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Sweet, more international "talent". Some how when Andy told us all he was going after international talent, I wasn't picturing a bunch of hasbeens from Japan.

God help us all if your next entry has the word "tweet" or "tweeted" in it ; )

Of course lefties hit .300 against him. Screwballs only work well against righties (for a lefty).
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My point being that you wouldn't view him as a traditional lefty specialist who would be brought in to face lefties. Though I don't have his career stats vs. lefties. Maybe 2009 was an exception. I'm assuming that Cuellar got out lefties, too. - Roch

• Lefties hit .300 against him last season.

With a stat like that, I wish another AL East team would sign him so we could face him up to 18 times a year...

It's time for the percolator...It's time for the percolator.

The big question is whether Takahashi can hit .300 with power against lefty pitching. Maybe we can use him in the bullpen and as our clean up hitter.

anyone remember who was the last lefty specialist we had that could actually retire lefties?

• Lefties hit .300 against him last season.

But how many of those were rocketships?

This guy will get lit up in the AL East. But if it means more Yen from Japan.....

He seems to make Hendrickson look like Ron Guidry.

I think they O's are using the appearance of interest in Takahashi to get Hendrickson to sign & stop looking for the BBD. The O's are reduced to having to play games like that to get a guy like Hendrickson to sign...

"Takahashi is claiming that he's received a major league offer, according to various reports, but he won't reveal the team. MacPhail isn't certain whether Takahashi, who turns 35 in April, is referring to the Orioles."

Roch, did you ask MacPhail whether he told Takahashi and/or his agent whether they would offer a major league offer -- in the general terms he indicated?
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I wrote everything I had. Takahashi is referring to an offer from a major league team. That's what I meant by "major league offer," not major league vs. minor league. - Roch

Dear Brian,

I'm actually not sure on the NFL mandate, though that seems the least they could do after suggesting we "build a museum". Thanks, NFL, 'preciate that one. I agree that the "kindness of his heart" was probably not primary for Modell, but he had always been a pretty progressive owner and he may have had his eyes open enough in the Colts situation to want to avoid some of the negatives. And I think he would have stayed in Cleveland all else being equal. To me, even if he WOULD have stolen the Browns (instead of just the Cleveland squad), he DIDN'T, and therefore less evil if not good.

Please no Andy , 35 and a soft tosser C'mon man. i would rather have Hendrickson back or let Wilfredo Perez and Patton battle it out for the lefty spot in the pen. This gut would get crushed in this division, plus Perez looked lights out last spring and Patton has potential , kind of reminds me of Howell in tampa.
Hey Roch arent Beimel and Ohman free agents? no interest in them?? they have to be able to hold lefties under a .300 avg lol. isnt that the main reasoin to have a lefty in the the pen so he can get the likes of Drew,Ortiz, Tex, Pena, etc out ?????????
am i the only one confused about this potential pick - up?????

Timosan said:
anyone remember who was the last lefty specialist we had that could actually retire lefties?

I'll go with Norm Charlton and maybe Jim Poole - 1990's. Was I right?

MacPhail might have to duck for cover over at the Warehouse if this comes to fruition!
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Why? They're not looking at him as a starter or a closer. He's not getting Chapman money. You bring him over and let him compete for a spot in the 'pen. No big loss if it doesn't work out. How many hitters over here are used to seeing a screwball? Maybe he's effective, maybe he isn't. Doesn't sound like a huge risk. - Roch

"Doesn't sound like a huge risk."

That should be the motto of the MacPhail Orioles.

I'm not sure if it is a dig or not but it is reality. No risk exposure ever occurs in terms of finances or talent. Even the trades of Bedard and Tejada were "no risk" as keeping them here had virtually no upside. I will continue to argue that SOME calculated risk has to happen to progress from a mid-tier squad to anything remotely special. If you don't spend big bucks you have to try to turn talent into gold when the timing is right. I suppose there is still time to do that, but I have no reason to indicate that will occur. The zero risk model will not bring any trophies to Baltimore.

Back to the Tejada vs Crede argument, since I haven't commented on it yet. I think the whole issue is this: What are the Orioles doing to close the gap between themselves and the other teams in their division?

Sure, the pitching staff is getting better. The outfield is probably the best, both defensively and offensively, as long as Jones stays healthy. We have the best catcher in the division, and he is barely a second year player. The problem is our infield. Brian Roberts is great, but beyond that, the O's don't have anything to brag about.

Izturis (though good defense) Atkins Aubrey (see Atkins, but the jury is still out as he only has 90 AB)

With Crede, you are basically guaranteeing that Josh Bell will be up pretty early in the season, because crede won't stay healthy for more than a month, and isn't that much of an upgrade over Bell at the start of the season.

With Tejada, you know what you are getting: good average, good arm and solid defense at 3B, and a healthy season. He is better than Josh Bell in most aspects of the game, and he allows Bell to develop as much as needed.

I would much rather bring Bell to the majors because he is an upgrade over Tejada than as an upgrade over Crede. The team will win more games, and Tejada is easier to trade because he isn't injury prone and anemic offensively.

Eh, I'd rather see Wilfredo Perez get a shot. But at this point, all I care about is bringing back Bedard. Once he gets on the mound, the Orioles will go from one of the worst pitching staffs in the league to one of the best.

Yep - can't hurt to bring in more pitchers to make it more competitive to compete for jobs.

"Timosan said:
anyone remember who was the last lefty specialist we had that could actually retire lefties?"

Jamie Walker in 2007.

Timosan said:
anyone remember who was the last lefty specialist we had that could actually retire lefties?

Let's go with 2007 Jamie Walker, and Buddy Groom before that.

As I recall, pre-injury Alfredo Simon was relatively impressive last season. I don't hear much mention of him in 2010 plans.

Man Kyleproboller is calling someone a "hasbeen" thats a little harsh man.
But if anyone would know who a hasbeen is it would be good old kyleproboller and Brummie_Oriole the two biggest hasbeens that we all hate

And last time i checked Koji is a pretty good pitcher so i wouldn't really call him a hasbeen. You Moron

I like how Kyle and Brummie can rip a guy they've never heard of before. But hey, if the O's are interested then he must suck, right?

I'd like to see it happen. Its not like we don't need the bullpen help. Screwball pitchers are fun to watch.

Can you explain why we are not interested in Piniero?
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Because they traded for Millwood and don't feel like they need someone like him. And they must not hold him in such high regard if they only kicked the tires on him at the winter meetings. - Roch

I still say we sign Mark too.

Roch in other news, on MLB Front Burner on MLb Netowrk, Hayman says the Orioles may be a suitor for Jim Edmonds? I hope not...

Also, Andy say this week we could put the finishing touches on the roster, and I hope that it's Miggy and Bedard/Garland

Why? They're not looking at him as a starter or a closer. He's not getting Chapman money. You bring him over and let him compete for a spot in the 'pen. No big loss if it doesn't work out. How many hitters over here are used to seeing a screwball? Maybe he's effective, maybe he isn't. Doesn't sound like a huge risk. - Roch
January 20, 2010 6:13 PM
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Agree with you Roch. Reading the scoop on him in the link you gave sounds like he'd be worth a look especially since there's no risk involved.

"Is coming off a solid 2009 campaign: 10-6, 2.94 ERA, 121/36 K/BB in 144 IP"

"Has an excellent screwball, which he induces grounders and misses bats with; should be a plus pitch at the MLB level as well"

"Was not a lefty killer in 2009: lefties hit .300 against him (48/160), while holding righties to .250 (99/396)
Did keep lefties in the park in 2009: only three of his 16 home runs allowed came against lefties"

I can't see him being in the rotation since it also said he's not an innings eater. Definitely would be better suited for the 'pen.

His best pitch is a screwball.
• He won't eat up a lot of innings, which is why he's better suited for the bullpen.
• Lefties hit .300 against him last season.

Oh Gee just what we wanted? Another over the hill washed up junk ball pitcher. If he is letting RH bat .300 off him in Japan...WOW can you imagine the ML?

I guess this is what to expect when they dont even send scouts to look over parts of the Dominican leagues? Why would they focus on Japan and not the DR? Simple...it always goes back to the Ole Mighty $$$ when it comes to this FO

BUDGET BASEBALL at its best despite what the Orange Apologist want you to believe

Hey Roch,

Good point, but I was referring to the "disgruntled" fan base that wants a couple big names in B-More via FA.

I agree low risk and another arm... but it doesn't quite solve the O's need for another starter or corner IF.

Have you gotten any intel on the Sarasota nightlife? The early bird special at Perkins may be their idea of a good time out on the west coast of FLA.
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I've heard good things. Still on a fact-finding mission. - Roch

look on the bright side, lefties fail 70% of the time

I swear if some of the people who blog here had ever seen Mike Cuarre (I can't spell his name..it's late and the martinis are hitting home) They would have insisted he could not pitch here. He had a marvelous screwball and if you could get him through the first inning he was a real Gem ( Earl would go through three packs just watching the first inning ).

Not everyone needs to throw the ball 95 miles an hour to succeed. Ever see Eddie Lopat in his heyday? Or Whitey Ford? They could pitch and that is the secret to success.

Revisiting the Cubs payroll ranking, after comments by Harvey and BaltJohn (I think)...

Year MLB payroll rank
Pre-MacPhail years:
1990 21st (Orioles were 25th out of 26 teams!)
1991 10th
1992 15th
1993 6th
MacPhail as pres/CEO
1994 12th
1995 12th
1996 14th
1997 14th
1998 10th (win wild card)
1999 10th
2000 12th
2001 15th
2002 12th
2003 11th (win NL central)
2004 7th
2005 9th
2006 7th
MacPhail era ends
2007 8th (win NL central)
2008 8th (win NL central)

In all those years, the ownership was the Tribune company. They had to see the team in 2009.

To be fair, MacPhail didn't preside over a lot of playoff appearances. You can argue either side on them winning right after he left. But given the payroll rank before he took over and how constant he kept it for most of his tenure, it's not correct to brand him Mr. Budget Baseball.

I also find it interesting that the Orioles were really near the bottom of payroll in the early 1990s. People are quick to point out those years in the mid- to late-1990s when were were at the top as an argument that we should be a top market team, but ignore where we were just before that.

Well i guess its irrelevant now (Angles)

Roch,

Any update on the corner infield situation. There's a great chance that MacPhail will have found a way to actually decine the 2009 production at 1B/3B.
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You know that if I had any updates, I'd write it. No updates beyond what's already been written. - Roch

Hey Roch, any news if the Orioles are interested in Ben Sheets?
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I wrote that they didn't attend his throwing session Tuesday. He apparently made it clear that he won't sign here so they moved on. - Roch

well done sheets- i like the raw data approach without overinterpretation. it doesn't really support or damn macphail. his average results as a gm are a huge upgrade from a long period of failure in baltimore. baseball will be more enjoyable to watch at OPACY but leave the rings to the real players in the AL East.

what do we honestly have in baltimore? a developing, fairly compelling, young, but underpowered roster with a set of questionable coaches, an owner with a history of poor baseball decisions, and a gm with a good sense of how to make a team competitive but not great. sounds like 3rd place in 2-3 years to me.

Joel Piniero just got 2 years 16 million for the Angels. Are there Orioles fans that actually think we should have gone for him at that price? Even for 2 years, he is being way overpaid in my opinion.

I am visiting Florida this week and went by Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota on Monday just to check it out. It was so great to see a line of people down the sidewalk waiting to buy spring training game tickets! I am so ready for baseball!

Roch there isn't 20 year olds in aisa that are good at baseball ?

Did anyone else but ME notice that Eric Byrnes has been released by the Diamondbacks? Sure he didn't work out for them, but he played really hard for us. In fact, he batted .800 in doubles on a Tuesday night after a Monday night game at home. If "Andrew" was a real GM, he'd have offered Byrnes a 1-year contract to play left field with a club option for 2 more if he hits more than 27 doubles on the road already. We could move Atkins to 1st to platoon with Luke Scott and split 3rd between Wigginton and Joe Crede; combining those two positions, the Yanks and Red Sox couldn't touch us; just check out their IJMTSU (I Just Made This Stuff Up) percentage! We could then trade Reimold, Arrieta, Bergeson and Tillman for Albert Pujols and we'd be set for the next 10 years! Instead, since "P.A" is too busy in the Warehouse rolling in a pile of $100 bills like Scrooge McDuck rather than wanting to spend that MASN money to compete in the AL East, he'd never sign him. The O's may as well spend their money converting the basement into a rec room, they're NEVER going to compete! We're doomed, I'm telling you, DOOMED!

Paul, I know you are just attempting to upset O's fans since you are probably a closet Cubs fan who can't get over the fact that you got rid of the best team president you could hope for, and replaced him with Jim Hendry who hasn't met a washed up outfielder he didn't like. Don't believe me, those Cub playoff teams were built around guys that McPhail acquired (Zambrano, Soto, Lee Ramirez, ect. ect.) while the only disappointments on the roster are Hendry guys (Soriano, Fukodome, Bradley). But if you are going to rile up us O's fans can you at least try at an intelligent post.
" I guess this is what to expect when they dont even send scouts to look over parts of the Dominican leagues? Why would they focus on Japan and not the DR? Simple...it always goes back to the Ole Mighty $$$ when it comes to this FO

BUDGET BASEBALL at its best despite what the Orange Apologist want you to believe"

That just flat out doesn't cut it. Either you are five years old and don't understand markets or you are a bigger liar than Keyser Soze.

Since when did it become cheaper to scout Japan than the DR or Venezuela? Last time I checked the flights, hotels, travel, and food were all quite a bit more expensive then those in Latin America. It has to be QUITE a bit more expensive to maintain a scouting presence in Japan then it does in the DR (which they do have, you are taking one report well out of context). Also if this was 'budget baseball' they probably wouldn't be signing the more expensive players (the ones from Japan) and would pass off the signings of a couple of 16 year olds as a great investment. Now before you misconstrue my comments, I'm not saying they shouldn't sign more Latin American players, just that spending $10 million on Koji or a chunk of change on Takahashi doesn't fit your 'cheap' theory.

And just so you know Japanese major leagues aren't nothing. They might not be up to MLB standards but these guys can play. And the success rate of Japanese players is higher than Latin American signings, each year hundreds of guys are signed from DR, Ven, among other places and only a handful of these guys amount to anything. By contrast 1-5 Japanese players join the majors, with a few other minor leaguers as well. While some of these guys are busts, plenty of others have been valuable major leaguers if not All-stars.

So please get your facts straight before you try to attack the front office and true O's fans.

The fact that the O's have reduced themselves to sorting through Japan's waste bin is a sign of how far this team has fallen.

"Doesn't sound like a huge risk."

Hmmm, this seems like a good motto to add to "Letting the market play out" and "We feel very comfortable with our in-house options."

Andy is the pied piper and he is leading you guys off the edge of a cliff.

Not a huge risk??? Yeah unless TAK is facing the Yankees in the 9th inning with a one run lead and two guys on. LOL

Budget Baseball at its best!
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Yeah, because that's exactly how the Orioles would use him, to protect a one-run lead with two runners on base in the ninth inning against the Yankees. You've just proven that you shouldn't be a GM or a manager. I wouldn't apply for bench coach, either. - Roch

Sheets/JPA - Chicago is the #3 media market and has an inarguably HUGE fanbase (and a pretty strong TV deal) so being near the middle of the pack payroll wise every single year means you are being conservative with your payroll.

You can interpret #10s-#14s in payroll as "spending" but it's simply not true when compared to the size of the market, fanbase, etc etc.

I check out games in Chicago every year, because it truly is a top baseball experience - something I recommend to everybody. And from my very non-scientific poll - they aren't too fond of MacPhail out there. But to the other side of that - they absolutely loathe Hendry.

And I'm glad the F.O. is continuing to make strides in the mid-30s international Asian pitching market. If we grab this guy and add him to that crop of 37 international F.A.s nobody has ever heard of, I know so many of us fans will be thrilled with the "progress."

Much better than going after the young intn'l talent like Sano, Mateo, Chapman etc. Sano being the top SS prospect and all obviously didn't make sense. We have tons of SS prospects. Chapman a $6 million a year potential #1 (I said potential) with a 100+ MPH fastball and Mateo a slugger who we could've gotten at bargain basement prices after his eye issue (let's take a chance FOR ONCE) - TOO RISKY.

I'd definitely much rather have a 6 ft 10 Australian pitcher with a above 6.00 ERA in Australia, another over the hill Asian pitcher and a bunch of nobodies.

This way MacPhail can stockpile that money to spend "next year" like he did in Chicago.

Joe Crede 2010 MVP!

Roch-
Have you spoke to Macphail about the fans outcry to bring Miggy back?

It seems every writer at the Sun wants him back, and their poll, last time I looked with like 3000 votes was overwhelming in Miggy's favor. Like 70%.

Its obvious that his bat, especially from the right side, in case Atkins is a bust, is needed on this team.
They are a much better team with him on it.

I am just so scared its going to come down to money. He is still in that 5-7 per year range. Maybe if it is really heavy with incentives, it would help.

A few extra million for 1 year can't hurt this team. I refuse to believe that. If anything, the extra wins might draw some fans back. Who knows. Plus, all of the ninckum-poops that still wear his jersey, can rejoice.
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We haven't discussed fan interest. - Roch

Roch-

Do you want him back?
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I'm assuming you mean Tejada. As I wrote earlier, I'd rather have his bat than Crede's, but that's about it. And does anyone know if he can actually play third base? - Roch

Please SOR students keep Derrek Lee's name floating around, particularly when we're talking about going after Japanese players. The Lee name is famously admired in Japan and Derrek knows the language and would be a great mentor and communicator for the O's. Roch if your going to interview Koji this week ask him about Derrek, his dad ,and his Uncle. Other than his obvious skills at defense around 1B he's a .300 hitter over the last five years and has averaged 29 hrs in the same span. Even if his ankle and shoulder has slowed him down some in the field he could be the DH after Snyder gets here, he will put us in contention in the AL east.

On a side note Derrek's daughter has a genetic eye disorder that has already claimed the sight in her right eye. While Derrek and his teammates and the Cubs front office has formed a partnership with the Univ. of Iowa to fight the disorder, there is no better place for genetic reasearch than right here in Maryland.

The Cubs can't afford to keep Derrek through FA next year and we would be better suited to trade for him now and give him a contract extention and not have to compete with other teams next year.

One more plus Derrek and Nomar have remained good friends and Nomar would be just as good as Adkins or Miggy at third and less expensive.

More than a thought,a darned good idea. Come on School of Rochers back me up on this one. Lets be heard loud and clear.

sheets said:
Revisiting the Cubs payroll ranking, after comments by Harvey and BaltJohn (I think)...

Year MLB payroll rank
Pre-MacPhail years:
1990 21st (Orioles were 25th out of 26 teams!)
1991 10th
1992 15th
1993 6th
MacPhail as pres/CEO
1994 12th
1995 12th
1996 14th
1997 14th
1998 10th (win wild card)
1999 10th
2000 12th
2001 15th
2002 12th
2003 11th (win NL central)
2004 7th
2005 9th
2006 7th
MacPhail era ends
2007 8th (win NL central)
2008 8th (win NL central)

In all those years, the ownership was the Tribune company. They had to see the team in 2009.

To be fair, MacPhail didn't preside over a lot of playoff appearances. You can argue either side on them winning right after he left. But given the payroll rank before he took over and how constant he kept it for most of his tenure, it's not correct to brand him Mr. Budget Baseball.

I also find it interesting that the Orioles were really near the bottom of payroll in the early 1990s. People are quick to point out those years in the mid- to late-1990s when were were at the top as an argument that we should be a top market team, but ignore where we were just before that.

________________________________________________

And the last time the Cubbies won the World Series, none of us were alive.

Jedd, you are completely missing the point. The relative ranking of the Cubs in terms of MLB payroll was unaffected by MacPhail. He came in, they were spending in the middle. They stayed there until his last few years, when they bumped it up. He left and that relatively higher level remained. Did his hiring translate to a slashing of payroll and "budget baseball"? No. Did his departure suddenly mean the Cubs were free spenders? No.

Similarly, I'm shocked at your response to the revenue sharing numbers from the Business of Baseball site (which drew them from the Wall Street Journal). From 2002 to 2005 (the years covered in that article), the Orioles paid more into revenue sharing than they got back. You dismissed it as incorrect, since why else would the MLBPA go after the Marlins for not investing their revenue sharing into the team? Revenue sharing is a zero sum game - some teams pay, others receive. Over the years noted in the article, the Marlins were the biggest gainers and at a pretty significant haul of about $30 million a year. Very few teams get payouts of more than a few million dollars - if that were to happen, they'd need to be balanced by teams like the Yankees and Sox chucking a hundred million apiece into the pot every year. We're not the Marlins - with our attendance (21st in baseball last year, not in the bottom three like the Marlins), it's doubtful we get even $10 million from revenue sharing.

I just read an article yesterday (Gammons' piece in MLB.com?) where Billy Beane said there's no difference between a $40 million payroll and a $75 million one. You'll win the same number of games with the risks and unproven talent as you would with the average veterans you'd sign in that $35 million difference. Verducci's recent SI article noted that the Orioles were just about the worst team in terms of payroll spending per win over the last decade, and outright said that the Orioles mistake was spending on free agents when those free agents weren't the final pieces needed to push us into the playoffs.

Honestly, I'm a MacPhail fan - so far. I agree with JPA, in that he's done a great job of getting the ship in order. I want to see us take the next step, and much as I like what MacPhail has done I don't know that he's the guy to get us to the top. I do know that whoever it is, they will need a strong farm system and a stable of good home-grown players signed to reasonable long-term contracts upon which to make the final moves to put us in the playoffs. And that foundation is exactly what MacPhail has been putting together.