Hey K-State...

[florige]

Do you think there is any chance in hell that we will land Teixeira now? I am hearing that they are really close in Boston to a deal and the O's are not going to up their offer any. Thats the only thing that sucks being in this division. Those assholes jump on any and every free agent out there.

[K-State Spur]

Do you think there is any chance in hell that we will land Teixeira now? I am hearing that they are really close in Boston to a deal and the O's are not going to up their offer any. Thats the only thing that sucks being in this division. Those assholes jump on any and every free agent out there.

Boston's got a bigger piggy bank, no doubt. But they also have some fiscal responsiblity - and with Papi, Youk, and Lowell in the fold, I just can't seem them giving Tex a contract in the A-Rod/Pujols neighborhood. But I've been wrong before. I think the real fear is if the Yankees get heavily involved. However, for now they seem semi-content on cornering the SP market.

That said, things looked pretty bleak earlier today. Yet, there are a couple of "insiders" on OriolesHangout that feel things are pretty positive for the O's right now - one with a good track record says that it's all but a done deal. Tex has given the O's the opportunity to match any offer, and Angelos is refusing to be outbid...or so goes the rumor.

Sounds like it's going to be something ridiculous like $190 million over 9 years. But...he's a hometown guy and the O's badly badly need some positive direction. And he could finally give the team a "face" of the franchise that they have lacked since Ripken (no offense to Roberts or Markakis).

With Weiters coming up this year, Adam Jones & Markakis continuing to improve, and they do have some very good young pitching in the system - getting Tex would make this team a lot more interesting over the next couple of years. I canceled my Extra Innings TV package last week - but I might re-up if they nab Tex.

[ATRAIN]

I heard the Nationals were making a heavy pitch for him, but I wouldnt be suprised to see him an Angel again. Kstate are you an O's fan like flo? Did the O's make any moves with the winter meetings?

[K-State Spur]

I heard the Nationals were making a heavy pitch for him, but I wouldnt be suprised to see him an Angel again. Kstate are you an O's fan like flo? Did the O's make any moves with the winter meetings?

Yeah, I grew up in DC during the Ripken era.

I don't think there's any way that Angelos lets him go the Nationals. I don't know if he has the pockets/willpower to outfight the Sox or Yanks, but I cannot envision him letting the hometown guy move to the beltway's competition. I think he would offer an A-Rod type deal before that happened.

At the winter meetings the Birds did sign Izturis and traded Ramon Hernandez for Ryan Freel and some prospects. The best part of the second move is that it basically ensures that Weiters will be with the big club this year.

[ATRAIN]

Yeah, I grew up in DC during the Ripken era.

I don't think there's any way that Angelos lets him go the Nationals. I don't know if he has the pockets/willpower to outfight the Sox or Yanks, but I cannot envision him letting the hometown guy move to the beltway's competition. I think he would offer an A-Rod type deal before that happened.

At the winter meetings the Birds did sign Izturis and traded Ramon Hernandez for Ryan Freel and some prospects. The best part of the second move is that it basically ensures that Weiters will be with the big club this year.

Awesome Ripken was a great player and respected everywhere. I hate for all the big names to go to just the yanks and bosox. I dont blame the players though. Like CC said they just offered him too much to that he couldnt say no to. If I was a MLB player I would get my payday from the sox or yanks then once I was rich I would go to my home team (in my case Astros). Not bad signings, lets see how they pan out. You guys showed some promise early on last season and because of flo I was rooting for you guys (except when you swept us hahaha). Astros winter meetings were quiet and a little dissapointing but im just happy the Peavy Cubs talks cooled off. How you guys liking Luke Scott?

[K-State Spur]

Luke Scott is the O's best LF since BJ Surhoff - and that's not saying much.

But I think it was a bit a coup to get the Astros to include him in the deal - he actually outproduced Tejada last year (albeit at an easier position to find offense).

[ATRAIN]

Luke Scott is the O's best LF since BJ Surhoff - and that's not saying much.

But I think it was a bit a coup to get the Astros to include him in the deal - he actually outproduced Tejada last year (albeit at an easier position to find offense).

Yeah I wasnt happy with the whole Tejada deal. I really liked Scott but he was too streaky. I wanted us to re-sign Aubrey Hale too but you guys got him. He was commanding too much I think. All in all though Tejada was an upgrade in the SS position that we havent had in years. I think they shipped off Scott because of Pence coming up and playing good ball and us signing Bourn. I hate rebuilding which seems like we are always doing that.

[florige]

Boston's got a bigger piggy bank, no doubt. But they also have some fiscal responsiblity - and with Papi, Youk, and Lowell in the fold, I just can't seem them giving Tex a contract in the A-Rod/Pujols neighborhood. But I've been wrong before. I think the real fear is if the Yankees get heavily involved. However, for now they seem semi-content on cornering the SP market.

That said, things looked pretty bleak earlier today. Yet, there are a couple of "insiders" on OriolesHangout that feel things are pretty positive for the O's right now - one with a good track record says that it's all but a done deal. Tex has given the O's the opportunity to match any offer, and Angelos is refusing to be outbid...or so goes the rumor.

Sounds like it's going to be something ridiculous like $190 million over 9 years. But...he's a hometown guy and the O's badly badly need some positive direction. And he could finally give the team a "face" of the franchise that they have lacked since Ripken (no offense to Roberts or Markakis).

With Weiters coming up this year, Adam Jones & Markakis continuing to improve, and they do have some very good young pitching in the system - getting Tex would make this team a lot more interesting over the next couple of years. I canceled my Extra Innings TV package last week - but I might re-up if they nab Tex.



Thats good to know. That would be so much of a FU to the Red Sox if we were to sign him. The Sun had reported that Angelos wasn't budging though.

[K-State Spur]

Thats good to know. That would be so much of a FU to the Red Sox if we were to sign him. The Sun had reported that Angelos wasn't budging though.

As of about 2:30 today, everybody except for that one insider now ways the O's are out of it.

Peter Gammons has even said that Tex will take a discount to go the Saux - although I think that's him just being a douche bag homer.

[florige]

As of about 2:30 today, everybody except for that one insider now ways the O's are out of it.

Peter Gammons has even said that Tex will take a discount to go the Saux - although I think that's him just being a douche bag homer.



:rolleyes Figures. I thought that maybe because we hadn't heard anything that maybe, just maaaybe that would be good news for us because maybe he was thinking about our offer. I guess not.....:depressed

[K-State Spur]

:rolleyes Figures. I thought that maybe because we hadn't heard anything that maybe, just maaaybe that would be good news for us because maybe he was thinking about our offer. I guess not.....:depressed

Multiple reports that he is in Baltimore this weekend and will be a personal guest of Peter Angelos at the Ravens game tomorrow.

Roy Firestone (yes, the Jerry McGuire Roy Firestone) is a regular poster on the Hangout and has been saying for a month that Tex will NOT sign with the O's. He just changed his tune about an hour ago.

[K-State Spur]

Hypothetically (and purely hypothetically, I don't want to jinx this thing):

2B - Brian Roberts
RF - Nick Markakis
1B - Mark Texiera
DH - Aubrey Huff
3B - Melvin Mora
LF - Luke Scott
C - Matt Wieters
CF - Adam Jones
SS - Cesar Izturis

...would HYPOTHETICALLY (and purely hypothetically) be an everyday line-up that could compete with anybody in the division. A little bit behind the Rays, about even with the Saux and Yanks (when's the last time you could say that?) and ahead of the BJays.

The problem is obviously the starting pitching. But with Guthrie entrenched and Matusz, Arrietta, and Tillman not far away - even that is not completely without hope. I think we could see a HUGE improvement from Garrett Olson as well.

[florige]

Multiple reports that he is in Baltimore this weekend and will be a personal guest of Peter Angelos at the Ravens game tomorrow.

Roy Firestone (yes, the Jerry McGuire Roy Firestone) is a regular poster on the Hangout and has been saying for a month that Tex will NOT sign with the O's. He just changed his tune about an hour ago.



Thats encouraging news. I just figured that if he was going to sign with Boston he already would have. I wonder how much his family is weighing in on his decision.

[K-State Spur]

A couple of guys are calling it a done deal. Seems like it's going to be for a ridiculous amount of money - i.e. 9/215.

But Angelos has the deep pockets. And - in the past - when he's started to spend, he tends to do it in bunches. So there may not be much fear that this contract would just become an albatross that would prevent them from spending elsewhere. Hell, they needed to do something significant in order to open up Markakis to signing a long term deal.

[florige]

A couple of guys are calling it a done deal. Seems like it's going to be for a ridiculous amount of money - i.e. 9/215.

But Angelos has the deep pockets. And - in the past - when he's started to spend, he tends to do it in bunches. So there may not be much fear that this contract would just become an albatross that would prevent them from spending elsewhere. Hell, they needed to do something significant in order to open up Markakis to signing a long term deal.



Geeeezuz that is alot of money! Do you think us signing him will make us contenders next year with the pitchers that we have, minus Cabrera thank God? lol

[K-State Spur]

Geeeezuz that is alot of money! Do you think us signing him will make us contenders next year with the pitchers that we have, minus Cabrera thank God? lol

No, probably not until 2010. But if they don't sign him, they'll probably have to rebuild again, which means that Roberts either won't resign or will be traded and maybe the same for Markakis too (who won't even discuss a long term deal until he sees some commitment from the front office).

As it is, despite any rumors or "insiders" - the longer this goes, the worse I think it gets for the O's.

[florige]

No, probably not until 2010. But if they don't sign him, they'll probably have to rebuild again, which means that Roberts either won't resign or will be traded and maybe the same for Markakis too (who won't even discuss a long term deal until he sees some commitment from the front office).

As it is, despite any rumors or "insiders" - the longer this goes, the worse I think it gets for the O's.



I think he is just weighing his options to this point. Probably deciding if he wants to win right away, or be the cornerstone of a possible Tampa Bay story in the next two years with the birds. He would be the man here no doubt. If he goes to Boston he will just be one of the many....

[K-State Spur]

From ESPN: "Which team will ultimately sign Mark Teixeira? Karl Ravech says the Teixeira sweepstakes are nearing a conclusion and indications are that the free agent has "an enormous attraction to the Orioles."

Considering that the NATIONAL media has been giving us ZERO chance in this thing up until this point...I'd say that's a VERY encouraging sign.

Of course, once he signs, then it will be spun to say that the O's overpaid (and they will have, but still necessary for many many reasons).

[florige]

From ESPN: "Which team will ultimately sign Mark Teixeira? Karl Ravech says the Teixeira sweepstakes are nearing a conclusion and indications are that the free agent has "an enormous attraction to the Orioles."

Considering that the NATIONAL media has been giving us ZERO chance in this thing up until this point...I'd say that's a VERY encouraging sign.

Of course, once he signs, then it will be spun to say that the O's overpaid (and they will have, but still necessary for many many reasons).




I don't want to get my hopes up, but this is looking very encouraging. Hey K-State, what would had been the odds two years ago before McPhail came that this would even be up for discussion?:lol

[K-State Spur]

Not good, but Angelos has long coveted Tex because of his Baltimore background. Maybe it would have taken $40 million/year to even get the foot in the door then...:lol

Side note:

It's the final weekend of the 2000 season, the orioles enter it at 71-88 - 4th place in the division. The Yankees (eventual champions) come into town having already clinched.

The Birds role them in 3 consecutive games for the sweep to finish 74-88. (Baltimore actually finished the season winning 7 of their last 9.)

Why is this important? Because with 74 wins, Baltimore finished ahead of the Rangers in the AL standings...but behind them in the draft order.

In the 2001 draft, the Rangers took Tex (who the O's badly wanted even then) with the 5th overall pick. The Birds had to settle for LHP Chris Smith - viewed as a reach at the time - who only pitched in a grand total of 24 minor league games (none of which were above A ball).

Gotta love the Syd Thrift era...

(In the interest of fairness - I will point out that they also had another pick later in that round that they used on Mike Fontenot, who has proven to be a very competent ML player.)

[florige]

Not good, but Angelos has long coveted Tex because of his Baltimore background. Maybe it would have taken $40 million/year to even get the foot in the door then...:lol

Side note:

It's the final weekend of the 2000 season, the orioles enter it at 71-88 - 4th place in the division. The Yankees (eventual champions) come into town having already clinched.

The Birds role them in 3 consecutive games for the sweep to finish 74-88. (Baltimore actually finished the season winning 7 of their last 9.)

Why is this important? Because with 74 wins, Baltimore finished ahead of the Rangers in the AL standings...but behind them in the draft order.

In the 2001 draft, the Rangers took Tex (who the O's badly wanted even then) with the 5th overall pick. The Birds had to settle for LHP Chris Smith - viewed as a reach at the time - who only pitched in a grand total of 24 minor league games (none of which were above A ball).

Gotta love the Syd Thrift era...

(In the interest of fairness - I will point out that they also had another pick later in that round that they used on Mike Fontenot, who has proven to be a very competent ML player.)


Ughhh don't remind me. :lol I think that Tex is really considering coming here big time for some reason. I think that he just wants a commitment from the team that we are committed to winning what I think we are now.
But I would be lying to you if I told you I wasn't nervous everytime I click on to ESPN. What would just really, TOTALLY destroy my week would be this headline..... "Tex chooses the Big Apple" At that point I would just throw my hands up. I wouldn't be as pissed if he decided to stay in Anaheim though.

[florige]

Hey K-State what do you think of this story?
McPhail has always been known to keep stuff quiet. I still thinks he signs here....


http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3775042

[K-State Spur]

I do too.

You've got two guys that are pretty much reporting that he's going elsewhere:

Olney - this whole period he's been saying that Baltimore was never in it to begin with. NOW, he says that they are no longer in it (with a giant disclaimer)? How can they no longer be in it if they were never in it? Buster is also the same guy who said that there was a 0% chance that the Expos leave Montreal right before they packed their bags for DC.

Gammons - says he's going to the Saux. What a shocker there. It's almost like he was from Boston and a lifelong Sox fan or something...

The Red Sox boards are starting to sound pessimistic about getting him. Anaheim has basically moved on to Manny. Yankees never seemed that interested in him once they got Swisher (at least not beyond just wanting to bump the price up for everybody else). So that basically leaves the 2 area teams - and I think there is noway nohow whatsoever on this green earth that Angelos lets his prized possession sign to play in his neighborhood. That would be the nail in the coffin as to which team owns that region.

[florige]

I do too.

You've got two guys that are pretty much reporting that he's going elsewhere:

Olney - this whole period he's been saying that Baltimore was never in it to begin with. NOW, he says that they are no longer in it (with a giant disclaimer)? How can they no longer be in it if they were never in it? Buster is also the same guy who said that there was a 0% chance that the Expos leave Montreal right before they packed their bags for DC.

Gammons - says he's going to the Saux. What a shocker there. It's almost like he was from Boston and a lifelong Sox fan or something...

The Red Sox boards are starting to sound pessimistic about getting him. Anaheim has basically moved on to Manny. Yankees never seemed that interested in him once they got Swisher (at least not beyond just wanting to bump the price up for everybody else). So that basically leaves the 2 area teams - and I think there is noway nohow whatsoever on this green earth that Angelos lets his prized possession sign to play in his neighborhood. That would be the nail in the coffin as to which team owns that region.




Exactly! I think if he was going to sign with Boston the deal would have been finalized already. After NY signed those overrated pitchers for $215 million I think they are going to layoff now....:lol

[K-State Spur]

Exactly! I think if he was going to sign with Boston the deal would have been finalized already. After NY signed those overrated pitchers for $215 million I think they are going to layoff now....:lol

Moving off into a tangent.

Starting to hear rumors that the Yankees are in some trouble. The economic situation is a bit dim all over - but NY has gotten hit the hardest. Companies simply cannot afford the luxury boxes that the Yankees need to sell. They assume that they will sell them by March just because they always have - but that may not prove to be the case.

You're hearing some people predict that they might have to drop down to ONLY a $120 million payroll in a few years.

The one thing that O's/Nats have going for them in this economy is the abundance of government jobs located in that area - which will be some of the last to collapse (god forbid).

[florige]

Moving off into a tangent.

Starting to hear rumors that the Yankees are in some trouble. The economic situation is a bit dim all over - but NY has gotten hit the hardest. Companies simply cannot afford the luxury boxes that the Yankees need to sell. They assume that they will sell them by March just because they always have - but that may not prove to be the case.

You're hearing some people predict that they might have to drop down to ONLY a $120 million payroll in a few years.

The one thing that O's/Nats have going for them in this economy is the abundance of government jobs located in that area - which will be some of the last to collapse (god forbid).



Thats a good point, I never thought of that. I wish ths dude would hurry up and make up his freakin mind so I can stop holding my breath everytime I go to ESPN.:lol

[K-State Spur]

The roller coaster continues - with things looking much more bleak today.

For the record - if they don't sign Tex*, I'm done with them until Angelos sells the team. If he won't make a legit offer for the hometown guy who would be the new face of the franchise, then there is absolutely no reason to believe that he will ever re-invest in this club again. He did spend from '95-98. Then, during the losing seasons, he found out he could make almost as much money with much smaller payrolls (expenses). And that's how you end up here.

*Unless the O's made a competitive offer and he ends up signing for something ridiculous like $26+ million/year. I'll admit that there is a number that they just shouldn't exceed.

[florige]

The roller coaster continues - with things looking much more bleak today.

For the record - if they don't sign Tex*, I'm done with them until Angelos sells the team. If he won't make a legit offer for the hometown guy who would be the new face of the franchise, then there is absolutely no reason to believe that he will ever re-invest in this club again. He did spend from '95-98. Then, during the losing seasons, he found out he could make almost as much money with much smaller payrolls (expenses). And that's how you end up here.

*Unless the O's made a competitive offer and he ends up signing for something ridiculous like $26+ million/year. I'll admit that there is a number that they just shouldn't exceed.



But I was listening to the radio today and they were saying that Boras is notorious for playing these type of back and forth games with the media in order to get the most money for his clients. If Boston sighs him for something that stupid then they can have him. They said dealing with that asshole is almost impossible. I just read on CBS that Boston officials are in Texas. Thats why I take much joy when NY and Boston both crash and burn in the playoffs. With Angelos it seems after he got screwed over with Joey Belle he pretty much just said screw it. But do you remember actually when it was we actually started sucking perenially though? Yep as soon as Pat Gillick left and Angelos brought in the "yes men" who couldn't negotiate a contract if it killed them. Those years when we were in the playoffs, those were Gillick assembled rosters. But you know, if we lose Tex and it comes out that Angelos had NOTHING to do with it, like you said McPhail pretty much bails out because the offer has become ridiculous, then I won't be so pissed. I do have a feeling that Boston is going to grossly over pay for this guy. I'm still hoping though.

[K-State Spur]

But I was listening to the radio today and they were saying that Boras is notorious for playing these type of back and forth games with the media in order to get the most money for his clients. If Boston sighs him for something that stupid then they can have him. They said dealing with that asshole is almost impossible. I just read on CBS that Boston officials are in Texas. Thats why I take much joy when NY and Boston both crash and burn in the playoffs. With Angelos it seems after he got screwed over with Joey Belle he pretty much just said screw it. But do you remember actually when it was we actually started sucking perenially though? Yep as soon as Pat Gillick left and Angelos brought in the "yes men" who couldn't negotiate a contract if it killed them. Those years when we were in the playoffs, those were Gillick assembled rosters. But you know, if we lose Tex and it comes out that Angelos had NOTHING to do with it, like you said McPhail pretty much bails out because the offer has become ridiculous, then I won't be so pissed. I do have a feeling that Boston is going to grossly over pay for this guy. I'm still hoping though.

The problem with baseball's economic system is that it would be very difficult for Boston to sign him to a "stupid" deal by their standards. Even if they only get $10 million/year production at a $25 million/year cost, they can afford to eat that difference.

Bryan Cashman and Theo Epstein get credit for being these great GMs, but both have made numerous moves that would have crippled any other franchises. The difference is that they have the budget that they can afford to eat their mistakes and move along to the next product.

I think the beginning of the end for the O's was the firing of Davey Johnson. Then, that offseason, Angelos nixed a Frank Wren trade of Alomar/Palmeiro in exchange for Baerga/Olerud to the Mets. He was right to nix it, but it also led to him thinking that he was smarter than anybody else in the room on baseball matters.

I do think he felt burned on the Belle deal - but he got 70% of that contract back in insurance, so it he shouldn't have let it affect future decisions.

[florige]

The problem with baseball's economic system is that it would be very difficult for Boston to sign him to a "stupid" deal by their standards. Even if they only get $10 million/year production at a $25 million/year cost, they can afford to eat that difference.

Bryan Cashman and Theo Epstein get credit for being these great GMs, but both have made numerous moves that would have crippled any other franchises. The difference is that they have the budget that they can afford to eat their mistakes and move along to the next product.

I think the beginning of the end for the O's was the firing of Davey Johnson. Then, that offseason, Angelos nixed a Frank Wren trade of Alomar/Palmeiro in exchange for Baerga/Olerud to the Mets. He was right to nix it, but it also led to him thinking that he was smarter than anybody else in the room on baseball matters.

I do think he felt burned on the Belle deal - but he got 70% of that contract back in insurance, so it he shouldn't have let it affect future decisions.



What do you think of this story?
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-teixeira1218,0,7021656.story

[K-State Spur]

What do you think of this story?
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-teixeira1218,0,7021656.story

Haha. That makes my panic look stupid. I had done a pretty good job of keeping myself emotionally removed from this situation - but I've been riding the roller coaster of late.

The Red Sox fans (knowledgeable ones at least, not the Pink Hats) have said that Theo won't play Boras' game. They'd make a take-it-or-leave-it offer. I just kinda assumed that when they went to Tejas, they wouldn't take no for an answer.

If there is any accuracy to that story (and there is so much misinformation out there, who the hell knows) - that just leaves the O's & Gnats w/possibly the Yanks as a dark horse (although the Bombers usually wear their intentions on their sleeves, so it would be a rare occurrence for them to come out of nowhere and swipe a guy).

So, I guess what I'm saying is...I need a beer.

[K-State Spur]

The fear with the Nats is that they are such a wild card. If there was any team in these negotiations that would make a completely unbelievably irresponsible offer - where he could perform to his career averages and they'd still want to unload his deal within 3 years - it would be Washington.

[florige]

Haha. That makes my panic look stupid. I had done a pretty good job of keeping myself emotionally removed from this situation - but I've been riding the roller coaster of late.

The Red Sox fans (knowledgeable ones at least, not the Pink Hats) have said that Theo won't play Boras' game. They'd make a take-it-or-leave-it offer. I just kinda assumed that when they went to Tejas, they wouldn't take no for an answer.

If there is any accuracy to that story (and there is so much misinformation out there, who the hell knows) - that just leaves the O's & Gnats w/possibly the Yanks as a dark horse (although the Bombers usually wear their intentions on their sleeves, so it would be a rare occurrence for them to come out of nowhere and swipe a guy).

So, I guess what I'm saying is...I need a beer.




:lol I keep hearing that the Yankees are a possible dark horse in the situation. But like I said before when that Boston deal was "imminent", when I didn't hear nothing about a signing after a couple of days after that story, I knew that was good news for the O's. I don't know K, I have a good feeling about this one. I have a good feeling..... I seriously doubt he will pick Washington over us. I am starting to feel giddy!!:lol

[florige]

The fear with the Nats is that they are such a wild card. If there was any team in these negotiations that would make a completely unbelievably irresponsible offer - where he could perform to his career averages and they'd still want to unload his deal within 3 years - it would be Washington.


Oh my goodness, that would be such a slap in the face if he signs with Washington over us....

[K-State Spur]

:lol I keep hearing that the Yankees are a possible dark horse in the situation. But like I said before when that Boston deal was "imminent", when I didn't hear nothing about a signing after a couple of days after that story, I knew that was good news for the O's. I don't know K, I have a good feeling about this one. I have a good feeling..... I seriously doubt he will pick Washington over us. I am starting to feel giddy!!:lol

The media keeps reporting it like the Yanks are in on it - but when have they EVER been a dark horse for a premium free agent?

They've always resorted the shock & awe tactics - this is who we want, we'll offer them well above market value, and we'll do it publicly so that the players association will make it impossible for them to take less to go elsewhere (not that many of the guys would choose to do that anyways).

I guess new ownership could be changing the strategy. But there is really no reason to be covert when you're the biggest dog on the block.

[K-State Spur]

Oh my goodness, that would be such a slap in the face if he signs with Washington over us....

Plus Bowden is an idiot to the levels of being completely unpredictable.

Millions of Americans unemployed, yet he still has a job - some might see that as a sign that there is no god.

[florige]

The media keeps reporting it like the Yanks are in on it - but when have they EVER been a dark horse for a premium free agent?

They've always resorted the shock & awe tactics - this is who we want, we'll offer them well above market value, and we'll do it publicly so that the players association will make it impossible for them to take less to go elsewhere (not that many of the guys would choose to do that anyways).

I guess new ownership could be changing the strategy. But there is really no reason to be covert when you're the biggest dog on the block.

Exactly! The Yankees have never been shy about being out there about who they are after. I'm not doubting they haven't maybe made him an offer, but I think their name is there so much when it comes to free agents of this calliber, the media just puts them in the running out of habit/courtesy...:lol
Like you said, if they REALLY wanted him, they would had been overpaid for him already.

Plus Bowden is an idiot to the levels of being completely unpredictable.

Millions of Americans unemployed, yet he still has a job - some might see that as a sign that there is no god.


:lol

[florige]

Man this dude is really starting to piss me off. Sign somewhere already!:rolleyes These back and forth games with Boras is getting annoying.

[K-State Spur]

Maybe overstated saying "done with this team."

But I've dropped my extra innings package. I won't be going up to catch the team for their weekend series in KC like I do every year. I will be completely apathetic in every sense of the word.

[florige]

Maybe overstated saying "done with this team."

But I've dropped my extra innings package. I won't be going up to catch the team for their weekend series in KC like I do every year. I will be completely apathetic in every sense of the word.



What about Manny Ramirez here? Man I am really reaching now....:bang

[K-State Spur]

Yeah - that's a reach.

Even if they did sign Manny, the only good thing of that would be an indication that PGA does care about his fans and re-investing in the team. But, Manny would be a shell of himself by the time the young pitching is ready to produce. Tex is young enough that he should still be very productive in 2010-2011 when the rotation looks like Matusz/Guthrie/Arrieta/Tillman/Olson

[florige]

Yeah - that's a reach.

Even if they did sign Manny, the only good thing of that would be an indication that PGA does care about his fans and re-investing in the team. But, Manny would be a shell of himself by the time the young pitching is ready to produce. Tex is young enough that he should still be very productive in 2010-2011 when the rotation looks like Matusz/Guthrie/Arrieta/Tillman/Olson



This sucks! But you know what, I'm not too worried about it. It will just make it that much sweeter to see the Yankees lose again next year and Yanks fans wondering wtf!? lol

[K-State Spur]

It's official, we're a small market team.

Give the Lerners (who want to invest money into their club) a few years in DC and they'll make the Orioles the 'other' team in that region.

[florige]

It's official, we're a small market team.

Give the Lerners (who want to invest money into their club) a few years in DC and they'll make the Orioles the 'other' team in that region.



You know K-State I am sitting here thinking wondering did he ever have any intentions of coming here at all. I mean Washington from what I heard was offering the same amount the Yankees were. I mean I wanted the guy no doubt, (and maybe this is just me talking in denial here) but I didn't want to overpay for this guy with some outrageous amount. I'm pretty sure that McPhail was told that for the cost of my client not winning for 2-3 seasons, we feel that the offer should be in the 200's, in which case if I were McPhail I would tell him and client to go to hell. We aren't that far off, if it takes that much for you to play for the team you grew up idolizing then don't let the doorknob hit you schumuck. It just sucks that of ALL the teams that could have signed this douche, it had to be the Yankees. I mean if Boston would have signed him, it would had been bad, but at least we wouldn't all be standing here scratching our heads wondering wtf just happened here. Boston was supposedly the front runners from day one. So it wouldn't had been THAT much of a surprise than this crap.
I'll tell you what though, he had better invest in some damn fine earplugs when he makes it to Camden Yards this year. That is one thing he had better do!

[K-State Spur]

When you offer 7/150 - that's a PR offer. You know he's not going accept it, but it looks good to your fan base on paper.

8/180 is overpaying for his actual production. That's more than Pujols makes for goodness sakes - and Tex is not Pujols' class. But he was worth more to the Orioles because of all that it would have symbolized - local guy returning home, the owner IS willing to spend on his team, we're tired of seeing every top player go to NYY/BOS, etc.

I don't think he has to worry about the boos. The 70% Yankee fans in attendance will drown it out with their cheers.

[florige]

When you offer 7/150 - that's a PR offer. You know he's not going accept it, but it looks good to your fan base on paper.

8/180 is overpaying for his actual production. That's more than Pujols makes for goodness sakes - and Tex is not Pujols' class. But he was worth more to the Orioles because of all that it would have symbolized - local guy returning home, the owner IS willing to spend on his team, we're tired of seeing every top player go to NYY/BOS, etc.

I don't think he has to worry about the boos. The 70% Yankee fans in attendance will drown it out with their cheers.



:lmao Good point! Even though last season I went to both Yankees and Red Sox games. Last year at least there were more Oriole fans there than Yankees fans. But when I went and saw the O's play Boston I didn't know whether I was in Camden Yards or Fenway. I remember my friend managing to dose off. He woke up to a Boston homerun and started applauding along with the Boston fans because he thought that the O's had just done something good. I asked him what the hell he was doing, and he was like "I thought the O's just scored". lol

[K-State Spur]

Well, I've changed my stance a bit. Reading Tex's quotes lately, I don't think he ever had any intention of signing with anybody other than the Yanks or Red Sox. The O's and Nats were just a tool used by Boras to increase the bids from those clubs (shocking, I know...).

None of that absolves ownership from the quagmire they've turned this franchise into. And they still should have made a play for Burrell or Dunn, but I won't say that not getting Tex is unforgivable anymore.

I guess on the plus side, by Tex signing with the Yanks - Boras fucked his client ManRam's chances of getting a giant deal this offseason.

[florige]

Well, I've changed my stance a bit. Reading Tex's quotes lately, I don't think he ever had any intention of signing with anybody other than the Yanks or Red Sox. The O's and Nats were just a tool used by Boras to increase the bids from those clubs (shocking, I know...).

None of that absolves ownership from the quagmire they've turned this franchise into. And they still should have made a play for Burrell or Dunn, but I won't say that not getting Tex is unforgivable anymore.

I guess on the plus side, by Tex signing with the Yanks - Boras fucked his client ManRam's chances of getting a giant deal this offseason.




Yeah really! He is almost in the same category now as Giambi. Well not that bad, but you get the point. :lol
I think he never had intentions of signing with anybody else besides NY. Him and Boras were just playing the waiting game pretty much. Unless the O's or the Nats were going to offer him something in the 230 range.

[florige]

What do you think about us resigning Markakis, and that guy Pie K-State? We should have an awesome outfield this season!

[K-State Spur]

The Markakis resigning (along with Weiters falling to them in the draft) is the best thing to happen to this franchise since '97.

Pie has always been long on talent and short on production. His MLB numbers don't bother me much - it's a relatively small sample and his Minor League numbers project to him being much better as he gets more experience. However, having watched him a bit, it does bother me that he has looked completely overmatched by MLB pitching. Scott is a league average defender in left, so I personally would have rather left him out there and seen the team go after a guy like Dunn to play 1b.

I was kinda on the Garrett Olson bandwagon, so it's tough for me to get behind this move 100%. But I also accept the very real possibility that MacPhail can come out like a genius on this one. Pie was the Cubs top prospect for 3 years and hasn't really failed over an extended period yet, so this could work out very well.