Press release from the Orioles this afternoon: they've released catcher Guillermo Quiroz and pitcher Scott Chiasson. Combined with other moves they're down to 50 players in camp. Infielder Chris Gomez is also on the roster bubble, according to Jeff Zrebiec and Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun.
Orioles Rumors
Odds & Ends: Suzuki, Zambrano, Nationals
Links for Tuesday…
- Remember Mac Suzuki? According to MLB.com’s Dick Kaegel, the Royals’ first Japanese pitcher worked out for Kansas City and Cleveland and will audition for the Dodgers as well. He’s spent the last three years in the Mexican League.
- Carlos Zambrano’s second-favorite team is the White Sox, according to Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times. Big Z’s contract with the Cubs runs through 2012 or 2013.
- Nationals acting GM Mike Rizzo told Chico Harlan of the Washington Post he’s received a lot of phone calls about his outfield/first base logjam.
- RotoAuthority runs through all 30 closer situations. Print it out and bring it to your draft.
- Cole Hamels update: no structural damage to his elbow. ESPN’s Buster Olney says it’s inflammation.
- Hal McCoy heard from a scout that the Reds might be shopping pitcher Nick Masset, who is out of options.
- Baseball America’s Jim Callis says about 42-44% of first-round draft picks have significant big league careers.
- "Only a physical and minor details" remain on Ivan Rodriguez’s one-year, $1.5MM deal with the Astros, according to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle.
- Free agent outfielder Luis Gonzalez still hopes to play in 2009. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic says the D’Backs’ interest only lies in post-retirement employment.
- According to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, the Mets have begun the process of returning Rule 5 pick Rocky Cherry to the Orioles. UPDATE: Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post says the O’s rejected Cherry and the Mets released him.
- This week’s chat has been moved to Thursday at 2pm CST.
Odds & Ends: Strasburg, Pedro, A’s, Padres
Links for Wednesday…
- Orioles president Andy MacPhail doesn’t seem interested, but Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun quizzed various players on the team about the possibility of signing Pedro Martinez.
- MetsBlog’s Matthew Cerrone says Pedro was hitting 92 yesterday and his fastball had the old-school tail on it.
- The AP reports that MLB is investigating the ages of 42 Dominican prospects.
- RotoAuthority names 20 undervalued hitters for 2009 fantasy drafts.
- Nationals acting GM Mike Rizzo spoke highly of Stephen Strasburg, talking to Ben Goessling of the Washington Times.
- ESPN’s Buster Olney learned that the A’s are open-minded to Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill, and/or Vin Mazzaro cracking the Opening Day rotation. Jerry Crasnick has more on Oakland’s next Big Three.
- Olney also says the Padres will be "scouring the earth for pitching" over the next few weeks. This jives with Tom Krasovic’s recent article.
Rosenthal On Pedro, A-Rod, Beimel, Ohman
Here’s the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports…
- One executive tells Rosenthal Pedro Martinez seeks a contract similar to the one John Smoltz received (a $5.5MM base plus $5.5MM incentives). Rosenthal’s speculative candidates for Pedro include the Dodgers, Marlins, Indians, and Mets. He says the A’s, Orioles, Nationals, and Brewers are out.
- Rosenthal does not expect a major acquisition by the Yankees to cover for Alex Rodriguez. He adds that the Yanks will not collect insurance on A-Rod’s salary.
- In addition to Orlando Cabrera, Manny Ramirez has a clause in his contract prohibiting his team from offering arbitration if he’s a Type A free agent after the season. Orlando Hudson and Bobby Abreu do not have such clauses.
- Two GMs told Rosenthal Joe Beimel wants a one-year, $2.5MM deal, but the pitcher’s agent Joe Sroba says they have’t gotten that specific. Sroba says new teams are in the mix for Beimel and he’s waiting for one to be "aggressive and sincere in their pursuit."
- The White Sox and Dodgers are two teams in on free agent lefty Will Ohman.
Orioles Agree To Terms With 23
According to a press release, the Orioles have agreed to terms with 23 of their pre-arbitration players.
Some of the more recognizable names on the list include Jeremy Guthrie, Rich Hill, Adam Jones, and Felix Pie. We already heard about Guthrie’s deal earlier today. He’ll take a pay cut heading into the 2009 season.
Peter Schmuck has the entire list.
Orioles, Guthrie Agree To Terms
Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun reports the Orioles have agreed to terms on a $650,000 one-year deal with Jeremy Guthrie.
Guthrie earned $770,000 last year and has taken a pay cut on account of his salary being incommensurate with his service time. To contrast, Schmuck notes Nick Markakis made $455,000 in 2008 with similar service time.
Pedro Martinez Unlikely For Orioles
Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun talked to Orioles president Andy MacPhail, who admitted the team had internal discussions about free agent starter Pedro Martinez. However, Schmuck learned that the O’s are unlikely to sign Martinez and have not been in contact with his agent. Martinez didn’t drum up much interest this winter, and he’s hoping a fine WBC showing will improve his stock. Today in the Dominican Republic’s 3-2 upset loss to the Netherlands, Pedro tossed three scoreless innings with four strikeouts.
Miguel Tejada Still Fond Of Orioles
Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun spoke to Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada, who said:
"I always enjoyed to be with the Orioles. I’m a free agent this year. You never know. I might come back."
The Orioles’ shortstop situation will depend on the performance of Cesar Izturis, who they signed at $2.4MM for ’09 and $2.6MM for ’10. But even if Izturis meets expectations, the Orioles will have a vacancy at third base since Melvin Mora’s contract will be up.
Offseason In Review: Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles are next in our Offseason In Review series. Click here to see what we wrote about the team on September 4th.
Additions: Koji Uehara, Ty Wigginton, Rich Hill, Felix Pie, Cesar Izturis, Gregg Zaun, Ryan Freel, Adam Eaton, John Parrish, Mark Hendrickson, David Pauley, Brad Hennessey, Robby Hammock, Chad Moeller, Chris Gomez, Donnie Murphy, Jolbert Cabrera, Lou Palmisano
Subtractions: Kevin Millar, Ramon Hernandez, Daniel Cabrera, Adam Loewen, Jay Payton, Juan Castro, Alex Cintron, Freddie Bynum, Brandon Fahey, Garrett Olson, Brian Burres, Lance Cormier, Chad Bradford (midseason), Steve Trachsel (midseason), Randor Bierd
In September, I said that I didn’t see the need for the Orioles to throw away $5MM+ on a veteran innings eater despite their rotation uncertainty. They did just that on Uehara (assuming he can indeed eat innings). I don’t mind the signing though – the dollars weren’t huge and the team entered the Japanese market. And maybe there’s something to be said for adding a little stability behind Jeremy Guthrie.
The Orioles’ rotation, dead last in the AL in ERA last year, almost can’t help but be better after subtracting the 6.00+ ERAs of Burres, Olson, and others. What can we say about Uehara, Hill, Eaton, Hendrickson, Parrish, Pauley, and Hennessey? They’re different, at least, and aside from Uehara they cost next to nothing. Even if one works out it’s a win. In a perfect world the Orioles will have Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman, and Jake Arrieta in the 2010 rotation, so most of this winter’s imports are placeholders. Wigginton, Zaun, and Izturis also fit the placeholder mold; they weren’t terribly expensive.
Over $30MM will come off the books for the O’s after the ’09 season, so Andy MacPhail can make a surgical free agent strike if the team is ready to contend. Matt Wieters may be an offensive force in the bigs by then, and you have to love Baltimore’s outfield. MacPhail’s biggest needs will be the positions easiest to fill – the infield corners and the DH spot.
MacPhail’s Nick Markakis extension should be commended; such deals are usually favorable to the team. Aspects of the Brian Roberts extension can be questioned, but it’ll hardly cripple the team.
Bottom line: 2009 is a year of transition for the Orioles, a team that is getting younger, better, and cheaper. MacPhail’s offseason additions didn’t set the club back and a few could turn into long-term pieces.
Orioles Sign Adam Eaton
According to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports the Orioles signed Adam Eaton to a minor league contract and invited him to Spring Training. Eaton, 31, was released by the Phillies Friday.
Scott Lauber of the Wilmington News Journal adds that Eaton, who cleared waivers, will only cost the O’s $400K if he makes the club. The Phillies are responsible for the rest of the $8.65MM owed to Eaton.
