NEWS:

Just as they were finalizing a trade for Javier Vazquez, the Braves were preparing a five-year offer for A.J. Burnett, according to sources. Burnett, considered the No.2 starter on the market, was expected to wait for Sabathia to make the first move. But with the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays all apparently hesitant to give Burnett a fifth year, the 31-year-old might jump at Atlanta's offer before Sabathia makes his decision.

NEWS:

 The Braves agreed to a trade Tuesday that will bring them veteran Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Javier Vazquez and a reliever, a person familiar with negotiations said.

In a six-player deal, the biggest Braves talent — literally and figuratively — going to Chicago is catching prospect Tyler Flowers, a 6-foot-4, 248-pound slugger who was the best power hitter in the Arizona Fall League.

The Braves were also expected to send infielder Brent Lillibridge, minor league third baseman Jon Gilmore and rookie-league lefty Santos Rodriguez to Chicago for Vazquez and lefty Boone Logan.

The hypothesized Orioles’ attempt at acquiring Javier Vazquez (Delmarva Shorebirds c/o ’96)  is now a moot point as he looks to be on his way to Atlanta. But not just that, Atlanta now looks to add Maryland native A.J. Burnett as well.

So, now not only is one decently priced option off the table in Vasquez, but the injury-riddled yet expensive Burnett will now have yet another suitor for his services. Basic supply and demand dictates this will serve only to drive up the price for his services, and also give him leverage to demand another player option year onto whatever contract that he eventually signs.

Burnett may well have a preference to play near his hometown, but I doubt seriously he will take one dollar less from the Orioles to do so.  And more importantly, after Burnett signs, who is left that will help the Orioles rotation? Paul Byrd? Hey, Jamie Moyer’s available again! Sidney Ponson’s a free agent – how about a third try?

Remind me again how we’re building to be competitive in 2010… 

NEWS:

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have agreed to terms with AL Most Valuable Player Dustin Pedroia on a six-year contract worth $40.5 million, The Associated Press has learned.

A baseball official familiar with the deal, speaking on the condition of anonymity because it was not yet announced, told the AP that Pedroia would remain with the Red Sox through 2014, with a club option for 2015.

The deal was first reported by ESPN.com.

NEWS:

Contract-extension talks between the Orioles and star right fielder Nick Markakis have broken off and likely will not be revisited for at least six weeks.

Club president Andy MacPhail and Markakis' agent, Jamie Murphy, confirmed that the sides exchanged proposals last week for the first time this offseason and, after several discussions, an agreement could not be reached.

It's the second time since July the two sides have temporarily walked away from the negotiating table - the first coming at the All-Star break, when the Orioles made an offer that one industry source called "low ball."

This time, the sides moved closer but are still considered millions of dollars apart.

What does the first have to do with the last?

Well, a little context is in order. We, the Orioles Village, have had our collective panties in a bunch* over the perceived lack of progress of the signing of Nick Markakis past the three years of team control already in place. If Evan Longoria got a contract after just one month on Desperate Housewives, sorry, the Tampa Bay Rays, doesn’t Darling Nicky deserve the same?

Well, the Pedroia contract, apparently reached today, presents a rather convincing piece of evidence that yet again, maybe Andy MacPhail knows what he’s doing. The current AL MVP signs away two of his free-agent seasons for 6-year, $40.5 million dollar contract that includes 3 of his arbitration years as well. All of a sudden, 6 years at $10M-$12M per for Markakis seems a bit much, doesn't it?

As good as Nick is, he hasn’t won the AL MVP in his first 3 seasons. And yet, the reigning MVP, who’s a season behind Markakis in service time (he only played in 31 games in 2006), is now going for significantly less than $10 million a season in his physical prime.

Now, 2B isn’t RF. And Peds is never gonna hit 25 HR in a season (I think). But do we think Andy MacPhail smiles a little bit when he read Peds’ new contract numbers? I bet he did. And I bet that’s why Nick’s agent just walked away from the table, in hopes that the subsequent market moves up, not even farther down.

So tell me – what effect do you think Peds’ contract will have on the Markakis negotiations, if any?

*And is it just me, or wouldn’t men’s underwear being too constrictive present a much more painful problem than women’s? Just asking.

It would seem to go without saying that when your team finishes last in its division for the first time since 1988 (Reagan was still president, guys and gals) that you wouldn't think of charging even more for your product. Well, fiscal sanity has seemingly struck the Orioles.

The price of Orioles season tickets at Camden Yards will remain the same for 2009. Orioles director of communications Greg Bader confirmed yesterday that season-ticket invoices have been mailed and there are no price increases. Individual tickets go on sale in January. The Orioles raised ticket prices for select seats before last season, marking the first hike in several seasons.

So, there's that. Now if we can just do something about shortstop and the pitching staff...

SC must still be watching boxing, so you get my completely apathetic GameDay thread.

OK, I give up on the formatting, but I wanted you to have the fanacy stats. Honestly, I guess if you stuck a gun to my head, I'd say GO RAYS. Right now, I'm much more interested in the MD-01 Congressional race, especially now that the Dodgers are toast. Have fun, y'all.

BALTIMORE, Sept. 23 -- After missing nearly a month with a shoulder ailment, Baltimore Orioles right-hander Jeremy Guthrie is close to returning, just in time for one more start.

Manager Dave Trembley said Guthrie will pitch in a three-inning simulated game on Wednesday, the last step before activating the pitcher from the 15-day disabled list. If all goes well, Trembley said Guthrie could be ready to start either on Saturday or for Sunday's season finale.

"He says he feels real good, he says he feels 100 percent," Trembley said.

From the Washington Post, btw.

So, we have the possibility of Jeremy Guthrie returning for one last start, because, well, he wants to.

I'm not feeling this. What's the upside? The downside is huge. Your thoughts, Birdland?

I've got one thing to say about this game.

ADAM JONES, SON!

Seriously, welcome back, Dr. Jones.

	Today's Starting Pitchers	GS	IP	ERA	WHIP	BAA	HR	BB	K	W-L
	Garrett Olson - LH	21	108.2	6.38	1.71	.310	14	47	68	8-6
	Paul Byrd - RH	25	150.1	4.55	1.30	.280ish	27	28	65	9-11

Resumed game starts at 6:05. Regular game will start 20 minutes after that.

Use this as the game thread for both games. Happy first day of school!