Confirmation on Capps
The Orioles have expressed interest in free-agent closer Matt Capps, who was non-tendered by the Pirates over the weekend. Agent Paul Kinzer expects to talk to president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail later today or tomorrow.
The amount of interest hasn't been determined. Maybe they're just kicking the tires. Or perhaps Capps will be given serious consideration. It's difficult to know at this early stage of negotiations.
Kinzer estimated that "nine or 10" teams have contacted him.
"We'll sit down and talk to everybody and see the level of interest and see where the best fit is and how he fits into their plans, and then we'll narrow it down," Kinzer said. "Then we'll make a decision."
Not every team views Capps as a closer, with some envisioning him in a set-up role, but that's the job he would likely fill with the Orioles if they signed him. Jim Johnson already appears destined to inherit the set-up duties.
"Matt is really interested in staying a closer," Kinzer said. "It won't be the only factor, but it will be a major factor in his decision.
"Some teams already have established closers who want another guy at the backend of their bullpen, and they like Matt. He has opportunities both as a set-up man and a closer."
As for the Orioles, Kinzer said, "I'm sure Matt has a lot of interest. That's one of the teams. And I'm sure the Orioles will be in our cut down. "
Various reports have also linked Capps to the Diamondbacks and Cubs.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Sounds like in order for a team like the O's to get this guy, they would have to guarantee him the closer job. Sends a horrible message through the O's system if they do that. If they sign him with that guarantee and don't have him close it will send a horrible message to the rest of the players in MLB. No win situation...unless you can sign him and tell him he has to compete for what he gets then don't sign him at all. Once again, the fact that we are a pathetically run franchise pops up to bite us in the rear.
Can they make sure they sign the Matt Capps who pitched from 2006-2008, and not the alien who took over his body and pitched last season? That'd be great, thanks.
Do you have a scouting report on him ? His stats are good besides last year.
Roch,
Why would the O's not turn to the "Bay" to bring us the big bat that we need. Stick him in left and push Riemold to 1st base. That would be the best hitting outfield in baseball hands down. We need his bat!
I was in favor for Valverde to be the guy but something tells me we can get Capps who I am pretty sure is younger for less than Valverde. I have always liked Capps and think he would fit in here with our movement towards the future quite well.
I am less interested in the closer role as i am the 3rd base and 1B options. I still say our future closer is an in house option.
Lackey to the AL East, our division just got tougher!
Roch, Why would the Orioles want Capps if he had a 5.80 era?
Msterchef13 - great post about realistic trades for Gonzales.
You suggest it would take Tillman, Britton, Pie, Snyder, Perez, and JJ to fetch us Gonzalez, Kouzmanoff, and Heath Bell. I would do that in a minute if I got a 72 negotiating window with Gonzales (more on that below). Why the heck not?
Look at the performance history of ANY team's top 15 prospects from any year in the past 20. You will find that the majority are busts or marginal major leaguers. A third or so are solid or excellent major leaguers. Even if our current prospects beat those odds somewhat, we would be giving up, say 3 solid performers (with one being excellent) and 3 washouts or marginals. All of them 2-4 years away from being established. (Tillman is here, but he won't reach his potential for another year or two at best).
We would be getting a 28 superstar 1B, a 28 year old established above average 3B with upside potential, and a 32 year old established closer with 42 saves and 10.3ks per 9 innings last year. All three fill glaring holes in our lineup. All will be solid performers for many years to come.
We would have above average to outstanding defense at every position (except lf, where Nolan does ok and will improve). We would have well above average hitters 1-8 and Izturis batting 9th. We would have an all-star closer (Bell) and Koji as late inning additions to our pen from last year. And we would have Millwood, Bergensen, Matutz, Guthrie, Hernandez, and Berken all still in our starting rotation. AND we would still have top pitching prospects, Arrietta, Erbe, Patton, Hobgood in the minors.
We would become winners overnight, and contenders as soon as our young pitching gets established. We could and should go hard after Eric Bedard as well.
We would not be buying past their prime expensive vets, nor would we be trading our #1 draft picks. If we were able to sign Bedard, I dare say we would be contending for the wild card in 2010 and for the pennant in 2011. All of our regulars would be in place for 2010-2015!
Why the heck wouldn't we make that trade?
Roberts 2B
Jones CF
Markakis RF
Gonzalez, 1B
Wieters, C
Reimold, LF
Wiggy/Scott or Free Agent DH
Kouzmanoff, 3B
Izturis, SS
ARe you kidding me?
Millwood
Bergensen
Berken/Bedard
Matutz
Guthrie
Pretty cool.
HEath Bell, Koji, Hernandez, et all in Bullpen
Get it done
Hello to Dan but the NYY had four core homegrown players -- Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada -- who each picked up their fifth World Series ring ...yes they spend a ton of money on free agents, but dont forget @ those four players or Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera & Joba...all HOMEGROWN talent.
Before you come on here and bloviate,get your facts straight.
Further, how is millwood a washed up player? He has won 155 MLB games, and learned under the tutelage of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz in Atlanta.
Along with the Brewers, we finished in a virtual dead heat for the worst starting pitcher ERA in the majors (5.37).
Is Millwood washed up with (5.6 K/9) and a 3.67 ERA?
It is a good trade and he should be good for double digit wins.
Don't know anything about Capps, but I'd like to see Koji as the closer. However, in that event, it sounds like the Orioles would be at a disadvantage in pursuing Capps, who wants to close -- unless, of course, the Os offer him more money than other teams.
For more information about why GM's don't discuss their plans, check out the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, where Pirates GM Neal Huntington discusses the decision to non-tender Mr. Capps: http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/pbc/archive/2009/12/13/huntington-capps-money-to-go-to-replacement.aspx
This would be a great sign for the acquisition for the O's. Getting an arm with experience as a closer without having to give up anyone or any compensation players would be ideal. Get it done.
Capps wouldn't be a bad idea, but I'd rate Valverde much higher. I'd flip a coin on Capps vs Gregg. Probably Capps is a notch above. In either case, Capps is a better option at closer than anyone in house.
I like Capps. He was pretty much non-tendered because of salary. The problem is that the report of this leaked so the Pirates lost all of their potential bargaining power. From what I can tell, his major issues this past year were an increased home run rate and an unsustainably high BABIP. If he can keep the home runs down I think he can be very valuable out of the Orioles 'pen.
Awww. Why'd you tease me like that, Roch? I saw the headline and I immediately thought we signed him.
I like Capps and I think he'll bounce back after last year. He'd be a great pickup and I don't think he'd need as long of a contract as Valverde or Gonzalez. Plus, he's younger.
Somehow I see you having a good-time with this guys last name if he signs with the O's. :)
A mediocrity.
I've done my research and can say for certain that out of the finite number of closers available, Capps is one of them. Sign him!
I like the fact that we're looking at him. No draft picks, unlikely to expect a big money multi-year deal, and he can throw strikes which is always a welcome change for our bullpen. That said, I hope we don't guarantee him the closer role in order to get him to sign - at the very least I would hope for a 2-horse race between him and Uehara.
The fan outcry for Matt Holliday is starting to grow louder. It's on all the message boards now. You Matt Holliday haters will say it's wasted money, but you're wrong. By that logic the Orioles should never sign any elite players to large contracts. I hope Andy is sensing the ground swell of support for signing Holliday. Spend the money Andy...you'll get it back from the fans!!!
Roch,
You might be interested to know that Red Sox appear to have signed Lackey. Not going to be any easier in 2010. Here is link.
http://bases.nbcsports.com/2009/12/lackey-takes-physical-for-red-sox-may-be-close-to-signing.html.php
The amount of interest hasn't been determined?
Sure it has....he will come cheap so they have A TON of interest!
This would be a great fit for the O's. Should come at a decent price give him two years with a club option. Also go get a big bat..... even if you have to trade one of the young guns it would be worth it. Let's play some meaningful games in August and September. My son is only 11 and he is losing patience.... and may switch teams soon. Come on AM it is time for change now
Good deal if he can round back to 2007-08 form. I read the arb number was speculated at 3.5 mil/yr, would that be close Roch?
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I can only go by what I read - also $3.5 mil. - Roch
Roch and Chris,
I truly believe its not the factor of money to Lackey, it is how long the contract he wants. Lackey is wanting 5 years. May go as low as 4 with an option year, but that is why Mr. MacPhail isn't interested in him. MacPhail has said he would go no more than 3 years for a starting pitcher, and he would have to be a very good one. I agree with him on this. Sure he maybe good his first and second year, but as time goes on, he wears down. Will he be worth 15 million in 4 or 5 years. Injuries are also very possible on pitchers more so than Hitters. Mark my word, the Yankees will regret their signing of Burnett before its over. The Giants and Braves are already regretting their signings of Zito and Lowe.
Another thing, Michael Kay with the Yankees and ESPN NY said, in any other year, Lackey would not be the 8th or 9th best pitcher in the FA market. Its just that this year no top of the line starter is available. So his price is up along with the years. He is not worth 15 million nor is he worth signing for 4 or 5 years that he will get from someone else that is desperate.
Capps is one of the worse non-tenders I can remember. The Pirates are so bad, they could have at least tried to trade him for a non-valuable piece (like they do with their other talented players). Anyways, I think Capps looked very out of shape last year, and I doubt we sign him unless he improves his conditioning.
Roch,
I have always liked Matt Capps. He has a career .500 win-loss record on terrible Pirates teams, and coming into last season he had a 1.06 career WHIP. Last season was his worst season, but he is only 26 and has already had sustained success. I have always suspected he would eventually end up on another team and fulfill his potential. I think he would be a great fit on the Orioles. They could probably sign him to a reasonable contract for nowhere near the price they paid for Danys Baez or Jamie Walker. IMO, this is a guy the Orioles should jump on. I know they are targeting Fernando Rodney and Mike Gonzalez as well. With the bullpen situation undefined, do you think there is any chance they sign more than one free agent relief pitcher?
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They could sign another lefty (besides Mark Hendrickson), though Alberto Castillo and Wilfrido Perez remain on the 40-man roster. - Roch
KyleProBoller said:
The fan outcry for Matt Holliday is starting to grow louder. It's on all the message boards now. You Matt Holliday haters will say it's wasted money, but you're wrong. By that logic the Orioles should never sign any elite players to large contracts. I hope Andy is sensing the ground swell of support for signing Holliday. Spend the money Andy...you'll get it back from the fans!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What in the blue hell are you talking about? I haven't heard Holliday mentioned on this "message board", I see no groundswell of support. You're delusional... and wrong. Not that this is surprising, given what I've read in your posts. Out of curiosity, IF the Orioles were to sign Holliday, exactly where would he play?
Hey roch, I'm curious to know if any of your loyal readers have ever read and commented on an entry while their car is broken down on 95 south? Maybe I'm the first?
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Now that's dedication. Be careful out there. - Roch
When I hear the name Capps I immediately think of the Sunday Comics and none other than Andy Capp. They won't have the Fireman Award it will be the Fire Fries Award.
Interesting Fangraphs article on Capps today. They seem to think that his problems last year are a result of :
1- High BaBIP
2- High FB/HR % (roughly double previous years)
3- His changeup is coming in 2.5 MPH faster then previous years, lowering the speed differential between it and his fastball and lowering its effectivness.
Considering that #1 and #2 should regress to acceptable levels that only leaves #3 as a real problem.
I'd like to see us get Capps. His BABIP and HR/flyball% last year were well above his career norms. He also had a severe platoon split against LHB, who torched him hardcore. That is correctable, meaning his numbers should return to his career norms. He's a guy who has a very good K/BB rate for his career, so he's not going to beat himself with free baserunners. Take a chance and sign him.
Roch, I'm a little disappointed... "Put your thinking Capps on" was right there as a title. :)
OCJ...thanks for the stats about #1's vs. #1's and so on...
It just proves my theory that the "#'s" projected onto pitchers don't really matter after a couple weeks into the season anyway.
Rochh,
Luke doesn't really sound like much of a baseball mind on his 'pitch our #5 against their #1'.
What would happen if you take say, Tillman as your #5 and ALWAYS ran him out there against CC, Beckett, Halliday? How in the world would this guy be able to gain any confidence in his abilities if he's always on the short end?
Luke...stick to swinging axes.
Mike...you said:
"There is NO excuse for not spending the money to place winning team on the field when in FACT they are charging everyone MAJOR LEAGUE prices."
Mike check out the Orioles "MAJOR LEAGUE prices" against the Yankees or the Red Sox "MAJOR LEAGUE prices" and tell me they are the same or even close to the same. Really, check it out, and maybe, just maybe you'll have an idea of what the O's a going through...money is a reality.
KPB,
I have not seen this support of Holliday as you have. Today Boras said he wants a Tex type contract, 7 or 8 years for 18 to 20 million a year. No way he is worth it, not coming from Colorado and hitting with Pujols. I am not a Holliday basher, I am sure he is a fine player, he just isn't worth that kinda money and time.
I usually know about most players in the league, but I'm not familiar with Capps...what kind of scouting report do you have on him?? Is he a mid to upper-90s like Rodney or more of a Hoffman-type closer?
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If you check the comments, I just approved one that provided a report. Should be right around yours. - Roch
from keith law
Here are a few players now on the market who would be worth a look for your favorite team:
Matt Capps, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates: I do understand why the Pirates non-tendered Capps; the arbitration process wildly overvalues saves -- and Capps was headed for a salary that the Pirates felt exceeded his likely value to the team. It does provide a cautionary tale for low-payroll clubs with closers, however: trade them while their value is high, because one bad season can leave you with nothing. Capps has good-to-plus control of an above-average fastball, but his mediocre changeup has left him vulnerable to left-handed hitters, who torched him in 2009 for an .342/.373/.641 line, by far the biggest platoon split he's shown; he gave up eight home runs to left-handed hitters, all on fastballs. Because he throws strikes and just had some bad luck on balls in play in 2009, he's worth a flier as a right-handed specialist who has late-game experience, but I wouldn't give him closer money.
He was on my fantasy team last year, I had to end up dropping him because he wasn't very good for a closer. This guy isn't very good, atleast last year he wasn't.
I like how everyone thinks the Orioles are cheap. Lots of people want us to sign someone just for the sake of signing someone.Why sign another outfielder when ours is set for the next 5 years. I can see if Fielder or Gonzalez was a free agent and we did not at least make an attempt but we can't trade away 5 decent pieces of the future for one guy. Seattle did it and they regret it already.
How about Vlad Guerrero 3 yrs 30 mill to DH ?? There is the right handed bat we need. Lets go get some real players
For the Matt Holliday Bashers:
1) Holliday would play in LF. Yes LF...that's his position and he's a major upgrade over anyone we have there right now. His acquisition allows us to package a superfluous LF'er in a trade for a pitcher or corner infielder.
2) Of course Boras is saying he wants the world for him. The guy promised Manny Ramirez 6 years for $150M last season. He also said Teix would get a lot more. The fact that his initial estimate is what he got for Teix, proves that he expects Holliday to sign for less than Teix did. Holliday will sign a 5 to 6 year deal for between $95M and $120M...well within our price range.
Cutting Capps and not getting anything for him makes somewhat less then zero sense
Maybe I'm wrong but doesn't the fact Capps wants to be a closer simply mean he wants more money? A closer gets more money than a set up man. I think he understands that he would have to compete for a closer job after the year he just had no matter where he goes. There is no compensation involved so that means something. He is young and if he reverts to the prior years form could have a great upside. I would give him a market contract for this year with a vesting option for next year at a good salary based on his "good" performance. I mean didn't Guthrie have a similar poor season last year and we are holding a starting spot for him. We don't expect more of last year from Guthrie why should we expect last year from Capps?
mstrchef13,
Holliday would play 3rd base of course. Then we sign Bay for 1st base and voila!~ all of our lineup problems are solved. If we then package Montanez, Berken, Hernandez and Snyder we should easily be able to get Felix Hernandez, but I guess if the Mariners REALLY wanted we could give them Tony Butler back as well to sweeten the deal. I bet Andy is crossing the t's and dotting the i's on these deals as we speak.
Seriously, I'd take a flyer on Capps.
Cereal Blogger said:
How about Vlad Guerrero 3 yrs 30 mill to DH ?? There is the right handed bat we need. Lets go get some real players
December 14, 2009 2:52 PM
Bill in Salisbury said:
Vlad 3 years???? Have you seen him hobble around the bases the last 2 years? He is a good bat and I would love the O's to get him to dh for a year that meant something. This is not that year. Salaries in baseball are coming down, so the less we have tied up long term the better.
Roch - been out all day and not up on all the chatter here, but I did feel compelled to make one point. I saw on my phone the rumor that the Red Sox are on the verge of signing Lackey. While I didn't think that he was the best fit for the O's, it brought up a point in my mind that keeps coming up since we lost Tex to the Yanks last winter - addition by subtraction. For the O's, if we sign a big time free agent, not only do we potentially add wins by adding talent, but we also potentially add wins by keeping premium talent off of the Red Sox and Yankees. In no other division in baseball is this as pressing a matter - not only do we have to maximize our teams talent, but we also have to do our best to keep the premium talent from going to the two big teams in our division because unlike other teams in other divisions, the Sox and Yanks are in on every big time FA. I hope our Front Office understands this.
KyleProBoller said:
The fan outcry for Matt Holliday is starting to grow louder. It's on all the message boards now. You Matt Holliday haters will say it's wasted money, but you're wrong. By that logic the Orioles should never sign any elite players to large contracts. I hope Andy is sensing the ground swell of support for signing Holliday. Spend the money Andy...you'll get it back from the fans!!!
December 14, 2009 1:50 PM
______________________
So basically what your saying is let's make all the posters on blogs GM's. Here's some homework for you. Go back to all the blogs after the Tejada and Bedard trades and see what the majority of the O's fans had to say about those two trades. Throw in all the whining about Felix Pie too. If it was up to you we'd still have Tejada, Bedard, Palmeiro and David Segui. The day baseball franchises run their clubs because of what bloggers say is the day they will all go 0-162.
As far as your other comment: "Once again, the fact that we are a pathetically run franchise pops up to bite us in the rear." along with the other negative 24/7 whiner on here, are all being kept so we can bring them back out to you two when the team starts winning. Then we'll see who bit who on the rear. Of course by then the two of you will have long gotten rid of your 'names' to something else so we all won't laugh at the hypocrisy.
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.). You don't take the likes of 4th OFs, .230 AAA hitters, 20-year-old pitchers and get a player like this. You simply don't.
You guys all want Gonzalez? The talks will OPEN with Matusz in any deal. Then you can start sprinkling in the other junk listed above. At some point you might have a chance.
Still want to make that deal?
Kyle,
First off, I am not a Holliday basher, he is a fine player. He isn't worth 20 million a year. He might be a slight upgrade from Reimold, but Reimold is alot younger, and he has the same potential. He had just 9 less homeruns in just over half the at bats, and Holliday was batting with Pujols protection. His numbers are inflated because of playing in Colorado. We are fine in the outfield, we need players at 3rd and 1st. Get Badard and decent closer, and we will be good for 2010.
Kyle, I am sure your a good guy, so settle down and be patient. MacPhail has only been here just over 2 years. The trainwreck we had takes time to clear. We will be back. We have been in the AL east for over 50 years, we are 3 and 3 in world series, and we have been in the same division with Boston and New York all that time and have won before, we will again.
Don't get hung up on ERA as a tool to judge a closer. If a closer gives you 8 consecutive shut out ninth inning saves, but in the 9th game gives up a grand slam home run, his ERA is 4.00. Not a good ERA, but his closing percentage is still 89%. I'll take that.
Interesting article from an entirely different sport.Just wondering and thinking.
De Francis Family Bids for Pimlico, Laurel
By The Associated Press
Updated: Monday, December 14, 2009 8:38 AM
Posted: Sunday, December 13, 2009 8:11 AM
Email Print RSS ShareThis Email A FriendClose Window
The former owner of Maryland's major Thoroughbred racetracks wants to buy back Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park to help restore the state's racing industry.
Joseph De Francis says he and his sister, Karen De Francis, submitted a bid Dec. 11 to acquire the two tracks, the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) and a Bowie training center. The assets are to be auctioned next month by bankrupt Magna Entertainment Corp.
Other potential buyers include Pikesville developer Carl Verstandig and Baltimore Orioles owner PETER ANGELOS.
Joseph De Francis has not revealed the financial details of his bid. Control of the tracks was sold to Magna in 2002 in a deal valued at $117 million.
If he wins the auction, De Francis says his first priority would be to get Laurel Park back in line for slot machine gambling.
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Well, I cannot get too excited about Mr. Capps. His numbers sky rocketed this year. 73 hits in a little over 50 innings. HR allowed went from 5 to 10 and walks nearly trippled, 5 to 17. Runs went from 20 to 36 allowed in about the same number of innings. Bad year. One thing he has going for him is that he will make Matt Albers look slim, at least if his picture on Yahoo sports is any indication.
So the Red Sox get Lackey, the Mariners get Lee, the Phillies get Halladay, and the O's get....oh yeah we traded for Millwood. The Red Sox sign a stud and the O's sign a stop gap...how exactly are we supposed to be catching them? Seems like the divide is growing.
OCJ - Thanks for the link to the Capps article.
It always amazes me that people want MacPhail to tip his hand every step of the way. Do these same people play poker with their cards always showing?
Woelps, What are you a Yankees fan? Did I strike a nerve? Do you think the Yankees would have won the World Series without C.C, A.J, Tiex, and A-rod because he wasn't drafted by the Yankees either? And by the way, Andy Pettitte had already left and gone to Houston, but the Yankees paid him enough MONEY, and he came back. So get your facts straight. So now go ahead and tell me that the Yankees would have won without buying every good free agent available last year.
Do you really believe that Millwood is a Number 1 Starter, which is how he is being portrayed by the front office?
Dsn in Hdg said:
Do you really believe that Millwood is a Number 1 Starter, which is how he is being portrayed by the front office?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Millwood is a Number 1 starter. Anyone who opens a team's season is. I believe what you are thinking about is an Ace, which no one is selling Millwood as.
RichD said:
Roch and Chris,
I truly believe its not the factor of money to Lackey, it is how long the contract he wants. Lackey is wanting 5 years. May go as low as 4 with an option year, but that is why Mr. MacPhail isn't interested in him. MacPhail has said he would go no more than 3 years for a starting pitcher, and he would have to be a very good one. I agree with him on this. Sure he maybe good his first and second year, but as time goes on, he wears down. Will he be worth 15 million in 4 or 5 years. Injuries are also very possible on pitchers more so than Hitters. Mark my word, the Yankees will regret their signing of Burnett before its over. The Giants and Braves are already regretting their signings of Zito and Lowe
This is why we will never get a top #1 starter to come to Baltimore. They are always going to want at least 4 years. So you sign Lackey, at 31, to a 5 year deal, you don't think he will still be productive at age 35? Do you think the Red Suxx regret signing Beckett? Did the Spankees regret signing Mussina? The only reason Lowe, and Zito were regrettable is because they aren't as good as those two teams thought they were. Everyone knew the Lowe deal was a mistake when they signed him, you have to be smarter than that.
Is it a gamble? Sure it is, but every FA signing comes with some risk. The Spankees will not regret signing Burnett, he has already helped them win one WS title. They will just trade him away in a year or two, and sign someone else. Your not going to get a top notch, #1 starter to sign for 3 years anymore, those days are long gone! They want the security. Now you could argue weather Lackey is as good as Burnett, I think he is, but that's a matter of option. But to said we're not ever going to give any pitcher for more than a 3 year deal just takes you right out of the market for a top tier starter.
Don't get me wrong, at this point in the rebuilding process signing a starter like Lackey to a 4 or 5 year deal may not be smart. But next year when Lee and Holiday are on the market might be a different story, and I guarantee neither one of those guys is going to sign a 3 year deal.
If news today is true:
(AL East - Halladay + Lackey) vs. (Orioles + Millwood) = more division wins for Orioles
To KBP and others who actually believe you can, should, are entitled to influencing management decisions through use of a messageboard: You are the man from the country who stands before the law, pleading for admittance to a series of stalwart doorkeepers; but you never get in. The problem isn't the law (Orioles), it's in your relation to it. It's a misrelation. Misrelation is despair. Fix the misrelation and everything will be better, no matter what the O's do, and no matter the reasonableness of your suggestions.
KyleProBoller said:
For the Matt Holliday Bashers:
Actually I'm more of a KyleProBoller basher than a Holliday basher.
1) Holliday would play in LF. Yes LF...that's his position and he's a major upgrade over anyone we have there right now. His acquisition allows us to package a superfluous LF'er in a trade for a pitcher or corner infielder.
Of course, knowing that we have a surplus of LFers, other teams will come running to give us top dollar for rookie Nolan Reimold or useful but not great Luke Scott. Supply and demand says that knowing the O's have three major league LFers on their roster, other teams will hold out as long as possible to buy cheap. I haven't heard any rumors about the O's fielding multiple inquiries on those two right now, has anyone else?
2) Of course Boras is saying he wants the world for him. The guy promised Manny Ramirez 6 years for $150M last season. He also said Teix would get a lot more. The fact that his initial estimate is what he got for Teix, proves that he expects Holliday to sign for less than Teix did. Holliday will sign a 5 to 6 year deal for between $95M and $120M...well within our price range.
Nice to know that $19MM to $20MM is "well within our price range". Are you the Orioles accountant or are you just delusional? There *might* be five players in baseball that I'd want the O's to pay $20MM per year to, and Matt Holliday isn't even close to that group. In fact, I'm certain that if I had the time to sit down and make a list of the best players in baseball, I'm guessing Holliday makes the list somewhere in the early 20s, late teens at best.
If you're going to be a Holliday apologist, fine. I'm ok with that. Just quit making it sound as if you know more than the people who are paid lots of money to run baseball teams. If you were so darn smart, you'd be one of them. You aren't, so you're not. You're just a fan like most everyone else here.
Thanks for asking, Roch (and for excusing my absence) - he's CJ (Chris for his Dad, James for his Granddad).
And don't tell, but I may have checked your blog from multiple places in the hospital, possibly including the delivery room (but I will neither confirm nor deny that).
So do you head anywhere else baseball-related before Spring Training?
- Chris
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I love how you came up with CJ. Very nice. Though I also would have been impressed if it was a tribute to your all-time favorite Orioles catcher. Congrats again. The image of you checking the blog from the delivery room is priceless. As far as I know, I will remain in Maryland until spring training - unless MASN wants me to file reports from Venezuela or Puerto Rico. So far, that doesn't appear to be in their plans. - Roch
KPB...your claim that fans "all over all the message boards" indicates that you have been to ever single message board on the entire internet. Get a job, dude. Totally helps kill all that free time you appear to have.
In regards to other posts...there really needs to be a checkbox or something before getting to the "submit" button.
--"Did you check The Google first?"
--"Did you check Baseball-Reference.com first?"
No? Try it. You'll like it.
Hey, I'm thinking getting a guy to slow down his changeup is easier than getting him to speed up his fastball, no?
Would signing him be a cappital improvement, Roch?
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Ouch. Would his contract be the same as having a salary Capp? - Roch
KyleProBoller....I congradulate you for standing up to the bullies on this blog. I was a long time O's supporter...42 years in fact. The second I started bashing Mac, they instantly turn into vultures. It is not all of the posters on here who do this, it is only a select few who are allowed to treat people like this.
Roch...I addressed a topic earlier this week with you. I simply asked why you havent policed these individuals as aggressively and openly as you have others. Your answer to me was "you didnt have time" while convering the meetings. It seems you allow these individuals to attack anyone who speaks up against the O's management, while quickly chatising or banning other individuals. What is good for the goose, NEEDS to be good for the Gander! Some of their coments are bias, racist and most of all, downright vengeful.
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Thanks for suggesting how I should run the blog. Everyone takes shots at everyone else. I wouldn't get too sensitive over it. You don't think you stir the pot a little? And it isn't just because you and a few others are critical. It's because every single post is negative, and often repeats previous ones, and that gets under some readers' skin. I wish everyone would get along, but that's not realistic. As long as it doesn't go too far, I'll let it go. Otherwise, I hear crap about censorship. I can't win. If you're going to attack pretty much everyone in the organization, you have to expect some fans to come back at you. I'm sure you can handle it. - Roch
Kyle,
Dude, your head must hurt from being so negative.
What is so mind boggling is that you're actually upset that Roy Halladay was trade OUTSIDE of the division! Really? Cliff Lee went to the Mariners, so we'll face him maybe twice a year. Whoop-dee-doo. To me, the Blue Jays trading Halladay just opened the door wide open for us to move up in the standings.
Regarding Lackey, I'm not that upset that he signed with Boston. I'd be more upset if he signed with New York. New York is getting older, and they are going to start to be more injury-prone. Look at their lineup and starting rotation:
C Posada 38
1B Teixeira 30
2B Cano 27
3B A-Rod 35
SS Jeter 36
LF ?
CF Granderson 29
RF Swisher 29
DH ?
Rotation:
Sabathia 30
Burnett 33
Pettitte 38
Chamberlain 24
Hughes 24
Rivera 40
If I were the Yankees, I'd be a little worried about my starting rotation. Sabathia is good, but Burnett is beatable and has been injury prone in his career. Chamberlain and Hughes have also not been overly impressive in their rotation stints thus far. The Yankees are also getting ready to lose Hideki Matsui to the Angels. That's 25-30 homer production that is going to be gone. Matsui was a big part of that offense the past 5-6 years.
Let's judge the offseason when it's done, okay? We still have 2-3 months to go. Let's give the front office some room to work before criticizing EVERY move, even if it's a move that is good for us!
Chris,
Just because some of us feel like the current VP has this team headed in the right direction doesn't make us vultures. If you don't feel that way, that's OK. No one will probably know MacPhail's impact for at least a few more years. I don't recall most Andy supporters claiming that he's the best in the business. He's pretty much the 1st guy that can make moves without worrying whether Angelos approves of the move. As Andy has previously stated, he does at least give Angelos the courtesy of running the move past ownership, since it's Peter's money. You go running to Roch, because some bloggers have called you out. Well guess what, when all you bring is the same old negative crap, it get's old real fast. Hey critic the team all you want, but bring in something fresh from time to time. Not just the same stale comments rehashed. It's guys like you that no matter what this team does, you have to bash them for it. What kind of fan are you? You claim to be a fan of 42 years. Well guess what, I've got a few on you. And yes I've called out the O's when necessary, but also am willing to let some moves play out. But not you. No you already know the answer. Please get real!
mstrchef13,
Excellent post regarding KPB's proclimation that messageboards all over are demanding we sign Holliday. Yeah right! I see all sorts of teams beating his dooor down for his services. I like the guy, Holliday, but not at 19mm-20mm per year. He's not a franchise player in my opinion. And that kind of money is reserved for franchise players. If Halladay would have been a FA this year, that's the guy I give big money to. This FA class is really weak, and now some people want us to just start signing players just to bring in big unmoveable contracts to players on the wrong side of 30. Ask the Cubs how that Milton Bradley deal looks now.
Awww, Jack...Your little "Chris" alias is so cute. We can just see you gritting your teeth on Dictionary.com, wasting your spiteful time thinking, OMG I should edit or think about what I'm saying.
Hey, Buddy. It's ridiculous not rediculous. You've never really learned this.
"while convering the meetings" = I don't know anyone who has converned anything.
"while quickly chatising or banning other individuals."
nobody has been chatised and only one person has been banned. Oh wow you say, afterwards you showed up.
"Some of their coments are bias, racist and most of all, downright vengeful."
Yes, you are so offended with your tiresome rants, attacks on Roch, ignorance, attacks on every O's fan and general attention seeking bs rants against anyone associated with the O's. Get a life, you're very sick in the head. I mean life HAS to offer you more pleasure than stalking an internet blog. I mean REALLY? You get your rocks off on this? Sad, dude.
"Chris." You fit Jackie's MO perfectly. It's plain as day, although a little bit better than the "jack is back" anagram not to long ago.
Chris,
You will find no racism in the following post; you will find no vengeance - I have no reason to seek revenge against KPB; the only bias you will find is an anti-knucklehead bias. Before you got your "nose under the tent," I actually lauded KPB on one or two occasions - so there!
Brian is experiencing a relatively long, placid interlude, and ocj is back and prepared to assist bms and others in rubbing
Just when I thought I could relax, KyleProBoller drags me back in!
By submitting a knee-jerk, negative (nothing new there) and, more regrettably, a dishonest submission, KPB demanded my attention.
KPB,
Your post about Matt Capps is laughably dishonest – and I am certain about this - you sat down at your keyboard and wrote the last sentence – the conclusion – first: Once again, the fact that we are a pathetically run franchise pops up to bite us in the rear.
Then, being very pleased with yourself because you knew where you would end up, you crafted two wholly bogus – you Bogusmaster – results of signing him with the intent to make him our closer. And, it would not matter if it were by a written intent, or a verbal intent, which is clearly more reliable than a Verbal Kint.
Neither your gloom, nor your doom, scenarios will happen in our organization, or in any other.
KyleProBoller said:
Sounds like in order for a team like the O's to get this guy, they would have to guarantee him the closer job. Sends a horrible message through the O's system if they do that. If they sign him with that guarantee and don't have him close it will send a horrible message to the rest of the players in MLB. No win situation...unless you can sign him and tell him he has to compete for what he gets then don't sign him at all.
P.S. Schoolman - Tom Peace – of B.L. fame? – is correct of course; you are indeed salivating thinking of having Matt Capps closing for us next year; and, we hope, putting up 35-40 saves and as many tips of our caps as you need.
If we sign Bedard we basically robbed Seattle of an All Star OF(A.Jones) and closer(Sherrill),potential closer(Mickolio),and Tillman.Thats sad for them :(,but not for us :).I like Matt Capps,but he had an off year and it makes me wonder if he still has it.Mike Gonzalez is better