Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Orioles Rumors

Brian Roberts Cubs Rumors

By | at

UPDATE, 1-9-08 at 6:06pm: WGN Radio’s Dave Kaplan checked in on this situation on his blog.  He has "great sources" saying the price for Roberts is much higher than was previously reported.  The Orioles want Rich Hill, Felix Pie, or Tyler Colvin.  Hill is known to be off-limits.

UPDATE, 1-9-08 at 10:58am: Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune believes this deal "is almost certainly going to happen."  He expects it to be for the same players Orioles Hangout mentioned.  However, an Orioles official contacted Orioles Hangout to tell them their report was inaccurate.

UPDATE, 1-9-08 at 9:22am: Roch Kubatko (via a team spokesman) and Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun talked to Andy MacPhail and report that nothing has changed since last night on the Roberts talks and no deal is done.

FROM 1-9-08 at 7:53am:

Orioles Hangout is reporting that the trade of Brian Roberts to the Cubs is final.  They’re saying it’s for Sean Gallagher, Sean Marshall, and Ronny Cedeno.  I’ll update the post as info comes along.

Odds and Ends: Mantei, Foulke, Cairo, Guardado

By | at

Here are this morning’s random rumors and links.

Erik Bedard Rumors: Mariners, Reds, Indians

By | at

Erik Bedard staying put in Baltimore this winter?  Maybe not.  Ken Rosenthal and Jason Churchill both busted out brand new material this evening with the latest Bedard chatter.  The upshot is that the Mariners seem to have a decent shot at him.

  • Rosenthal says the Mariners will put Adam Jones, Jeff Clement, and Matt Tuiasosopo in the deal.  He indicates that the Orioles could push to substitute and get one of Tony Butler, Chris Tillman, and Carlos Triunfel.  Looks like Bill Bavasi is sticking to the idea of keeping Brandon Morrow.  Rosenthal hedges his bets, but admits to "growing indications that the teams could be moving closer to a deal."
  • Churchill says something similar: the Mariners and Orioles "may very well be making significant progress."  Churchill sees a package of Jones, Triunfel, and George Sherrill as the likely scenario. 
  • Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein recently listed his Top 11 Prospects for the Mariners.  Clement was a five-star, Tillman and Triunfel four-stars, Butler a two-star, and Tuiasosopo an honorable mention.  Jones would be first were he still considered a prospect.
  • Both Ohio teams have interest in Bedard as well, but a trade to the Indians or Reds seems less likely.  The Reds still won’t give up Jay Bruce.

Cubs, Indians Interested In Roberts

By | at

Ken Rosenthal is back with a bang, penning a new article about Erik Bedard and Brian Roberts trade possibilities.  We already updated you on the Bedard situation over yonder.

Rosenthal says the Cubs are still the best fit for Roberts, also noting interest from the Mets and Indians. Last we heard, the Cubs’ offer included Sean Gallagher and Matt Murton but not Rich Hill or Felix Pie.  Ronny Cedeno, Sean Marshall, and Donnie Veal could also be in the mix.

Interesting to hear that the Tribe is quietly taking a look at both Roberts and Bedard, just as they were quietly players for Dan Haren.   Bedard could fill the void if C.C. Sabathia were to leave via free agency.  What would a Roberts acquisition mean?  Asdrubal Cabrera to short, Jhonny Peralta to third or traded?

Orioles Could Re-Sign Corey Patterson

By | at

It seemed the Orioles had no interest in retaining Scott Boras client Corey Patterson.  However, Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles have renewed their interest in the 28 year-old center fielder.

My guess is that the Orioles backed off when Boras told them his initial demands for Patterson (three years, $24MM maybe?)  But now Patterson is still hanging around and no teams seem to be actively pursuing him. Connolly mentions the Cardinals, Braves, Twins, and Pirates as possible fits, but admits they’re long shots.  Patterson was born in Atlanta.

Patterson has a chance to be a mild bargain if he rediscovers his power stroke.  He’s striking out less and less, which could mean an improvement in batting average.  The offensive bar is pretty low for center field if you play good defense.

The Orioles are still entertaining possible trades that could bring them a center fielder and take them out of the mix for Patterson.  They could get Adam Jones in an Erik Bedard trade, or a "Chicago Cubs outfield prospect" in a Brian Roberts deal.  I doubt this would be Felix Pie.

Odds and Ends: Estrada, Payton, Kielty

By | at

Random rumors from the day…

  • The Bucs are set with their starting five, unless they can trade Matt Morris.  Dejan Kovacevic adds that the Pirates and Johnny Estrada have mutual interest but haven’t spoken in a while.
  • Roch Kubatko expects the Orioles to shop Jay Payton now that they’ve acquired Chris Roberson.  Really, all of their vets should be fully available.
  • Bobby Kielty has interest from three or four teams, but his first choice is Boston.  The likelihood of that increases if Coco Crisp is sent elsewhere.  Kielty is willing to give up switch-hitting if his new team so desires.
  • Troy E. Renck has salary details on Mark Redman and Kip Wells.  Redman gets $1MM, with another possible $500K in incentives.  Wells gets a $3.1MM base with another possible $1.5MM in incentives.

Mariners Offering Three Players For Bedard?

By | at

On Monday, Phil Rogers wrote of the Mariners’ continuing pursuit of Baltimore’s Erik Bedard.  He says the Ms are shopping a package including Adam Jones, Jeff Clement, and Yung Chi Chen.  Rogers notes that the O’s would probably require Brandon Morrow.  This is the first time we’ve seen Chen’s name as part of a Bedard deal.  He doesn’t fall within Seattle’s top 14 prospects, according to Kevin Goldstein.

Our previous Bedard update came four days ago, with info supplied by Jeff Zrebiec and John Fay.  At that time Andy MacPhail said there was a "strong likelihood" that Bedard is the Orioles’ Opening Day starter in 2008.

Orioles To Hold On To Bedard?

By | at

UPDATE, 12-22-07 at 4:52pm: John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer says the Orioles have backed off on their demand for Jay Bruce from the Reds in a Bedard deal.  He says they still require three top prospects, who would probably be Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, and Joey Votto.  That would wipe out the farm system, as that trio ranks #2-4 in the organization according to Baseball America.  Would it be better to substitute Edwin Encarnacion for Cueto?

FROM 12-22-07 at 12:35pm:

Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun recently snagged some quotes from Andy MacPhail, the Orioles’ president of baseball operations.  MacPhail said there’s a "strong likelihood" that Erik Bedard is the Orioles’ Opening Day starter in 2008.  He also said not to expect any Orioles deals before the new year.

MacPhail made the assertion because he hasn’t been impressed with any of the offers for Bedard.  The Reds would have to crack and give up Jay Bruce.  The Mariners would probably have to give up both Adam Jones and Brandon Morrow, and they seem unwilling to trade Morrow.  The Dodgers seem out of the mix given the Hiroki Kuroda signing.  It sounds like it would take a dark horse to sweep in and make a monstrous offer.  The Indians could fit the bill, in my estimation.

Carlos Silva Signs With Mariners

By | at

UPDATE, 12-20-07 at 3:18pm: The bar is raised higher than we thought – four years, $48MM according to Rosenthal.  This is the new price of a big league innings eater.  The Mariners remain interested in Erik Bedard and Johan Santana.

UPDATE, 12-19-07 at 7:03pm: MLB.com’s Jim Street is reporting via a source that the Silva deal is done.  He agrees with Rosenthal’s original figure of four years, $44MM.  Remember a year ago, when the Twins weren’t sure whether to exercise his $4MM option?

UPDATE, 12-19-07 at 3:08pm: John Hickey of the Seattle PI expects Silva to be introduced to Seattle on Thursday.

UPDATE, 12-19-07 at 11:11am: The AP is reporting that the Ms are "closing in on a deal" with Silva.

FROM 12-18-07 at 1:59pm:

A scoop from Ken Rosenthal – the Mariners are in "serious negotiations" with Carlos Silva for a deal worth at least four years, $44MM.  It appears that talks for Erik Bedard would not be affected by this signing. 

Rosenthal notes that $44MM or more would represent the bar for Silva’s tier of starters being moved slightly up.  That is to be expected; some have speculated it might take more like $12MM annually to get Silva.  Silva may not be anything special, but he’s shown the ability to eat American League innings.  Those guys don’t grow on trees.

By the way, Charley Walters says the Royals put out a three-year, $30MM offer to Silva.

Nothing Imminent With Orioles

By | at

Sean Welsh of the Baltimore Examiner spoke to Orioles’ president Andy MacPhail, clearing up some rumors that had been buzzing around.  MacPhail would be "very surprised" if the Orioles strike deals for Erik Bedard or Brian Roberts before year’s end.

Welsh says the Cubs are focused on Roberts, while the Reds are still on Bedard’s trail.

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