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Camden Chat Top 20 O's Prospects

(Last Updated October 8, 2008)

1. Matt Wieters, C
2. Chris Tillman, RHP
3. Jake Arrieta, RHP
4. Brian Matusz, LHP
5. Nolan Reimold, OF
6. Radhames Liz, RHP
7. Brandon Erbe, RHP
8. David Hernandez, RHP
9. Tony Butler, LHP
10. Billy Rowell, 3B
11. Troy Patton, LHP
12. Garrett Olson, LHP
13. Brandon Snyder, 1B
14. Bradley Bergesen, RHP
15. Chorye Spoone, RHP
16. Xavier Avery, OF
17. Hayden Penn, RHP
18. L.J. Hoes, 2B
19. Jason Berken, RHP
20. Bob McCrory, RHP

Extensions, etc.

by 2632 on Jan 7, 2009 8:15 PM EST

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-orioles107,0,425492.story

Warehouse vs Roberts:

Orioles have offered a multi-year deal worth about $10 million per season, but the sides are still significantly apart in terms of both years and money.

The article goes on to quote Andy asserting that he has had no trade talks regarding Roberts in over a month and that he is focused on the free agent market, trying to feel needs without giving up the team's existing talent assets.

Warehouse vs Markakis:

Both sides would like to get a multi-year deal secured this year. An industry source confirmed that the Orioles offered Markakis a six-year, $60 million deal earlier this winter and, at the time, the sides were believed to be about $10 million apart.

Nick's agent says discussions were tabled in December to see how the market trend evolved.

Warehouse vs My Heart

At this time, the club does not appear interested in re-signing veteran Kevin Millar...

Instead they are pursuing such exciting targets as Rocco Baldelli, Ty Wiggington and Camden Chat Fan Favorite, Richie Sexton.

Orioles Warehouse Magic, feel it happen.

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The Orioles announced today that single-game tickets for 2009 home games will go on sale at 10 a.m. Jan. 17.

Tickets can be purchased online at orioles.com and by phone at 1-888-848-BIRD.

O's single-game tickets on sale Jan. 17 -- baltimoresun.com

about 8 hours ago zknower comment 3 comments 0 recs

Tex Says, "the Yankees were always the top [choice]."

by blawk359 on Jan 7, 2009 9:08 AM EST

via f3.yahoofs.com

Blame the wife! Turncoat! Turncoat!

I know I'm beating a dead horse into the ground here, but this is the last of it from me on the Tex issue, just some good insight into the bargaining process before the holidays.

According to the Boston Globe, Tex's wife, Leigh, convinced him the Yanks were the way to go:

"Two weeks before Christmas, I talked to [my wife] Leigh about it again, and we kind of decided that, hey, the Yankees are where we want to be. Cash [Brian Cashman] might want to give Leigh a hug, because when I asked her during the process, 'Where should I go, where should I go?,' she'd always say, 'I just want you to be happy.' Finally she said, 'I want you to be a Yankee,' and it was a done deal."

But we can't let him scapegoat her that much, because the 'life-long Orioles fan' also laid down this gem for the NYY glitterati:

"My dad would take me to O's games and I'd wear a Yankees hat, which wasn't too safe in Baltimore back in the '80s. But it was worth it. There's something about being a Yankee, no where you are there are Yankees fans, and I'm glad to be a Yankee today."

Oh, it continues: "In my mind, the Yankees were always the top."

The best quote from Boras: "Obviously, in my business, you're either called a shopper or a puffer; one of the two, you're going to be labeled with. "

I think it's safe to call him both.

UPDATE: Revised so you can witness Leigh Teixeira's input on the matter.

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Koji Uehara, the newest Oriole.

1 day ago SC comment 12 comments 0 recs

Sources: O's, Uehara agree on two-year deal

by edsachs1 on Jan 6, 2009 5:16 PM EST

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-orioles0106,0,2908949.story

Seems like a solid move to me. He's the first Japanese signing by the O's, which should help in the future. Now players and fans in Japan should become more familiar with the O's. He also makes a decent stop gap in the rotation until some of our prospects are ready. Once they are he could move to the bullpen. I like this move alot. What does everyone else think?

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Mike Flanagan was executive vice president of baseball operations until his contract expired at the end of the year, so it's fair to ask what he's going to be doing now. It's also fair to ask what exactly his role has been for the past year or so.

Nobody is willing to say anything publicly about this apparently sensitive situation, but sources have been telling us for a couple of months now that Flanny probably will return to the broadcast booth. Calls to Mike by O's baseball guys Jeff Zrebiec and Dan Connolly have not been returned, but sources said he's expected to meet with John Angelos soon to discuss new duties with the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network.

Flanagan's future (probably in the broadcast booth)

1 day ago duck comment 0 comments 0 recs

The Original Orioles 1893

by Orioles 1894 on Jan 6, 2009 12:55 PM EST

60 feet 6 inches, that is how far they put the mound from the plate in 1893 and that is where it has stayed ever since. Sure, they have lowered it and raised it but the distance is still the same. This season they also did away with the pitchers box and put in a white rubber plate 12 inches long and 4 inches wide. Rule changes were brought into being for pitchers that are still in effect to this day. The game had brought its pitchers into the modern era.

The split season was done, thank goodness, so that now for this season the NL Pennant winner was the NL Champion. At the end of this season that would again change.... in a way that Baseball to this day must wonder what those in charge were thinking.

More pieces of the puzzle were coming together for the Orioles this year with the arrival of several more players who were to make Baltimore the terror of the NL But, the growing pains were still working themselves out as Ned Hanlon led the Orioles at Union Park. The Orioles went 60-70 .462 -26.5 in 8th out of 12 places in the NL.

The Orioles this year had the following record against the rest of the NL:

Boston 2-10, Pittsburgh 1-11, Cleveland 8-4, Philadelphia 5-7, New York 4-8, Brooklyn 10-2, Cincinnati 4-8, Chicago 5-7, St. Louis 9-3, Louisville 5-5 and Washington 7-5. So, while the Orioles could clearly compete with the league as a whole they were creamed by Boston and Pittsburgh the two best teams of the NL.

The Orioles as a team hit .275 which was 7th in the League and the team ERA was 4.97 which was 10th. The hightlight of 1893 was on August 16th when Bill Hawke no hit the Washington Nationals 5-0.

Wilbert Robinson led the team with a .334 BA. Heinie Reitz 2b led the team with 130 G, 76 RBI (tied with Joe Kelley CF), Joe Kelley CF also led the team with 9 HR, 16 3B, 27 2B, and a .476 SA. John McGraw SS was the O's leader with 154 H, 101 BB and 38 SB. Billy Shindle 3b led the club with 521 AB.

On the pitching side Sadie McMahon continued to be the team ace leading the team in W and L with 23-18, 79 Ks, 40 GS, 346.3 IP, 43 G, 4.37 ERA. Billy Hawke's no-hitter was the only shutout this year for the Orioles.

While not a good year this was the turning point for the Orioles. In the spring the final pieces would show up for the Orioles, especially in the persons of Willie Keeler, Hughie Jennings and Dan Brouthers who would help the Birds to soar.

But, in the meantime the Oriole fans had no idea of what was about to happen and the NL was unaware at what was about to be unleashed upon them. But, they were about to experience something never seen before in baseball. This team would beat you in any way possible through hitting, fielding, pitching, great base running, agressiveness not only in play but in all ways pertaining to the game, bullying, breaking rules, using rules to create runs, badgering umpires into submission, intimidating the opposition and just plain running roughshod over the rest of the League in any way possible with no mercy given to anyone. Yes, the NL was about to be sacked, rampaged and pillaged by a team of rough and colorful characters who together would become a legend that to this day draws respect and awe from fans who know their baseball history.

Many rules would come into effect to counter the Orioles and their brilliant innovations. Umpires would experience fear, opposing teams would be intimidated or get so angry they would blow plays and the Baltimore fans would have the times of their lives watching the Birds lay ruin rest of the League. But, who would have known that as winter set in during late 1893 and people sat around the Hot Stove talking about baseball.

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Wieters praised again by Keith Law

by SC on Jan 6, 2009 4:46 AM EST in News

From the ESPN '09 "watch list":

TOP ROOKIE
Matt Wieters, C, Orioles

Wieters draws comparisons to two players: Joe Mauer and Mark Teixeira, who are two of the top hitters in the American League. Mauer has posted MVP-caliber campaigns in two of the past three years.

Who is Wieters to earn such praise before ever playing a big league game? He's a switch-hitter with quick wrists, power to all fields and a great eye at the plate -- all of which are traits he has in common with Teixeira, who, like Wieters, played at Georgia Tech. And like Mauer, Wieters is a catcher with a plus arm -- he also pitched in relief with the Ramblin' Wreck and would routinely sit at 92-93 mph. He's the best prospect in baseball right now, and should be in the majors this spring, perhaps as early as Opening Day.
-- Keith Law

Sure, it's definitely snowballed into "I'm not telling you anything you don't already know" territory, but it remains super exciting to keep hearing such ridiculous praise heaped upon an Oriole.

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Chitter chatter

by zknower on Jan 5, 2009 3:34 PM EST

According to raygu at faketeams, Leigh Hacksaw Hamilton said on his XM radio show that the Orioles are interested in Andruw Jones, who is available for a paltry $500k. This sounds like someone trying to use the O's to make a player look more attractive, as I can't see any reason on earth we'd want another fourth outfielder, one who didn't hit over the Mendoza line in 75 games before he got injured last year.
Roch says that the Greg Zaun talks continue, but that Zaun is looking for a two-year deal. I can't see any reason on earth why we'd want Zaun for two years, either.
O's Spring Training tickets go on sale Saturday. Get your early view of Matt Wieters while you can!

30 comments | 0 recs

Thoughts on a potential Roberts-for-Floyd, etc. package

by SC on Jan 3, 2009 11:42 AM EST in News

Since the rumors are rolling, and I think this one seems more legit than most, I've got a feeling this really could be the one Big Offseason Move the O's take part in.

Yes, Virginia, that means Ramon Hernandez-for-Ryan Freel does not count as a "big move."

Roch's idea to pick up Chris Getz along with Gavin Floyd is a very good one, and as he reported, one that makes a lot of sense. I'm not the world's biggest Ryan Freel fan, but he does have a lot of value as a guy that can fill in anywhere, get on base OK, and run. And even if Getz (who could maybe play in the majors right now) didn't work out at all, you might lose some value from what he can do, but Freel can play second every day.

Brian Roberts isn't going to be here for the long haul. I'm in the minority that says we should try to keep him, because I think he'll age very well. He takes walks and runs -- those guys hold off Father Time fairly nicely. But it's not realistic, probably, so should he be traded, this is the type of deal that sounds good.

Gavin Floyd is still a minor wild card, but I don't think that's a huge deal. I could be wrong, of course, but Floyd was 25 last season and had a very nice year. Floyd's 2008 (3.84/1.26, 119 ERA+, 206.3 innings, 119 ERA+) was on par with Guthrie, and those two would make a nice 1-2 punch for '09 and beyond.

The worry that Floyd tanked so badly in Philadelphia doesn't really concern me. He was young, the pressure was huge (don't forget he was a hyped prospect), and it happens. The change of scenery served him nicely, and we know he can pitch in the American League. Plus he's got years to get even better than he is now. He still has a lot of upside.

I'd hate to see Brian Roberts go. I really would. He's on the short list of my absolute favorite players in baseball, and the thing is, I think he'd be one of my favorite players no matter what team he was on. I just flat-out like watching Brian play.

I think the White Sox would be a super fit for Roberts, as he would provide them with a hell of a leadoff man to get set the table for Quentin and Dye and Thome.

He'd also go over like gangbusters with White Sox fans, who love their "grinders." Brian's an actual grinder, in that he plays hard every day and gets dirty about 75 percent of those days, and he's also actually good. He's a hustle machine, but he's also an All-Star caliber player.

It kind of has to happen, doesn't it? Those midseason rental trades aren't bringing a ton back anymore, so if we're going to keep thinking we should move him, now's the time to do it. Floyd is a real talent, and anything in addition could be gravy. Andy's two big trades (Tejada to Houston, Bedard to Seattle) haven't let us down. I won't lie and say I've been a fan of our offseason, but this would be, in my view, a good way to head into spring training. At least we'd have 40 percent of a rotation.

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