Orioles Rumors

Orioles Talking With Luke Scott, Eyeing Ohman

By Tim Dierkes | January 16, 2009 at 4:53pm CDT

Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun writes about the Orioles’ attempt to sign arbitration-eligible outfielder Luke Scott before figures are submitted on Tuesday. Baltimore’s other arb-eligible players are Nick Markakis and George Sherrill.

The O’s made an offer to Scott’s agent Page Odle on Tuesday, and the offer was countered on Thursday. Odle described it as "pretty positive dialogue."

Zrebiec also learned from Odle that the Orioles remain interested in Will Ohman, as are the Braves, D’Backs, Indians, and Rangers. Ohman has two offers in hand, but not from the O’s.

Regarding Sherrill, MLBTR has learned that the Orioles called his agent yesterday to give a number they were looking at. It was their first contact of the offseason.

Rosenthal On Andruw, Nady, Lyon, Madson

By Tim Dierkes | January 16, 2009 at 3:00pm CDT

The latest from Ken Rosenthal…

The Braves are pulling back for the moment in their search for an outfield bat. They’ll hope for a free agent bargain or the right trade. Rosenthal says they’re torn about Andruw Jones. The Braves seek a right-handed hitter but aren’t dead set on it. They were unwilling to meet the Yankees’ demands for Xavier Nady.
Brandon Lyon’s agent is telling teams he has a two-year, $9MM offer in hand (Kyle Farnsworth money). The Tigers or Twins are possibilities there, while the Cardinals may have offered one year. Jon Paul Morosi confirms Detroit’s interest, but says they’ve yet to make an offer. Morosi believes the Tigers have about $5MM left in their budget.
Ryan Madson turned down a three-year, $12MM extension from the Phillies. The Scott Boras client is eligible for free agency after the season.
Execs have all kinds of concerns with Oliver Perez: his flyball tendencies, frequent walks, and inability to reach 200 innings.
The Yankees have little interest in Ben Sheets and Freddy Garcia. The Rangers, Mets, and White Sox remain in the mix for Garcia.
The Brewers and other teams are in on Braden Looper, while the Orioles and Dodgers have backed off.
Edgardo Alfonzo is playing well in the Venezuelan Winter League and could make a comeback.

Zaun Agrees To Terms With Orioles

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 15, 2009 at 8:53pm CDT

Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun reports that Gregg Zaun has agreed to a one year contract with the Orioles that includes a team option for 2010. Zaun will earn $1.5MM in 2009 and the Orioles have the option of paying him $2MM in 2010 or buying him out for $500K.

A physical is scheduled for Tuesday.

Orioles president Andy MacPhail said he expects Zaun to do the "lion’s share of the catching" at first, even with top prospect Matt Wieters around.

Orioles Invite 23 To Spring Training

By Tim Dierkes | January 15, 2009 at 2:59pm CDT

The Orioles just released info on their 23 non-roster Spring Training invitees: Alberto Castillo, Scott Chiasson, Fredy Deza, Brad Hennessey, Ryan Keefer, Andy Mitchell, Chris Tillman, Ross Wolf, Adam Donachie, Robby Hammock, Chad Moeller, Guillermo Quiroz, Jose Reyes, Guillermo Rodriguez, Matt Wieters, Craig Brazell, Jolbert Cabrera, Blake Davis, Chris Gomez, Donnie Murphy, Brandon Snyder, Justin Turner, and Justin Christian.

Odds and Ends: Smoltz, Cordero, Colon, Byrd

By Tim Dierkes | January 15, 2009 at 10:45am CDT

Links for Thursday…

John Smoltz told Dan Patrick that the Yankees and Dodgers also courted him.
KNBR had interviews with Scott Boras and Ned Colletti yesterday.
The Dodgers are "only monitoring" Kris Benson and Chad Cordero.
The Phillies have "kept tabs" on Cordero and Eric Milton.
Baseball America ranked the Rangers’ farm system as the best in baseball.
Andy MacPhail says the Orioles don’t necessarily have to add a first baseman.
South Side Sox and Sox Machine on the Bartolo Colon signing.
Jon Paul Morosi says Jason Isringhausen is a "natural fit" for the Tigers.
The Red Sox will only get a supplemental pick for Paul Byrd if he signs before the June draft.
Barry Bloom gathers responses from baseball execs on the salary cap issue.
Eddie Bajek made a breakthrough in his attempt to crack the Elias code.
Richard Justice has an interesting story involving new Astro Russ Ortiz.
Rickey Henderson says he’s still available to play. Asked about the WBC, he responded, ""What is [the WBC], wrestling?"
Transcript of an interview with Red Sox owner John Henry.

Orioles Closing In On Deal With Zaun

By Tim Dierkes | January 14, 2009 at 12:42pm CDT

12:42pm: Roch Kubatko heard the Zaun deal is "pretty much done" assuming he passes his physical.

8:36am: According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles are "closing in on a one-year deal" with catcher Gregg Zaun. Zaun’s agent Dan Evans had been busy with the Kenshin Kawakami deal, but Zrebiec says the Orioles should have Zaun signed by week’s end.

Zaun came up with the Orioles in ’95 and was traded to the Marlins the following year.

Orioles, Ray Avoid Arbitration

By Alex Walsh | January 13, 2009 at 7:39pm CDT

7:39pm: The deal is worth $850,000, says MLB.com’s Doug Miller.

5:19pm: According to Roch Kubatko of MASN, the Orioles have avoided arbitration with reliever Chris Ray, by agreeing to a one-year deal with the pitcher.

Orioles Rumors: Dunn, Wigginton, Sexson

By Tim Dierkes | January 13, 2009 at 3:15pm CDT

3:15pm: Roch Kubatko says the Orioles would only consider Adam Dunn as a DH, and he wants to play the outfield.

1:40pm: The latest from Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun (with an assist from Jeff Zrebiec)…

The Orioles want a first base candidate who can also play other positions, since they want to use Aubrey Huff at first sometimes. Ty Wigginton remains on the radar, but the Orioles don’t want to go beyond one year. The O’s have apparently moved on from the Richie Sexson idea.
The Orioles signed former Yankees outfielder Justin Christian to a minor league deal.
The O’s finalized their two-year contract with Koji Uehara.

Minor League Signings

By Tim Dierkes | January 12, 2009 at 4:08pm CDT

Three new minor league signings from Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun. The Orioles signed Jolbert Cabrera and Robby Hammock, while the Marlins inked Jay Gibbons.

Odds and Ends: Glavine, Millar, Uehara

By | January 11, 2009 at 8:07pm CDT

A few links on a slow Sunday night in the world of baseball…

Tom Glavine, a native of Massachusetts, told former New York Times baseball writer Murray Chass that he is "envious" that buddy John Smoltz gets to pitch for the Boston Red Sox this season.
Roch Kubatko of MASN Online believes the Orioles are far from signing free agent Kevin Millar, but notes that the two sides have interest in each other.
Japanese pitcher and brand new member of the Orioles, Koji Uehara, arrived in the Baltimore area Sunday and plans to take his physical on Monday.

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