Next to Weiters, Adam Jones is the LAST guy I would trade. No club can win without strength up the middle and those two guys are keys to that.

If they are not going to go full rebuild and trade Jones - they should make locking him the top priority this offseason. Assuming of course they don't surprise everone and aggressively sign difference makers to actually improve the club for the short and long term.

I really hope this team takes a shot at Fielder - no matter what people say, it makes sense on so many levels. This team is probably 2-3 years away from competing, with the right moves and building of the farm system.

Fielder will still be in his prime in 2-3 years. In the mean time, he can put butts in the seats, make this team at very least competitive, and start to build up Baltimore's reputation so that, when the time comes for them to contend, they can actually attract some of the names they want.

I would have no hesitation giving Fielder an 8 year/$160mil deal if I was an owner or a GM.

No one else is stepping up right now, so throw out the offer and see what happens. If it's not accepted, at least you took the step.

The Orioles really need to realize that Jones is not an "up the middle" player. His range is not that of a center fielder. I would love to see them sign someone like Coco Crisp and move Jones to left. That would certainly solve their outfield defense problems. Also, if you make him a left fielder it may depress some of his value, making him easier to sign to an extension.

Full out bench players???
You got to be kidding me
How bout we go after top pitching
This club is a joke

Ben S., Jones is one of the best defensive center fielders in the game. Have you been watching a different player or what. This guy is awesome and getting better every year. We need to sign him to an extension and make him our center fielder for the next decade or so.

I can't imagine why any team would want to trade Jones. At 26 years old, he's not even in the start of his prime yet. He's the type of player a team should want to rebuild around.

I don't think he's a very good CF because of his poor range (great arm though), but he's only going to get better and every GM knows this, including Duquette.

If Jones is traded, it would have to be for a young pitcher like Jeremy Hellickson or Ivan Nova. Even then, I think it would be a stupid move.

Just read the O's GM or whatever he's called, will let the Free Agent pitching class settle before looking into pitching. To me this is a clear indication more of the same. DOING THINGS ON THE CHEAP??
Angeloss and the sons are pathetic to allow this to happen.
I just want to read in some headline that the "O's made a strong push for ......

Hi Dan, thanks for the update! By virtue of what Duqette didn't say, Markakis is on the trading block although moving him is difficult with his salary. What do you think about the possibility of moving him for a number 3 or 4 rotation starting pitcher who possibly might be overpaid too? To trade Markakis the Orioles will need to eat some money, it might be for something we need rather than the bench. Thanks!

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I dont see them moving Markakis. It would be a tough sell to trade him unless they got several young prospects in return. And with his large contract and pedestrian numbers, it's unlikely they could find a suitor that would give them enough to satisfy the Orioles and their fans. I can't imagine people would be happy with dealing Markakis for a 3 or 4 starter -- though that might be the current going rate. Also, Duquette didn't mention Markakis because he was talking up-the-middle players. That doesn't mean Markakis is on the trade block.

If you're going to sign free agents you have to start with a pitcher. I say go after Buerle and not Fielder. Fielder gives me serious Glenn Davis / Albert Belle willies. HIs body is the type that can go out at any time. Look at Ryan Howard, his last out in the playoffs is the start of his being over-the-hill.

YA let get bench depth when are pitching is sinking up the whole city of baltimore.

Dan,

Thanks for pushing Duquette on Jones. Though I think his answer was not a definite no, it's clear the O's like him. And why not, right?

But I just can't stop thinking about Jurrjens. He's 25 years old, and a tier below the best aces in the game. The Braves are looking for a CF in exchange for Jurrjens and it doesn't seem like there are many out there that would be as attractive as Adam. Look, we just drafted Bundy. If he turns out to be good, in 3 years you're talking about a 28 year old Jurrjens, Bundy, and then all we need is ONE of the current crop to develop and we have the makings of a winning rotation.

Adam is obviously a great ballplayer, but we need pitching more. We can sign a guy like Nate McClouth or Coco Crisp, or even take a flier on Sizemore, to plug that hole. None of these are as good as Adam, but you can't add to your club without giving up somebody good.

We need the pitching more than we need Adam Jones.

Thanks for the report Dan. I'm glad that he's not interested in trading Jones, I think he's one of our keystone players.
I'm not going to jump on the bandwagon and start screaming because he hasn't already gotten us three or four pitchers and a big bat yet, even after one whole day of meetings!
For crying out loud folks, at least give the guy a few days to meet with the other GMs, have some get-to-know-you conversations about who's looking for what, and then maybe think about things a while before he actually does something major.
The fact that he did some of the easy, no-brainer offers to lower level players to fill bench spots first, is a good sign, not a bad one.
I want him to do all the due diligence and see what's actually being offered by real GMs before he leaps into any major deals for key positions, don't you?
I know we're all frustrated by the long years of futility, and certainly the lackluster results of our last GM, followed by the circus act around hiring our 5th choice for his replacement have left us all plenty cynical. That shouldn't drive us to start judging the guy's performance after one single day at the GM meetings.
Get a grip folks.

I thought we were told last year that in order to win you need to have corner position players who hit 3rd, 4th, and 5th in your batting order.

Dan...any chance the Braves would give up Jurrjens, Prado and a prospect for Jones?

That fills huge holes for the O's (solid #2 starter, good-hitting super utility guy, and a young guy for the minors).

I love Jones and really hope they keep him, but I think I could live with a haul like that.

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I'm not sure you get all three. I have no idea how Braves view Jones. And you'd definitely have to get a haul of young players for him. But, yes, it is conceivable.

We can't even attract bench players here unless there's some sort of question mark looming over their head. The new GM isn't even a GM. Another vice-president with no real authority to do anything. Top free agents will go elsewhere while Duquette waits for Angelos to pick up the phone.

We need Pitching - Pitching - Pitching

How many real holes do we have in the line-up and in the field? Left, 2nd, 3rd and DH (keeping Reynolds at 1st).

We need Pitching - Pitching - Pitching

He's looking at bench players? Are you serious? Our starting lineup can't even win.

Hey Dan,

A little off topic, but what do you read into the O's not getting involved with Aaron Hill, Mark Ellis, or Jamey Carroll?

Banking on Roberts coming back?
Have confidence in Andino?
Both?

These were guys you had speculated the O's may be interested in, but by what I've gathered online from Heyman, Bowden etc. the O's weren't even in the discussion, so I was wondering why.

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Yeah, they weren't in on those guys. Several reasons, including the fact that they signed quickly and the Orioles just got a GM a week ago. That said, the real reason is that it's a tough sell to get a 2Bman to come here when Roberts is lurking. If he is healthy, he is the guy. So if they land a 2Bman, it likely will be one a little less coveted than those you/I mentioned.

Jerry L, the statistics and opinion of professional scouts just doesn't hold up the eye test on Jones. Sure he LOOKs phenomenal out there, but that's because he goes all out and makes the plays he CAN make. The problem is all the balls that fall in for singles and doubles that SEEM like well hit balls but in reality are routine plays for better fielders. From what I've read from scouts, his range is poor and he doesn't judge the ball well off the bat. His UZR (http://www.fangraphs.com/library/index.php/defense/uzr/) last year was -8.7 (zero is leave average). The only year he was in the positive was 2008.

I looked up Crisps's UZR, which wasn't much better at -5.5 last year, but at least he is well above average over his career. Maybe he's not the best choice and last year is an indication that he's slowing down, but I strongly believe this team will improve significantly with a better fielding center fielder.

Don't get me wrong, I like Jones a lot, he's the only current Oriole I own a jersey for, but I think his skills are much better suited for a corner outfield slot.

"Those guys are at an age where there is potential to improve, and they are exciting ballplayers for our fans to see.”

WHAT FANS? Another bonehead at GM. Fill out the bench huh? God, this organization reeks.....just reeks. Just how did they become so vastly worse than every other organization is baseball? It's so incredibly pathetic. Such a stupid group of people. Make a splash you morons....it's the only way to get anyone to come back to Camden Yards. Angelos has more money than anyone and not a soul out there should doubt it. He's just a complete idiot. I like the cartoon bird though as it fits the personality of the team itself....a complete cartoon.

I'd like to be hopeful, but this is the third GM who has started out his tenure with, "We won't be front-runners in the market," and it's been 14 years without a .500 record.

The single most important thing this franchise needs to do is put fans in the stadium - fill Camden Yards. It did that when Ripkin played and the O's were losing. Go sign Fielder at nearly any price and you will begin to fill the Yard again even if you fall under 500. Bringing in fans brings in money brings in ball players. Just do it!!!!!

Team Angelos has made the decision that they will never compete with the Yanks and Red Sox, so there is no reason to throw money into this ballclub. They would rather just pocket the vast cash flow from MASN and not try and give something back to the fans, unlike the two competitors above. Even Tampa Bay has made an effort to try and win in our division. Shame on the Angelos family for giving the fans of Baltimore an inferior product on and off the field!