Roberts running so much in the first 2 games says alot too. Normally, they don't run THAT much, they don't want to beat themselves up with the slides this early in ST. He is showcasing himself for sure.....

I think Roberts next steal would be a one way plane ticket to Mesa, Az. if he could do it.

Who is anybody trying to kid with the scouts in town to see Roberts! These guys have all the game film in the world at their disposal, they know exactly what Roberts brings to the game! Unless they are concerned he would never bounce back from that kidney stone injury that sidelined him for one day! I am glad we have Andy running the show so we don't end up giving him away! hang in there AM.

B is for Best leadoff in the league!

Trax must be figuring to be our ace! Getting K's and everything! its not every day that that happens...

I hope with every stellar game Brian has, MacPhail's asking price goes up. Let the Cubs become desperate so they give up much more value. I'd love to keep Roberts as an Oriole but if he brings in a kings ransom we should probably take it. He is one of only a handful of true lead off hitters in the game.

"Shall we start the bidding at Rich Hill and Felix Pie?" ;)

Seriously, we need Roberts badly. I don't see the pressing need to trade him unless the return is really good. That's his value, and accepting more guys who project to utility infielders (Cedeno) and back-of-the-rotation starters (Gallagher, etc.) would be foolish. We've got plenty of those already!

I might advocate dumpster diving, too, using that term for grabbing some of the remaining free agents. The team is better if we release Payton and give his roster spot to a cheap one-year deal on Corey Patterson. You'd like your 4th outfielder to play good defense, and be useful as a pinch runner and pinch hitter. Patterson is better than Payton on every one of those counts. If the net offense from either guy is low, who cares if Payton bats right and we already have many left bats?

Wooden bat: $25
Baseball Cleats: $150
Brian Roberts igniting your offense: priceless!
Why even consider trading him? Sign him long term.

I thought we we're rebuilding?
The Orioles should be playing all the guys they got in trade and AAA potentials.
Forget playing Mora, Gibbons, Millar, Hernadez, etc.
The idea of spring training is to get people up to par and to see what you have as far as real talent in your new acqusitions.
We all know that Mora is going to dissapoint us with his pounting attitude.
Gibbons is going to pop up, strike out and be injured all year long.
Hernandez is going to get fat and injured for 10 days at a time because of unconditioning.
Bynum and Payton are going to hit inconsistently and Roberts is going to be gone thru trade.
When do we get a manager who has a clue?

I'd rather not trade Roberts, but they better get a king's ransom if they do - he's worth way more than what the Cubs are currently offering...

Adam (from the last thread): #45 is Dennis Sarfate, from the Tejada deal. Supposedly he's been impressive in practice, and Trembley has hinted that he may get a chance to close later this year.

I'm beginning to think trading Roberts would be a huge mistake. Unless Bedard, Roberts fulfills multiple functions; leadoff batter, catalyst, top-flight fielding middle infielder; team leader. The Cubs simply don't have anyone the Orioles could use to begin to repalce Roberts, and the O's don't have anyone in the system, either. Plus the fact that the club is maybe one REALLY big signing away from actually competing in 2009, assuming the pitchers develop and maybe one or two field players step up. Doesn't it make more sense to offer him a $75M, five-year extension? The club will never content in 2010 unless it begins to mature in '09, and you won't get there without Roberts as 2B/leadoff hitter. Trading Roberts puts the Orioles one year further from contending. JMHO.

Hey Roch, do you see Brian Roberts as someone who might sign a 3 to 4 year deal with the Cubs (assuming he's traded) and then be willing to resign here when he's a free agent, coinciding with when the Orioles "should" be ready to compete?

While B-Rob's showing thus far certainly increases his trade value, it also is a red flag to us that, uh, maybe we shouldn't let this guy go?!

Big Z, right now the offer advertised from the Cubs is not a King's Ransom but more like a mini shopping spree at Kmart.....

Go little B. Your stock keeps going north. Your doing your part to make this trade happen. Thanks. With your face and Roch's body you might be in movies [ kidding.] It cracked me up when Brian told on AM's show how a fan hollered at you when you were on 1st. base with 6ft.? or so Sexton "Hey Rich, I didn't know it was bring your kid to work day? "

Exactly right Brian. I'm saying Hold out for much much more!

If you trade Roberts you have to get Eric Patterson back. Would much rather have him than cedeno.

Big Z and Brian- i have to say i agree with you both on Brian Roberts .

If the Cubs MUST have BRob , let the Cubs know the password is Hill , Ceda, Pie , Gallagher before they can welcome BRob at Mesa Airport .

Otherwise the Orioles should wait till week of July Deadline with several suitors instead of just Cubs ?