Brad Komminsk is managing Bowie? Somebody better reinforce the outfield fences.

Off topic but wow...Teixeira could get 7 yrs, 140M. story below. should o's go that high.

http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2007/12/17/let-the-mark-teixeira-rumors-begin/

Roch

I know you mentioned that Scott McGregor would be going to Frederick, but I don't remember hearing a reason. Is this a demotion? Do they feel they need his talents at that level? Did Komminsk want Griffin? Do you have any insight on why he is headed there?

U is for whats "up"

On the MASN show:
You guys are not a great match. You're clever and understated. He's an old-time blast-em-out sportscaster. Different styles. I guess they need to find some things for him to do. He's better at play-by-play.
Roch works better on the show. Hunter looks like a stage actor reaching for the 3rd balcony yet acting in a movie. Know what I mean? He needs more intimacy.
In radio, you're talking to one person. Not a stadium full.
Both of you should shorten up your questions for guests. Roch, in particular. In one of your questions to AMac, you asked the questions and then provided (at least) 3 possible answers. Let him answer the question himself. Once you've asked the question, you've asked the question.
I admit some athletes need some prompting, but a guy like AMac doesn't.
Having said that, it's nice to have the show on.
P.S. I got Direct TV in October. I've had a few months to watch MASN and I've come to the conclusion that Anita Marks is pretty middle-of-the-road, journey(wo)man material. Nobody on her show (except Roch) creates a spark or has a way with words.

Roch, how bout talking about some more "major" news, i.e., the O's actually RAISING some ticket prices. Talk about Peter Angelos just sticking it to O's fans, geez!

just curious
noticed on baseball america that weiters impresses in pro debut
can you give us some insight on what is going on there roch
or anyone who subscribes to that website
thanks

I'm in agreement with you dave. they should put some foam cushioning behind the fence...

I wouldn't sign any muscular guy to a deal like that. He's built like a steroid guy - maybe it isn't fair, but that's life in the roid era. Power will decline in the coming years - and I wouldn't be shocked if his did as well..

I would ABSOLUTELY trade Bedard to the Yankees for Chamberlin and Hughes.

Sending Bedard to the Yankees would turn him into the next Carl Pavano, and the Yankees seem to be short of Pavanos right now.

Who cares about anything except will Brian Rob do his weekly show with Anita? Lie dedectors not needed.

I've noticed some talk about ticket prices rising the past couple of days, but what is a prime game? I should pay more to watch the O's get beat by a good team, is that what this means?

If anyone can quickly explain, I'd really appreciate it. Right now it seems like another solid move by Angelos. Way to go Pete.

From Rotoworld:
"The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Phillies are interested in signing Sidney Ponson to a minor league contract.
Currently pitching in the Dominican winter league, Ponson failed to latch on anywhere after being released by the Twins in mid-May and hasn't had an ERA under 5.00 since 2003."
And he thinks he's heard boos before?

with regard to the hot stove show, i didn't see what a previous poster meant by roch and jim hunter singing "those were the days" when the show started. i saw it from the start, and where was the song?

the notion of roch and hunter singing was too much information in itself. :)

asking the question and then providing the answer yourself is a present-day habit that drives me nuts sometimes. but Amber and Tom Davis are the worst offenders, IMHO.

and i agree with the Anita assessment, except it's actually a bit generous. yet, obviously people don't stop watching. hmmm, must be a reason for that.

I don't believe you could get chamberlain and hughes they wouldn't give them up for santana I don't believe they would for bedard..I would love to see texiera but unless the orioles show a lot of improvement in a hurry I don't think he will come home if a contender offers him the same money..

commenting on Anita Marks - she is the worst broadcaster I have ever heard. Her voice makes me cringe. She is uninformed. Her guests seem to hate her.

If she uses the phrase 'mad props' one more time I think I might smash everything in my house.

Anita has to go.

Teixeira--$20K a year? At going rates this seems pretty fair, maybe even a bargain if he continues his rise.

You know, for all the praise many (self included) have been heaping on MacPhail for the Tejada deal and his Grand Plan for the O's, there is something that I haven't addressed that places his actvities in a much less favorable light. While responding to Peter Schmuck's column today, the following thought occurred to me (modified here slightly in places):

The bad news of the trade of Miguel Tejade is that there seems to be no plan to remedy the problem of who to bat cleanup behind Nick Markakis. If he isn't protected, then he isn't going to get good pitches to hit or may be walked altogether.

Yes, trading Miggy brought back some nice players, but none of them, nor any of the other Orioles, is a natural cleanup hitter. That was Tejada to a degree, but he's gone and the front office is going to have who hit in that spot? Millar? Was good briefly there last year, but not really fitted. Huff? More a three hole hitter in his prime; now, fifth through seventh. Hernandez? One or two years of decent, but not exceptional power, doesn't qualify him (would be another stopgap like Millar). Who's left? Moore? Scott? No and no.

The most logical candidate, then, is Markakis himself! I submit, however, that while he probably can handle the role now, he's probably a year or two from growing into the power numbers to justify moving him there. Still, even then, I think he'd be better as a number three hitter because of his speed. That's pretty much his natural spot.

What about getting a major league caliber power hitter? Well, if MacPhail has any serious interest in that direction he certainly hasn't done anything to show it. Andruw Jones was available for a while, then signed. Ditto, to a lesser degree, Rowland and Hunter. All had better power numbers than any Oriole last season. Nor have any names come up in trade talks of a slugger with credentials. It's always guys who will be good with a little seasoning in the minors. (Even the Red's highly-regard prospect, Jay Bruce, mentioned in trade rumors regarding Bedard, is not even close to being ready to start in the majors.)

This is a major problem in the making for the 2008 Birds and it's like MacPhail had a brain glich. In all the heady excitement of dumping Tejada and his salary, he's turned the team into a pretty punchless group and, if he trades Roberts and doesn't resign Patterson, then the team is going to lose it's top two basestealers and much of its ability to manufacture runs. Who leads off, then, Bynum?

Little power and possibly soon-to-be almost no speed. Where is MacPhail taking the team...does he know? He 's disassembling the team with ease to pursue his future plans for it, but there's no sense of him rebuilding in any way that will positively impact the O's present. And for fans, that should be both scary and intolerable, especially after the team announces higher ticket prices for what very well may be an inferior product, a AAAA team.

Roch,

Just saw on espn.com that the Astros have made an offer to Mark Prior. Is there any chance that the O's might consider doing the same?

To me it seems like a no-brainer to at least investiate...I say offer an incentive-laced deal for one or two years and see if we can get him to bite. The guy has obviously got injury issues, but can a team in the Orioles' situation afford NOT to take a shot at him? We can lose games while he works his way back into major league shape; arguably, the Astros, Yanks, and other contenders don't have that luxury.

Who knows, maybe we hit on another Jaret Wright with even bigger upside. If he can still crack 90 on the gun, I think he might be worth the shot, if for no other reason than he could develop into enticing trade bait if he puts together a strong comeback year or two...he's only 27...thoughts?

Hey Roch, who do you think the O's will sign for a closer? Bob Wickman, Armando Benitez? I don't think anyone else is out there.

I loved the email I got today about my season ticket invoice. Nothing like sending out a higher bill than last year and not even telling anyone about it till it's in your hand. Then having the audacity to say in the email that you " may have received" the invoice already. Someone is asleep at the wheel - as always. I mean really - how long did they know about this? Methinks this wasn't decided at the Friday morning meeting the day before running the letters. Smooth move O's.

Roch,

Just a quick comment.

The Orioles offseasons have been marred by indecisiveness. If the O's are going to rebuild, they need to commit to that, and if they aren't then they have to commit to that.

Right now the Os have a ton of players with value that could and should be unloaded for prospects. This includes Jaime Walker, Bradford, Brian Roberts, Mora, Bedard.

Let players such as Huff, Payton, and Hernandez gain value during the season leading up to the trade deadline and then let them go then.

Come on Orioles, show some decisiveness.

Roch - Do you know anything about the move of McGregor from Bowie to Aberdeen? Is it a demotion as many are suggesting or do the O's feel his strengths are in working with younger pitchers?

On the one hand he seemed to be respected before this off-season. On the other hand, Liz and Olson were not exactly great on the 'ol resume this past season.

OW or is it CW - Baseball America named it's Top ten from the Hawaiin Winter league. Weiters was first on the list. He showed "line drive approach to all fields. Combines tremendous bat speed and patience to profile as an offensive minded catcher. All tools are playable now, but there is still plenty of projection."

Brandon Snyder was #3. He played 3b. Only one error in 19 chances. Above average arm strength. It's his bat that will get him to the majors(stays on breaking balls well and shows emerging opposite field power).

KG - I would think long and hard about taking Jay Bruce even up for Bedard. As someone here mentioned he's the closest thing there is to the real deal.

Adam Jones would look great in centerfield as well. Jones, Morrow and Clement would certainly be appealing.

Whatever happens here MacPhail has certainly taken his time and I believe will get a solid package for Bedard if he moves him now or in the summer. I'm quessing he wants to do it now, to have his transitioning team in place for the entire 2008. season

Disgusting. Now Roberts admits using the Juice. I can probably learn to live with this supposed one time use,(or maybe not) but this whole steroid issue is wearing on me. I hate cheaters but the team I root for seems to be steroid central. Selig, Fehr, and the rest of the idiots that let this happen should rot in hell. Maybe I'll start watching badmitton or curling. Right now I'm just disgusted. An entire generation of juiced players, stats, and piss poor management.

Hey,

At least Roberts didn't issue a statement saying he NEVER used them and then two weeks later say "oh yeah I did."

Give the guy a break. He's one of the greatest players we've ever had both on and off the field. He's maintained the same size throughout his career, but bulked up by being in the weight room before and after every game, not at the bar like most of our players. He's a very down to earth guy who got wrapped up with the wrong crowd in the world of PEDs. He's a smaller guy so, he obviously felt the pressure of trying to keep a spot on the roster.

Again, I say we give him a break. How can you stay mad at someone who has always been honest and who has always been faithful to the O's organization.

thanks ray

Holy cow, I have to agree with TVDPDX.

I think if Anita added "hun" to her vocabulary & sprinkled into her dialogue now & then, she would see her fan approval go up here.