Preston Wilson Projection

Wondering how new Astro Preston Wilson will perform in 2006? Check out the latest RotoAuthority projection.

Miguel Tejada backed off on his trade demand.  Translation: the Orioles didn't find an offer they liked.

Read about the Diamondbacks' new philosophy towards team defense under Josh Byrnes over at Baseball Prospectus.

Some lesser known breakout prospects over at Baseball Analysts.

Comments

[K-Man]

Author off this excerpt is correct in assuming the Orioles found no acceptable offers.

Obviously what they did is keep Tejada in the dark during the negotiations; and when they realized there was no fair value trade they called him up and expressed a desire to keep him.

Honestly, did the Orioles expect the White Sox (for example) to trade Contreras/McCarthy/Sweeney for Tejada? Especially after he said TWICE his desire to be traded. Nearly every trade scenario I heard was ridiculous. Orioles ownership likely felt they could somehow ignore this fact (along with the knowledge he could void the contract after next season). ENJOY LAST PLACE BALTIMORE!

[Carmen Fanzone]

This just in .. Miguel Tejada switches agents, Drew Rosenhaus says he's positive he can get him out of Baltimore ...

Seriously, it looks like Flanagan was only going to deal if he could take someone to the cleaners here - if he really wanted to make the deal, there were proposals of value for value. For all the rest of baseball, everyone thought Miggy was pushing to get out of there, so they figured maybe they could get him on a bit of the cheap. Hence, no deal. But if things go bad for the O's through the All-Star break, we'll be right back here discussing possible trades.

At least for you Baltimore fans, there's the hope that Leo Mazzone is the genius everyone says he is with pitchers. He's certainly got low expectations with what they've got.

[Mark]

Reading these comments are down right depressing. I have never in my life seen a collection of miserable individuals with obsessive-compulsive personalities.

Miggy rescinding his comment yet again, has NOTHING to do with the front office not finding an offer they liked.

[Operation Shutdown]

Regarding Tejada, John Lopez of the Houston Chronicle said in his blog that the Astros were very close to a deal with B-more until the Burnitz signing disaster. Had they signed Burnitz they would have parted with Tejada.

http://blogs.chron.com/lopezblog/

Oh well, Preston Wilson is a good addition. Can he still play a passable CF? He'd be a big upgrade over Taveras on O.

If the Orioles get any type of hitting before the mid-season, Tejada's gone. They're just waiting now until they can replace him.

[Nick]

Houston offered Lidge, Backe and Everett to Baltimore. Word has it the deal was all but done, both sides had agreed but the Burnitz deal feel through, allow Balt. not to pull the trigger with o much lost offense and nothing to try and start to replase it.

I think that package was more then geneorus from Houston, hence why Baltimore wanted it...I think in fact it was to much...Glad Houston didnt do this one, at least for the names given. Fill one hole, create two more. Houston is not at liberity to trade a starter until they know for sure Roger is back....only way I do that deal if I am Houston is if I know I have tavares for Contrares on the table, and getting Miggy verifies with Roger he will be back come May...aside from that...I couldnt see Houston doing it.

So for the names said at this time, knowing what we do, I like Houston not doing the deal. As I said all along...Lidge would not be traded and for anything to even been considered by Houston reguarding Brad...it has to be for a Monster bat...and this was.

[Amanda]

Huh Nick? Where do you get your information?

I heard it had been Lidge, Everett, and Baltimore's choice of Nieve or Buchholz. There was never an offer between Chicago and Houston. The Chisox are standing behind Brian Anderson.

If my sources are correct, then I'm upset the Astros couldn't pull through on the deal. Lidge is more overvalued then people believe. Qualls would do a fine closing job. You never know how prospects are going to turn out, so I wouldn't be too sad losing one or the other. Then Everett wouldn't have a job anyways with Tejada so...

But Backe isn't worth Tejada. Not in any universe. This is his year to shine.

[RumorMonger]

Are you saying you'd want Backe over Tejada? I don't know people are so high on him, besides his playoff performance.

[Amanda]

In the Astros situation right now, yes. I shudder to think having a rookie, Zeke, and Wandy as three-fifths of a starting rotation.

[Ryan]

Amanda: Just out of curiosity, if, hypothetically, the Astro's could deal Backe, Lidge, and Everett for Tejada, and then move Taveras for Contreras, would you then be in favor of dealing Backe? J/W...

[Amanda]

In that case, yes. But I've heard that the Chicago White Sox never even offered Contreras for Tavaras. Since there doesn't seem to be anymore pitchers that are imminently available, the Astros can't give up any starting pitching this year, with or without Clemens coming back.

[Rock Raines]

As a Cub fan, I'm very glad the Astros DIDN'T pull off that rumored Lidge + Backe + Everett deal for Tejada. Miggy would put up monster numbers in the Juice Box, vs. Everett who's a slug, Backe, who's an OK #4 starter, and Lidge. I like Lidge, but closers are SO overrated.

Plus, you just know with MIggy in the house, that would get Fat Rajah to come back for one more year. Not what we as Cub fans need.

So, kudos to Angelos and Flanagan for being so damn obstinate this time.

[Nick]

Amanda- My source was an article just published in the Baltimore Sun reguarding who Houston had on the table. It was also talked about on rotoworld.com. I just think the package Houston mentioned was too much, again, the only way I did that deal was if I also had Tavares for Contreras on the Table, the getting Miggy assured Roger being back (He will be anyway, but I am saying him declairing that now)...
...unless that is the case this was to much....

Rock....Rajah will be back anyway...and yes....the Cubs will be behind the 'stros yet again in the standings. =)