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Post by Evil Yoda on Dec 5, 2014 15:56:27 GMT -5
Kubatko now reporting that Markakis is considering neck surgery to repair a herniated disk. This condition is why the Orioles were not comfortable offering him a four year deal; the Braves evidently conducted their own evaluation and decided the risk was acceptable to them. The Orioles have been burned a few times by guys who broke down and struggled to get healthy again (Roberts) or who never did get healthy again (Belle). There may be an institutional leeriness about such players.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2014 23:46:15 GMT -5
Andrew Miller to the Yankees for four years and $36 million. The Yankees apparently believe that David Robertson is headed elsewhere. If Miller doesn't close, the contract will be the largest-ever given to a non-closer. Miller has one career save. He also reportedly turned down a four year, $40 million offer from Houston to sign with the Bronx Bunnies.
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Post by Evil Yoda on Dec 6, 2014 21:01:21 GMT -5
Many pundits felt that someone would tap Miller to be a closer and pay him accordingly. I did not expect him to return since I did not expect the Orioles to pay closer money for a non-closer. They have tendered an offer to Britton and probably think he will fit that slot. Looked at individually the Orioles' moves make sense, but looked at collectively they give me real impression of a team that is disinterested in returning the post season. The second statement is more an emotional interpretation of recent events than a rational one. So far, with the exception of Jimenez, I think Duquette has done a decent job. Given Markakis' neck issues, I'm not even sure letting him walk was a bad decision. I don't have the confidence in Duq's decisions that I have in Ozzie's Ravens decisions, but he's getting there. So for now I'll try to stay off the ledge and let him work.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2014 12:39:28 GMT -5
Many pundits felt that someone would tap Miller to be a closer and pay him accordingly. I did not expect him to return since I did not expect the Orioles to pay closer money for a non-closer. They have tendered an offer to Britton and probably think he will fit that slot. Looked at individually the Orioles' moves make sense, but looked at collectively they give me real impression of a team that is disinterested in returning the post season. The second statement is more an emotional interpretation of recent events than a rational one. So far, with the exception of Jimenez, I think Duquette has done a decent job. Given Markakis' neck issues, I'm not even sure letting him walk was a bad decision. I don't have the confidence in Duq's decisions that I have in Ozzie's Ravens decisions, but he's getting there. So for now I'll try to stay off the ledge and let him work. Speaking of Duquette, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is reporting that Dan is a candidate to become CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays. He's under contract for three more years with the Orioles, but since this post would represent a significant step upward, could the Orioles hold him to it if the rumors are indeed true? Furthermore, it's being reported that Duquette isn't simply a person of interest; he's on the Blue Jays' short list of candidates.
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Post by Evil Yoda on Dec 7, 2014 16:49:04 GMT -5
Speaking of Duquette, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is reporting that Dan is a candidate to become CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays. He's under contract for three more years with the Orioles, but since this post would represent a significant step upward, could the Orioles hold him to it if the rumors are indeed true? Furthermore, it's being reported that Duquette isn't simply a person of interest; he's on the Blue Jays' short list of candidates. There's an update from Rosenthal around 2:00pm today that says Duquette wants to leave for the better opportunity but Angelos is standing in his way. I don't want Duq to leave but no one wants a bitter employee who feels chained to his job, regardless of what his contract says. People like that usually aren't motivated. Angelos is a poor leader of men; he does not appear to understand how people think or what motivates them. He just understands the dry words in law books.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2014 0:09:37 GMT -5
Speaking of Duquette, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is reporting that Dan is a candidate to become CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays. He's under contract for three more years with the Orioles, but since this post would represent a significant step upward, could the Orioles hold him to it if the rumors are indeed true? Furthermore, it's being reported that Duquette isn't simply a person of interest; he's on the Blue Jays' short list of candidates. There's an update from Rosenthal around 2:00pm today that says Duquette wants to leave for the better opportunity but Angelos is standing in his way. I don't want Duq to leave but no one wants a bitter employee who feels chained to his job, regardless of what his contract says. People like that usually aren't motivated. Angelos is a poor leader of men; he does not appear to understand how people think or what motivates them. He just understands the dry words in law books. I hope Angelos isn't going to try and "legal up" on Duquette in this instance because it would be a terrible mistake. I don't know what the legal grounds would be, but I could see Angelos attempting to hold Duquette to his contract only if he wanted to accept another GM job. Going from GM to CEO is quite a vertical move, and I'd think Duquette would be within his rights if he wanted to accept it. Then again, I don't know what language is contained in Duquette's Oriole contract and if there are any provisions which would allow him to break his Oriole commitment prematurely.
The best course would be to not waste time and energy trying to hold Duquette to the Oriole job and instead begin the search for a new GM immediately.
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Post by Evil Yoda on Dec 8, 2014 11:14:44 GMT -5
I hope Angelos is going to try and "legal up" on Duquette in this instance because it would be a terrible mistake. I'm going to assume that should be "Angelos isn't" because that's what makes sense within the context your remaining sentences. If that's wrong, ignore this reply. I don't know what the legal grounds would be, but I could see Angelos attempting to hold Duquette to his contract only if he wanted to accept another GM job. Going from GM to CEO is quite a vertical move, and I'd think Duquette would be within his rights if he wanted to accept it. Then again, I don't know what language is contained in Duquette's Oriole contract and if there are any provisions which would allow him to break his Oriole commitment prematurely. This kind of move is usually allowed by football clubs as long as the move could be called a promotion. It seems far less common in baseball. Not being a lawyer I can only speculate. The contract situations I've worked under typically spell out salary, other responsibilities - and the terms under which either party can exit the contract. In my case, I could exist whenever I liked, and they could fire me whenever they liked. But I have worked under non-competes, which say you can't leave to go work for a direct competitor. The enforceability of such clauses varies; it can be extremely difficult to nail down exactly what constitutes a direct competitor - usually. In baseball, it's pretty straightforward. If Duq has a non-compete then the Orioles can't compel him to work for them - he could resign - but they can compel him not to work for any other ball club. The other side of it is that they probably have to pay him regardless of what the club does, unless the contract enumerates specific metrics that they can prove he failed to meet. This morning on 98Rock, Keith Mills quoted Angelos as saying that the Blue Jays must ask the Orioles' permission even to speak with Duquette, and the Orioles do not intend to grant that permission. So unless Duq can break his contract some way, he's probably not going anywhere. Of course, you then must deal with the subtle sabotages (usually a lack of effort, but I have seen worse) seen in embittered employees who believe they are trapped. The best course would be to not waste time and energy trying to hold Duquette to the Oriole job and instead begin the search for a new GM immediately. I agree. That's why I stated my opinion that Angelos understands the legal textbooks in the shelves around his office, but not how to lead men. You will never get the best effort from someone when you put them in a legal headlock. How good an effort he gets, I guess we'll see in the next few years.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2014 17:25:58 GMT -5
Still no word from Duquette on Toronto job, so everything is still speculation at this point.
Should the Orioles let Duquette accept the job, they could insist on compensation from the Blue Jays, much as Boston got compensation from the Cubs in 2011 after Theo Epstein left in a similar fashion.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2014 10:27:07 GMT -5
The White Sox have acquired starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija from Oakland for three prospects, and have also signed Yankee closer David Robertson to a four-year deal with $46 million.
Probably an overpay by the White Sox for Robertson, who was only the 15th-ranked closer in baseball. He blew five saves and came close several other times. That 3.08 ERA was a bit high as well.
I'm not sure what Oakland is doing. You could call what they're doing a fire sale, but judging by what they're getting back, it looks more like a garage sale. Are they going to need permission from MLB to print 2015 regular season tickets?
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Post by stevez51 on Dec 9, 2014 17:01:07 GMT -5
Billy Beane sometimes tries to out do himself. He knows his payroll limitations and will cut when needed. They must have a good farm system to keep coming up with players to plug in. They can look bad for a while then come together and start winning.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2014 15:30:54 GMT -5
Jon Lester to the Cubs for six years and $155 million. Yikes!
Although typically not considered one of the game's truly elite pitchers, the Cubs were reportedly sold on Lester's postseason track record. Lucky for the Cubs, Lester obviously didn't take their postseason track record much into consideration. Lester was also quoted as saying that he wanted to go where he felt wanted. Please. For that kind of money, I wouldn't give a damn if my boss didn't ever speak to me for the next six years.
Max Scherzer must be salivating right now.
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Post by Evil Yoda on Dec 10, 2014 20:20:53 GMT -5
Think Scherzer will get some kind of 20 year, $500 million dollar contract? I've heard the Rangers like to hand out contracts like that!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2014 0:14:18 GMT -5
Think Scherzer will get some kind of 20 year, $500 million dollar contract? I've heard the Rangers like to hand out contracts like that! Scherzer's a Boras client, so nothing would surprise me. Word is that Scherzer will be looking for a contract that exceeds Clayton Kershaw's seven-year, $215 million deal with the Dodgers. This is, after all, a guy who turned down a six-year, $144 million extension offer from the Tigers. He's certainly looking for maximum value.
I'm not sure if Scherzer is actually better than Jon Lester, and he's certainly not as good as Kershaw. But then again, all Boras needs is one owner actually stupid enough to pay what he wants.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2014 14:11:35 GMT -5
The Orioles have re-signed Delmon Young to a one-year $2.5 million contract that could max out at $3 million if certain incentives are reached.
To make room for Young, the Orioles will need to release a player off the 40-man roster.
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Well, at least the Orioles signed somebody.
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Post by Evil Yoda on Dec 25, 2014 11:35:57 GMT -5
I'm glad to see him back (pending that physical) but... this will not solve their problems. They refuse to upgrade at pitcher and (I believe) they need a genuine ace. They have some talent there, but I believe they need a guy who can go real deep into games and still be effective.
Weiters, rumor has it, may not be ready to return by OD.
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Post by alienrace on Dec 26, 2014 11:48:08 GMT -5
I'm glad to see him back (pending that physical) but... this will not solve their problems. They refuse to upgrade at pitcher and (I believe) they need a genuine ace. They have some talent there, but I believe they need a guy who can go real deep into games and still be effective. That's what everyone said last year - and their staff quietly had one of the best ERA's during the second half of the season. I think they have a lot of faith placed in Gausman and Bundy being potential aces. Certainly see signs/flashes from Gausman. Young is a very good, clutch role player. So far the Orioles are avoiding overpaying people, that's about all you can say really. I think the offer to Markakis was fair, and I'm honestly a little surprised Nick left. Cruz got way overpaid. As much as a love him, you don't give a 34 year old hitter that kind of deal, especially since he'd never had the kind of year he just had. As for Weiters, I hope those are just rumors.
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Post by Evil Yoda on Dec 26, 2014 12:51:17 GMT -5
I wish Gausman was progressing faster; I am someone concerned that he may be near his peak, which would not make him an ace. Bundy still has a giant question mark next to his name. If the Orioles had a better history of drafting and/or developing talented starters in recent years I'd have more confidence in these men. But they drafted a lot of guys high (Arietta, Britton, Matusz) who, will capable in their roles, did not pan out as starters as was expected.
This club has been burnt badly a couple of times by players with health problems. The most famous examples being Roberts and Belle. I think they're organizationally gunshy, and Nick needed surgery, which they probably knew before we did. Duq is going to look like a goat or a genius for letting him walk - no middle ground, I predict. I wasn't surprised by Cruz, as I expected him to get stupid money somewhere. Guys with that kind of a year always do. If they really wanted him, they should have spoken to him middle of last season about an extension. He might have signed.
This is from the team site:
Orioles catcher Matt Wieters may not be healthy in time for the start of the 2015 season, according to manager Buck Showalter.
Speaking during the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore's annual meeting, Showalter told CSNBaltimore.com that Wieters projects as being ready "very close" to the start of the season, but not quite by Opening Day. He also addressed the status of third baseman Manny Machado, whom he thinks should be ready for the 2015 campaign.
"With both of these guys, it will be when and not if," Showalter told CSNBaltimore.com. "I think if you held a gun up to my head, I think Manny makes the start of the year, and I think Matt is very close thereafter, but we won't put either one of these guys on the field until it's time to go, and try to keep the finish line in mind."
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2014 21:01:14 GMT -5
There's still an ace pitcher available via free agency (Scherzer). Trouble is, he's going to cost an obscene amount of money and he'll cease to be an ace long before his contract is up.
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Post by Evil Yoda on Dec 28, 2014 16:30:10 GMT -5
There's still an ace pitcher available via free agency (Scherzer). Trouble is, he's going to cost an obscene amount of money and he'll cease to be an ace long before his contract is up. I wouldn't even think about this possibility. Angelos will not spend the kind of money, or commit to the length of contract, necessary to bring Scherzer here.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2014 20:40:41 GMT -5
There's still an ace pitcher available via free agency (Scherzer). Trouble is, he's going to cost an obscene amount of money and he'll cease to be an ace long before his contract is up. I wouldn't even think about this possibility. Angelos will not spend the kind of money, or commit to the length of contract, necessary to bring Scherzer here.Neither would I.
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Post by Evil Yoda on Dec 29, 2014 9:20:57 GMT -5
I wouldn't even think about this possibility. Angelos will not spend the kind of money, or commit to the length of contract, necessary to bring Scherzer here.Neither would I. If Scherzer is looking for a ten year deal I wouldn't, either. But someone will, because there's always a guy who's stupid enough to think he's one megastar from the playoffs. I thought that with the end of the steroid era (?) these long term contracts would be seen as highly dangerous, but evidently not. But Angelos is still regarded, with some justification, as a cheapskate when it comes to signing free agents.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2014 0:36:53 GMT -5
The Orioles are said to have real interest in Colby Rasmus, who has hit the skids the past several seasons. But the Orioles see him as this year's Nelson Cruz, a guy willing to accept a one-year deal in order to re-establish his free agent bona fides. He doesn't hit lefties very well and he strikes out a lot (Hey, he'll fit right in), but he has a good glove and can work in a DH-OF platoon. It's also interesting to note that his combined OPS for 2013-14 is .792 while Markakis's was .707.
If he can be had for anywhere between $6 and $8 million, that's not a bad pickup.
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Post by Evil Yoda on Jan 15, 2015 14:29:05 GMT -5
Keith Mills reports this morning that the Blue Jays are still after Duquette. That's all he had to offer.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2015 21:11:32 GMT -5
One of the NBC outlets was reporting this morning that Toronto is "close" to reaching a deal with Duquette, although I haven't seen any follow-up. If this is true, then it's my guess that the two organizations are working out some sort of compensation arrangement.
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Post by Evil Yoda on Jan 16, 2015 17:16:49 GMT -5
"Multiple sources" reporting Orioles reached one year deals with Davis, Tillman, Wieters, and Matusz ahead of the arbitration deadline. No official confirmation.
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