Here’s the latest on the Orioles’ search for outfield and pitching help, via various O’s beat writers on Twitter, including the Baltimore Sun’s Eduardo A. Encina, MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko and MLB.com’s Britt Ghiroli.
- A previous report had indicated that the Orioles “expected” to sign both Dexter Fowler and Yovani Gallardo, each of whom rejected qualifying offers at the beginning of the offseason. At least according to Orioles exec Dan Duquette (via Encina), though, that might not be the case — he says the Orioles are currently considering the value of the draft picks the team would forfeit as a result of signing Fowler and Gallardo (currently Nos. 14 and 29 overall) and how those draft picks impact those players’ value.
- Kubatko writes that the Orioles are considering other outfield options besides Fowler, noting that other available free agents would not require the loss of a draft pick. Of course, there’s the possibility that stance could be a ploy by the Orioles’ to drive Fowler’s asking price down. The two sides had reportedly been considering potential two- and three-year deals, although another report indicated Fowler as seeking at least four years, or over $45MM on a three-year contract.
- According to Ghiroli, the O’s haven’t yet seen Tim Lincecum pitch. The Orioles have repeatedly been connected to Lincecum, although they’re waiting to see how he looks after having worked his way back from hip issues.
And the merry-go-round keeps going even after everyone has thrown up.
Well, that is the Orioles for you.
Trying to leverage till the very end
SMH
It’s smart. $90M for Gallardo and Fowler is a lot. So close to camp, players get anxious, they might be able to get that number down to $70M
So: you’d rather that the player squeeze the team for everything he wants? Fowler is playing the leverage game, clearly. The team shouldn’t sign him at a bad price. AJax is still out there and so is Pedro Alvarez (Trumbo could play RF).
Perhaps Buck Showalter is being listened to. On both the Hot Stove radio show and on an ESPN interview with Buster Olney he said there’s a price to be paid for adding free agents. It’s not just the loss of a draft pick, it’s also moving a good young player that you like long term off the 40 man roster. He also said— when asked about the possible signing of Gallardo—: that he liked the guys the team already has and that he had confidence in the coaching staff to make them better.
Of course Buck likes to keep draft picks when possible. He played a role in rebuilding the Yankees, the Rangers and helping the DBacks get their organization going.
If the price is right Fowler would be a good addition, even with his injury history. But don’t act out of desperation. There are other options.
Buck *always* says that he likes the guys the team already has. How could he possible say anything else?
If after all this time you haven’t realized that the Orioles are owned by a very good lawyer, then there is no hope.
Wow! Lincecum hasn’t had his showcase yet. Bet it took a lot of research to determine the Orioles, OR ANY OTHER TEAM, haven’t seen him pitch yet. This is not news. News would be that they DID see him pitch.
Has Austin Jackson signed with my White Sox yet? If not, why not?!?!
All of the sudden, they don’t want to lose their draft picks again. Not sure how two picks could rebuild the terrible farm system, especially when the major league roster demands a right fielder and a starter. Once again the Duquette mantra is “we want a competitive team”. God forbid your goal should be to win the World Series. These two draft picks will not make you competitive or help you win a World Championship. So much for improving the starting pitching, Duquette, like you’ve said a thousand times. Now you’re just a plain liar. No wonder you couldn’t get a major league job for nearly a decade.
Tired of all the rumors. I think it makes DD head swell reading the tumors. Just give us the news when it happens. It just frustrates the fan base hearing all these rumors.
Dexter 3 teams in 3 years. Very little power and speed is declining. Orioles already have a CF in Adam Jones. I have trouble taking most Oriole stories seriously. This team does not have the SP to contend so spending more money and losing draft picks makes little sense. It also made no sense to offer Matt Wieters a qualifiying offer. Of course he was going to accept. Most Oriole transactions take place in slow motion. This is week two for these rumors. Orioles are similar to the Blue Jays, lots of thunder and very iffy SP.
Do like the Jays which is do nothing and you will be fine.
The O’s don’t want Fowler for center the obviously want him in right where they need help. He is still capable of hitting around .275 with 10-15 home runs and 20 stolen bases. What more do you need out of a lead off hitter?
Do you look at stats at all or do any kind of research? “3 teams in 3 years” So what it happens quite often these days when players get arbitration eligible.
As for your observations about Dexter’s ability:
“Very little power and speed is declining. Orioles already have a CF in Adam Jones.”
He has hit at the top of the order his entire career and is valuable as a table setter more so than a power hitter.
He had a season high in HRs last year, (I’ll take 15-20 HRs from my lead off man any time), but also had his highest SB total since 2009 which hardly indicates a decline in speed.
As someone has had to point out to you Fowler is not on the O’s radar to replace Adam in center, but as a defensive upgrade at a corner OF position and someone to fill in for Jones when needed!
Clearly you have NO idea what you’re talking about and have no knowledge of what is in the best interest of The Baltimore Orioles, Tiger1968.
Fowler’s speed is declining? Didn’t he post the second highest SB total of his career last year?
If I am the Orioles, I ask both Fowler and Gallardo to wait until June when they won’t cost a draft pick. However, the danger there is they can market themselves to other teams and the price goes up since no draft pick penalty is in play. Perhaps to prevent that they can offer the use of their facilities and give them a ST invite so they can stay in shape and get some better work in, provided they agree to take the offer on the table come June
I suspect the agents of Gallardo and Fowler are using this possibility as leverage, although teams might be wary of signing a hitter like Fowler after seeing what happened to Drew and Morales. Pitchers have a better track record, although hitters come back all the time after missing the early part of the season with an injury so I don’t think its a big deal
When did anybody write about Gallardo and Fowler getting a combined $90m? The last few reports I read talked of $45-50m for Gallardo and $20m for Fowler. Granted that was likely coming from the O’s side of the table but no matter how you look at it that’s a far cry from $90m.
Bla bla bla!
So where’s my comments?
bla,bla,bla !
bla bla bla! Where’s my comment?