Orioles Rumors

Odds & Ends: Cubs, Strasburg, O’s

By Eddie Schmid | August 13, 2009 at 9:42pm CDT

Some more links on a slow night in Rumorville:

A reader points us to a report out of Korea that says two amateurs have been signed out of Korea. CF Kyung-min Na was signed by the Cubs for 725k and is called "the fastest player in Korean high school baseball," while IF Chan-jong Moon was signed by the Astros for 350k.
According to MASN Sports' Steve Melewski, Orioles head of scouting Joe Jordan sees recent 22nd-round signee Cameron Coffey as "top two rounds" talent and expects him to pitch next season despite recent surgery.
Count in Ryan Zimmerman as a fan of Stephen Strasburg. He hopes the Nationals sign the fireballer, says Bill Ladson at MLB.com.
Roch Kubatko at MASN Sports says that Orioles president Andy MacPhail doesn't have much interest in the recently DFA'd Bill Hall.
Kubatko also reports that the Orioles are set to determine the player to be named from the Rays in the Gregg Zaun deal this coming Monday.

Orioles Sign 22nd Rounder For $1MM

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 13, 2009 at 4:48pm CDT

After two months of modest signings, teams have begun awarding some historically big bonuses this week. The agent for Orioles 22rd round selection Cameron Bryan Coffey says his client agreed to sign a deal worth $990k, according to Mark Berman of My FOX in Houston. That's more than what first rounders such as Brett Jackson and Tim Wheeler received.

Coffey, a lefty who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, has been clocked in the mid 90s. Jim Callis of Baseball America, who was right on this signing, calls Coffey "projectable" and notes that his fastball velocity jumped significantly this year.

Orioles Won’t Sign Second-Rounder

By Eddie Schmid | August 12, 2009 at 7:50pm CDT

According to Steve Melewski at MASN Sports, the Orioles have decided not to offer a contract to no. 54 overall pick Mychal Givens. Givens, a high school SS, had apparently increased his asking price on draft day and the Orioles selected him anyway. But now scouting director Joe Jordan decided didn't "feel good" about the figures demanded.

Jordan indicates that the money will be allocated toward players he considers second-round talent, though he does not identify whom. The O's will now have two second-round picks in next year's draft.

Odds And Ends: Tate, Draft, Tejada, Jays

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 12, 2009 at 4:19pm CDT

Some afternoon links…

Jason Jennings of 99.9 The Fan reports that Donavan Tate left the UNC football program and appears likely to sign with the Padres.
The Orioles expect to know within two days whether they'll sign second rounder Michal Givens, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
The Mets expect to sign their top pick, Steven Matz, according to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News. The lefty could command a seven figure bonus.
Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle says the Astros could bring Miguel Tejada back next year, though they haven't decided what they'll do.
MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports that Jays manager Cito Gaston isn't sure he wants to manage after his contract expires at the end of next season.
Joe Posnanski says Alex Rios has the seventh worst contract in the game. Rob Neyer's take: Ricciardi has signed players to lousy contracts, but he may be the right guy in the wrong place at this point. My take: Posnanski's too hard on the deal.

Odds And Ends: O’s, Jays, Greene, Brewers

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 11, 2009 at 3:41pm CDT

More links on the 80th anniversary of Babe Ruth's 500th career homer:

Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun says the Orioles are well-positioned in case teams start shedding high-salaried corner infielders.
MLB.com's Jordan Bastian says the Jays called up Randy Ruiz. Why didn't Travis Snider get the call? His service time probably has something to do with it.
The Padres filed a grievance after they had to pay Khalil Greene to recover from a self-inflicted hand injury when he was on their roster last year. Now, Tom Krasovic reports that the two sides have come to an agreement, so there will be no grievance hearing.
Via Twitter, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the Brewers designated minor league righty Nick Green for assignment to make room for David Weathers.
Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star reports that the Royals claimed minor leaguer John Bannister from the Rangers and assigned him to AA.
Via Twitter, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says he doubts the Yankees will trade for Bronson Arroyo.

Odds And Ends: Astros, Branyan, Helton, O’s

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 11, 2009 at 11:55am CDT

More links as Colby Rasmus and Pablo Sandoval turn 23…

Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle reports that attendance has dropped 12% at Astros games this year and could fall further. Team owner Drayton McLane won't say how much he'll spend on payroll next year.
Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times says there's room for Russell Branyan on next year's Mariners team. Could $10MM over two years work for both sides?
ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick says Todd Helton has a chance at a Hall of Fame plaque, whether or not the first baseman is comfortable discussing his chances at immortality.
The Orioles agreed to sign fifth rounder Ashur Tolliver for $200k, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. They also agreed to terms with Randy Henry for $365k and Ryan Berry for $418k. All three bonuses are higher than recommended.

Huff, Mora & Baez Clear Waivers

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 10, 2009 at 9:15am CDT

Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports that Aubrey Huff, Melvin Mora and Danys Baez all cleared waivers, and can now be dealt to any club. As we mentioned earlier, you can find this trio on our list of players to clear waivers.

Zrebiec suggests the O's would be willing to absorb some of the $9MM Mora makes if they found an interested team. Given Mora's struggles at the plate, it would be a surprise to see a rival team take on even a third of what's he's owed. Baez ($5.5MM) and Huff ($8MM) both have relatively expensive deals. All three O's are set to become freee agents after the season.

Odds & Ends: Smoltz, Nationals GM, Chapman, Orioles

By Mike Axisa | August 9, 2009 at 7:26pm CDT

A couple of links on a lazy Sunday…

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Texas Rangers and several NL teams have expressed interest in acquiring John Smoltz. The 42-yr old is mulling his options at the moment, but Olney says it's "highly unlikely that any NL team would be willing to take Smoltz in a trade without some financial adjustment."
Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe says that there is lots of "chatter among major league sources in Washington that Diamondbacks director of scouting and player development Jerry Dipoto is the leading candidate to be Nationals general manager." He mentions that Red Sox assistant GM Jed Hoyer has also been mentioned as a candidate, and that the club is also considering giving interm GM Mike Rizzo the job on a permanent basis.
This one's a bit old, but Peter Bjarkman balances out some of the hype we've heard about Cuban defectee Aroldis Chapman, citing his lack of control in the strike zone and his pedestrian track record in the Cuban National League. (h/t Patrick at NPB Tracker)
Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun reports that Aubrey Huff, Melvin Mora, and Danys Baez have cleared waivers. Mora expressed his displeasure with Baltimore earlier in the week. Remember, you can find our list of players who've cleared waivers featured on the sidebar.

Orioles Ink Freddy Guzman

By Eddie Schmid | August 9, 2009 at 11:56am CDT

According to the Minor League Baseball transactions feed, the Orioles signed free agent OF Freddy Guzman and assigned him to AAA Norfolk. The 28-year-old Guzman last appeared in the majors in '07 for the Rangers. He'll provide some minor-league depth.

Odds And Ends: Zaun, D’Backs, Byrd

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 7, 2009 at 4:51pm CDT

A few more links to read as we try to figure out who claimed Alex Rios…

Gregg Zaun told Roch Kubatko of MASN.com that he was "totally shocked" to hear he was traded to the Rays.
The D'Backs agreed to terms with Chris Owings, the 41st overall pick in this year's draft, on a $950k deal, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. Owings, a high school shortstop, signed for $135k above slot.
Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe reports that it may be three weeks before Paul Byrd is ready.

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