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Odds And Ends: Varitek, Markakis, Johnson

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Links for Thursday night…

  • Curt Schilling thinks the Red Sox need Jason Varitek.
  • Buster Olney writes that some executives think Type A free agents like Varitek, Orlando Cabrera and Juan Cruz should sign soon instead of waiting until the season starts.
  • Ken Rosenthal proposes a ’Juan Cruz rule’ so that players like Cruz aren’t the ones hurt by the compensation system.
  • Andy MacPhail provides some of the reasons he wanted to lock up Nick Markakis. He has plenty of good ones to choose from.
  • Chico Harlan of the Washington Post spoke with Nick Johnson, who "expressed no particular desire" to play in his home state of California.
  • Kobe Bryant jokingly suggested that he could play left for the Dodgers instead of Manny Ramirez.

MacPhail On Roberts, Bargains

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A few notes from Andy MacPhail from the Nick Markakis press conference today, by way of MASN’s Roch Kubatko.

  • MacPhail indicates a willingness to "swoop in" and acquire a free agent at a bargain price if the right opportunity presents itself.
  • Talks on a Brian Roberts extension continue.  MacPhail said, "The market really hasn’t played itself out," which could be a reference to Orlando Hudson.

Odds and Ends: Prospects, Schilling, Elarton

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Links for Thursday…

Odds and Ends: Prospects, Alfonzo, Zimmerman

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Links for Wednesday…

  • Cardinals GM John Mozeliak subjected himself to all kinds of questions from fans today in an online chat.  It sounds like he might do a little spring tinkering.
  • It seems that the Angels will go with internal options for the fifth starter job.
  • The Rangers, Rays, and A’s are atop Keith Law’s farm system rankings, with the Tigers, Nationals, and Astros bringing up the rear.
  • Orioles infielder Oscar Salazar is likely on the chopping block to make room for Gregg Zaun.
  • Kyodo News reports that Edgardo Alfonzo will try out for the Yomiuri Giants.
  • Dave Sheinin says Kevin Youkilis is a good comp for Ryan Zimmerman.  The midpoint between Zimmerman’s and the Nationals’ arbitration submissions would be a $3.325MM.
  • I sincerely appreciate all the submissions for the Saturday evening writer gig.  I’m happy to welcome D.J. Blatter aboard as our newest blogger.

Rosenthal On Roberts, Hudson, Counsell

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Let’s take a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal.

  • The Orioles have their ears open Brian Roberts, whose trade value has diminished as he nears free agency.  The White Sox can’t afford him, the Braves are reluctant to give up talent, and the Cubs didn’t discuss him in the Felix Pie talks.  The Roberts market may improve once Orlando Hudson signs.
  • Rosenthal’s source says the Michael Young–Jermaine Dye discussions did take place.  If you read Dave van Dyck’s article, Ken Williams never specifically denied talks with the Rangers.
  • Rosenthal believes that if the Cubs make another big move, it’ll be a Jake Peavy trade.  They’re not in on Hudson.
  • The Dodgers have roughly $50MM in payroll flexibility right now.
  • The Giants may be looking at Manny Ramirez, but they’ve also looked in trades for hitters – "presumably" Prince Fielder or Corey Hart included.  Those talks with the Brewers didn’t go far.  The Giants may be willing to move Jonathan Sanchez, but the Jorge Cantu talks have stalled.
  • So far the Dodgers and Russell Martin have only talked about a one-year deal.
  • The Mariners are Brewers are eyeing Craig Counsell.
  • The Ms "likely are willing" to trade Aaron Heilman.

Markakis Finalizes Extension With Orioles

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2:33pm: The Orioles and Markakis have finalized a six-year, $66MM extension.  Markakis will take his physical this week.

MONDAY, 7:53am: Peter Schmuck believes the Markakis extension is "essentially done" and awaiting a routine physical.  Yesterday Andy MacPhail said, "We’re close, but we’re not quite there yet."

SATURDAY: Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun is reporting that right fielder Nick Markakis and the Baltimore Orioles have made "real progress" in their contract-extension negotiations in recent days, according to club president Andy MacPhail.

One source told Connolly that the two sides are close to agreeing to a six-year deal worth between $64MM and $66MM in guaranteed money.

Markakis, 25, hit .306 with 20 home runs and 87 RBI in 2008.

Orioles, Red Sox Swap Bierd And Pauley

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Roch Kubatko of MASN Online reports this afternoon that the Orioles and Red Sox made a swap of righthanded pitchers.  The O’s sent Randor Bierd to the Sox for David Pauley.

Bierd, 25 in March, tossed 36.6 relief innings for the ’08 Orioles, posting a 4.91 ERA.  The Orioles had taken him from the Tigers with the third pick in the December ’07 Rule 5 draft.  He spent a couple of months this year on the DL with a shoulder injury, which worked out nicely for the Orioles since Rule 5 picks have to be on the Major League roster if healthy.  Baseball America sees him as a decent reliever with "impeccable control."

Pauley, a 25 year-old starter, posted a 3.55 ERA in 25 Triple A starts for Pawtucket in ’08.  The Sox designated him for assignment last Tuesday to make room for John Smoltz.  Baseball America considered Pauley a potential #4-5 starter with three average pitches, when discussing him in their ’06 Handbook.

Orioles Trade Olson For Pie

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5:20pm: Tom Krasovic notes the Padres’ previous interest in Olson.  He examines the possibility of the Cubs and Padres making a Jake Peavy deal.  Click here to read Jim Hendry’s thoughts on Pie.  Bruce Miles also notes that the Cubs are close to deals for arb-eligible relievers Kevin Gregg and Mike Wuertz.

3:11pm: Roch Kubatko spoke with Andy MacPhail about the Pie/Olson trade. MacPhail says that this trade is not a precursor to any other move, and that it’s likely the Orioles will go with Huff at first base, Pie in left, and Scott at DH.

Earlier we’d heard the O’s being in on some possible first base candidates, including Richie Sexson, Adam Dunn, and Ty Wigginton, but it seems they’re comfortable with this lineup.

1:10pm: Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Orioles have traded Garrett Olson and Class-A righthander Henry Williamson to the Cubs in exchange for Felix Pie.

Olson figures to slot in as a middle-reliever for the Cubs or as a fifth starter, depending on what role they have planned for Sean Marshall.

Pie could start off the 2009 season as a backup for all three outfield spots, according to Rosenthal. Rosenthal also suggests Pie playing left field, with Aubrey Huff manning first base and Luke Scott becoming a full-time DH. That idea seems to make more sense to me.

If Pie can realize any of his potential in a new setting, the Orioles will have one of the more talented young outfields in baseball.

Orioles Rumors: Brian Roberts

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In light of the imminent Nick Markakis extension, Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun is making a prediction: Brian Roberts will not receive an extension, and will start the season on the Orioles. The Orioles had reportedly offered a multiyear extension at about $10MM per, but the two sides had not made progress as of early January. Schmuck reasons,

"…the market for him right now is pretty soft. The proof in that is free agent Orlando Hudson, who is basically Brian without all the stolen bases and is still waiting to be signed. Why would anyone give up a package of young players for Brian, who has to be signed beyond this season? The same team could sign Hudson for less than Roberts wants without having to give up more than draft choice compensation."

Dan Connolly posited the same reasoning last week. For the record, Schmuck thinks the Orioles should extend Roberts to "mollify the fanbase" and support their young pitching staff by maintaining solid infield defense up-the-middle.

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