The Orioles would be wise to deal Javy Lopez for a young first baseman who is currently blocked, specifically someone like Kotchman or Adrian Gonzalez. Of course, if the Orioles were wise, they'd have a better track record over the last eight years.

I think that's exactly their plan. They are now discussing sending Javy Lopez to the Angels for Finley (to even out salary) and a prospect, presumably Kotchman.

They were showing interest in Adrian Gonzalez earlier this offseason although I think they were trying to trade their other Lopez in that deal.

And just thinking freely here...the Rangers have just acquired a bit of an outfield infestation, and the O's could solve that problem by snagging Wilkerson with Gonzalez for the two Lopezes.

Man, if the Orioles could get a young first baseman I would almost be pleased with the off season. Of course, the following players are still on the 40 man roster, for reasons I can't fathom: Gil, Newhan, Ainsworth, Freire. Those are some of the guys that bring nothing to the table, nevermind the guys who bring virtually nothing to the table.

I would think that the Javy and Matos might be able to land Kotchman and Finley from LA. From what I reckon, Texas would make good sense for Rodrigo as well, given Rodrigo's agent is Boras. Although I do wonder if Rodrigo would benefit the most from Mazzone...

Ramon, Miggy and Byrnes. Reunited and it feels so good.

The two guys whose brain cramps lost that playoff series and the one who would have been the hero if they hadn't locked up. Good times.

Should be a pretty brief reunion. I imagine Byrnes will get non-tendered.

Given the choice between Ramon at 4years and 28m, and Estrada for 2 or 3 more arbitration years (all for two fungible relievers), I'll take Johnny Estrada and never look back. And AZ gets to keep its second round pick.

The two guys whose brain cramps lost that playoff series and the one who would have been the hero if they hadn't locked up. Good times.

Sure, T. Long would listen if the O's called.

You're awfully optimistic about this deal, Dan; I'm surprised. Hernandez isn't bad, but the odds of him being worth $27M over 4 years seem to me somewhere between slim and none. He's not on the sunny side of 30; he is 30 (or will be in 2006, I mean). In two years, this will be an albatross.

Still, it's not that this deal is so awful in the abstract; it's that it's so pointless for the Orioles. Catcher hasn't been a weakness for them in a while; <u>backup</u> catcher has been. This deal doesn't do anything to solve that, of course.

So Lopez moves to DH. Does that help the Orioles? No; he's not a good enough hitter for that. I suppose if we can convert Lopez to a good prospect, this is a good idea -- but why is some team supposed to be willing to give us a good prospect for the 35-year old Lopez, who has spent the last two years whining about catching too much?

I remember reading somewhere someone saying it was going to take $11 million a season to reel in Hernandez. *Shudder* I'm relieved to see that whoever that was (and I don't remember, thankfully) was just blowing smoke out of his butt.

Given the O's current roster makeup--Javy at DH is a large improvement over whatever garbage they used last year be it Chris Gomez, BJ Surhoff, or Alejandro Freire or whoever. That's not saying much other than how poor the O's roster is but it was better than the status quo. Still, I'm not entirely happy at the length of the contract either.

One more note...the O's supposed pursuit of Jeff Conine makes even less sense. The list of O's targets is a pathetic and decrepit one--Lofton, Burnitz, Frank Thomas, Nomar, Conine. See a trend? I wouldn't mind ONE of those players for cheap and one-year but then again...who exactly would these players be blocking? Only potential roadblock is Burnitz blocking Markakis. That's really pathetic.

You're awfully optimistic about this deal, Dan; I'm surprised. Hernandez isn't bad, but the odds of him being worth $27M over 4 years seem to me somewhere between slim and none. He's not on the sunny side of 30; he is 30 (or will be in 2006, I mean). In two years, this will be an albatross.


He won't be worth it, but the Orioles, as owned by Angelos, aren't going to ever be efficient. They don't have the patience to rebuild, they don't have the ability to rebuild correctly, or develop a nice group position players, or actively seek out bargains, whether prospects or minor-league veterans. So the only thing that's left for them is to get good players whenever they can, even if they have to waste money to get them.

Despite still considering myself an Orioles fan, I just don't get upset at anything this team does anymore. I'm still mad about Mussina leaving and especially, the way the team handled it.

I don't think they'll block Markakis - The Peter really likes him.

I don't think they'll block Markakis - The Peter really likes him.

Greek solidarity?

I imagine Byrnes will get non-tendered.

Really? Isn't he slightly less than horrible in center? And I bet he would listen if the Yankees called.

The good news is that they could conceivably develop a nice little OF out of Markakis, Reimold, Majewski and Fiorentino. And they have a fair number of talented young arms in the organization, with Mazzone to mold them. If Roberts and Tejada can keep producing quality seasons one can see how they might be a signing or trade or two away from starting a nice run by 2007 or so.

The bad news is that, for the reasons enumerated by Dan, there doesn't seem to be any reason to think that they'll pull it off. They'll either trade away prospects, fail to recognize value in time to avoid losing valuable parts to free agency, or block the young guys with Conines and Cordovas.

It could be worse. At least we now have some young talent for them to screw up. Remember when our best prospects were Dahl and Reed?

Remember when our best prospects were Dahl and Reed?

Er, no. Who's Dahl?

And I bet [Byrnes] would listen if the Yankees called.

Gee, I hope so; and I hope he gives them the same 49 OPS+ and all-out hustling bad defense the Orioles got.

Tejada is still not happy with the Orioles, and wants to be traded

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2252946

I think the O's need to acquire Troy Glaus to placate him

I bet Conor Jackson would make him happier.

typed Dahl. meant Stahl.

rlc, conor jackson is too young, cheap and unproven for tejada's taste.

tejada is complaining that the o's aren't getting enough proven winners.