Hendrickson update and more
Mark Hendrickson didn't complete his physical on Friday, so the medical stuff continued today. And while the club expects him to pass, his official signing could be delayed until later in the week.
I apologize if I lost anyone with the phrase "medical stuff." I understand that some of you prefer layman's terms.
The Orioles also won't expect to have Dennis Sarfate's situation resolved until later in the week. They designated him for assignment on Wednesday to make room for Miguel Tejada on the 40-man roster.
President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail confirmed that the Orioles extended minor league offers to left-handed and right-handed relievers, "but I don't know if anything's going to come into play at this point," he said.
"Most guys are looking for big league opportunities, and the likelihood of us adding any more players to the 40-man is remote."
The Sun reported that lefty Will Ohman was offered a minor league deal with a spring training invitation. Japanese southpaw Hisanori Takahashi has a similar offer in place, though he claims that he's received a major league proposal.
Nothing new to report on Erik Bedard. MacPhail confirmed that he's spoken with the left-hander's agent, Mark Pieper, within the past two weeks.
Don't read too much into it. They're not any closer to reaching an agreement or determining when Bedard will be ready to pitch.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/ben_reiter/02/01/baltimore.orioles/index.html
Nice piece pulled from CNN web site re: O's and how the plan is coming together.
Glad Hendrickson is a done deal.
Armando Gambino still going to get DFA'd to make room for Hendrickson? I think this is a big mistake, what about Spoone since he has done nothing above AA while Gambino dominated AAA last year?
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Yes. And Spoone is still regarded as a prospect. Just coming off injury. - Roch
Just another dumb article (SI on O's rebuilding). Why don't these national writers contact brummie, jack, paul,etc. to find out what's really going on with the O's???????
Maybe not the place for this but my wife and I have just moved to Honolulu. Just wondering if Chris in Hawaii lives close maybe we could hook up for an o's game. Keep up the great work Roch, I would be lost without the blog since moving. Go Birds!!!!!!!!
I wouldn't say that Gabino (there is no 'M' in his last name) dominated. He had a good season. That being said, he's a middle reliever, a swingman at best. I think that the Orioles would like to see if Spoone is recovered from basically two years lost due to injury and can regain the form he had in 2007, which I would call borderline dominating. I think that Spoone's ceiling is higher, as he could easily be considered a MLB SP prospect, while Gabino is destined to pitch in the 5th and 6th innings for four or five major league teams. Think Bryan Bass. A useful guy, to be sure, but replaceable.
Tick Tick Tick Tick......as long as the O's get Hendrickson in the fold....the other relievers who were made minor league offers...lefty or righty...all the O's can do is wait to hear from them or their agents and move forward accordingly......Bedard...same crap different day..I like what they have done so far..anything else that happens good is icing on the cake.
Roch,
I see a good title for you in the future ... "The curse of the Gabino"
Baldy
Maybe not the place for this but Burknowledge, I'm sitting in tons of snow and artic weather and you tell me you just moved to Honolulu? Grrrrr. lol More power to you bro!
Maybe or maybe not on Spoone but it is highly unlikely he is going to be of consequence to the O's either this year or next given he didn't even pitch above A ball last season and was terrible there. Gambino had a sub 3 ERA in Triple A last year and nearly the same ERA the previous year in AA. I think a guy like Spoone would make it through waivers while Gambino most certainly won't. And since Gambino is only 2 years older it isn't like you are taking an old guy for a prospect. He may be Brian Bass or he may be Ramon Ramirez - his AAA stats suggest closer to the latter.
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I wouldn't look too hard at Spoone's stats last season. Like I said, he was coming off surgery. The accomplishment was getting him back on the mound. He was regarded as one of the top pitching prospects in the organization. I'd definitely hold onto him. - Roch
Hey Burknowledge!
I live in Makiki. Are you close to there? Don't know if there's anywhere in town that'll show any O's games during the year. I know when they play the Angels, we'll get the games on Fox Sports West. Plus they should be on the MLB game of the week at least once, maybe twice if we're lucky. Maybe we can meet up and watch a game one of those times.
What do you think?
Why do I get this feeling there is a: Brummie_Oriole...Yankee...RedSock...BluJays...Rays...Reds...Mets...Giants...etc.
O's love in Hawaii...brings a tear to my eye.
I will appreciate Mora down the road aways. I always liked him, but last year wasn't so hot, and I'm being kind when I say that. I didn't like him going to DT to complain about playing time when he was practically an automatic out, but He may well be in the O's HOF. Like I said, give me a couple years and I'll get over it.
Is this school of roch or eharmony?
Did you see Kevin Millar is going to spring training with the Cubs on a minor league deal?
john in balto you caught my mistake on dob. I saw it just as I hit the submit button. I was born on 41st st on 1-25-35. Old oriole park was on Greenmount Ave a few blocks South of 33rd street.if this old memory is correct some of the players were Bobby Latshaw 1b, Howie Moss 3b and Kenny Braun ss. In my life I've been accused of a lot of things, some were correct but never a typist.
Roscoe, I hear you on the carnies. They scare me too...small hands.
PV, the mousewheel will set you free.
On MelMo. Count me in as a guy that liked him and thought he was treated too harshly last year. But also count me in with Roch's sentiment. I hope he's successful this year at Coors and would welcome him into the O's HOF.
On Hendrickson, someone wake me up when it's over.
Luke Scott and the beard. Wow that was some impressive growth, Grizzly Adams has nothing on that guy. And to anyone thinking that without a facial hair rule we'd have a team that looked like ZZ Top, that's just silly. Those things have a way of policing themselves with peer "input". I'm also not so sure chopping wood is a good way to work on his swing, but I'm no baseball player so what do I know.
Poor Roch, 17 more days of answering Bedard questions.
Sorry Roch, continuing with the possible inappropriateness...
Burknowledge, I should have just put this in the other post, but if you wanna contact me, you can email me at claxton66@hotmail.com.
For the rest of you...
Now Playing: Keep Yourself Warm by Frightened Rabbit
Thanks for keeping us informed worldwide, Roch!
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No need to apologize. I think it's great that you might be able to meet up with another fan. - Roch
...common sense tells me if Bedard was even somewhat close to being ready by the end of May, then his agent would be talking-up his free agent value.
PV: One more quick thought: In mid January I moved to Germany from Australia. Internet access in Australia is TERRIBLE at best and non-existent at worst. In addition a six hour time difference makes it much easier to follow SOR than a 16 hour time difference. Often when I woke up in Australia Roch was done blogging from the previous day.
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But that doesn't stop you from making statements as if you have all the facts. - Roch
Sounds like Indecisive Andy is not sure about much?
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How is this indecisive? He's made offers. It's up to the pitchers to accept or decline. He can't speed up Hendrickson's physical. They had 10 days to trade, release or request waivers on Sarfate. None of this has anything to do with being indecisive. And I really shouldn't have to point that out. - Roch
Chris in Hawaii...
Yeah I live on Hickam AFB right next to the airport. Heres my email, burknowledge@gmail.com, cant wait for the season to start. Thanks Roch.
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Glad to do my part. I hope you two can make it happen. - Roch
So I take it Bedard starts the season on the DL if he's signed ??
Is anyone else concerned that virtually no other clubs are showing interest in Bedard? Somethings fishy here ??? I suspect he's alot more injured than everyone is letting on...
Roch - you need to take your students'advice to one another and not waste your keystrokes on Paul (Jack) Just sayin'...........
CB...there is no real incentive for Bedard to sign now because it will be at a discounted price because no team is going to pay full market value for him until he shows that he is healthy. It's not worth it for him and too risky for the teams.
Chris in Hawaii and Burknowledge -
You two can watch every Oriole or MLB game on MLBtv.com. $110 (for a season) or thereabouts and you get every teams 162 games and it's archived in case you miss them. MASN when it's home and the opposing teams equivalent on the road. It's how I watch my O's from Nebraska and when I travel.
(Ok I think I am owed royalties from MLB for advertising)
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I say we hold School of Roch Night in Hawaii. Just thinking out loud here... - Roch
Roch
Lots of talk this winter about everyone except Matt Wieters. Terry Crowley has been quoted talking about Scott, Reomold, Pie, Jones, etc. Does Crowley even work with Wieters ? Matt was suppose to be our savior. Our middle of the order thunder ? Whats the deal ?
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Crowley works with everyone. He's only quoted about the guys that he's asked about. I seem to recall him mentioning Wieters in one of my interviews with him over the winter, when talking about all the young talent. - Roch
Regarding the hair issue - in my opinion I would tolerate the hair much more than the gross tattoo exposure in football and basketball!
Does anyone else get the feeling that Brummie lives in his parents basement in Delaware?
SOR night in Hawaii would be nice right now....My fiancee and I both agreed off the bat that we would be going there for our honeymoon next year. Any advice from Chris or Burke would be MUCH appreciated !!!
Darn Roch, now you got me wanting to go now :/
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How about if we all join you on your honeymoon? - Roch
Roch,
You're thinking too small here. I think we need a School of Roch MONTH out in Hawaii! I can still taste the mai tais on Kaanapaali beach at sunset. Good times!
Tom
P.S. Roch, you're starting something here with this "find Orioles fans around the world." Anyone on here from southeast MI?
Hawaii? My permission slip is already signed, lunch packed, beverage can wrapped in aluminum foil... wait...where's everyone else?
Does any one know, if the O's games, are still blacked out in the Charlotte NC area?
Roch any updates on the Time Warner/MASN fight?
Thanks for the help and God bless.
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I haven't heard anything. Wish I could help. God bless, Steven. - Roch
HA! I wouldn't mind talking orioles baseball for say, oh I don't know, 24 hours with you and the class in Hawaii. If you guys paid for the alcohol of course. But for some strange reason I don't see the woman being too fond of that idea on her honeymoon : )
She gets her share of Orioles baseball though. She once even threatened to purchase ear plugs for any future Ravens games when Ray Lewis laid out the "defenseless receiver" in the Colts matchup. I'm still not over that.
Thanks for the heads up, jeff. I've been thinkin' about that package since last year. Maybe I break down, pull out the plastic and get it this year. I just have to prepare myself from the looks I'll get from my wife first.
SOR Night in Hawaii sounds awesome. I'll pay for everyone's airfare, even Brummie's if he promises to (and I apologize for the wording here) reveal himself to the rest of us. It's just on the condition that I first win the Hawaii State Lottery. Of course, they need to start up a Hawaii State Lottery, but as soon as they do and I win...
Steve, feel free to hit me up at the email I provided above and ask me anything.
I'm trying to visit my parents the third and fourth weeks of May so I can get in about 4 O's games (at least one vs. the Royals so I can boo Billy Butler) and one vs. the Nats in DC. Will they let me in OPACY with my beard? I haven't had it in years past, so I don't know. We'll see I guess...
Side note - MLB needs to schedule the O's to play Pittsburgh at PNC one year so I can get in a game at that stadium. It looks so nice on tv.
The O's should consider trading for (SS) Paul Janish. He's an undervalued asset whose UZR fielding rating of 11.7 made him worth 2 wins over a replacement level player.
Steven D-I live in Durham, NC and the games aren't blacked out on MASN on Directv. They were still blacked out last season on Time Warner. The sports package is an additional $12.99 a month but well worth it. A friend of mine here made the switch last year because someone he knows that works at Time Warner told him not to hold his breath.
Chris in Hawaii -
Just tell your wife it only costs around (excuse my estimation) 67 cents a game! That's what I told my ex. Um wait that doesn't sound like it might work. Nevermind.
steve in phx -
Didn't anyone ever tell you that marriage was the nation's leading number one cause for divorce?
Chris in Hawaii-
Great call with the Frightened Rabbit reference, never expected to hear that band name on a baseball blog. Maybe you two can split an mlb TV package. Me and my buddy did that last year without Bud Selig coming to track us down...
I can second the recommendation for MLB.com video. After years of buying the radio transmission for about $15, I sprang for the video last year and despite 98 losses it was worth it, since I live in Philly. Only the Phillies series here was blacked out (dang!), but that wouldn't be a problem in Honolulu.
As for MelMo, we got him for a song and he repaid us very handsomely, providing WAR more than double his salary over his tenure with the O's and being a great community member, if not always a great teammate (or baserunner -- guh!). I think Jerry's point that Melvin suffered through the worst decade in Orioles history and should be given extra credit for that is a good one. It was definitely time for him to go, but in my book he's an O's Hall of Famer. Thanks, MelMo, for your many years of service and good luck in CO.
Roch, is it fair to say that Elrod wasn't a favorite among the players, given the sparse attendance at his funeral?
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Not at all, which is why having Mora as the only rep was so strange. - Roch
You have to wish Melmo wellmo.
On the bright side, apparently it's a heck of a lot easier stealing 3rd base with two out in the high altitude.
Good Luck , Melvin !
Mark Hendrickson's physical has revealed two things: he is actually 8'3" tall. As his mom reminded him, "Stand up straight." And it was also confirmed that Mark is a swing man.
Roch-
SO, if Andy says we are not going to add anyone else to the 40 at this point, is the Bedard reunion off?
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Not necessarily, but it certainly doesn't appear like anything is close. - Roch
Roch-
I am VERY dissapointed that the O's didn't take a flyer on Bedard, Harden, or Mulder.
This is a mistake. It would have been MUCH better for the O's to deal Guthrie, and then just leave 3 spots open for the kids to fight over.
Why not offer a motivational deal to Bedard? Like $5 million in salary, with incentives.
250 Thousand a win.
1/2 Million for 150, 175, 200 innings.
1 Million if top 5 in Cy Young voting.
Isn't it worth $16 Million if he goes 18-5 with a 2.75 ERA, and the O's win 26 of his starts? I really am perplexed by this.
They CAN't sign a marquee player to save their life. So, they HAVE to try when things are in their favor. Here is a guy, who any season can be a Cy Young winner. He has ties to the team. He isn't going to cost CC or Santana money. The O's don't WANT to spend big money. It is a perfect fit, and I'll NEVER figure out why they don't do it.
Another day closer to Spring Training......
What's the plan today Andy?
From the rolling hills of Sykesville to the sandy beaches of Hawaii, here I come...I'm actually honeymooning there in late May/early June. Can't believe I'll be giving up two weeks of O's games, all in HD on MASN. Not sure that my then wife would love it, but I'll join the class for an O's game, as long as we are watching from a bar on the beach...
colorado dennis said:
Is this school of roch or eharmony?
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Maybe best post I have seen...
steve in phx-
My wife and I went to Oahu on our honeymoon this past July. I can't help you as much as those who live there, but I would suggest:
1) Pearl Harbor (very humbling and a must for its historical significance)
2) Dukes Bar (right on the beach at the Outrigger Hotel. It has some of the better prices for food in town--expect to spend $50 a meal at most places near the resorts--good service, live music and a view of the beach with all of its "sights"
3) The North Shore beaches (quiet and away from the tourist attractions)
4) Hanauma Bay (snorkeling)
5) Giovanni's Shrimp Truck
I hope this helps.
Roch, thanks for letting us turn School of Roch into a social networking/travel site. I'm all for a School of Roch field trip.
Roch-
If that really IS AJ posting on Steve's blog, maybe we could ask him if this season, WHEN he gets to 19 homers, if he will just lay down a bunt or something to take his mind off of hitting the ball out of the park. That way he won't totally fall apart trying to do exactly what he DIDN'T do to get to 19 so fast anyway.
If he gets to 72, THEN I'll say go for it. THen again, if he gets to 72 he will know that you don't hit them just by swinging for the fences every time up. Thats a good way to bat 230. Or, end up like Luke Scott or Jay Gibbons or Jack Cust or Preston Wilson or Mike Cameron or....
HAHAHAHA Jeff!!
Roch, Sounds like the O's may be looking to trade a player off the 40 man.
Do think that is why the holdup on the Hendrickson signing?
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He hadn't finished taking his physical. - Roch
Matt said:
The O's should consider trading for (SS) Paul Janish. He's an undervalued asset whose UZR fielding rating of 11.7 made him worth 2 wins over a replacement level player.
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I don't care what his UZR is, he hit .211 last year in about 250 ABs, had an OPS of .601, and his minor league statistics don't indicate that he will be even an average major league hitter. Cincinnati thought enough of Janish that they signed Orlando Cabrera and traded for Aaron Miles, meaning Janish will likely start the season in the minors.
As much as people complain about the lack of offense from Izturis and especially Andino (and I'm one of the Andino-haters), Janish makes both of them look like George Brett. Ok, he makes Izturis look like Mike Bordick, and makes Andino look like Izturis. Still, he's AWFUL offensively. Since it is no longer 1975, no amount of defense will make up for that black hole in the lineup (especially in the AL) which is why Cincinnati made the moves they did to make sure he doesn't play very much.
Matt and Anti-Brummie: Both FanGraphs and CHONE have Janish's WAR at about 1 last year due to his above average defense compensating for his below average offense. Izzy last year was similarly rated for similar reasons. Both systems rate Andino as a replacement player (i.e., WAR=0). Career OPS+ (which adjusts for park and league) for the three:
Izzy 67
Paul 54
RobA 47
I'd say there's some evidence that Janish is a better player than Andino and not quite as good as Izzy, but none of them is particularly good. In any case, Janish certainly ain't the answer, not in the AL East.
"The O's should consider trading for (SS) Paul Janish. He's an undervalued asset whose UZR fielding rating of 11.7 made him worth 2 wins over a replacement level player."
He could probably be pretty useful in either Fredrick or Bowie. He's definetly not good enough for Norfolk with that weak bat.
In order to use UZR properly, you need to take two or three full years of data. This is because a player doesn't get enough chances in the field to use just one year. Janish has only played 800 innings in the majors. He did well in 2009, but he had a bad year in 2008(-12 UZR/150). If he plays 150 games a year, he projects to be an slightly above average fielder.
Its good to know I have family in Hawaii. Uncle Chris and Cousin Burknowledge, I am coming to visit.
Australia was on my list of places to visit too but I don't think I will be visiting my redheaded step brother Brummie. I may as well just visit his twin Paul in Dundalk.
Was Bedard the PTBNL in the Bradford trade?
Speaking of NASN...why are the games blacked out in NJ? I can not find a link on the site about buying a package. I guess I have to go through DirecTV to buy it.
I volunteer to be a parent chaperone on the SOR field trip to Hawaii.
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Awesome! Just remember, Dad, what happens in Hawaii stays in Hawaii - so I won't tell Mom. Love you. - Roch
David B... Speaking on behalf of redheads... We may lay claim to the crazy, but we don't claim Brummie.
To amarie: Redheads are yum. :) Oh, and are different levels of crazy. One might diagnose Brummie's condition as Oppositional/Defiant Disorder.
Brummie's probably into Carrot-Top.
Roch - when do you go down to Sarasota and for how long? (bet you wish it was yesterday?)
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Feb. 16 until April 9 - Roch