Orioles, Red Sox Swap Bierd And Pauley
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
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
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.
Orioles Talking With Luke Scott, Eyeing Ohman
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.