Orioles Rumors

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.

Rays Acquire Gregg Zaun

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 7, 2009 at 1:57pm CDT

The Rays acquired catcher Gregg Zaun from the Orioles for a player to be named later or cash considerations, according to an Orioles press release. Just last week the Rays were in on Victor Martinez as they looked for depth behind the plate. Like Martinez, Zaun is a switch hitter under contract for this year with a club option for 2010. Zaun makes $1.5MM this year and the Rays will choose between a $500k buyout and a $2MM option for next season.

So far in 2009, the 38-year-old is hitting .244/.355/.375 with four homers.

Odds & Ends: Red Sox, Irabu, Draft

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 5, 2009 at 9:25am CDT

Some links to start the morning off…

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wonders if the Red Sox would pull back John Smoltz and Mike Lowell if either veteran was claimed on waivers.
Hideki Irabu is closing in on a deal with an independent Japanese team, according to CBS Sports.
MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo points out that there are usually a lot of unsigned draft picks this time of year. He also has a league-wide update on those who have yet to sign this season.
If you heard that someone determined the return on investment of top draft picks, you'd probably think it was someone in a front office. But, as Mayo reports, Pirates pitcher Ross Ohlendorf did just that as a student at Princeton.
Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports that the O's haven't made progress with second rounder Mychal Givens.
New acquisition Jarrod Washburn told David Mayo of MLive.com that he "felt like a rookie" in his Tigers debut last night. Washburn lost to Brian Matusz, a real-life rookie who won his MLB debut.
Like the early 90s Braves, the Padres are building around young arms, according to Chris Jenkins of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Odds & Ends: Red Sox, Mora, Halladay

By Eddie Schmid | August 4, 2009 at 8:48pm CDT

Some links to pore over as we just miss another no-hitter:

Alex Speier at WEEI reports that the Red Sox won't give 16-year-old Dominican hurler Victor Payano a contract, despite being rumored as favorites to sign him. Payano, in line for a bonus around $900k, had failed his physical.
Peter Schmuck at the Baltimore Sun notes that top prospect Brian Matusz was called up to start tonight for the O's and they in turn optioned Kam Mickolio to Triple-A. After Melvin Mora's recent spat with manager Dave Trembley, there was speculation Mora would be gone, but he is starting tonight. He still could be moved.
Scott Podsednik's improved play has increased his value, but he wants to stay with the White Sox in 2010, says Scott Merkin at MLB.com.
Rangers GM Jon Daniels said in an e-mail to Yahoo's Gordon Edes that there was no effort by J.P. Ricciardi to mislead the Rangers in Roy Halladay talks, and Ricciardi was "upfront" about what he wanted.
The Padres officially released Mark Prior today, says CBS Sports. The move was reported to be on the horizon by Corey Brock at MLB.com Saturday.

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