FanFest - Part II
President of baseball operations dropped a heavier hint that the club will sign a third baseman next week.
"We made significant progress recently," he said.
MacPhail said "nothing is finalized," but he's confident a deal will get done within the next few days. Asked if it's a third baseman, he paused before replying that it's "fair speculation."
Garrett Atkins has been swinging a bat for the past month. He's eager to start working with hitting coach Terry Crowley.
"He's well-respected," Atkins said. "I'm looking forward to seeing what he's got."
Kevin Millwood admitted that "it took a little bit" for him to get comfortable with being traded over the winter meetings because he wasn't expecting it.
"But the more I got to thinking about it, the more I got used to it and I'm excited," he said in his typical low-key manner.
Be sure to keep checking Steve Melewski's blog on MASNsports.com. He's interviewing players and officials, and he'll be covering for me while I'm at the MASN booth from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Lou Montanez will be available to the media during that hour. I want to know if he played first base in Puerto Rico. I thought he did, but I was told earlier this week by someone close to him that it wasn't true. Montanez had returned home by the time I started checking the boxscores.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
That just has to mean Tejada is rejoining the Birds. I bet it's a one year deal with a club option. I'm thinking we had to overpay slightly to outdo the Twins of the world, maybe 5.5 million on the first year, and 6 on the second.
Hendrickson has to be the lefty signing, with Bedard in the wings while we wait to see if he can pitch.
Roch,
The O's sign Miggy to a one year deal according to the Sun....wow....now if we just sign Bedard.
If we sign Bedard, do you think that trade will go down as the most lopsided in history?
Michael
Given the poor 3rd base market at the moment, I wouldn't be surprised if Andy brought in someone from Subway to play the hot corner..........LOL
MacPhail said "nothing is finalized,"
Lucky for you guys I spent a summer as a language translator once.
Translation: If the potential signee is not asking for too much money, the deal will get done. If he is........"We have in house options!"
Roch- The Sun is reporting that they have signed Miggy.
Bedard will also be on his way back to Baltimore, along with Tejada, if the O's can accept the results of his physical. we'll see...
Roch-
The Sun says Tejeda is an O. Can u confirm?
It's getting close to Spring Training. We have some holes but once the season starts, it will be time to root for the birds no matter what progress or mistakes were made. I love spring baseball.
I think a fair question to AM if the Birds end up with Tejada would be: did the market play out like you had hoped. Tejada should be counted on as a fantastic 6-8 hitter at this stage with a below average glove. I can see why people would not want him and why he is a nice addition. Is there anyone to get worked up about?
Schmuck is already reporting that its a 1 year deal for Tejada. Hope he isn't Melvin Mora from last year but I'd rather have him than Crede. I just don't really feel like we've upgraded from Mora and Huff.
Getting Miggy with it!!! How come im breaking stories before you Roch? Miggy 1 year deal with the birds!!!
My money says it's Crede. Yawn. He's Kevin Millar, only at the opposite corner and less durable. Just what we need a sub-.250 hitter.
tejada an oriole again! as per mlbtraderumors
The orioles have signed Miguel Tejada.
Tejada signs 1 year deal with O's!
I'm ok with this. I'm pretty sure Tejada knows what his place on this team will be. And I don't believe Dave will take any dogging it down the line, with this guy. And perhaps Miggy redturns a little more humble and a little wiser after all he's been through. I'm willing to give the guy a chance.
I'd have been ok with Crede too. We are not talking difference makers here. I'm more exicited about the arrival of Bell.
My Fanfest remembrance was several years ago when I bought a Memorial Stadium brick from the Babe Ruth Museum for my brother living in Florida.
I got to the airport to fly down to spring training and was stopped at security and was asked:
"What's this?" the guard asked
"It's a brick." I said.
"What kind of brick?" Security pushed on.
"Just a buliding brick." I said.
"What king of building brick?"
"Well, it's a red bulidng brick." I said w/ slight amusement.
"What kind of red building brick?"
"It's a brick from Memeorial Stadium where the Orioles used to play, and it's a souvenier for my brother in Florida. See the box it's in w/ the description of what it is?" I said getting a little ruffled.
"Well, we consider it a weapon and you're going to have to check it."
I was none too pleased w/ security, but after 9/11, what are you going to do. I had to leave security and go to a screening area to check my bag since it contained a weapon. A security guard escorted me to the ex-ray machines and after my bag entered the screener asked:
"What's this?"
"It's a brick." I said gently.
"What kind of brick?" again.
This is deja vue.
"It's a building brick."
"What kind of building brick?"
"It's just a red building brick." I responded.
"What kind of red red building brick?"
'Look it's just a frickin' red building brick from Memorial Stadium, and I'm bringing it to my brother as a gift, but I'm going to miss my plane if you don't just check my frickin' red building brick. Honestly it's just a brick, it's not a weapon, please just check it and let me catch my plane.' as I was starting to lose it.
"Well, I'm going to have to get a supervisor"
Supervisor arrives:
"What's this?"...(here we go again)
I made my plane as the doors were closing and I could see the guy running my bag to the cargo area. I had a great time at ST, my brother loved the frickin' brick, I got to talk to Johnny Oates (who had play HS ball w/ my HS coach, RIP), and all was right w/ the world.
My favorite fanfest ever.
Miguel Tejada!!!! Mlbtraderumors.com is reporting
Can't wait for the 3000 responses over the Tejada signing.
I'm interested to see the contract details on the Tejada deal. He can back up as SS, and DH when we sit Luke. I just hope he can D up at 3rd....Lets get Bedard signed, and go to Fla!
I like the Tejada move for 1 year, I just hope AJ doesn't give him back the #10.
Add Bedard and the 2007 trades were the steal of the century.
OK, Miggys signed, lets just hope that we can "double" our way into a winning record and 2nd or 3rd place, instead of "double playing" our way under .500 and 4th or 5th place AGAIN.
I would have loved to have seen us get D. Lee from the Cubs but I guess that may have been to much to ask at this point in the plan. If we can just get Beddard and Hendrickson signed, Mr. MacPhail will have definitely taken a step in the right direction.
This team even without Beddard and Hendrickson should be able to play above .500 ball IF they learn to play with a hustling, small-ball philosophy. Mike Bordick may end up being our most valuable off season acquisition this year.
Miggy's back. I love it. Upgrade over Mora or Crede. Brings hustle, good bat and defensive versatility. Once again, good job Andy. .300 hitter with moderate pop in the 2 hole. great fit.
Getting Tejada back is ok with me. He'll hit 15 homers, with a .300 average.
Did anyone notice the O's picked up a legitimate #1 starter this winter? A guy named Kevin Millwood. He brings automatic legitimacy to our staff. Why do people gloss over this trade as though the Oriole's offseason has been a bust?
Millwood is not a retread, he's not coming back from injury, we're not *hoping* he has a good season. Yet Brummie & Co. can't stop bashing AM. He's a very good pitcher with great veteran leadership that will help the young guys behind him. Priority #1 was taken care of RIGHT AWAY.
I'm frustrated about the 1st & 3rd base situation, too, but I don't want Delgado, LaRoche, Crede, or most other names that have been kicked around here recently... talk about retreads, injured, or past-their-prime players!
If Bedard is healthy, sign him. Guthrie would be #3 and that would give us a very formidable starting rotation. I'm working, too, or I'd be downtown.
Have fun,all!