Theory about Roberts' absence meaning trade not true
Before Peter Schmuck so generously volunteered the services of Dan Connolly and me this week to post in his place sans the obnoxious Hawaiian shirts and enormous ego, I had never blogged before. And I was perfectly fine with that continuing, but no such luck. I’m not even sure how to go about it really, so I think the best way to do it is to offer some facts and some opinion and you guys can take it from there.
There was a popular theory floating around The Gallery at Harborplace that Brian Roberts’ absence from the fan rally on Wednesday meant that he’d definitely be traded. Not so. Roberts’ had a prior travel engagement and couldn’t make it. Roberts was pictured wearing the team’s new alternate jersey in a promotional packet for the uniforms, though Guthrie, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis figured far more prominently in the material. That’s quite understandable considering Roberts’ status. Remember, the Orioles’ media guide last year pictured just Markakis, club president Andy MacPhail and manager Dave Trembley on the front. The main reason? The media guide front is designed earlier in the offseason and with the team in the midst of a rebuilding process, few players were definite to be Orioles on Opening Day. It’s a good thing that Erik Bedard and Miguel Tejada didn’t make the final cut. By the way, I still think Roberts is traded in early January after attempts to reach a contract extension with the second baseman go nowhere.
-- Jeff Zrebiec
Comments
darn it! i think the yankees got a good player and great clubhouse guy in nick swisher. he would have made a good oriole.
Posted by: pop fisher | November 13, 2008 6:14 PM
Pete,
You've never been more right about getting Nick signed and ASAP! I would think heading into free agency, the fact that the O's haven't locked up their two best players, Roberts and Nick sends the wrong signal to potential free agents. There are several stigmatisms associated to the O's and being cheap with good talent and overpaying for average or less. Realize that if you sign nick to 7 years, along with Adam Jones and Matt Wietters and throw in Tex at 23M a year for 8 years and you have an outstanding corp of 3-4-5-6 hitters for the next 7 years! Git r dun NOW!
Posted by: Keith Rowe | November 13, 2008 8:00 PM
Pete,
Another thought, lets say Peter the Great says we have $40M in new salary money to invest in the current Free agent market, how do you get the most for that $40M? I would suggest 2 quality starters, Adam Dunn and a shortstop. While Tex is far and above better than Dunn, strictly from an Offensive perspective, the price between the two will be significantly MORE than their offensive numbers allowing you to spend more on pitching and a shortstop!
Posted by: Keith Rowe | November 13, 2008 8:04 PM
I think the O's will sign a shortstop and then trade Roberts.....like you said Jeff. His time has unfortunately come.
Posted by: jon germany | November 13, 2008 11:39 PM
Your doing a great job jeff, just keep it coming.
Posted by: Dovid becker | November 14, 2008 1:36 AM
No way......if Peter The UnGreatful somehow finds the chops to capitulate to us pitiful rabble and submit to a "Baltimore" moniker on our away uniforms, I'd be hard pressed to believe he'd totally wreck the "Era of Good Feelings" by letting the most popular player on the team walk or be traded.
No way....
Posted by: Chris | November 14, 2008 1:41 AM
If Robert's isn't open to an extension that's resonable,get rid of him.
Can we trade Angelos too?
Posted by: O fan in Fl | November 14, 2008 7:29 AM
I do not think Roberts will re-sign with the O's as much as I want him to. But can someone please tell me if Roberts gets traded who takes over 2nd? Would we not then have an open gap up the middle? Curious.
Posted by: John in VA | November 14, 2008 9:21 AM
My suggestion is to move Roberts to shortstop, and trade, or pick up a second baseman that's available. Roberts played short in college and I feel he could make the transition comfortably, as well as being productive there.
Posted by: ken bernabe | November 14, 2008 9:56 PM
What attempts to reach a contract extension? MacPhail hasn't put any offer on the table! His indecision and dragging of feet are perceived by players and agents as disrespect. The longer he takes to get his stuff together and make a serious extension offer, the less likely it is to be accepted. He's doing a good job of making the fans think its Roberts' and other players' faults he's incompetent, though.
Posted by: Not a MacPhan | November 15, 2008 4:03 PM
If you can sign Roberts- do so. Young teams need some veteran leadership and Brian is the only real choice we have. Huff and Scott could still be around and productive offensively, but aren't the leader that Brian is. None of the other current veterans figure to be around in 3 or 4 years. In addition, we already need a SS, so if Brian goes, part of the deal has to be at least one major league ready middle infielder.
Posted by: G-Hal | November 16, 2008 12:55 PM