Baltimore Orioles Rumors
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [November 15, 2009 at 9:07pm CST]
Some links to read before the weekend draws to a close... Juan Morillo, who pitched briefly for the Twins this year, has signed with a Japanese team, according to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker. Tyler Hissey of Around the Majors argues that Jason Bay fits best in the American League because of his suspect defense. Bay is a productive hitter, but questions about his ability to play the field may limit his appeal to NL clubs. His agent insists that Bay plays solid defense, but advanced metrics suggest that's not the case. Here, Hissey argues that the Yankees should consider...
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By Cork Gaines [November 13, 2009 at 12:50pm CST]
On this date 31 years ago, Red Sox free agent pitcher Luis Tiant signed a two-year, $875K contract with the Yankees. After eight seasons and 122 wins with Boston, Tiant would go 21-17 with the Yankees before finishing his career with the Pirates and Angels. With this year's free agents looking for new homes, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere... UmpBump attempts to determine how much Chone Figgins is worth. The Phrontiersman warns that giving up Cole Hamels is too much for Roy Halladay. We Should Be GMs analyzes the Phillies roster and suggests...
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By Tim Dierkes [November 12, 2009 at 9:10pm CST]
THURSDAY, 9:10pm: Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports say that while the Orioles and Marlins are discussing Uggla, it might not be a match. The Orioles aren't sure how Uggla would produce in the American League, and may be reluctant to give up young talent for two years of his services. Indeed, check out Andy MacPhail's general comments to Jeff Zrebiec: "I just don't see us giving up a young and talented player for a short-term fix. If we give up a young and talented player and fill a different position that we thought was a greater...
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By Tim Dierkes [November 12, 2009 at 1:14pm CST]
After working the lobby all week at the Chicago GM Meetings, SI's Jon Heyman has the latest hot stove chatter... The Giants "appear to have emerged as one potential competitor" for the services of Johnny Damon. The Rangers met with John Lackey's agent yesterday, though they're not expected to have that kind of money available. Heyman adds that the Brewers and Mariners haven't ruled out signing the righty. Joe Crede is among the third base candidates the Orioles will consider. We heard about Adrian Beltre, Mark DeRosa, and Pedro Feliz earlier today. Lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez "appears very popular in...
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By Tim Dierkes [November 12, 2009 at 9:51am CST]
Three players - Mike Fontenot, Adam Jones, and Micah Owings - have exactly two years and 139 days of service time. According to MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger, only one could be designated a Super Two player, and it will be Fontenot. It might seem pretty minor, but once you refresh yourself on what Super Two means, check out these ripple effects from the tiebreaker decision... Fontenot is arbitration-eligible now, so the Cubs can't just renew him for $430K. He's coming off a poor season, but he'll still be more expensive in 2010. The Cubs are tight on payroll, so you have...
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By Tim Dierkes [November 12, 2009 at 9:19am CST]
Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun has the buzz on the Orioles... President Andy MacPhail said he can't see himself trading a young, talented player for a short-term (one or two-year) fix. He left open the possibility of trading a young player to fill a different, more urgent need long-term. Zrebiec says bringing Erik Bedard back to the organization has been discussed. The Orioles may acquire bullpen help, but Zrebiec adds, "some team officials would be comfortable starting the season with Koji Uehara as the closer." MacPhail admitted the third base supply is strong. Zrebiec says the O's have interest...
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By Tim Dierkes [November 11, 2009 at 3:34pm CST]
USA's Today's Bob Nightengale is cranking out the tweets...put this stuff in a column, Bob! He says the Red Sox met with Scott Boras about Matt Holliday, as a Jason Bay contingency. Brewers GM Doug Melvin told Nightengale no one has heard from Ben Sheets or his agent. Back in October, assistant GM Gord Ash told the AP, "There's been once and a while conversations with his agent to remind that we still have that ongoing interest." Yankees GM Brian Cashman told Nightengale he didn't sit down with a single agent. Seems kind of weird. Talking to Mariners GM Jack...
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By Tim Dierkes [November 11, 2009 at 2:42pm CST]
Jon Heyman must have bumped into Mark DeRosa's agent today, because the SI reporter lists eight clubs that have already called on the player. Heyman's tweet indicates the Yankees, Mariners, Nationals, Dodgers, Phillies, Rangers, Orioles, and Giants have inquired. That seems to be an indication that DeRosa's November wrist surgery will not limit his market.
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By Mark Polishuk [November 10, 2009 at 5:42pm CST]
Some news and notes from around the majors.... Giants blogger Grant of The McCovey Chronicles notes the potential downsides for San Francisco if they were to sign Jason Bay, Jermaine Dye and/or Bengie Molina. With rumors again swirling that the Phillies will make a play for Roy Halladay, Scott Lauber of the News Journal looks at a Baseball America listing of Philadelphia's top prospects, with an eye towards which of these youngsters could head to Toronto in a trade. Speaking of Halladay, The Seattle Times' Larry Stone believes that if the Mariners do decide to move Felix Hernandez, they will...
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By Howard Megdal [November 9, 2009 at 5:36pm CST]
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com has a fascinating piece up discussing how various baseball executives view the emerging free agent and trade market. Among those polled: Of 20 executives, 11 would want Matt Holliday, nine Jason Bay if money or length of deal were not an issue. Despite Holliday being younger, better defensively and having a better career OPS, Bay's success in the pressure cooker of Boston swayed a large number of executives. For John Lackey's destination, eight believe it will be the Yankees, four the Mets, three the Angels, and the Dodgers, Astros, Orioles and Brewers getting one vote apiece....
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