Getting rid of the sleepy Ramon and dumping $6 M of his salary is a win. Now if either Waring or Turner come through to the ML level and contribute someday, this will be hailed as anothr McPhail steal.

I would have given Hernandez away and paid his salary too. Now if we can rid ourselves of Cabrera, maybe this team can begin to develop a positive self-image,

What do we think of the trade? It is not a big deal, except for Wieters being able to step up to the majors. Waring is a free swinger, he swings for the fences every at bat. Turner may be the best out of the three. I do not know how good of shape Freel's leg is in. I assume the O's have given him / or plan to give him a physical. Considering the fact the O's want to have 12-13 pitchers on their staff, it is nice to have a guy that can fill in at 5 positions.

Dean, it seems to me to be a great move for the O's. First you have Hernandez off the roster which is the definition of addition by subtraction, then you get a solid utility type guy with a good attitude like Freel. Freel will be far better as a fourth outfielder than say...Jay Payton. It would be great if the minor leaguers turned out to be major leaguers someday, but either way we have cleared the room for Wieters to come up and hopefully learn from a quality veteran catcher that the O's will sign in the coming weeks...why not Gregg Zaun?

I'm not sure how anyone can dislike this trade. Ramon was awful last year, and his numbers are seemingly inflated (if that is even possible) because of some streaky hitting in August and September.

Freels is a good, solid player with speed.

I actually think the overall value of the trade is largely dependent on who they sign as a second catcher. They need someone who can play nearly every day in the event that Weiters struggles and needs some time back in the minors. I also think they really need someone who can act as a mentor/coach for Weiters.

So, good trade, but the true value is yet to be seen.

We don't even know if Freel has recovered from his latest surgery! How about his two DUI arrests? As for the two prospects - who knows!
It is still a positive deal - addition by subtraction!

Just glad that Fat Boy Hernandez is gone! Freel is an upgrade over Bynum, Fahey, Castro, etc..... and we've cleared the spot for Matt Wieters. All in all, a solid move.

In Andy We Trust!

Trading Ramon for Freel was a good move, but hard to get excited about these minor leaguers.

Prior to the 2008 season, Waring was ranked as Cincinnati's 23rd best prospect by Baseball America. Waring struck out 156 times in 441 AB's as a 22 yr old in A-Ball. His shaky defense will probably force a move to 1B, where his offensive shortcomings become an even bigger liability. Not good.

BA ranked Turner the Red's 29th best prospect heading into last season. The scouting reports make him sound "scrappy" with good baseball instincts. His above avg defense and versatility make him much more likely to make it to the bigs as a utilityman.

Like I said, good to get rid of Ramon, but nothing to get really excited about otherwise.

I'm just happy that Ramon is an ex-Oriole, he just wore out his welcome.

Freel is a good versatile player with speed, something the O's could use.
And who knows, maybe one of these minor leaguer's will be serviceable.

This is proof why it is important to sign free agents, even if it costs alot of money and on their downside of the contract, they appear unable to further contribute. McFly has sold everyone on rebuilding for the future but again, it takes pieces to do that, to either contribute now or provide fodder for future trades.

The O's did it again. It may not be as big a steal as the Bedard and Tejada trade, but Ramon lost a lot of value. He was not worth much to our Organization when his performance has steadily declined since coming here. Only time will tell how the prospects turn out, but that will add more depth to our farm system. Even if the they do not pan out, Freel should prove to be a worthy role player who can help the clubhouse and bring intensity on the field. He seems to be like a Kevin Millar type but hits for more average than power and has more speed and defensive skills. He could fill the void if we end up trading Roberts for more prospects. Maybe Turner could even step in a year or two and take over at 2nd? He seems to be very well polished and should be a decent player. You can't expect to get a ton of talent for Ramon when he lacks talent himself. I think we definitely got the better deal in this trade for sure.

The best part about Turner is that he opted not to play for the freaking yankees. That makes him a whole lot better looking than just a minor leaguer

In my mind, the Orioles got three minor leaguers. If the Orioles are serious about being better than last year -- right now the only goal I lay at their doorstep -- Freel is best suited to be adding depth at Norfolk. The reports of some of his surgeries certainly aren't highlights; the DUI arrests are alarming if (hopefully) dated. And I don't know what to think about someone who talks to his own personal imaginary midget taking up residence in the head.

A power-hitting project at third and high-average hitter at second also help pad the minor leagues -- I'm guessing Bowie.

Even if all three never manage anything more at the major league level than the proverbial cup of joe, the added depth should have beneficial ramifications if and when the Orioles stockpile genuine prospects for developing.

I'm not sure what turned Hernandez into Mr. Whatever -- injuries are one thing -- counting down the days of the season with five months to go is quite another -- but dumping his distant stare and three-fourths of his $8 million for these three is a good first step.

This is this off-season's first step, isn't it? There will be more dominoes to fall, won't there?

As for Weiters, the Orioles should feign intelligence and keep him at Norfolk until the year won't count towards his tenure. Last I checked, getting seven years of control with a top prospect is better than six. And since my expectations for 2009 aren't real high, missing Weiters for a few weeks (or whatever the rule is) can't be that big of a deal.

One pat on the back for Andy. And only one.

waspman, interesting idea to keep Weiters down on the farm to keep him from getting tenure... sounds like something the Defending American League Champions Tamp Bay Devil Rays would do... maybe a good idea, but the O's blow the Rays out of the water when it comes to budgets so I don't think they'll have to resort to that. Besides, given the youth of the O's pitchers, it may prove beneficial to have Weiters grow with the pitching talent.

What's not to like. You get a guy that can play at least 5 positions comes with the right attitude. Let's be honest if Weiters comes to camp and plays well like Markasis did 3 years ago he will start the season with
the Orioles, and if he does that I think he will hit for a higher average and drive in more runs than Ramon did last year and if he is slotted correctly he may hit for as much power as well.
I think the shortstop is a good move as well, I would have picked Orlando Cabera because of his offense but this is a solid move. The 2 minor leagues are interesting particularly if McPhail has to move Roberts. You've also reinforced that failure to hustle is not going to be an accepted practice anymore so that is all to the good. Now please spend a little money and get some quality pitching as well as sign Roberts and Markasis and we will have had two good offseasons in a row.

Am ecstatic with opening the door for Weiters and hope the O's won't wait until later to bring him to the big club just to save a few bucks. Should happen right away. I love the Freel-type of player. He'll add some juice. Two more quality minor league infielders will help stock those positions with talent. Good job. Now let's get Tex.

I am not to sure how we got this steal through but way to go AM..... I wonder if anyone else remembers 2 years ago when a runner stole on RH and he picked up and threw the ball and hit the pitcher right betweeen the shoulder blades.... I also remember seeing him skip the ball in front of the mound on a throw! What a defensive aquisition for the Reds.... Good luck Ramon... Cya dont the let the door hit you on the way out!

O's didn't lose any salary in the deal. Moved Hernandez ($8 mil + 1 mil buy out) + around $3 mil to Cincy for Freel ($4 mil) and prospects. So in the end money wise it was pretty much a swap.

"Rotund" Hernandez is a solid add by subtraction and will reduce my screaming time at the blasted tv. Happy days are here again!

In 2008, major league hitters had an OPS of 1.196 against Daniel Cabrera in at bats that resolved during the first 15 pitches of the game. It's almost as if the opposing batters could predict what was going to be thrown. That wouldn't have anything to do with the catcher, would it? Nah...

Oh hurrah! We got rid of a guy who clearly did not want to be here, clearing the road for Wieters. Freel says his leg is fine and I would not be too critical of the minor leaguers in this deal. Good grief, these young fellows are only in A ball, let's give them a chance before we either write them off for offensive deficiencies or hustle Roberts out of here because one of them plays second base.

If this gives Rowell a wake-up call, all the better.