While I was away...
I spent the last hour posing for photos at the MASN booth as fans passed by with updates on Miguel Tejada.
The Orioles do their best business when I'm away from my laptop.
They reached agreements with Mike Gonzalez and Garrett Atkins while I attended the MASN holiday party, and they've apparently done the same with Tejada. The Sun's Jeff Zrebiec has confirmed it.
President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail did everything except hold up a poster of Tejada during his forum, and later while meeting with reporters. We knew it was going to happen. And it's quite a reversal from earlier this winter, when MacPhail didn't seem interested in holding a reunion.
I guess that's what happens when you let the market play out.
I was hearing that a deal was pretty much done after I returned home from the Hot Stove Show. At least we can cross this one off the list.
Coming up next: A left-handed pitcher.
Meanwhile, Lou Montanez never played first base in Puerto Rico. Where did that rumor start?
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Maybe two lefthanders????...Bedard and Hendrickson....
I'm happy with that he can still hit for average which is a very good thing
Hey Roch,
So if Miggy is coming back, what number does he get?
OMG not him again!!! I thought I'd seen the last of Tajada. All I can remember is his lethargic, no hussle trots to first base. Please leave him in Sarasota when the O's come north.
I'm hanging 25 errors against the Orioles' third basemen this year.
So when the O's sign Bedard essentially all of the players traded for in the Tejada/Bedard trades now come for free? Wow - who said Andy was a terrible GM again?
THE GREAT MOVES JUST KEEP ON COMIN!!!!!
Probably a good signing. It is a year deal and Tejada's limited range will not be as evident at third base. His offense numbers will probably be fairly consistent to last year, but if he really tanks it this year (declining numbers once mid summer rolls around)...Josh Bell is waiting in the wings to be the future third baseman.
roch thanks and please tell me you not being funny and it's hendrickson .
Wow, I am surprised; but this is probably the best option except for the baggage issue. He's going to get a bunch of hits and will have more power here than in the big park in Houston. I guess Boras has some work to do now since Crede and Blaylock remain on the market. Blaylock wouldn't have been a bad choice since he is still pretty young, but he's been trying to get away from playing third and McPhail wanted a third baseman. Opening day lineup?
2B Roberts
CF Jones
RF Markakis
3B Tejada
DH Scott
LF Reimold
1B Atkins
C Wieters
SS Izturis
P Millwood
Bench: Moeller, Pie, Andino (or Turner), Wigginton
Welcome back Miggy! Roch, who do you think would be the most likely signing next:bedard or hendrickson?
Hopefully its a 1 yr deal. Tejada brings instant O. It will be interesting to see how he handles 3B
I didn't have much interest in Tejada until listening to you and Jim on the Hot Stove Show last night. Now, I'm actually kind of excited.
Now let's hope that left-handed pitcher is Bedard!
Also a question on behalf of Jim Hunter:
Miggy's #10 is taken by Adam Jones. Does he switch? (I think he might have worn #4 in Oakland.)
OUTSTANDING! Bringing Miggy back despite all of his baggage is going to be a good move for the O's. This lineup will average close to a run a game better than the '09 version. We are one free agent 200 inning starting pitcher from reaching 82 wins this season. Gteat job Andy! Now go get that pitcher!
At least Orioles do have their cleanup hitter in Tejada. I'd be satisfied if he could replicate his numbers from last year. It's surprising that Atkins doesn't want to play third anymore, because he would have much stiffer competition when he hits the free agency, as a first baseman, next year. I think that Mr. Macphail has done a good job by buying more for his buck. If they add Bedard also then it could be labelled as an outstanding off season. The Tejada move could free the O's to trade Andino, if a shortstop of a contending team goes down in the middle of the season.
Tejada is a good signing. Granted, the first time the Os signed him it was a GREAT signing, but I think most folks would agree that the team is better today than it was yesterday, i.e., before he returned.
Roch, maybe you should get out more, if it means the team will do something to improve itself while you're otherwise preoccupied!
Dylan....#4 is not available either....The Earl of Baltimore has that #.....maybe 14? Never mind...I think Nolan has that #!
Hey Roch -- LONG TIME reader, first time responder. Love your blog and your work ethic - as i read your blog several times a day. Awesome bringing Miggy back, unlike Mora, Miggy was real friendly to my kids and always an easy autograph at Yankee Stadium. 1 question, if you had pretty much heard this was a done deal last night after the show, why didnt you report it ?
Roch this is good news Miggy Tejada is coming back to the O's. I just hope he works with the young kids on the team, and hustles. I think this was a good move if he hits like he did in the past and can field 3rd base we will be a good team. If everybody plays to potential, this could be a good team maybe not as good as the yanks, and bosox but at least competitive.
Tejada gets bashed for not running out gounders and having a lousy attitude near the end of his tenure here. While the lack of hustle can never be condoned, the manager has to have the grapes to lay down the law and demand hustle out of everyone on the roster.
Miggy played on some Oriole teams that were not only pretty bad, but the only light at the end of the tunnel was the freight train bearing down on them, crushing any glimmer of hope for the future. The organization at that time had a barren farm system with no where to look for help for the future.
Things are much different now. A new attitude with tremendous promise. This isn't Tejada's team anymore. Any teammate, past or present, speaks very highly of him as a player and a teammate. McPhail has made a point to bring in people with character, and I have an idea he has done his homework on Miggy.
This is a good signing. Terpfan, I don't agree with the order of your lineup but still... Everyone in that lineup except C.I. can easily hit 20+ home runs (especially if Miggy helps Brian "rediscover" hist power swing...). Very solid.
I don't see how bringing Bedard back doesn't (assuming it will happen) make this a highly successful offseason. With Millwood and Bedard at the front of the rotation, Guthrie can be dealt as part of a package for a big bat and the calvary can fill out the 3-5 slots. Again, very solid!
I think much of Tejada's bad attitude stemmed from the fact that when he signed, we looked like we were making progress and could possibly make the postseason. He was energized and ready to go.
But the commitment from the Wharehouse wasn't the same. They didn't sign anyone to help him. They did nothing at the trade deadlines in any year he was here, except trade away the good players. Miggy felt betrayed by the O's and it showed in his offseason comments and on-field play.
The FO seemed content to raise ticket prices and gut the team after Miggy's awesome 150 RBI season, allowing "the young kids" to develop.
Yes, he'll hit 10-15 homers, but he is coming to a COMPLETELY different team, run by DIFFERENT people than when he first came. He is willing to play 3b. He is off steroids, I'm sure. And he does not have to be THE MAN to drive in runs anymore. He may even bat 6th or 7th!
AM is not telling us to get ready for the postseason, right? So I'm sure he's telling Miggy that he's got 1 year, maybe 2, then the Future arrives. Find your swing, keep a good attitude, and just have fun here. No pressure.
The O's don't need Hendrickson,they need a real LH pitcher. Yeah I know Hendrickson is a lefty but he's not a match up lefty we need if Gonzalez is going to be the closer.
Ooops never mind, i said he was number 7 in oakland, thats wrong he was number 4 my fault..well he could be 7 here maybe still
Here is a batting order to ponder...
Brian Roberts - S
Miguel Tejada - R
Nick Markakis - L
Garret Atkins - R
Adam Jones - R
Matt Wieters - S
Nolan Reimold - R
Luke Scott - L
Cesar Izturis - S
Get ahold of yourselves he's not hitting cleanup.
Nothing personal Roch but maybe you should get away from your labtop more often.
Perhaps if you broke or misplaced it they would pull off a trade for Prince Fielder or Adrian Gonzalez. Just a thought. Accidentally break or misplace it that is too.
I love this move by Andy, he has Definately improved this team this offseason, plus he has not committed anything over 2 years to Gonzalez and possibly Atkins, not blocking the future and not rushing them either.Miggy is a way better pick up than Crede, Thank GOD Andy didnt sign him. I also do not want to sign Bedard all he is going to do is slow down Tillmans, Arrietas, Hernandezs , etc progress these pitchers are ready for the major leagues now. i want to see a rotation of Millwood, Guts,Bergy,Matusz, Tillman. and a Bullpen of Hernandez,Meredith,a lefty,Mickolio,JJ,Gonzalez
and one of Uehara,Albers/Berken/Sarfate for long man, honestely we might have to trade Uehara, he dont have a future here and he could end up blocking someone like Mickolio,Sarfate, or Albers all of them got way bigger upside than Uehara.
Hey Roch have you heard what the plan is with Uehara? do you think theres a chance we will deal him?
thanks
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I think he's destined for the bullpen. If he can stay healthy. - Roch
I am so stoked i can't stand it. Bring on Spring Training!!!!!
Birdsfan66, I like your lineup alot. Just switch Atkins and Reimold and there it is. Reimold should bash 30hrs this year and will be better suited at 4 with Atkins at 6 or 7. This is the turn around year. No more losing records for the next 4-5 years, I'm confident of that. Baseball is back in Baltimore.