy TOLD us the O's would be very busy before X-mas. Ten days and counting Mr GM. The ball is in your court.
Your performance is being judged under a larger microscope this offseason Andy. We will not forget comments you made in the hope of getting us off your back!!!!
Roch - Thanks for the update. I am continually impressed by Brian and the way he handles himself. He sounds like he will be a great interview for years to come. Would you agree that he has "it" both on the field and off? I love all our young players abilities but I love the kind of guys they seem (you never know for sure these days...Tiger!!!)to be even more.
Can't wait for Spring Training!!!!
What I don't get is, why don't all players go to API-type off-season training programs? In the future they really ought to start making these contracts based on year-round work. If you're getting paid millions, you can be held accountable and put on a schedule in the off-season. If you don't like it, then don't play baseball. The only thing stopping it is the ridiculous MLB Players Union. Why exactly do a bunch of millionaires need a union exactly?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dice-K is attending the API program. I can think of another Japanese pitcher who would probably benefit from it. - Roch
We all know the potential that Matusz has to be a future ace, but no matter what path his career takes, this kid GETS IT. He sounds like a kid in awe of the game, but at the same time has the perspective and thoughtfulness of a 10-year veteran.
I hope he is successful and stays in Baltimore a LONG time. He sounds like a winner that any team would be lucky to have.
Roch -
Great coverage of this mayhem! What do we know about Rhyne Hughes? Is he a legitimate future MLB first baseman?
MB
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I wouldn't put that label on him, yet. The Orioles like his potential, but that's all it is at the moment. I haven't seen much of him, so spring training should provide an education. - Roch
Billy Ed Smith said:
I rarely comment on others' trade ideas but this nonsense about Adrian Gonzalez must stop. You people that think Tillman, Pie, Snyder, etc. will net AG are simply fools.
SD has all the leverage here (they don't have to move him, he's under contract, has proven numbers, etc.).
BILLY.....San Diego hardly has all the leverage.....In 2 yrs. Gonzalez can walk away leaving the Padres with NOTHING......They are the ones on the hot seat if he will not re-sign........The clock is ticking for them.....If they wait 1 yr. to trade him they get a much reduced haul....
I heard Lackey signed with the Red Sox for between $16M and $17M a year. Now where's the guy that said star players don't take less to play for a winner? This guy would have demanded at least $20M a year to pitch for the O's.
Man, is this guy cool or what? Thanks for these awesome off-season nuggets Roch!
Wow Roch all the signings and moves being made by the AL East makes me believe that we'll be picking up scraps again this year. All the words from the front office about picking up a middle of the order impact bat must have been just talk. Seems like the other clubs can manage to blend the young prospects with established stars, but we seem to think that process happens just by sitting back and waiting until all the quality folks are signed and competing against us. I agree with what we've done with the young guys, but I don't understand why we always sit back and don't aggressively go after quality established players. Your thoughts?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
While I understand the logic behind letting the market play out, at least in some instances, it can be very frustrating. If you want a player, go after him. As for the AL East signings, I never considered the Orioles in play for Lackey or Halladay, or having interest in Cameron, and I didn't see them getting involved in a three-way trade for Granderson, so those moves don't rattle me in that sense. - Roch
Hey Roch,
I know this may be a question for Steve, but I usually ask you first anyway, but how does the organization view Joseph? I know he seems to really know how to hit, and obviously we won't know until he reaches higher levels of the minors, but does he play any other positions? I know Weiters isn't a lock to be great (even though my two cents says he will be great) and Joseph is also a catcher so he's pretty much blocked in terms of having a future with the Orioles. (fingers crossed and knocking on wood for the health of weiters)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They like him and will worry later about the possibility of him being blocked by Wieters. He wore down this season and, from what I've heard, only has an average arm, but he's a work in progress who shows promise. - Roch
Roch;
Obviously there is never a recession in Boston 89 mill for Lackey ouch!
Bad Santa,
I'd like a corner infielder for Christmas
JPA’s comment from the previous post bears repeating:
“Once Halladay signs his extension, that stellar FA class of 2010/11 will begin to thin. Then some of the other guns will sign on for more dollars and years before we are left with a slightly better class than we have now. This does not mean I would advocate for taking a more aggressive approach this offseason (eg, Lackey for 5 years just doesn't do it for me). We just need to understand that we may never have that perfect time to get those key pieces to "put us over the top." The guys that do it might be signed a couple of years before the push. We really need that bat.”
There’s a lot of talk, as there is every year, that the current free agent class stinks and it’ll be better next year, so we should wait until next year before we spend significant money. What’s currently happening with Roy Halladay shows why you can’t bank on the next year to be your salvation. Circumstances change before the next free agency season and it’s beyond the O’s control to do so (and it’s really just one or two of the best players signing extensions that significantly shrinks the market). It’s folly to say, wait ‘til next year, in terms of improving by free agency. It seems like we go through this every offseason. The next year always looks better but when we get there, it doesn’t look so good anymore because many of the best players have signed extensions.
Should the club go full in for the best of the current free agent class? Not necessarily, but there are players out there who can help us. As shown by the Kevin Millwood deal, there are players that can be had by trade as well. Some smart trades that don’t break the prospect bank and reasonable short-term free agent deals can go a long way toward improving this club now. We don’t have to look toward next offseason, which is like trying to predict the weather a month in advance.
Roch Fyi.Well they sent out the season ticket packets Friday and I received it yesterday with the itro letter already has the news that Millwood is the new addition to the team. I guess that's what they were waiting for the winter meetings to be over. Also prices are the same.
Matty and Steve in Phx,
I did get the points! I won the matchup by ONE point thanks to Vernon Davis’s last catch, phew. Seeing Fitz go into the locker room was a near heart stopper indeed…Here’s hoping both him and Randy Moss come back strong next week. *crosses fingers*
Nice for the Matusz confirmation, his jersey was definitely on my Xmass list.
KyleProBoller said:
What I don't get is, why don't all players go to API-type off-season training programs?
I have to agree on this one. If it makes you a better player, which it appears to, then you will have better numbers and make more money for your career. Our players also won't wear down by season's end and give us another September swoon.
I know we can't force them, but can't we give them incentives or explain the long term gain by going? Can't we find out how the program works and send trainers to their house? Anything to make them better would make a huge difference and trainers are far less expensive than Bay or Holliday would be. We could hire a personal trainer for every player on our 40-man roster for less than it would take to sign one tier-2 free agent. Now that's money well spent.
Roch,
Do you think that the Mariners obtaining Cliff Lee takes them out of the running for re-signing Bedard (to the extent they had any interest), and thus improves our chances of getting him back? It would be great to have our cake and eat it too on that trade from a couple of years ago.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't know how many starters they were looking to add, but that was my first thought. I'll see if I can find out. - Roch
Troll fight! Oh wait, that's not going to last to long now is it.
KPB, there is a players union to combat the owners monopoly.
Jack/"Chris"...It is embarrassing to have the same first name as you (whether it is real or not). Please do everyone a favor and stop posting comments here.
Roch only reports what he knows and never claims to like or approve of everything the O's do. If you have truly given up on the team after forty-some years or whatever the time period may have been, then please leave and follow another team.
BMS:
I understand about the owners situation, but at the same time I understand that these men are playing a children's game. Believe it or not there is the opportunity for some competition in baseball. If there were no players union and the owners "abused" the players...they would go play somewhere else...perhaps Japan (and believe it or not, our media outlets would figure some way to work it out). I find it ridiculous that a union exists to protect a bunch of millionaires playing baseball (or any sport for that matter). I would have a hard time feeling pity for these guys even if they made minimum wage.
Glad to see Halladay depart the American League East....
Hard to believe Randy Wolf signed with the Brewers for nearly $30 million over three years.
Lackey gives the Red Sox an impressive 1-2-3 punch with Josh Beckett and Jon Lester. Boston must now decide whether to give Beckett a similar contract - if not a bigger one - than the one it gave Lackey if the Sox plan to retain him when he becomes a free agent at the end of the 2010 season.
Considering that both Lackey and Beckett have a history of injuries would you be willing to lock them up into their mid-30s for a combined $35 million per year.
Guess that leaves That leaves free agents Jason Marquis, Joel Pineiro, Ben Sheets, Justin Duchscherer and Jon Garland as potential targets, for the Yanks Mets and O's to go after........
On another note, I think the new Mariners GM is really getting a steal in Lee. They finally get the lefty ace they've wanted pre-Bedard...
Hey Roch-
does the Cliff Lee to Seattle news effect Beddard getting out (and maybe coming here?)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Someone else just asked me the same question. Not sure how many starters Seattle wants to add, but I'm trying to find out. - Roch
bms yelled: "Troll fight!"
Hilarious. I'm picturing Chris and Brummie clawing and scratching frenetically at each other by the lockers, the girl shrieks drawing a crowd. Then one of them loses a patch of hair, and the high heels come off.
Roch, great interview from Brian. It's cool he gets to spend time with Caleb Joseph in the offseason. I imagine Joseph starts at Bowie next year? I'd like to see him reunited with Matusz in 2011.
Mariners 2009 Offseason Slogan: Just a Few Pieces Away, Part 2. We'll see how this one ends. I just wonder if they'll be able to field full minor league squads this year.
With the Roy Halladay trade the Orioles move up to the 4th best rotation in the division on paper.
#1- Boston
Beckett
Lackey
Lester
Dice-K
Bucholz
#2- New York
Sabathia
Burnett
Pettite
Chamberlain
Hughes
#3- Tampa Bay
Shields
Garza
Price
Niemann
Sonnanstine
#4- Baltimore
Millwood
Guthrie
Bergesen
Matusz
Tillman
#5- Toronto
Romero
Marcum
mix and match
While this may not seem like major progress injuries and individual (non)performance could move the O's up a spot or two. It would be encouraging to see the Orioles establish a pitching staff in the top half of the AL this year and move forward from there.
It’s December 15th. Where’s the Christmas spirit?
Please consider this an open letter to the posters that seem to be taking out their off season frustrations on Roch.
Let’s not allow reality to enter into the discussions when we can take cheap shots at the journalistic integrity of a blogger who seems to give pretty accurate inside information on what our team is doing.
Does he work (indirectly) for the Orioles? Yes, but I don’t remember any story that he has shown bias towards the team, particularly when he disagrees with their decisions. What I have seen is a tempering of his comments so he won’t destroy the relationships that ALLOWS him to get the inside information that we enjoy so much and, some people, apparently take for granted. If you want to gripe to a journalist that takes cheap (and some valid) shots at the team, email Nestor Aparicio. Of course, he doesn’t HAVE any access to team insiders because he has burned those bridges.
Here are some simple facts:
• Roch Kubatko did not cause John Lackey, or Mark Teixeria, or CC Sabathia to look through us like we weren’t there
• Roch Kubatko did not cause the San Diego Padres to NOT trade us Adrian Gonzales for a bunch of fringe players
• Roch Kubatko did not cause Miguel Cabrera to develop personal habits that would make our front office (and many others) consider him a serious risk for the talent that Detroit would want
• Roch Kubatko did not cause our FO to not tell you about every player they are interested in. Of course, if they did, the cost of that player would go up to the point where you might blame Roch for what we had to give up
Roch has reported for the last six weeks that our FO doesn’t seem interested in trading for Dan Uggla. While I can’t understand why, at least I’m smart enough to know that blaming Roch (and taking cheap shots) isn’t going to change that. Andy MacPhail has made some very good moves for this team but he’s almost certainly going to do, or not do, some things you and might disagree with. We just need to take the bad with the good. And lighten up.
Roch,
What did you say to get everyone so riled up? (Just kidding).
The more I hear come out of Brian Matusz's mouth, the more I like him. It's evident that he has IT. It would not surprise me at all to see him win 15 games with a sub 4.00 ERA.
I have to admit, I'm a little baffled as to why Seattle wanted Cliff Lee. Lee is a great pitcher, but he wants to make big money when he becomes a free agent after the 2010 season. Halladay, meanwhile, has said that he would sign a below market value contract to play for the Phillies. This was a business decision for the Phillies, pure and simple. It also balances their rotation, which isn't so lefty dominant anymore.
Congrats BMS. Heard today on the local news that Fitz will be just fine for your second round matchup. Good luck with Moss though, that dude is a head case!
If baseball or any sport is just a game...why do the same people who minimize its importance, pay it so much attention...
I find the fan/sport interaction, one of the dualistic relationships in the world
Fans resent yet idolize players...they envy what they do one minute then attempt to minimize exactly what they are envious of...they want them(outside of the sports arena)to fail, so they can prove to themselves that their sports stars are as human as them...yet when they fail they hold them to a higher standard...they say all they do is throw a ball, but they will wait in line to get another man to sign his name on a ball...lets emphasize that...he is signing his name...
If these guys are only playing a children's game...what does that say about the people, who live vicariously through them, as most fans(I can honestly say I'm not guilty of this)do.
There are 4 all sport radio stations, in a market the size of Baltimore...why is that?
Just someone is well compensated, doesn't mean they should be forced to do something...
Just saying...
Roch, I want to follow up on your comment to Allen wherein you talk about the frustration of letting the market play out and not going after a player
you want. Unfortunately, the Orioles are reactive, not proactive. It's one of the flaws in their business model. For the Orioles to improve and sustain it, they will have to change their mentality. Let me give you an example of this through what has been happening in Chicago with their Ice Hockey team.
The Blackhawks were operating under a similar philosophy to the Orioles. When free agency came around each July 1, they would sit back and "see how the market played out" despite telling their fans that they would be aggressively working to improve the team. In the 06-07 season, they missed the playoffs for the ninth time in ten years and finished last (30th) in attendance. In September 07, the owner (Bill Wirtz) died and his son (nickname Rocky) took over. First move was to bring in John McDonough, president of the Cubs, to run the franchise. In the course of the next 20 months, they proceeded to fire everyone connected to the old regime, including the GM, assistant GM, coach (Denis Savard), heads of Marketing, Scouting, PR, and even the announcer in favor of bringing back longtime former announcer Pat Foley who was fired unceremoniously after 25 years because he wasn't deemed to be sufficiently pro-team in his broadcasts (think Jon Miller here). They began televising home games which the previous management had refused to do. Most importantly, the announced a change in philosophy. They were no longer going to wait for the market to sort itself out. They were going to make the market. With better marketing and some new players, they showed fans that they were serious, and although they barely missed the playoffs, they moved up to 17th in attendance in the 07-08 season. On July 1, 2008, they signed the top free agent available, Brian Campbell, to an 8 year $56 million contract. No doubt overpaid, but everyone in the hockey world took notice. The team went deep into the playoffs this past spring and led the league in attendance...even ignoring the Winter Classic game that drew 40,000+ at Wrigley Field on New Year's Day. Then on July 1, 2009, they again signed the top free agent available, Marian Hossa, to a 12 year $62 million contract. In two years, they went from a team that no top free agents wanted to play for to a team that all of the top free agents wanted to play for. Currently, they are one of the top teams in the NHL. Every home game is sold out. The TV and radio ratings (Comcast SportsNet and WGN respectively) have gone through the roof and the team is making money hands over fists. Sales of apparel and other team items have also skyrocketed.
In less than two years, the team went from being irrelevant to being a sought after destination for free agents because of a change in the business model and a new management team to implement it.
It CAN happen.
IWishIHadABlog:
You've clearly missed the point and gone off the deep end on some tangent. Saying they play a child's game is saying they should consider themselves lucky that they get to do that for a living. It is in no way marginalizing the significance of baseball. These guys get paid millions to play a game we as children loved to play. You've clearly missed the boat here.
KyleProBoller is negative...yes
Do I want Matt Holliday, if its going to take eight years...not really...BUT
Some of you have no idea how good Mr. Holliday is...KPB does...
You must remember there is now and has been for quite a few years a humidor in Coors Field.
If you look at his numbers in 2008 and 2009 they're nearly identical.
In his career he is batting over .290 on the road(even if we want to forget the humidor)
He is a CAREER .318 hitter
He has the 35th ALL TIME high OPS
He has a hits,BA, and RBI title
He has had to seasons with a OBP above .400
In 93 games with oakland
.286/11HR/53RBI/.378OBP
Hardly terrible, not great but far from terrible
To say-as I have read-that Nolan Reimold projects to be better than Matt Holliday, is wishful thinking...I hope its true, but its probably not
Also there was an article in FanGraphs basically debunking the entire "protection" in the batting order theory. I don't put too much stock in the he was around Pujols theory
I like Matusz. He seems to get the big picture. A lot of guys come up with great physical tools but empty heads. It's good to see that Matusz isn't one of them. He has a good head on his shoulders, and seems smart about baseball and the craft of pitching. A great draft pick by the O's.
I also wonder why we don't send more players to API. Roberts has gone multiple times, IIRC, and Jones has now gone the last two seasons. I'm sure the team can't compel players to go, but they could make it an incentive in their contracts. Having a team that's in-shape and ready to go in February can only help over the course of the long season. Roch, do you know if the O's have tried to encourage any other players to go to API?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know it was suggested that Chris Tillman would benefit, but he's working out in LA. - Roch
Roch, did Matusz say what specifically he's working on at API? And do you know what Tillman is doing this offseason? Thanks!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry, I didn't ask for specifics, though he mentioned hitting the weights. Check Steve Melewski's blog for a Tillman update. He talked to Chris at the ESPNZone last week. - Roch
I've said it before and I'll say it again ... I *heart* Brian Matusz! As far as I'm concerned he can have whatever number he wants as long as he promises to stick around the Orioles with it for a good long while.
Any idea if Tillman has plans to change his number? I've got a jersey that I've been toying with getting his name put on the back of, but it's already bad enough that I've got a Wieters t-shirt that isn't good anymore.
KyleProBoller said:
I heard Lackey signed with the Red Sox for between $16M and $17M a year. Now where's the guy that said star players don't take less to play for a winner? This guy would have demanded at least $20M a year to pitch for the O's.
I'm right here Kyle. That's almost exactly what AJ burnett got from the Spankees last year. Can you show me where he got a higher offer? I don't think you can. He would have come here for 5yrs/90 mill. You have to top the Red Suxx offer, that's how bidding works. They offer 5/85, we counter with 5/90, get it! We don't counter with 4yrs/70 then say we tried, he just wouldn't come here.
Regarding the following, I am just curious. Why do you care what order they get it done in?
John Porter said:
I wish the Orioles would and could do this in this order.
Sign Erik Bedard 2 year deal with incentives and option year for club.
Trade for Miguel Cabrera.
- Luke Scott, Justin Turner, Jake Arrieta, and Timothy Bascom.
- plus we take on most of his contract
Sign Matt Capps 2 year deal, 3 millon a year
Trade for Mark Reynolds.
- David Hernandez, Matt Angle, and Billy Rowell.
To: iWishiHadaBlog . . . Holliday at 20M per would be making 50 times what Reimold made in '09 . . . bet you hadnt thought about it in those terms. So just how much better is he than Nolan? Twice as good? Three times as good? If you say 50 times as good, please dont bother explaining your rationale. I dont really care to hear it.
Regarding the following, I am just curious. Why would anyone care about the order in which they get it done?
John Porter said:
I wish the Orioles would and could do this in this order.
Sign Erik Bedard 2 year deal with incentives and option year for club.
Trade for Miguel Cabrera.
- Luke Scott, Justin Turner, Jake Arrieta, and Timothy Bascom.
- plus we take on most of his contract
Sign Matt Capps 2 year deal, 3 millon a year
Trade for Mark Reynolds.
- David Hernandez, Matt Angle, and Billy Rowell.
KPB- You make several statements that have nothing to do with there being a players union. The existence of a union has nothing to do with the vocation of union members being ballplayer. It has nothing to do with feeling sorry for the players. No one came down and said to the players "you poor thing, here is a union to lift you up". The players themselves formed a union to increase their collective clout vis a vis the owners. That's it. All about power relative to the other party. The rest of the stuff is fine for blog fodder but not germane to the issue of "why a union".
@Lucky Horseshoe
So when exactly did I say I wanted to sign Holliday...anywhere???
Other than that I have nothing to say
Your performance is being judged under a larger microscope this offseason Andy. We will not forget comments you made in the hope of getting us off your back!!!!
--------
Sounds like a threat.
I think the real answer is to hire private investigators on all potential big name free agents for the next post season, and get some (tiger dirt) then use it as leverage to land some solid free agents. Or else as Brummie will get you.
BMS congrats bro goodluck this week. Needless to say Hightower did not score 25+ points so i'm in too.
iWishiHadaBlog said:
@Lucky Horseshoe
So when exactly did I say I wanted to sign Holliday...anywhere???
Other than that I have nothing to say
~~~~~~~~~~~
You said you wouldn't really want him on a contract for eight years. One could certainly interpret that as saying that for some lesser period, you would want him. But my point was meant as the flip side of this statement "To say-as I have read-that Nolan Reimold projects to be better than Matt Holliday, is wishful thinking". I admit that upon reading the prior, I did think you were advocating signing him to some shorter length contract and if you say that is not so, I take your word for it. However my point still stands. You argue that most of us underestimate Holliday. MY point is that even if he is as good as you say, is the amount of improvement he would give us in left over Nolan worth 50 times as much money? Folks here don't look at things with any business sense. Which is fine, because they are fans of the Orioles, not owners. But the owners have to look at the team in the sense of a business, and as such, Nolan is a more desirable asset than Holliday is at 50 times the cost. I realize we are making two different arguments here. You say he is a better player and I agree at their respective current levels of development. But now after agreeing, I am taking it one step further by looking at it in a light you, or others might not have applied to the issue.
@LuckyHorseShoe
We are making two different arguments...I have not been beating the drum for the Orioles to sign anybody...I think this Free Agent class is garbage...I'd rather let Reimold(and Pie) play. I just wanted to point out to people that Holliday is a lot better than they believe he is...that's all...
I am not looking for a quick fix, nor have I forgotten the decisions that have put the Orioles in their current predicament...
Matt Holliday is a better player than Reimold was not even my main point, it was that Holliday is much better than what people give him credit for... simply..
Looking forward to what you find on Seattle's interest in Bedard.
Just my impression, but when the Mariners were reported to be going after Rich Harden, I didn't get the feeling that he was the only pitcher they were planning on adding. I don't think acquiring Lee changes that, though such doesn't answer if the second pitcher might be Bedard. In this interview (at about the 15:30 mark) Jack Zduriencik sounded non-committal, lukewarm at best because of the health uncertainty and the projected return date (Zduriencik mentioned that it can take up to a year to come back from the kind of injury Erik sustained). But the interview was conducted before the Lee trade and because the M's chances of contention are much, much better now, maybe this changes how they view Bedard returning later in the season, maybe as a second half addition if they are in a playoff run.