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January 31, 2008

Is Roberts next?

The Erik Bedard deal certainly looks as though it’s going to get done, though the club won’t make an announcement without the physicals being completed. Nothing is final until then, and the Orioles don’t issue press releases that confirm they’ve reached an agreement “pending a physical.” Some clubs do it. Not this one.

But there’s reason to be optimistic tonight – if that’s the direction you wanted the club to go. And I’m a little surprised that so many fans were pushing for this deal to be completed because I know Bedard is popular here. But this also shows me that a lot of people embrace a rebuilding plan if it’s executed correctly. It also shows me that a lot of people figure Bedard is going to leave after 2009 and the Mariners are parting with quality, not just quantity.

Now comes the next question: What about Brian Roberts?

It’s been widely assumed that once Bedard goes, so does the Orioles’ leadoff hitter and second baseman, but don’t be so sure. The Orioles could do a lot worse than entering the 2008 season with Roberts as a veteran presence who’s still locked up through 2009, still capable of stealing 50 bases, still playing Gold Glove defense (minus the actual award), still the face of the franchise. There’s no point in trading him to the Cubs unless the return is worth it.

Any transaction involving Roberts must include a young impact hitter. Ronny Cedeno doesn’t qualify, and you won’t fill a room with people who believe Matt Murton fits that description. Some people view Sean Gallagher as a No. 3 or 4 starter. Nothing wrong with that. Every team needs one. But I’d rather keep Roberts than accept those three players in return.

I’d still try to get Felix Pie to play center field and move Adam Jones to left, assuming Jones doesn’t kill the deal by telling a reporter in Venezuela that Pie is headed to Baltimore to take a physical. If Pie doesn’t cut it, Jones goes to center.

I don’t know about the rest of you, but an outfield of Jones, Pie and Nick Markakis works for me. I’ve heard some fans and media types compare the alignment to Brady Anderson, Mike Devereaux and Steve Finley, though that group wasn’t initially expected to provide the same power. (Nobody was projecting Anderson to hit 50 homers and Finley to hit 30 or more in four seasons).

I’d have absolutely no problem with Roberts staying with the Orioles if the Mariners deal goes down. Team president Andy MacPhail hasn’t settled yet. Why start now?

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 7:55 PM | | Comments (90)
                    

Pieper fires back

Mark Pieper, who represents Erik Bedard and Brian Roberts and has become a household name around here, just sent out an e-mail to Sun reporter Jeff Zrebiec and a few others, disputing the MLB.com story posted last night that said the Orioles contacted Bedard late Sunday night about signing an extension and learned that the left-hander is seeking a seven-year, $100 million deal.

Make your own judgment. I’m just passing it along.

“The report that appeared yesterday regarding Erik Bedard on MLB.com is wholly inaccurate and contains nothing factual. Quite honestly, that type of journalism is irresponsible and reckless.”

Do any of you longtime Orioles fans remember an offseason quite like this one?

If the trade eventually goes down and Bedard becomes a Mariner, where would you rank it on the list of all-time Orioles deals, as far as the magnitude of it? I know there could be varying interpretations of “magnitude.” I don’t necessarily mean how it worked in the club’s favor, since we have no idea at this point. I just mean with regard to a big name coming or leaving the organization.

For example, acquiring Frank Robinson for Milt Pappas immediately comes to mind. So does the Glenn Davis deal. And Eddie Murray going to Los Angeles, of course. And Scott McGregor, Rick Dempsey and Tippy Martinez coming to Baltimore.

Earl “Big Money” Williams? Yes, we’d have to go there. Ken Singleton and Mike Torrez for Dave McNally and Rich Coggins? Absolutely.

Any others?

Does the Miguel Tejada trade qualify? I guess it depends on how many we're listing.

You could argue that Bedard doesn't belong there, given his modest accomplishments until last season. 

Fire away.

For all the Mark Teixeira fans out there, here’s a little something out of Hot-lanta:

General manager Frank Wren, formerly of the Orioles (circa 1999), isn’t sure how the one-year, $12.5 million contract that Teixeira signed could affect future negotiations on a long-term deal, but the Braves are hoping it’s good sign.

“I just know that we'll continue working at it, " Wren said.

Wren has engaged in recent talks with agent Scott Boras. "We've had quite a bit of dialogue," he said

The Braves and Teixeira won’t speculate whether the Severna Park native will file for free agency after the 2008 season, but that seems to be the case. He might command $20 million or more annually on the open market and most insiders doubt the Braves will be able to sign him this year.

If he signs with the Yankees…OK, I’m not going to think about it.

Wasn’t Don Mattingly his favorite player? And Mattingly isn’t in the organization any longer.

I’m still thinking about it.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 11:30 AM | | Comments (117)
                    

While waiting for something to happen...

Love that NFL injury report. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is listed as probable with a sore right shoulder. No mention of his right ankle, which actually has been interviewed more times than the player himself.

Giants receiver Plaxico Burress didn’t practice because of a sprained right ankle. Burress will guarantee that he’ll practice later this week, and 500 reporters will immediately phone their editors.

Orioles manager Dave Trembley is picking the Giants on Sunday. He’s just excited that he already knows who will be in their lineup. He must envy Tom Coughlin.

Does anybody know where I can find an unhappy Pirate? Nevermind, here’s one:

"I think it's pretty obvious that this group of guys is not going to get it done," said outfielder Jason Bay, surveying a club that’s added seven players over the winter – former Oriole Chris Gomez, a Rule 5 pick and five waiver claims. "Some people think if we get to .500, that would be great and that would be a nice pat on the back. As a player, that's not very comforting. Ultimately, your goal is to get to the playoffs and win a championship. If you look at the team right now, I don't know if we're set up to be a championship team. I'm not saying we're terrible, but it's going to take a lot of things going right to do some things."

I’d like to initiate a little more conversation about the Johan Santana trade. Did the Twins get enough in return for the two-time Cy Young winner? I've been too distracted the last few days to give it much thought.

The Mariners weren’t looking at Santana as a fallback option if they couldn’t finalize a deal for Erik Bedard, so the trade doesn’t affect the Orioles in that regard. The Orioles and Mariners already appeared to agree on a package that would have been enough to move the left-hander to the opposite coast. Adam Jones had a physical scheduled for Tuesday. Also, it’s not like the Yankees and Red Sox are going to jump into the bidding for Bedard now that Santana is off the table. Bedard isn’t going to a division rival unless one of them empties their roster and their farm system.

Meanwhile, just to recap: Half the nation believes the Orioles and Mariners are within minutes of completing a trade. The other half believes the trade is being held up while team president Andy MacPhail attempts to negotiate a long-term deal with Bedard.

I leave for Fort Lauderdale on Feb. 13, a day before my daughter’s birthday, which means I’ll need a separate carry-on bag for all my guilt. But the first workout for pitchers and catchers falls on Valentine’s Day. I have to be there.

I’ve explained the situation to her and I’m hoping that she understands, but it’s probably a bad sign that MacPhail is negotiating a trade with three other dads. No long-term extension here.

I’ll remain at spring training until the very end, and fly back here for the workout and FanFest on March 29. The blog entries will be coming fast and furious. But until then, I’m playing the waiting game.

Waiting for a trade. Waiting for free agents (or Bedard) to be signed. Waiting for this roster to take shape.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 8:02 AM | | Comments (40)
                    

January 30, 2008

Close but no cigar

It's safe to step away from your computers and laptops. The Orioles aren't expected to announce any deals the rest of the day, and I'd be surprised if anything goes down tomorrow.

Of course, as we all know, everything can change with one phone call. But as of right now, there aren't any significant developments to report.

Team president Andy MacPhail continues to engage in trade talks and maintain dialogue with free agents - all at the same time. I envision him holding a phone to each ear.

The deadline for ending trade discussions remains flexible.

"There's really been no change in our circumstances," he said. "We'll always keep an open mind, regardless of what time of year it is."

I still believe Erik Bedard will end up with the Mariners, that the sides are close enough to get this done. Maybe by the weekend. Maybe early next week.

Anyone got plans for Super Bowl Sunday?

MacPhail wouldn't confirm whether he's discussing a long-term deal with Bedard's agent, Mark Pieper, saying he won't negotiate through the newspapers.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 5:13 PM | | Comments (46)
                    

Commercial break

Be sure to watch closely when an Under Armour commercial runs during the Super Bowl. And try to pick out the Oriole prospect on your television screen.

I received an e-mail this week informing me that Billy Rowell will appear in the company’s first-ever Super Bowl ad, along with other, perhaps more easily recognized athletes.

The commercial will last 60 seconds, roughly the same amount of time it takes Tom Brady to get a date.

Rowell in a Super Bowl ad. Finally, someone in the organization makes a postseason appearance.

We’ve been startled by enough false alarms when it comes to trades, but people I’ve spoken with over the last 24 hours sound more encouraged about Erik Bedard going to the Mariners. I still believe it’s going to happen.

It’s been so insane lately, we’ve almost forgotten about Brian Roberts and the Cubs. Those talks supposedly are active, as well. We’ve just been too preoccupied with Bedard to care as much.

I admire team president Andy MacPhail for being able to sleep nights. I’d be a total wreck if my roster was this unsettled so close to spring training.

The Sun’s baseball writers are trying to plan a story budget, but it’s a bit more challenging when you don’t know whether to stake out Bedard’s locker at Fort Lauderdale Stadium or introduce yourself to Adam Jones.

By the way, the next time you see the words “Jones” and “hip” in the same sentence, it will pertain to the music he’s listening to on his iPod.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 7:57 AM | | Comments (90)
                    

January 29, 2008

Quick comment on Jones

Hello again.

I've been in meetings most of the day and have an interview at 5 p.m. -- not for a new job, so don't get your hopes up. But I wanted to address the rumor (because it's what I do these days) that Adam Jones has a degenerative hip condition and that's why the Erik Bedard trade hit a snag.

All I can say about the topic is that the Orioles became concerned with something related to Jones, and the fact that they wanted to bring him in for a physical before alerting Bedard's agent that a trade agreement was reached should send off signals. But we've heard nothing up to this point about his hip.

Maybe this will prove true later. We'll find out soon enough. But nobody at The Sun would go on a radio show and blurt out this kind of information without being absolutely positive (and obviously reporting it in the paper first). That's dangerous territory, especially when you're possibly affecting a young athlete's reputation and future earnings.

For the sake of Jones, I hope it's false. For the sake of the person who said it, it better be right.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 3:30 PM | | Comments (95)
                    

Spinning wheels

Good morning.

I assume that it’s going to be a slow news day at the warehouse. Though as team president Andy MacPhail often says, everything can change with one phone call.

There’s plenty of talk that owner Peter Angelos vetoed the Erik Bedard trade to the Mariners, one theory being that he read comments from the left-hander that ran in Saturday’s edition of The Sun and became convinced that a long-term deal was still in the cards. For that to be true, Angelos would have needed to skip the part where Bedard indicated that he didn’t want to be part of a rebuilding project.

You won’t have a hard time finding “sources” who point the finger at the owner, but it’s necessary for Angelos, MacPhail or someone from the Mariners to confirm it. And for fans of both teams to know if talks are dead – which I don’t believe they are – or if a trade still can be finalized.

Sign Bedard to an extension, and the Orioles still will be rebuilding instead of contending. Acquire four or five players from the Mariners in exchange for Bedard, and the Orioles will be rebuilding, but also moving forward in their attempts to contend within the next few years.

This trade needs to get done. Bedard’s value could plummet the longer he stays here, either because of injury, ineffectiveness or his pending free agency. And from what we know, the Mariners currently have the most enticing package of prospects on the table because the Reds aren’t giving up Jay Bruce – who just happens to be on the cover of the Baseball America Prospect Handbook that I received in the mail yesterday.

Wait until the July 31 non-waiver deadline to trade Bedard, and certain players may no longer be available.

If the Mariners are in contention and Jones is having a breakout season, are they still going to make him the centerpiece in a trade with the Orioles, or will they choose instead to pick up a veteran who won’t cost them as much to make that final push for a division title?

And how will Bedard feel about staying with the Orioles if he’s been made available all winter, knows a trade nearly went down this week and then is told to report with the pitchers and catchers on Feb. 13? It’s a business, but that doesn’t mean he has to like it. And trust me, he won’t like it.

We also could get into a long discussion about how the organization’s reputation will take another serious hit if a trade isn’t completed and the owner is deemed responsible. As if there aren’t enough agents and front-office personnel mocking the Orioles for being dysfunctional and impossible to deal with. Why add to the list?

Perhaps another team will smell blood in the water and try to steal Bedard from the Mariners by increasing its offer. Or, and here’s the worst fear, other teams won’t want to get near the Orioles because of the perception that it will only lead to time wasted.

It’s not easy to part with a homegrown No. 1 starter who racks up big strikeout numbers, especially when there isn’t another clear-cut No. 1 on the roster. But Bedard is the bargaining chip that will bring the most in return for a franchise that hasn’t won in 10 years.

The Orioles finished in fourth place with him. We need to find out where they’ll finish in 2009 without him.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 9:57 AM | | Comments (107)
                    

January 28, 2008

Latest twist

Orioles executive Andy MacPhail wasn't kidding when he told The Sun last night that he didn't expect Adam Jones to arrive in Baltimore today for a physical. Or to sample the steamed crabs and a Natty Boh.

You'll want to check out this story on the Web site of the Mariners' flagship radio station.

Am I surprised that Jones isn't here? Absolutely not. Did I expect him to remain in Venezuela? Absolutely not.

I assumed that he returned to the U.S.

If I'm the manager of Jones' winter league team in Venezuela, I'm afraid to write his name in the lineup.

Jones apparently is backpedaling now and denying that he told a reporter in Venezuela that he had been traded to the Orioles. George Sherrill can't seem to decide whether he was instructed to take a physical in Baltimore.

My take: Jones and Sherrill were told to stop talking so much. There isn't a deal in place at the moment. They're still property of the Seattle Mariners, just as Erik Bedard continues to be slated as the Orioles' Opening Day starter until told otherwise. And it has nothing to do with pending physicals.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's episode of "As the Trade Turns," when Mariners third base coach Sam Perlozzo tells a reporter in Italy that he's returning to Baltimore - pending a physical, of course.

Just don't deny it later, Sammy.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 5:37 PM | | Comments (97)
                    

Thinking ahead

While Adam Jones and George Sherrill make arrangements to visit the Inner Harbor and maybe head over to Canton Square – say hello to my cousin, Dana, at Helen’s Garden, and I recommend going there for brunch on Sundays – we can at least play with the possibilities that this deal is just about completed and an announcement is forthcoming.

Jones will be the starting center fielder, probably leaving Corey Patterson to seek a job elsewhere, since the club seems committed to Tike Redman as a spare outfielder. Redman, Freddie Bynum and Luke Scott all bat from the left side, as does Patterson.

Sherrill could be viewed as the closer for 2008 while Chris Ray recovers from ligament-reconstructive surgery. This might explain why team president Andy MacPhail wasn’t in a hurry to sign a free agent for the role. Sherrill isn’t the veteran closer that MacPhail and manager Dave Trembley described as their preference – he has four career saves - but he could get a shot. He also is the power left-hander that Trembley indicated was near the top of his wish list as the 2007 season concluded.

Chris Tillman, a 19-year-old starter, also would reportedly come to the Orioles, unless there’s been a drastic change in discussions over the last few hours. He’s another young arm to slot, for now, behind Garrett Olson, Troy Patton, Matt Albers, Radhames Liz and Hayden Penn.

Those are the three apparent “sure things” in the proposed deal. I haven’t heard reliever Brandon Morrow’s name in a while. Catcher Jeff Clement (and, yes, I just typed “Matt” again before catching my mistake), 17-year-old shortstop Carlos Triunfel and pitcher Kameron Mickolio have been mentioned in various groupings.

Clement wouldn’t be the usual veteran catch-and-throw backup the Orioles normally sign each year, and likely would be moved around to find the right position until Matt Wieters takes over for Ramon Hernandez as the everyday catcher (if things go according to plan).

As much as I cringe at the thought of relinquishing a homegrown No. 1 starter, a rebuilding team needs to move a pitcher who can bring back so much in return. A pitcher who seemingly wants to be on a club that’s ready to contend now and looks at rebuilding the way Kevin Millar would look at a butterfly tattoo on a teammate’s lower back.

There are no guarantees when you’re trading for prospects. Patterson was supposed to be a can’t-miss guy, and so far, he’s mostly missed. Felix Pie is a victim of guilt by association, because so many people seem to be comparing him to Patterson. I’ve heard people rave about Jones, and I’ve heard others say they watched him quite a bit last year and he didn't look like anything special. Decent player, but not a superstar.

For a rebuilding team with a lack of impact position players in the system, I say you roll the dice on Jones, bring in an arm like Sherrill’s, add another young starter such as Tillman who projects as a future No. 2, haul in another young player with a big upside -- maybe two if you package Jay Payton with Bedard -- and keep telling yourself that Bedard would have left after the 2009 season anyway.   

Then wish Jeremy Guthrie lots of luck as the Opening Day starter. And perhaps become nostalgic for the days when fourth place was assured, because this season, without Bedard and possibly Brian Roberts, could get ugly.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 12:52 PM | | Comments (75)
                    

Bedard/Jones

For a slow-moving offseason in Baltimore, there never seems to be a dull moment. Now we have the Adam Jones drama unfolding before our eyes, and it’s been quite a ride over the last 13 hours or so.

At this point in the morning, there isn’t much to add, but I feel the need to point out, after reading another Seattle Times blog entry, that nobody on this end is disputing that Jones told a reporter in Venezuela that the Mariners instructed him to fly to Baltimore. We don’t need a translator to understand his quotes.

The confusion comes when Orioles president Andy MacPhail and a team source insist that no agreement has been reached. That denial isn’t the same as saying a deal isn’t finalized, which could simply mean no announcement comes until certain players pass their physicals. An agreement is a different animal.

You don’t schedule a physical without an agreement. If the two sides are still working out some details, most important being which final player is included in the package, you don’t line up a physical for Adam Jones. And you certainly don’t fly him to Baltimore and arrange transportation to Camden Yards without telling Erik Bedard’s agent, Mark Pieper.

MacPhail isn’t exactly an open book when it comes to relaying information about trade talks to the media, and fans need to keep this in mind when they push for reporters here to have better “sources.” Much has changed since he assumed control. All information is filtered through him. Period.

It has become difficult enough to get anyone else at the warehouse to confirm the day of the week.

“You better check with Andy on that.”

However, MacPhail has been honest with the information he has provided. The track record so far is very good, in keeping with his reputation throughout baseball. This is what we were told by other members of the media who have dealt with him in the past. He may not tell you everything you want to know, but he won't lie to you.

Anyway, MacPhail said he isn’t expecting Jones to be in Baltimore. Somebody’s in for quite a surprise, since Jones apparently is headed here, according to various reports.

I figured he might just be returning to the U.S. and not necessarily Baltimore, but some people are insistent that he’s booked a flight and already has a crab cake sandwich waiting for him. I'll believe it when I see him.

You can be sure that the Orioles wish Jones had kept his mouth shut, especially when they continue to insist that no agreement has been reached and talks continue. Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi must feel the same way. Bavasi no doubt believes the two sides are close enough to a deal that he can give Jones a heads-up, but Jones really ran with it. Or flew with it.

Jones wouldn’t take a flight to Baltimore without being instructed to do so. The Orioles say they aren’t expecting him here, and not just today.

It’s crazy. It’s frustrating. It’s winter in Baltimore.

Bundle up.

I'm sure there will be more to come later. Stay tuned. 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 9:20 AM | | Comments (58)
                    

January 27, 2008

No longer waiting

Now it's The Sun's turn:

A high-ranking Orioles official told Jeff Zrebiec that a trade hasn't been completed with the Mariners.

And this is why we don't rush to file a story on the Web site until the necessary calls have been made.

Now we can speculate on what happened.

Did Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi jump the gun when he contacted outfielder Adam Jones and reportedly told him to fly to Baltimore? Did Jones misunderstand what Bavasi told him and jump the gun by telling a reporter in Venezuela that he had been traded?

I wouldn't look for Jones to show up at the warehouse tomorrow unless he's taking a tour. Or helping to install the new scoreboard.

 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 9:13 PM | | Comments (79)
                    

Still waiting...

I would love to file an entry confirming the Erik Bedard trade to Seattle and releasing the names of the prospects that Orioles president Andy MacPhail acquired in return for the left-hander.

Just one problem: Nobody on the Orioles' side is confirming that a deal is done.

All we have so far is Adam Jones telling reporters in Venezuela that the Mariners told him that a trade was completed and he should fly to Baltimore. Pretty strong stuff. But the media here needs someone from the warehouse to provide confirmation, and it's not happening.

Jones and pitchers George Sherrill and Chris Tillman are rumored to be involved in the deal, but Sherrill told the Seattle Times' Geoff Baker that he hasn't heard a word about being traded.  You'd think that he'd know, if Jones already has been given the news.

More to come, I'm sure. 

 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 8:38 PM | | Comments (18)
                    

January 26, 2008

Erik Bedard

So the Redskins have their offensive and defensive coordinators in place, but they still haven’t hired a head coach.

Isn’t it usually done in reverse?

If Erik Bedard is still listed on the Orioles’ 40-man roster beyond next week, I’ll be very surprised. My crystal ball keeps showing Adam Jones, George Sherrill and Chris Tillman reporting to Fort Lauderdale Stadium. They have another guy with them, but his image is fuzzy.

Then again, that same crystal ball keeps showing Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson smiling and waving from the back of a convertible during a victory parade through the streets of Dallas. And Bill Belichick winning Last Comic Standing. And Peter Schmuck being the anchor on The Sun’s 400 meter relay team.

It also showed Sidney Ponson signing a minor league deal with the Phillies, but now I’m told that won’t happen. No idea where he’s headed.

I really need to get a new crystal ball. Right after I invest in a Wii.

Moving on to the story on Erik Bedard that ran in today’s editions of The Sun, it’s important to note that the left-hander wasn’t angry or agitated during his interview with beat writer Jeff Zrebiec. A more accurate description would be matter-of-fact, and at times playful. He wasn’t fuming or bitter.

Also, it’s obvious that we’re dealing in semantics when it comes to the Orioles’ attempts to sign Bedard to a long-term contract. Bedard indicated that the Orioles haven’t made him an offer. Team president Andy MacPhail said he wanted to discuss a long-term deal with Bedard’s agent, Mark Pieper, who countered that Bedard preferred a one-year deal.

Pieper confirmed in the article that the two sides talked “conceptually” about a three-year contract. That's not an actual offer, but one was in the works. However, since Bedard is signed through 2009, my math tells me that we’re only talking about a one-year extension. No chance.

Bedard doesn’t want to go through a rebuilding process. The Orioles are going through a rebuilding process. He’s as good as gone.

So says this crystal ball. But it also says that the Orioles signed an option agreement to move their spring training site to Rehoboth Beach.

Where's my Magic 8 Ball?

 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 6:10 PM | | Comments (23)
                    

January 25, 2008

Passing on closers

As of today, I don't believe the Orioles have expressed any interest in free-agent closers Armando Benitez, Jose Mesa, Jorge Julio, Keith Foulke and Antonio Alfonseca.

Sort of makes you wonder if they are waiting to see if they can acquire one in a trade.

Alfonseca's representative believes the Orioles would be a great fit for his client, especially financially. I guess Alfonseca isn't looking to break the bank. And he wants the opportunity to close, which he'd get in Baltimore.

Two National League teams and one AL club have made offers for Alfonseca. The Orioles aren't in the mix.

A late programming note: Former Orioles John Shelby and Ryan Minor have agreed to call into The Hot Stove Show tonight. The programs airs from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on WHFS (105.7 FM) and MASN.

 

 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 5:52 PM | | Comments (22)
                    

Minor memories

It’s nice to have Ryan Minor back in the organization. Talk about a stroll down memory lane. Just hearing the name gets my feet moving.

The Orioles completed the changes to their minor league coaching staff by hiring Minor as a field coach at Single-A Delmarva, where he played in 1997 and was regarded as a top prospect in the organization.

Minor didn’t pan out, but I’ll always respect how he handled the pressure and attention that came with replacing Cal Ripken in the lineup on the night that baseball’s Iron Man voluntarily ended his consecutive-games streak.

Manager Ray Miller notified Minor that he’d be starting at third base instead of Ripken. Minor replied, “Does Cal know?”

Classic.

One of my assignments for The Sun was to write a story about Minor, so I watched his every move. I remember how he jogged out of the dugout and looked back over his shoulder, as if to make sure that Ripken wasn’t behind him and he hadn’t been the victim of a practical joke.

The game began with Ripken on the bench, where he never looked comfortable, and he was given a rousing ovation once his image appeared on the video board after the first out was recorded.

I’m guessing there were a few fans at Camden Yards that night who didn’t realize what was going on until that moment, since having Ripken at third base was such a given. Who bothered to check? I’ll never forget how the Yankees stepped out of the dugout to applaud Ripken and tip their caps to him. It was such a classy gesture and showed how much respect he commanded throughout baseball.

Ripken received a second curtain call and made sure that there wouldn’t be a repeat of the 22-minute ovation for 2,131. He motioned for Orioles pitcher Doug Johns to resume the game.

I was more shocked that Doug Johns was starting that night.

Ripken’s name was posted in the original lineup. And just as The Sun’s Joe Strauss predicted in an article earlier that week, Ripken walked into Miller’s office after batting practice and informed his manager that The Streak was over.

Strauss produced this gem at the top of his game story: The Streak died of natural causes last night. It was 2,632.

The Sun later ran a special series recounting Ripken’s 20 full major league seasons. Here was my small – not to be confused with Minor - contribution:

Meanwhile, I'm 0-for-3 in having my calls returned today. Unfortunately, Minor had plenty of those days, as well. I'm sure he could relate.

At least I didn't have to replace a legend.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 3:14 PM | | Comments (14)
                    

Free agents

The Orioles want to add a veteran starter, Rodrigo Lopez is unsigned and Leo Mazzone no longer is the pitching coach here.

Hey, it’s just an idea.

You probably have a better chance of seeing Steve Trachsel in the rotation again.

Personally, I’d find it much more enjoyable to have David Wells return to Baltimore and mentor the young pitchers. He did wonders for Rocky Coppinger. Imagine how he could influence Adam Loewen.

It’s amazing how many players remain unsigned on ESPN.com’s free-agent tracker. If the Orioles needed another first baseman, they’d have plenty of options.

I was taking inventory of potential backup catchers while wondering if Guillermo Quiroz and Ben Davis are significant upgrades over Paul Bako. Damian Miller, Josh Paul, Mike Matheny and Kelly Stinnett are out there. So is Sandy Alomar Jr., but he looks more like Sandy Alomar Sr. I’d pass.

I know he’s in the Mitchell Report – it’s not exactly an exclusive club – but Jerry Hairston would make a desirable bench player for some team. He can play the middle infield positions and also move to the outfield. He can run and has a little pop in his bat, though not enough to warrant flying out of his spikes with every swing.  

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 8:31 AM | | Comments (47)
                    

January 24, 2008

Trivial matters

Irv Young went 20-21 for the 1905 Boston National League team, making him part of the 20-win, 100-loss club that also includes Ned Garver.

As for the palindromes, we have Mark and Juan Salas, Dick and Rob Nen, Toby Harrah, Truck Hannah, Eddie Kazak, Dave Otto and Johnny Reder.

 

 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 5:21 PM | | Comments (15)
                    

Forward (and backward) thinking

In the palindrome game from an earlier entry, I challenged readers to list eight players whose last names are the same forward as backward. I omitted Tampa Bay pitcher Juan Salas, who came up as Salaz, so make that nine names.

Also, a reader pointed out there are two 20-game winners on 100-loss teams. I assumed Ned Garver of the 1951 St. Louis Browns was the only one.

Like many of you, I originally thought it was Steve Carlton, who won 27 games for the 1972 Phillies. But they finished 59-97.   

The Yankees had a payroll of $218.3 million last season, the ninth consecutive year that they’ve led the majors.

So how long has it been since they won the World Series?

I know, I know…more recently than the Orioles.

The Orioles ranked 14th on the list at $95.3 million.

The Rays are expected to increase payroll from $24 million last Opening Day to about $40 million. That’s big news in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area, where players and strippers are paid in folded $1 bills.

The Rays remain in the market for a left-handed reliever. Maybe they can trade for Jamie Walker at the deadline as they try to fend off the Yankees and Red Sox in the AL East.

The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec reported in today’s editions that the Orioles have held discussions with agent Scott Boras concerning pitcher Kyle Lohse. The club would like to add a veteran starter, but at last check, Lo