The guy who came in from the cold
So, I returned from three weeks of self-imposed exile -- part of that time in Russia -- to find that the Orioles were nice enough to hold off on any important free agent signings until I got home. I think this was very considerate and don't understand why Andy MacPhail is getting toasted in some corners of the blogosphere for not being aggressive enough in November.
Andy has been true to the principles he outlined in September. He has made inquiries about the top free agents who might be geographically disposed toward Baltimore, but nobody seriously believes there's really such thing as a hometown discount when you're dealing with Scott Boras or even the agents who just wish they were Scott Boras. Sorry. You might want to go to Baseballreference.com and start reading up on Jason Marquis.
Quick global warming update: I got off the plane yesterday to find that it is much colder here than it was four days ago in St. Petersburg, and I'm not talking about the city where the Rays play.
Back on the air, too: Join me at noon today for The Peter Schmuck Show on WBAL (1090 AM). Hopefully, I'll be back up to speed on the O's and Ravens by then. The internet access in Russia was sketchy, and I was having too much fun in London to pay close attention the past couple of days, but I'll be prepping hard for the next few hours. If you're out of the listening area, you can go to WBAL.com and click on the "Listen Live" icon. Please do.
Comments
you mean you missed the story that the o's signed tex, sabathia, burnett, and furcal; and then got roberts and markakis signed to long term deals?
welcome home!
Posted by: Chuck | November 22, 2008 9:45 AM
Pete -
Welcome back! Missed my regular fix of The Schmuck Stops Here. Although Dan & Jeff chipped in admirably.
I agree with you on Andy MacPhail getting unfair criticism for not striking quickly in November to sign a FA. How many upper tier player signings have we had so far? Uh that would be one!! Ryan Dempster resigning with the Cubs. Even the Evil Empire hasn't been able to reel in CC yet, and are getting impatient.
I'm convinced Andy knows what he wants and will go about it in his usual deliberate manner. We are a team in full rebuild mode and the race to building a competitive franchise is a marathon, not a sprint!
His first order of business has to be extending Markakis, and finding out whether Roberts truly wants to be part of the rebuild. If Brian says yes, and indicates he's willing to stay provided the O's sign some players to make them more competitive, then I sign him, and roll the dice on Tex and a couple younger solid FA pitchers. Then sign Izturis to play SS.
If Brian indicates he rather be elsewhere and not part of the rebuild, I can respect that and trade him, and shelve the idea of signing Tex. I still get a couple of FA pitchers, sign Izturis, and even inquire with the Royals what they need in return for Teahen. I got to admit I got that last idea off of one of the posters here. But It's an intriguing thought. Teahen is still a relatively young player with some pop in his bat, can play several infield and outfield positions, and seems to be a good team player.
Posted by: TX O's Fan | November 22, 2008 10:00 AM
Welcome back, Schmucker! My life can go on now....
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Pete's reply: For your sake, I hope that was sarcasm.
Posted by: Nick | November 22, 2008 10:48 AM
Peter-The objections w/McPhails policy of plodding is simply that it shows no urgency,no realling caringif the pusued player means anything to the O's.This means Roberts,Markakis,etc,or a free agent,Tex,Burnett,lowe,or whomever.Our snail pace,our "patience",waiting for things to sort out and the market to settle leaves us sucking hind teat again and again.It is infuriating AND irresponsible. See the problem,fix the problem-keep it short and simple,the ole kiss theory.That doesn't mean jump at every thing or spend foolishly,but show you are serious and get the job done!!I know the Bedard deal was great,but idiot deals like Seattle made don't happen but rarely.We will get nowhere unless the indecision ends and the trigger starts getting pulled.Aquire the target,take good aim,pull the damn trigger.
Thanks,Pete for listening to a frustrated fan of 54 years.
Posted by: ron in va | November 22, 2008 11:54 AM
You were gone?
Posted by: Rusty | November 22, 2008 1:16 PM
Pete,
Welcome back my friend, you were missed! Hey we've signed three minor league free agents in you absence, this is the Orioles do you have higher expectations? Seriously, do you believe we are going to sign anyone other than Istuzaris? Really, I see a retreaded righthanded hitting OF and then 2-3 sub .500 pitchers with ERA's approaching 5.00 or a NL pitcher with a 4.50 ERA that once he hits the Jr circuit will get pummelled like the rest of our staff! The O's management doesn't have the fire in their bellies to charge hard!
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Pete's reply: I don't know if its that or they just aren't ready to act because the focus is beyond next year. Guess we'll find out eventually.
Posted by: Keith Rowe | November 22, 2008 1:23 PM
Wow. Nice trip, Peter. Sounds like a great time. Are you suggesting a Cubs' deal in which Marquis comes here? I'm very skeptical about Marquis. 4.59 E.R.A. in the little league probably translates to 5.09 here. How's that better than what we have?
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Pete's reply: I'm not advocating that. Just something I heard around the front office in September.
Posted by: Greg | November 22, 2008 1:56 PM
Nice LeCarre reference. Good work.
Posted by: Chris | November 22, 2008 2:31 PM
Hey Peter. Welcome back. Here's a Mussina question to greet you: On what team he'll represent if he makes it to Cooperstown, should we consider not just what he did for each team, but also what he did against each team? Was he more of a Yankees killer as an Oriole, or more of an Orioles killer as a Yankee? I surmise the former, but have nothing but a foggy memory to back it up.
Chris J., Pasadena, CA
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Pete's reply: I suspect he would go in as a Yankee, because he finished his career there and he spent about the same amount of time on both teams.
Posted by: Chris J. | November 22, 2008 2:52 PM
Tell us what you ate in Russia. Borscht? A steady diet of caviar and blintzes?
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Pete's reply: Didn't eat a whole lot there. Went to a decent Georgian restaurant and had a lamb kabob. Visited a local family and had cabbage pie. And, of course, had lunch at McDonald's once.
Posted by: section 34 | November 22, 2008 3:09 PM
welcome back, Peter.
Good to see a baseballreference.com plug. It might be the best baseball site on the web.
Posted by: Andrew | November 22, 2008 3:56 PM
welcome back, I didnt even know you were gone ha.
Posted by: Tim | November 22, 2008 4:49 PM
Pete,
What were you doing in Russia?
Hunting for Moose (not Mussina) with Sarah Palin in the wilderness?
I hear she has a lot of extra time on her hands now too.
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Pete's reply: Yeah, but she's got a $7 million book contract and I don't.
Posted by: Joe in the Dena | November 23, 2008 5:32 AM
MacPhail's honeymoon is over.
Posted by: a fan with delusions of grandeur | November 23, 2008 6:43 AM