Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Orioles Rumors

Managers On The Hot Seat

By | at

It is a slow news day, so we are going to venture a bit off the beaten path…As spring training is now in full swing, a number of managers may have their jobs on the line during the ’08 season. Three managers are in the final year of their deals and another 12 managers have two years left on their contracts. This second group will be due either an extension or a pink slip next winter as few teams are willing to play out a season with a lame-duck manager. Therefore, any manager with two years remaining on their contracts (including options) will likely have their fate determined prior to the ’09 season.

Ignoring managers that may be on the hot seat for other reasons (i.e. Willie Randolph), here is a list of managers that could potentially have their jobs on the line in ’08 based on their current contract situations. (Numbers in parentheses represent the number of years remaining on current contract)

  • Cecil Cooper, HOU (2)
  • Bob Geren, OAK (1+1 team option)
  • John Gibbons, TOR (1)
  • Bobby Cox, ATL (1)
  • Ned Yost, MIL (1+1 team option)
  • Tony LaRussa (2)
  • Bruce Bochy (2)
  • John McLaren, SEA (1)
  • Fredi Gonzalez, FLA (2)
  • Dave Trembley, BAL (1+1 team option)
  • Bud Black, SD (1+1 team option)
  • Joe Maddon, TB (2)
  • Clint Hurdle, COL (2)
  • Jim Leyland, DET (2)
  • Ron Gardenhire, MIN (2)

Taking a closer look at the list…Of the managers in the final year of their deal, Cox will be back if he chooses. LaRussa and Leyland may very well enter ’09 without new deals considering their ages. Yost, Gardenhire, Hurdle and Black look like locks for extensions prior to ’09. However, the remaining eight names on the list (Cooper, Geren, Bochy, Gonzalez, Trembley, Maddon, Gibbons, McLaren) may very well be managing for their jobs in ’08.

By Cork Gaines

Angelos Gives MacPhail Permission To Move Roberts

By | at

This morning it was reported that the Cubs had two scouts at the Orioles’ spring game yesterday to watch Brian Roberts.

Now, several people have written in to let us now that Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 is reporting that Peter Angelos has given Andy MacPhail the green light to trade Roberts. It has long been rumored that Angelos might have been holding up the trade to the Cubs because of his personal affection for Roberts. With Angelos’ blessing, this deal may finally happen in the next few days.

Of course, if this deal doesn’t get done soon, Tim is going to have to change the name of this site to BrianRobertsTradeRumors.com.

By Cork Gaines

Brian Roberts Auditions For Cubs’ Scouts

By | at

Brain Roberts angered pitcher Mark Hendrickson yesterday by stealing a couple of bases. The Florida Marlins starter in Friday’s spring game apparently thinks baserunners should lay low during the exhibition season.

The Cubs, though, had two scouts in the stands. The New York Times positioned the larceny as Roberts strutting (or shall we say galloping) his stuff for his potential future employers.

By Big Mike Glab

Stark’s Latest: Patterson, Lohse, Lofton, Clemens

By | at

Finally, new info regarding some of the remaining free agents.  Jayson Stark has the scoop.

  • Seems there’s a chance Corey Patterson takes a cheap deal to return to Baltimore.  He could be relegated to fourth outfielder duty in that case.  Stark says the Marlins have discussed Patterson internally, but aren’t sure if they could afford the Boras client.  Patterson would be a nice stopgap for Cameron Maybin, who’d be well-served with some time in Triple A.  Ken Rosenthal also mentioned the Florida possibility.
  • One of the most surprising free agents at this point is Kyle Lohse.  Stark shoots down the notion of Lohse signing with the Met or Phillies on a one-year deal.  Rosenthal tossed out the Cards and O’s as slight possibilities.  It’s tough to be impressed with Boras’ work with Patterson and Lohse this year.  Stark’s colleague Buster Olney even speaks of rumors that Lohse could ditch Boras. 
  • Kenny Lofton wants a Major League deal, and the offers so far have been minor league (including one from the Reds).  I don’t find this an unreasonable demand on Lofton’s part; he’s still a useful player.  He’s OK with starting the season late and coming in as a mercenary when a spot opens up.
  • Stark talked to a friend of Drayton McLane who believes the Astros’ owner could roll the dice on Roger Clemens at the right price.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Lohse, Furcal, Lofton

By | at

FOX’s Ken Rosenthal checks in with the latest buzz from Spring Training.

  • The Mets, Cardinals, and Orioles are listed as possibilities for Kyle Lohse.  However, the Mets may deem him unnecessary, reports are conflicting on the Cards’ interest, and the Orioles are wary of the price.
  • Rosenthal says Rafael Furcal’s agent met with Ned Colletti a few days ago, but the Dodgers would likely want to see Furcal return to form before entertaining an extension.  Click here to see the other shortstops eligible for free agency after the ’08 season.  The Dodgers may have a viable replacement for Furcal in defensive whiz Chin-Lung Hu.
  • Rosenthal notes that the Yankees, in search of a right-handed outfielder, considered Shannon Stewart and Mike Cameron this winter.
  • Kenny Lofton’s chances of a getting the big league deal he wants with the Reds or Twins look slim. 
  • The rumor going around for Corey Patterson is the Marlins, if the price is right.
  • Rosenthal confirms two additions for our 2008 Out Of Options list – Gabe Gross and Clint Barmes.
  • Rosenthal says the Mets need a right-handed hitter who can play left field and first base.  Here are some names I came up with: Ryan Ludwick, Xavier Nady, Matt Murton, Franklin Gutierrez, and Kevin Millar.  Granted, not all those guys know their way around first base.

Brian Roberts Rumors

By | at

Jeff Zrebiec and Roch Kubatko of the Baltimore Sun are on top of the Brian Roberts rumors.  Let’s discuss.

The Cubs had two scouts watching Roberts play yesterday, so this thing is still alive and kicking.  The Sun gets the impression that the Mark DeRosa heart surgery does add some urgency for the Cubs.  Perhaps this means they’ll concede a little bit extra on their offer.

The authors reiterate Ronny Cedeno and Sean Gallagher as part of the deal.  They say the O’s might want Jose Ceda or Donald Veal as the third player, and could ask for a fourth as well.  It’s been said that the Cubs are unwilling to part with Ceda.  We’re probably a few weeks from completion but a deal seems plenty possible.

Brian Roberts Rumors

By | at

Nothing groundbreaking on the Brian Roberts front, but here’s the latest from Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.  Zrebiec says the O’s won’t send their scout to watch the Cubs until next week.  It’s still looking like Ronny Cedeno, Sean Gallagher, and one or two others.  Zrebiec adds:

Both sides remain optimistic that a deal could get done.

This is obviously dragging, but the Orioles have no incentive to rush. 

Where Will Teixeira Sign?

By | at

In today’s Baltimore Sun, Dan Connolly hashes out the oft-rumored idea of the Orioles signing hometown boy Mark Teixeira after this season.  He opines:

If Peter Angelos sets a club salary record, it would be for Teixeira.

Connolly also notes the team’s repaired relations with Scott Boras and the agent’s occasional tendency to push clients to bad teams to maximize paydays.  For his part, Teixeira’s not saying much.  There’s plenty of reason to stay in Atlanta if they offer something competitive.

If Teixeira has a huge 40 HR, 120 RBI year, he’d seemingly be in line for at least Connolly’s predicted six years, $120MM.  In my mind, the legitimate possible suitors are the Orioles, Braves, Red Sox, Yankees, Royals, Mariners, Mets, and Giants.  You could throw the Los Angeles teams into the mix, though they have solid young first basemen.

Your turn: which of the above-mentioned teams will Teixeira sign for, if any?  Take the survey here; view the results here.

Brian Roberts Rumors

By | at

Yesterday, SI.com’s Jon Heyman wrote that the Cubs-Orioles Brian Roberts trade talks still have a little life, and the O’s are scouting various young Cubs.  On Sunday Jim Salisbury said the Orioles only needed to decide which pitchers they want to complete a deal.

Today, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times checks in with the latest.  To begin with, Mark DeRosa’s heart complications seem under control, and won’t force the Cubs’ hand.

Wittenmyer adds that the ball is indeed in Baltimore’s court, and their scouts will need at least a week to observe various Cubs.  He says the Orioles are requesting Ronny Cedeno, Sean Gallagher, and two more top youngsters.  That steep price could cause the Cubs to turn to Coco Crisp or Marlon Byrd.  However, neither the Red Sox nor the Rangers seem to value either as a fourth outfielder.

Brian Roberts Rumors

By | at

MONDAY: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says a Roberts to Chicago trade still has a little life, and the Orioles are scouting Cubs’ players.  Meanwhile Jason Churchill wrote a few days ago that the O’s may require Felix Pie or Tyler Colvin instead of the Cubs’ apparent offer of Ronny Cedeno, Sean Gallagher, and Kevin Hart.  Churchill says the O’s are also high on Eric Patterson.

SUNDAY: Check out this piece by Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer.  Here’s the one-liner that has caught some readers’ attention:

Sources say that Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts will be traded to the Cubs as soon as the Orioles decide which pitchers they want in return.

All sorts of Cubs pitchers have been rumored in these talks: Sean Marshall, Sean Gallagher, Jason Marquis, Jose Ceda, Donald Veal.  It’s been said that the Cubs won’t part with Ceda. My best guess is that this deal does get done before Opening Day.

Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top