Calling Peter Angelos, calling Peter Angelos
The Orioles are on their typical offseason losing streak.
The question is whether club officials will grow frustrated enough to make a bold (foolish?) move and entice (overpay?) a major free agent.
That's far from the M.O. of Andy MacPhail, the team’s president of baseball operations. But at what point does owner Peter Angelos become restless?
The Orioles went 34-23 after hiring Buck Showalter as manager, the second-best record in the American League during that span.
Presumably, they want to continue building upon that momentum.
Yet, free agent Victor Martinez turned down the Orioles’ reported four-year, $48 million offer to sign for $2 million more with the Tigers, and free agent Adam Dunn turned down their reported four-year, $40 million offer to sign for $16 million more with the White Sox.
The Orioles also have made a “significant” offer to free-agent first baseman Paul Konerko, according to Jim Bowden of FOX Sports and Sirius XM Radio.
But if Konerko leaves the White Sox - which is doubtful - he'll likely end up closer to his home in Scottsdale, Ariz., not on the east coast.
So, what will the Orioles do?
They need a shortstop, power at a corner-infield position (or two) and additional pitching depth. They’re exploring trades for Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett and Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds. Neither move would electrify their fan base, nor would a lesser free agent such as Carlos Pena.
Here's the difficult part: Whatever moves the Orioles make, it’s doubtful they'll keep pace with the Yankees, Red Sox and even the Blue Jays in the AL East.
And so the unfortunate cycle continues.
No self-respecting free agent wants to play for a non-contender in the game’s most competitive division unless he lacks a better option.
-Ken Rosenthal
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Cripe when was the last time an Oriole team mattered? 1996? Pathetic ownership.
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This is getting extremely frustrating. Btw darklighter1 '97 was probably our last significant team... But why are we doing this? Just sitting around doing nothing? The O's are gonna have to overpay and throwing measly offers at FAs make no sense. But I guess there really was no mystery as to how this offseason was gonna go down. MacPhail will bring in ANOTHER former Cub Derrek Lee... FML.
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"it’s doubtful they will keep pace with the Yankees, Red Sox and even the Blue Jays in the AL East."
Hmmm. Penciling in the Rays for a last place finish already? -
Mr. Rosenthal: With all due respect, what was the point of writing this? You sound like a disgruntled Orioles fan. We share your disgust with Peter Angelos. I agree that the man has played a large part in destroying a once proud franchise. We know Paul Konerko isn't coming here. Adam Dunn certainly wasn't coming here for $10 million per year. Adrian Beltre apparently doesn't want to come here and certainly won't if he receives a similar low-ball offer. When is Andy McPhail going to be held accountable? I watched him sign Tejada and Atkins last year just like you did. I'd be pretty damn electrified by Hardy and Reynolds (as sad as that might be), but I kind of expect Overbay and Cantu and resigning Izturis because I'm not convinced McPhail can make both deals. Realistically, I'm not sure we have the depth to acquire both. So what would you suggest? You're an "insider" and you have sources and obviously, you have opinions. Should they have traded a few of the young pitchers for Gonzalez? Should they have traded whatever it took? Should they try to acquire Fielder? Should they go over the top and offer Beltre whatever it takes? I personally could not care less about being "electrified." I want McPhail to acquire the talent the Orioles need to compete in the toughest division in baseball. I mean no disrespect, but in a way, I guess I'm calling you out, or at least asking you to answer your own question; what will (should) the Orioles do?
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Ken - Thanx for the recogition of our situation with an article that mentions Baltimore as still in existence. As usual, you're on the mark.
Now, what will the Orioles do? Um, no clue. What SHOULD they do? Well, pencil in Roberts daily at second, leading off. Follow him with Markakis in rf. Secure Vlad Guerrero (2 yrs @ $25 mil + option for 3rd year or buyout?) as DH batting 3rd (sufficient batting average and a power threat plus protection vs. lefty arm). Roberts jitterbugging off first with Vlad on deck should net Markakis an inordinate number of fastballs, and with his bat control, would promise productive at bats and increase his power numbers. Clean up duties fall to Luke Scott (7th in AL in OPS) who returns to left field where he has not embarrassed himself. Sandwich Scott with Derrek Lee, a right-handed first bagger that also swats lefties. He's fresh off a hand injury and a down year. He's got McPhail ties. He's got a ring, yet he's accustomed to losing...perfect. With that as the front five, gimme a trade for Reynolds to man third base in the six hole and I'll suck it up when he whiffs...I'll have to because he does it more than once a day, right? Ain't happy about it, but I will be each time the ball leaves the yard, and I'll consider it an upgrade. Apparently we're the only team interested anyway. Adam Jones continues to mature in center batting 7th, Wieters at the dish batting 8th, and Izturis (or whomever) 9th. That gives the squad some power thru the 8 slot which has to be respected. Leave the double-play combo (Izzy and BRob) intact along with Jones and Wieters up the middle and run with it. As for the "we need a veteran starter" idea, well, idunno (ditch Pappas and give that Palmer kid a shot?). I'd rather, I think, drop the money on Rafael Soriano and make sure we can close out the game. 3 years around 30 mil should do it?? Koji, Johnson, Berken bridge the gap to the ninth. I guess Hernandez is lost in the Reynolds move. Get Ohman back in here with Gonzalez to handle the situational lefty punchouts. Starters are Guthrie, Matusz, Arrieta, Tillman, Bergeson. Bench is filled out with Pie, Reimold, Wigginton, 2nd catcher, and idunno, another arm? Britton? See where the O's are in July and adjust as neccessary.
This may not lead to 81 wins, but it might. It seems like the O's could certainly be a pain in the AL East's enormous arse, given this scenario. Reinvigorate the fan base, re-establish hope sparked by last season's late run, restore relevancy and give top tier self-respecting free agents some reason to find Baltimore an attractive destination.
