McCrory ranked second in the system with 27 combined saves at Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie, posted a 2.60 ERA and struck out 44 in 45 innings. He was chosen to the Carolina League All-Star team.

He’s a hard thrower who’s already gotten his ligament-reconstructive surgery out of the way. As long as his oblique holds up, he could make the club out of spring training.

I’m looking over the Hall of Fame ballot and wondering which players would have received my vote for induction in 2008.

The candidates are listed alphabetically as Brady Anderson, Harold Baines, Rod Beck, Bert Blyleven, Dave Concepcion, Andre Dawson, Shawon Dunston, Chuck Finley, Travis Fryman, Rich (Goose) Gossage, Tommy John, David Justice, Chuck Knoblauch, Don Mattingly, Mark McGwire, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, Robb Nen, Dave Parker, Tim Raines, Jim Rice, Jose Rijo, Lee Smith, Todd Stottlemyre and Alan Trammell.

Murphy gets snubbed every year despite winning the MVP award two straight seasons, being a seven-time All-Star, winning five consecutive Gold Glove awards, leading the National League in home runs and RBIs twice, leading the majors in home runs and RBIs over a 10-year span, and once playing in 740 consecutive games.

OK, he was a lousy catcher who couldn’t throw the ball back to the pitcher, let alone throw out a runner at second, but he found a home in center field. I wonder if he’ll ever find one in Cooperstown.

I’d take him over Todd Stottlemyer. That much I know.

Tommy John should be there for the surgery alone.

As for David Justice, there was the whole Halle Berry thing.

I'll need to give this more thought. 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (23)
                    

Curious how the other teams’ rotations are stacking up? Beat writers from across the country and Canada submitted their projections. And I’m in a giving mood:

ARIZONA
RHP Brandon Webb, RHP Danny Haren, LHP Doug Davis, LHP Randy Johnson, RHP Micah Owings.
 
ATLANTA
RHP John Smoltz, RHP Tim Hudson, LHP Tom Glavine, LHP Chuck James, LHP Mike Hampton.
 
CHICAGO CUBS
RHP Carlos Zambrano, LHP Ted Lilly, LHP Rich Hill, RHP Jason Marqius, RHP Ryan Dempster.
 
CINCINNATI
RHP Aaron Harang, RHP Bronson Arroyo, RHP Matt Belisle, RHP Homer Bailey, RHP Edinson Volquez.
 
COLORADO
RHP Aaron Cook, LHP Jeff Francis, RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, RHP Jason Hirsh, RHP Kip Wells.
 
FLORIDA
LHP Scott Olsen, RHP Sergio Mitre, LHP Andrew Miller, RHP Anibal Sanchez, RHP Ricky Nolasco.
 
HOUSTON
RHP Roy Oswalt, RHP Brandon Backe, LHP Wandy Rodriguez, RHP Woody Williams, RHP Chris Sampson.
 
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
RHP Derrek Lowe, RHP Brad Penny, RHP Chad Billingsley, RHP Hiroki Kuroda, RHP Jason Schmidt.
 
MILWAUKEE
RHP Ben Sheets, RHP Jeff Suppan, RHP Yovanni Gallardo, LHP Chris Capuano, RHP Carlos Villanueva.
 
NEW YORK METS
RHP Pedro Martinez, RHP John Maine, LHP Oliver Perez, RHP Orlando Hernandez, RHP Mike Pelfrey.
 
PHILADELPHIA
LHP Cole Hamels, RHP Brett Myers, LHP Jamie Moyer, RHP Kyle Kendrick, RHP Adam Eaton.
 
PITTSBURGH
LHP Tom Gorzelanny, RHP Ian Snell, LHP Paul Maholm, LHP Zach Duke, RHP Matt Morris.
 
ST. LOUIS
RHP Adam Wainwright, RHP Braden Looper, RHP Joel Pineiro, RHP Todd Wellmeyer, RHP Brad Thompson.
 
SAN DIEGO
RHP Jake Peavy, RHP Chris Young, RHP Greg Maddux, LHP Randy Wolf, RHP Clay Hensley.
 
SAN FRANCISCO
RHP Matt Cain, RHP Kevin Correia, LHP Barry Zito, LHP Noah Lowry, RHP Tim Lincecum.
 
WASHINGTON
RHP Shawn Hill, LHP Matt Chico, RHP Jay Bergmann, RHP John Patterson, RHP Tim Redding.
 
BALTIMORE
LHP Erik Bedard, RHP Jeremy Guthrie, LHP Adam Loewen, RHP Daniel Cabrera, LHP Garrett Olson.
 
BOSTON
RHP Josh Beckett, RHP Curt Schilling, RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, RHP Tim Wakefield, LHP Jon Lester.
 
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
LHP Mark Buehrle, RHP Jose Contreras, RHP Javier Vazquez, LHP John Danks, RHP Gavin Floyd.
 
CLEVELAND
LHP C.C. Sabathia, RHP Fausto Carmona, RHP Jake Westbrook, RHP Paul Byrd, LHP Aaron Laffey.
 
DETROIT
RHP Justin Verlander, RHP Jeremy Bonderman, LHP Dontrelle Willis, LHP Kenny Rogers, LHP Nate Robertson.
 
KANSAS CITY
RHP Gil Meche, RHP Brian Bannister, RHP Zack Greinke, LHP Jorge de la Rosa, RHP Luke Hochevar.
 
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
RHP John Lackey, RHP Kelvim Escobar, RHP Jered Weaver, RHP Jon Garland, LHP Joe Saunders.
 
MINNESOTA
LHP Johan Santana, RHP Scott Baker, RHP Kevin Slowey, RHP Boof Bonser, LHP Francisco Liriano.
 
NEW YORK YANKEES
RHP Chien-Ming Wang, LHP Andy Pettitte, RHP Phil Hughes, RHP Joba Chamberlain, RHP Mike Mussina.
 
OAKLAND
RHP Joe Blanton, RHP Rich Harden, RHP Chad Gaudin, LHP Lenny DiNardo, RHP Justin Duchscherer.
 
SEATTLE
RHP Felix Hernandez, RHP Miguel Batista, RHP Carlos Silva, LHP Jarrod Washburn, RHP Brandon Morrow.
 
TAMPA BAY
LHP Scott Kazmir, RHP James Shields, RHP Edwin Jackson, RHP Andy Sonnanstine, RHP Matt Garza.
 
TEXAS
RHP Kevin Millwood, RHP Vicente Padilla, RHP Kameron Loe, RHP Brandon McCarthy, LHP Kason Gabbard.
 
TORONTO
RHP Roy Halladay, RHP A. J. Burnett, RHP Dustin McGowan, RHP Shaun Marcum, RHP Jesse Litsch.

I took the advice of one reader and Googled the words “Marisa Miller” and “iPod.” My vision’s still blurred, but I’ll try to write this entry.

Reading tvdpdx's comment about Maryland's football team reminded me of the time, many years ago, when I attended a game at Michigan Stadium. My Maryland license plates stood out to some drunken fans. One guy asked, "What's a Terrapin?" The Terps already took quite a beating on the field, and I had to stick up for my alma mater, so I paused a few seconds before blurting out, "It's a really mean turtle!"

I sure showed him.

I haven't heard any talk about sending Jeremy Guthrie to the White Sox. That's a new one. I'd find it hard to believe that the Orioles would relinquish Guthrie, since he's exactly what they're looking for at this time - young, major league ready and under their control for a while.

And don't expect the Orioles to consider moving Brian Roberts to shortstop if he's not traded. The reason he switched to second base was because his arm wasn't deemed strong enough to play short in the majors.

The Mariners keep offering Jeff Clement and I keep wondering why the Orioles would take him unless they were certain that they could flip him in another deal. They finally have a young catching prospect who's close to being ready. I can't remember the last time that was true.

Free-agent pitcher Kyle Lohse is seeking a five-year deal. And I'm still seeking Salma Hayek.

http://www.salmahayekonline.com/photogallery/displayimage.php?album=42&pos=0

Neither one is going to happen. But Lohse may actually get four years from the Mets.

I can't get four minutes with Hayek.

This transaction flew under the radar: The Brewers signed outfielder Gabe Kapler to a one-year deal worth $800,000 that isn't guaranteed. He retired before the 2007 season and managed in the Red Sox's system. 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (41)
                    

‘Twas the night after Christmas, and all through the warehouse, not a creature was stirring, not even Russell Smouse.

(Before you ask, Smouse serves as general counsel for the Orioles and represents the club in arbitration hearings. It’s the best I could do before slipping into another food coma).

Happy holidays to all. I just wanted to check in, since it’s been a few days and I’m getting antsy. I haven’t submitted a blog entry since the weekend and I’m beginning to experience separation anxiety.

ESPN is reporting that Mark Prior signed a one-year, $ 1 million contract with the Padres that includes incentives that could push the overall value of the deal to over $3 million. Sounds like a worthwhile gamble. If he breaks down again, the Padres aren’t on the hook beyond 2008. And they’re not out a lot of cash. I don’t see the downside here.

Did anyone receive an Orioles-related gift for Christmas?

Aubrey Huff bought me Sirius Satellite Radio.  And the Orioles’ team doctors gave me a half-off coupon for treatment on my next strained oblique.    

I just saw a headline that read: “Kobe beats Wilt to 20,000”

That’s points, right?

Maryland’s football team visited Alcatraz yesterday as part of its tourist agenda before the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco.

Strangely, half the Florida State football team was being held there.

Meanwhile, the entire state of Florida is now forbidden from watching the Music City Bowl.

I’m watching Purdue and Central Michigan play in the Motor City Bowl – because somebody has to.

Roger Clemens is in such damage-control mode, he’s even denying that he was inoculated as a kid.

Eddie Sutton was named interim head coach at the University of San Francisco.

In a related story, the University of San Francisco was just placed on five years’ probation.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 8:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (22)
                    

Howard Schnellenberger won a bowl game last night. Then the ghost of Robert Irsay fired him. 

To answer a question posed to me yesterday: Trades can be completed during the week between Christmas and Jan. 1, but it doesn't happen often. Some officials will maintain discussions if they believe they're close to a deal.

The Orioles don't appear to be close to doing anything at the moment. That's fine if the  alternative is trading away Erik Bedard and Brian Roberts for packages that don't suit their needs - immediate and long-term. Better to hold onto them than let teams withhold the Brandon Morrows and Adam Jones and Jay Bruces and Matt Kemps.

However, the reality is that the Orioles don't know who's playing shortstop, who's starting in center field, who's closing, who's setting up, who's filling out the rotation. Manager Dave Trembley mentioned Luis Hernandez as a possibility if another shortstop isn't acquired, or a combination of Brandon Fahey and Freddie Bynum. He could always shift Jay Payton to center if the veteran isn't dealt. Or hand the job to Tike Redman and watch him break back 20 feet on a ball fouled behind the plate.

Not exactly what we were anticipating, but it's still relatively early. Andy MacPhail hasn't closed up shop for good. Keep telling yourself that while you're opening your gifts.

By the way, I like Redman as a bench player. There's a spot for him on this team. Just not everyday in center. Please.

The Reds seemed pretty determined to trade Josh Hamilton. The Orioles apparently could have gotten him in a package for Bedard. I wonder why?

It does appear to make Bruce even more untouchable, if that's possible.

I'm not a huge Octavio Dotel fan, but the Orioles have expressed interest, and he might be the best alternative at closer. They don't want Jamie Walker moved out of the left-handed set-up role, or unproven Jim Hoey taking the ball in the ninth.

Check out this link - http://www.baseball-reference.com/d/doteloc01.shtml - and you'll see that some Oakland people are down on Dotel.

Carlos Silva gets $48 million over four years. Dontrelle Willis gets $29 million over three.

Also, cats are chasing dogs and Magic Johnson is set to host another talk show.

Silva is praised for eating innings. So does Daniel Cabrera, and the rest of us get indigestion.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 9:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (56)
                    

Orioles manager Dave Trembley called into tonight's Hot Stove Show on WHFS (105.7) and MASN. A few points of interest:

Trembley still believes team president Andy MacPhail will make some more deals, but he also told Kevin Millar that the first baseman would likely be the cleanup hitter if a bat isn't added to fill the hole created by the Miguel Tejada trade.

Millar did a nice job in that slot last season, but I assume we're all in agreement that the club would benefit more by having him hit lower in the order.

Trembley also plans to add a few more drills at spring training. He wants the pitchers to do a better job holding runners, so that'll be one of Rick Kranitz's responsibilities as the new pitching coach. And there will be more emphasis placed on situational hitting and baserunning.

It also doesn't appear that Trembley would be comfortable using one of his young relievers as the closer, or going with a committee approach.

The backend of the bullpen is a major priority for Trembley. It's the first thing he mentioned when I asked what was on the top of his Christmas wish list. 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 9:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (23)
                    

I’m a day late with this, but here are some quotes from Orioles executive vice president Mike Flanagan during his interview Wednesday on XM Radio:

On Brian Roberts’ admission to using steroids: “I haven’t spoken to Brian since his admission and I think a lot of it was weighing on him. It does show that you really have to look at everyone in the report individually, and the pressures that were on certain players with all the money at stake at the big-league level.”

On teams interested in Erik Bedard: “I don’t think there isn’t a club in the game that couldn’t use Erik Bedard. It’s a question of whether or not the club would have what we’re looking to get back for Erik, but there is no question that there is a lot of interest in Erik and he could possibly put a team over the top, and we expect the interest to continue.”

On how he felt when so many Orioles were in the Mitchell Report: “It’s one of those things that you don’t feel good about. It’s not only the star player that is looking to be a megastar. Whatever the motivation is to try and succeed, there definitely was some external pressure for some players to use these performance-enhancing drugs.

Kris Benson appeared on the same program and was asked what he thinks players should do if they used performance-enhancing drugs: “Denial is in the forefront of the Mitchell Report. The report was run by a pretty legitimate person, and I think, if you did it, like (Andy) Pettitte and Brian Roberts, come out and say you did it and move on. I think that’s what I would do.”

How times change: Javy Lopez signed a minor league contract with the Braves and will be paid $750,000 if he makes the team in spring training as a backup catcher.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (30)
                    

Jason Grimsley sure has a lot to learn about stirring up controversy.

He would have been big news before the Mitchell Report was released, but his affidavit was so watered down, it should have been served as top-shelf liquor at a dance club.

Jose Canseco, Lenny Dykstra, David Segui, Geronimo Berroa, Pete Incaviglia. The baseball world has been rocked to its foundation.

Estimated recovery time: 12 seconds.

Segui has maintained all along that he discussed his hGH use with Grimsley and suggested that the pitcher have his level tested to see if it was too low. Grimsley doesn’t appear to be rewriting history in the affidavit.

The most dirt that Grimsley flung at Rafael Palmeiro, who’s been such an easy target, involved past discussions with Miguel Tejada and Sammy Sosa about amphetamines. And the previous night’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy.

Shocking stuff, all of it.

Or so I hope. I hate to be wrong (and I admit, my initial endorsement of the Mets' proposal for Erik Bedard was ludicrous. I reacted too quickly).

I've heard from two people with ties to the Orioles who say the club isn't close to finalizing a trade involving Brian Roberts and no announcement is forthcoming. They're puzzled by the rumors that it's done. And they don't want the perception out there to be that it almost happened and then fell apart at the last instant.

Also, a sports reporter from a Chicago radio station called to say that nobody there is claiming that the deal is done, only that the Cubs are going hard after Roberts, and the package includes the names you've been reading. 

So there you have it. Roberts could become a Cub in the future, but it won't be today. And it sure doesn't sound like it'll be tomorrow, either. Or the next day.

But we'll just take it one day at a time.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 2:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (24)
                    

I'm told that radio stations in Chicago are reporting that the Brian Roberts trade is done. There's been absolutely no confirmation on this end, however. In fact, it's been shot down by a few people.

Welcome to the Hot Stove season.

If it doesn't happen, the experts will say the trade fell through at the last instant (which always is a possibility). If it does happen, they'll brag about being right.

I'm not aware of a pending announcement, but if it happens later...well, the trade came together at the last instant!

I'm still trying to figure out why so many fans are reacting as if Roberts needs to go. Forget the Mitchell Report for a second. It's highly unlikely that he's facing any sort of punishment, and he's apologized profusely.  

If we're assuming that he'll bolt as a free agent after the 2009 season, it makes more sense to trade him now if the package in return is strong -- and I'm not convinced this one qualifies without Felix Pie. But I'd rather hold on to my leadoff hitter and All-Star second baseman if I'm not blown away by the offer.

I understood the Orioles' desire to move Miguel Tejada. If Erik Bedard brings a package from Seattle that includes Adam Jones and Brandon Morrow, or one from Cincinnati that includes Jay Bruce, it's hard to argue against it. But I'm not in a rush to help Roberts pack his bags for Chicago.  

On the plus side, Matt Murton was born in Fort Lauderdale, so he'd enjoy spring training. And he played at Georgia Tech, so maybe he could recruit Mark Teixeira to come to Baltimore.

I ran into Sam Snider at the Target in Owings Mills earlier today. Small world, especially since I've never been to that store before this morning. Snider, dismissed as the Orioles' bullpen catcher and batting practice pitcher, has been hired as hitting coach for the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League.  

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (33)
                    

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 8:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (25)
                    

I wasn’t aware that a program existed on Versus called “Sports Unfiltered with Dennis Miller" that airs 10 p.m. Wednesdays. If it’s anything like his stint on Monday Night Football, it’s also unfunny. But I digress…

Miller’s interview with Pete Rose airs tonight. Here’s an excerpt:

Miller: “Your juices were always flowing. Thank God they didn’t have steroids back then.”

Rose: “I would have got 5,000 hits.”

Other nuggets from Rose:

“The Mitchell Report comes out and I never thought anybody would make me look like an altar boy.”
 
“If you’re gonna put these guys that supposedly did steroids into the Hall of Fame, I mean, I gotta get a shot somewhere.”

“I’ve been suspended 18 years for betting on my own team to win. I was wrong, but these guys today, if the allegations are true, they’re making a mockery of the game.”

So did Rose’s haircut, but again, I digress…

If I asked you to name the Royals’ RBI leader the past three seasons, would you have immediately said Emil Brown?

You’d be right, but the Royals still non-tendered him. And fans aren’t expected to miss a guy who earned the nickname E-7.

If you knew that Matt Capps was the Pirates’ closer last season and converted 18 of 21 save chances, you’re either from Pittsburgh or you have a fantasy team. And a lot of free time on your hands.

The Phillies keep saying they’re not looking to upgrade at third base. Then they make offers to Mike Lowell and Tadahito Iguchi, who turned down their two-year proposal, with an option, to play third and signed a one-year deal with the Padres. Then the Phillies say they’re not looking to upgrade at third base.

Seriously, guys, no interest in Melvin Mora? Really?

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 1:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (34)
                    

So let me get this straight: Roger Clemens’ personal trainer says he injected Clemens with steroids on multiple occasions. Clemens says he never used performance-enhancing drugs in his entire life.

For you Maryland football fans, the Terps should know by Friday whether left guard Jaimie Thomas will be healthy enough to play in the Dec. 28 Emerald Bowl against Oregon State. He’s still recovering from a fractured right fibula and is a “long shot,” according to coach Ralph Friedgen.