Brian Roberts Rumors

Odds & Ends: O's, Josh Johnson, Yankees, Red Sox

A busy Sunday morning has made for some some discussable items from around the league: Rick Dempsey of MASN is excited by the Orioles future and says it is undoubtedly time for the team to trade, highlighting George Sherrill, Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Roberts, Aubrey Huff, and Melvin Mora. Carlos Frias of the Palm Beach Post notes A.J. Burnett has regrets over leaving the Marlins and burning his bridges in the process. After Josh Johnson beat the Yankees yesterday, Mike Feinsand of the New York Daily News says, "Hope you got a good look, Yankees fans. You may have been watching...   Continue Reading

---

Odds And Ends: Orioles, Bowden, Nathan

A few links for Sunday afternoon... According to MLB.com's Spencer Fordin the Orioles used "number crunching and statistical analysis" to compare Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis to similar past and present players before locking them up to deals worth $40MM and $66MM, respectively. Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports that Joe Nathan's happy to see Jonathan Papelbon making lots of money this year ($6.25MM) because it's good for closers in general. Jayson Stark of ESPN.com points out the absurdity of the Manny Ramirez negotiations and suggests the structure of a deal that could work for both sides. It's been nearly four...   Continue Reading

---

Technically, Roberts Could Be Traded

Following a new contract extension for Brian Roberts, Peter Schmuck and Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun point out an interesting feature of Roberts' new deal: The club retains a fairly unfettered right to deal Roberts now, but Orioles officials insist the club has no intention of pursuing any trade talks involving him. Many sportswriters have questioned the fit of this contract for the Orioles, since it keeps a 31-year old second baseman signed on an otherwise young team. With limited no-trade protection, Roberts may or may not be a continued fit for the Orioles' long-term plan.   Continue Reading

---

Orioles Rumors: Roberts Deal, McCrory

Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun has the latest on Brian Roberts' no-trade clause and an Orioles signing: Roberts isn't likely to be dealt anytime soon, but there are four teams he can't be traded to this year. Schmuck is "pretty confident" that the Royals and Blue Jays are two of the four. Roberts can block trades to eight teams next year and to 12 the year after that. Roberts has a complete no trade clause the following year, just before his 10-5 rights kick in for spending 10 years in the majors and the last five with the same...   Continue Reading

---

O's Sign Brian Roberts To Extension

10:44am: MLB.com's Spencer Fordin reports that the deal is now official. Put it in the books. The Orioles have even issued a press release. FRIDAY, 10:08am: MASN's Roch Kubatko reports that Roberts passed his physical this morning. The O's will announce his contract extension later today. THURSDAY, 7:00pm: Zrebiec reports that the deal is done. Roberts confirmed that he took his physical today and the deal will be announced tomorrow. It's a four-year, $40MM extension. Roberts feels that the O's will compete sometime during the duration of his contract: "I don't think I would've made the commitment to even begin...   Continue Reading

---

Odds and Ends: Griffey, Blue Jays, Roberts

Links for Thursday... ESPN's Jerry Crasnick has details around the Mariners' Ken Griffey Jr. signing, while Keith Law has criticism for it. David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution blogs about his "Griffey Chooses Braves" story. MLB.com's Mark Bowman also has thoughts on the decision not to play for Atlanta, and another postmortem article where he talks to Frank Wren and Chipper Jones. Drunk Jays Fans has a preview of the team. Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun writes in praise of the Brian Roberts extension. I don't like the argument that the Orioles needed to sign Roberts because they don't...   Continue Reading

---

Roberts, Orioles Narrowing Gap On Extension?

WEDNESDAY, 7:59am: Schmuck takes a stab at the numbers on a possible Roberts extension: The Orioles - according to Baltimore Sun reporting - were holding close to a three-year offer worth $30MM until the past few weeks. Though no definite number came out of the Roberts camp, the word on the street was he was looking for closer to $40MM over that term and would look more kindly on a four-year offer. No one would be surprised if the final deal ends up being four years for about $44MM, which would be about the same average annual salary the Orioles...   Continue Reading

---

Jeff Zrebiec Talks To Andy MacPhail

Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun talked to Orioles president Andy MacPhail recently. A few hot stove highlights: MacPhail doesn't feel misled by Mark Teixeira and Scott Boras, but notes that there was never any engagement from them after the Orioles made their offer. The Orioles' philosophy is to "grow the arms and buy the bats." With Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz, and Jake Arrieta in the system, it seems to be going according to plan. MacPhail says owner Peter Angelos is not meddling, in fact "there is nothing further from the truth." Of course, MacPhail would like to sign Brian...   Continue Reading

---

Odds And Ends: Brewers, Roberts, Tejada

A few links for Wednesday night... According to The Sports Network, the Brewers signed minor leaguers Eduardo Morlan and Cody Scarpetta to one year deals. Brian Roberts hasn't given up on working out an extension with the O's, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. Kubatko writes "it's pretty clear that he wants a fourth year." Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News profiles Jesus Montero, the 19-year-old who could succeed Jorge Posada if he fares well as a catcher. MLB.com's Corey Brock reports that Tigers' pitching prospect Rick Porcello isn't changing his approach as he approaches the majors....   Continue Reading

---

Perrotto's Latest: Position Battles, Roberts, Pudge

John Perrotto's Every Given Sunday column is up over at Baseball Prospectus. This week, he takes a look at some of the position battles teams will face entering Spring Training. And, as always, there's some interesting items in his Rumors & Rumblings section. Let's take a look: Some of the more interesting position battles mentioned: 1B/DH/RF in Oakland (Daric Barton, Jack Cust, Jason Giambi, Aaron Cunningham, and Travis Buck all in the mix), Tampa's closer if Troy Percival gets hurt or falters (Dan Wheeler, J.P. Howell, Grant Balfour), and the White Sox rotation behind John Danks, Mark Buerhle, and Gavin...   Continue Reading

---

Top Stories

Search MLBTR

Lijit Search

MLBTR Mailing List

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

MLBTR Features

Recent Posts

Rumors By Team

Monthly Archives

Live Chats

Tuesdays at 2 p.m. CST