Orioles Rumors

Orioles To Explore Extensions For Roberts, Markakis

By Alejandro Leal | September 20, 2008 at 9:24am CDT

In what the Baltimore Sun is calling a pivotal offseason, Orioles president of baseball operations, Andy MacPhail, said the team will initiate contract extension talks with the agents of second baseman Brian Roberts and outfielder Nick Markakis.

Roberts is eligible for free-agency after next season, and the Orioles had brief discussions with Jamie Murphy, Markakis’ agent, during the All-Star game, but talks quickly ceased due to neither party being able to reach any common ground.

Roberts has been linked to several trade talks in the past, but he made no secret of the fact that he’d like to stay with the O’s:

"I’ve always enjoyed Baltimore. I like playing here," Roberts told the Sun. "It’s something that we’ll have to sit down and look at this winter. If the opportunity arises, I’ll sit down with the Orioles or my agent or my family or whoever and try to figure out the best thing to do. I just have trouble looking at it right now. I’m just trying to finish the season, and there’s nothing really on the table to talk about it. But I enjoy being here. It’s something that I’d definitely consider."

Markakis is considered the cornerstone of the Orioles’ rebuilding plans.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com and can be reached here: alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Huff, Hardy, Russ Ortiz

By Tim Dierkes | September 19, 2008 at 12:18pm CDT

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has a new column up.

Mark Attanasio set a dangerous precedent by firing Ned Yost. Will he interfere with GM Doug Melvin’s plans in the future?
Rosenthal considers Aubrey Huff a "highly desirable trade commodity" this winter. That begs the question – why did Huff pass through waivers unclaimed in August?
Trading J.J. Hardy is more likely than moving him to third base. Hardy is under team control for two more seasons. The Jays, Tigers, Royals, Twins, Giants, Dodgers, and Cardinals could be in the market for a shortstop. Demand certainly outstrips supply.
Rosenthal believes Rafael Furcal would be a nice fit for the Blue Jays. He agrees that GM J.P. Ricciardi is likely to return.
The Orioles might prefer affordable veterans to A.J. Burnett as they try to improve their pitching staff this winter.
Russ Ortiz wants to pitch in 2009, and he worked out for ten days a week ago. ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick first reported the workout yesterday. He says the Royals, Astros, Brewers, and Red Sox had scouts at the audition.

Odds and Ends: Cashman, Roberts, Lowe

By Tim Dierkes | September 18, 2008 at 11:43am CDT

Rounding up links for Thursday…

Ken Davidoff of Newsday notes which player moves were entirely Brian Cashman’s, and which came from above.
Buster Olney wonders if Doug Melvin could replace Cashman as the Yankees’ GM. Olney stresses that it’s pure speculation on his part.
Viva El Birdos asks what it would take for the Cardinals to acquire Brian Roberts.
John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press says the Tigers should sign Derek Lowe this winter. Will Lowe get a four year deal?
Bud Selig tells Ken Rosenthal the Manny Ramirez trade was completed before the deadline. Jerry Crasnick says the Dodgers have not talked to Ramirez about an extension.
Rays Index explains why the team should not trade Scott Kazmir.

Odds and Ends: Lee, Rogers, Beltre, Darvish

By Tim Dierkes | September 17, 2008 at 1:27pm CDT

Today’s random linkage…

The Indians signed 21 year-old pitcher Chen-Chang Lee out of Taiwan. Anthony Castrovince has the scouting report. East Windup Chronicle says the bonus is in the $350-400K range.
Kenny Rogers suggested Jim Leyland remove him from the rotation. Rogers still thinks he can pitch effectively next year at 44, however.
Geoff Baker notes an extra benefit to delaying Adrian Beltre’s surgery – the playing time could nudge him toward Type A status when he reaches free agency after the ’09 season.
Ken Davidoff of Newsday says Yu Darvish will probably not be posted this winter but could be after the ’09 season. Davidoff says the Giants, Orioles, and D’Backs have been heavily scouting Japan this year.
The Cubs are looking at contract extensions for Lou Piniella and Jim Hendry, according to Gordon Wittenmeyer.

Odds and Ends: Alvarez, Orioles, K-Rod, Bradley

By Cork Gaines | September 8, 2008 at 5:09pm CDT

A few more notes from the MLBiverse…

Dejan Kovacevic is reporting the Pedro Alvarez case may not be settled until well after the season. While there is a hearing scheduled for Wednesday, some feel that the case is too complex for a single hearing.
P eter Schmuck feels the O’s will sign a "couple of Paul Byrd-type pitchers," rather than open the pocketbook for a front-of-the-rotation starter.
It is just speculation, but Nick Cafardo feels the Tigers and Cardinals will be the front-runners for Francisco Rodriguez…Of course this was written prior to the news that Billy Wagner will be out for the ’09 season.
Manager Ron Washington said he wants Milton Bradley back with the Rangers in ’09, adding that he is not worried about having too many outfielders.
Peter Abraham says the trades made by the Yankees prior to the deadline have backfired, with only Xavier Nady proving to be a valuable pickup.
The Phillies have designated RJ Swindle for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster. Swindle made three appearances for the Phillies earlier this season. In Triple A, Swindle had 51 strikeouts in 36.1 innings, with a 1.98 ERA in 27 appearances.
Athletics Nation takes a look at the outfield logjam the A’s have for ’09. While a trade or two seems like the obvious solution, Athletics Nation is worried the pieces are currently undervalued.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Odds And Ends: Millar, Lowe, Jays, Ibanez, Garciaparra, Posey

By Cork Gaines | September 8, 2008 at 10:24am CDT

A few notes from the MLBiverse…

Kevin Millar wants to return to the Orioles in ’09. Of course, many feel the O’s will make a run at Mark Teixeira this off-season which would decrease Millar’s chances of re-signing, unless both sides feel he can be a full-time DH. Millar made $2.75MM this season.
Detroit Tiger Thoughts has made an adjustment to the projected Elias ranking for Derek Lowe. He will indeed be a Type A free agent this off-season.
The original article is missing from the Toronto Sun, but Sportsnet has the piece in which Paul Godfrey says the Jays are unlikely to include opt-out clauses in any future contracts based on the current situation with AJ Burnett. Some believe Burnett will exercise his opt-out clause and declare himself a free agent this winter.
Jim Street says the value of Raul Ibanez goes beyond stats…However, it remains to be seen if his value to Seattle will go beyond the two draft picks they would receive for letting him walk this off-season.
Michael Schwartz says another free agent-to-be, Nomar Garciaparra, has proven his worth to the Dodgers in his new role coming off the bench.
Even though Brian Sabean went to see Buster Posey play in person, he ruled out any chance of Posey making his major league debut this season.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Odds and Ends: Bass, Astros, Beltre, Marlins

By Joe Pawlikowski | September 5, 2008 at 11:53am CDT

A roundup of links for your afternoon reading:

Tadahito Iguchi, recently released by the Padres, has returned to the Phillies.
The Brewers have signed Mike Lamb, who had been DFA by the Twins.
Richard Justice praises Ed Wade’s bullpen construction.
El Lefty Malo discusses the Giants’ reported interest in Adrian Beltre. He doesn’t think a straight-up trade for Jonathan Sanchez makes sense for the Giants.
Tons of arbitration eligible players for the Marlins this off-season. Will they start selling off parts? It seems likely. To sign everyone would bring their payroll over $30MM. Tough to sustain when you’re drawing just 600 fans in September.
Tony LaRussa expects the Cardinals front office to work to improve the team this off-season. The have plenty of hefty contracts coming off the books.
In a minor move, the Twins have sent righty Brian Bass to the Orioles for a PTBNL.

Offseason Outlook: Baltimore Orioles

By Tim Dierkes | September 4, 2008 at 1:22pm CDT

Here’s a look at the 2009 Orioles:

C – Ramon Hernandez – $8MM
C – Guillermo Quiroz – $400K
1B –
2B – Brian Roberts – $8MM
SS – Freddie Bynum – $400K+
3B – Melvin Mora – $9MM
IF – Brandon Fahey – $400K
IF – Luis Hernandez – $400K
LF – Luke Scott – $430K+
CF – Adam Jones – $400K
RF – Nick Markakis – $455K+
OF – Luis Montanez – $400K
DH – Aubrey Huff – $8MM

SP – Jeremy Guthrie – $770K+
SP – Daniel Cabrera – $2.875MM+
SP – Garrett Olson – $400K
SP – Matt Albers – $400K
SP – Hayden Penn – $400K

RP – George Sherrill – $980K+
RP – Jim Johnson – $400K
RP – Jamie Walker – $4.5MM
RP – Chris Ray – $445K+
RP – Dennis Sarfate – $400K
RP – Fernando Cabrera – $575K+
RP – Alberto Castillo – $400K

Other commitments: Brian Matusz – $870K, Adam Loewen – $816K+, Danys Baez – $7.2MM, Jay Gibbons – $6.2MM

Non-tender candidates: Brian Burres, Lance Cormier

Other pitching staff candidates: Troy Patton, Radhames Liz, Kam Mickolio, James Hoey, Randor Bierd, Rocky Cherry, Brad Bergesen, Chris Waters, David Hernandez

Let’s just say the Orioles’ commitments will be under $75MM, even accounting for arbitration raises. Markakis should get the biggest raise, as he is arb-eligible for the first time.

No one knows what the Opening Day pitching staff will look like; Guthrie seems the only certainty in the rotation. To me, the best solution is to just let all the kids battle it out in spring training. No need to throw away $5MM+ on a veteran innings eater. An exception: I’ve seen A.J. Burnett’s name tossed around by fans, and I see their point. He’d add respectability and could still be a good pitcher when the Orioles are ready to compete. It’s worth exploring.

Expendable veterans abound: Ramon Hernandez, Roberts, Mora, Huff, Walker, and Daniel Cabrera could all be moved this winter. These guys aren’t part of the next competitive Orioles club. The goal: acquire quality middle infielders and starting pitching, of course. Andy MacPhail’s hauls from last winter inspire confidence. In 2010 or 2011, the Orioles could be a few pieces away from contention and flush with cash.

Mark Teixeira’s name has also been bandied about as a possible offseason target. While Tex is a very good player, I don’t see him as a once-in-a-lifetime guy who needs to be locked up before the Orioles are contenders. The price will be astronomical and it just doesn’t seem to fit with the team’s current philosophy.

Odds and Ends: Soto, Joba, Colletti, Tazawa

By Tim Dierkes | September 3, 2008 at 11:08am CDT

Let’s dig in with today’s links!

As you know, the Steinbrenners want Brian Cashman back for ’09. Now it’s up to him.
Geovany Soto was discussed as a throw-in on the trade that ultimately sent Sammy Sosa to Baltimore back in ’05. One that did get away that year: Ricky Nolasco (in the Juan Pierre deal).
Michael Gluckstadt interviewed ESPN’s Buster Olney.
CBSSports.com’s Danny Knobler takes a look at the deep free agent class of starting pitchers. Dave Cameron considers this "the greatest collection of free agent arms to hit free agency at the same time in the history of the game."
Joel Sherman disagrees with the ’09 Joba Rules.
Ned Colletti, the game’s best GM? It’s hard to tell if T.J. Simers is being entirely serious here.
Nick Piecoro gives a scout’s take on Chad Beck, who the D’Backs sent to Toronto for David Eckstein.
The Red Sox, Braves, and Mets are eyeing Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa, and Patrick Newman has more details.
John Perrotto says Pedro Alvarez is coming across as a punk.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Hendry, Burnett, Laird

By Tim Dierkes | September 3, 2008 at 9:55am CDT

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports has a new column up.

Rosenthal fills us in on Jim Hendry’s contract status: Hendry controls his own fate with an option for ’09. If the new Cubs ownership doesn’t want to extend him beyond that, he could elect free agency this winter. Click here to download a spreadsheet of Hendry’s trade history.
Teams with third basemen to trade this winter are at an advantage due to the weak free agent market. Names like Garrett Atkins, Melvin Mora, and Hank Blalock could generate interest. Blalock is a huge question mark though, and the Rangers still have to decide on his $6.2MM option. Jorge Cantu, Adrian Beltre, and Kevin Kouzmanoff are other names to watch in my opinion.
Rosenthal talked to a rival executive who sees the Red Sox making a "major push" for A.J. Burnett if he opts out. He can hindle the rigors of pitching in the AL East, and will also draw interest from the Yankees.
The Rangers may shop Gerald Laird this winter. Laird, 29 in November, is under team control through 2010. The Reds could be a nice match.
Marlins infielder Chris Coghlan can play second or third base, giving the Fish flexibility on whether they want to trade Cantu, Mike Jacobs, or Dan Uggla this winter.

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