Angelos is knocking on 80's door (age wise that is). I predict he opens up the vault to sign Tex to placate his massive ego. He probably doesn't want to die in the AL East gutter. I bet he's instructed MacPhail to sign Tex but to keep very quiet about it so the price is not driven way up by Boras (yeah, right). Sometimes I think I just have "battered fan syndrome" with the Orioles...."They are brutal and mean in July, August, and September, but sometimes they are really sweet in May and June." I guess no matter how bad things get, I can never leave them.

Peter - With the O's taking their time in signing Markakis to a long-term deal do you see any possibility that they might look to trade him as a way to "re-stock" the system with more players?

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Pete's reply: Absolutely not. He's the kind of player they are looking for, so it would make no sense to trade him. If he goes to arbitration for a couple of years, so what? But I hope they get him signed.

Pete...the lengths you go to support our insaciable (sp?) appetite for all things Orioles. I know you'll manage to pull it off in Vegas.

Pete - I appreciate your willingness to take one for the team. I wonder why they aren't holding the winter meetings in some place like Minneapolis?

Tex is being portrayed by some fans as this great guy who would love to play for his beloved O's, but his evil agent is all about the money. Unless Tex is a giant version of Kermit the Frog and Boras is the second coming of Jim Henson, he is a grown man who can think for himself and can afford to take a lot less money if he wanted to. Tex was offered a heck of deal by the Rangers and passed so I think he wants to break the ridiculous contract that A Rod was given.

No one knows the MASN #s because it's still in it's infancy stage, but to compare it to NESN and YES is a joke. MASN has the potential to be a money machine, but right now it's home to two sub par teams. I am not saying the O's are the Royals or Rays, but they aren't close to nor will they ever be the Sox and Yanks, but they can still can be as players with smart signings, a few gambles, good drafts and to finally tap into the Asian market.

One last thing on Tex, he is a very good player, but without pitching, we will be no better than when he was on the Rangers.

Such a trooper!! Why do they have these meetings in such horrible places like Vegas when there are so many better options like Toledo, Deluth and Fargo? Being the professional that you are, I'm sure you will do what you have to do. Godspeed!

Peter,
I cant understand why the Orioles act like they can only bid on bargain free agents. Our 2008 payroll was $67 million, alot less than it has been in years. We are about to lose some of the following contracts either now or after 2009: Baez $6.1 mil, Bardford $3.6 mil, R. Hernandez $7.5 mil, Millar $3.8 mil, Payton $5 mil, Walker $4.5 mil, Gibbons $7 mil.

Almost all of the Orioles big salaried players will be off the books after 2009. I think with all that freed up money, not counting MASN, that we could make a bid for guys who will be here long-term. Wouldnt you rather pay Tex $20 mil per season than $20 mil for any 3 of the above-named players?

The O's wil have the money and this is the free agent class to spend it on to build some kind of talent foundation until the kid-pitchers are ready.

Boo, Hoo, Hoo-
So, what shows are you going to see while in Hell, I mean Vegas? Zumanity? Love? Penn & Teller? Bette Midler? Where do you plan to eat your expense-account meals? One of Wolfgang Puck's or Bobby Flay's places? Is your wife coming along? The gondola ride in the Venetian is romantic in a creepy sort of way.
Have fun and dig up some major scoops!

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Pete's reply: Strangely enough, the wife hates Vegas and makes me go by myself. Again, I try to bear up as best I can in that situation.

If I were Tex, I would just sign wherever I most felt like playing. Who cares whether you get 80 million or 100 million? The only way he can ever spend it in his lifetime is by running for president.
It would seem to me that money is no longer an issue when you get to this level. Or is it ?

Should I view the Krivsky hiring as a sign that Flanagan is definitively outside the Angelos Family Circle of Trust?

I won't be completely crestfallen if the O's fail to land Teixeira - what will be completely unacceptable is just to continue to throw large contracts at the lesser, undeserving mortals. I'd rather give kids and injury risks a chance for little money than to sign a Danys Baez or Jay Payton to a multi-year deal. If you shoot for mediocrity, you're probably going to hit it, or worse.

Try not to throw away too much money in Vegas or, not only will your wife not accompany you there, she won't be here when you get back.

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Pete's reply: Good point.

"Almost all of the Orioles big salaried players will be off the books after 2009."

Actually currently the only player under contract for the O's after 2009 is Matusz.

Pete,
Vegas in December, sounds like a hardship tour to me! Our thoughts and prayers will be with you (at the tables of course)! Can we be serious for one moment. I try and extoll the idea of "Expectation Managment" to my employees and I think that needs to be the case here too! How many times have you and the Sun quoted Andy M on how to build an organization? Did he ever mention buying megastars when your in last place? Do the Orioles have a history in taking such actions? Ok one or two and how did that work out? Any reason to repeat that action? Seriously, I see Izturis signing and two less than stellar inning eaters and another part time right handed bat. Not the way I would go myself, I say sign Adam Dunn, Izturis and two better pitchers, bring up Wieters and if we can't trade Ramon let him be the back up Catcher, DH, 1B and roll the dice. Would love to have Tex, but I tend to look at offensive numbers versus salary, and Dunn's 40 dingers every year along with Nick, Huff and Wieters would be a nice middle. Besides, look at Melvin Mora's numbers versus ARODs and then compare his salary! Its all about the business end, and right now, that means Andy plays the charade that were interested in Tex and AJ, but my expectation management theory tells me, Ain't gonna happen!

I say talk to our liberal politicians, Mikulski, Sarbanes, Hoyer and ilk.
Simply ask for an Orioles bailout. After all P.A. is a big lib dem contributor.
Oh and Pete, I agree with your wife. Give me her number and I'll keep her company for you.

You're right Pete- having to slather on all that sunscreen in December is such a strain.
Unless you're suffering through the stress of having drinks served to you at the blackjack table or while you're taking in a show.
The lengths you sports writers go to in order to cover your beat...I'm glad I don't have to go to Vegas and put up with all that...Vegas.
I'm cryin' for ya' buddy, just cryin'
You keep on sacrificing for us, just keep on givin'.
My prediction: We'll lose Tex to another more aggressive and better padded team.
Regarding Petey Angelos- I saw him in his box on opening day and snapped a picture of the guy.
No disrespect intended, but I've seen embalmed bodies that looked more lifelike than Peter Angelos.
John looks good though.

I floated this on the other blog... what about front-loading a contract? Every team seems to backload them, so the last years of the deal are the most lucrative. They also hurt the team the most since that's usually when the player is less productive. If the Orioles were to frontload a contract, they'd have more money available in future years when they'll need it for Markakis, Jones, Wieters, and young pitchers. The player (Tex, we hope) gets the advantage of a higher net present value on the contract, and maybe you give them an out clause. If we don't make the playoffs in four years, they can opt out. For Teixeira, maybe 8 years $160M, with the first four at a total of $90M and the last four at $70M. If we still suck in four years, he can go FA again and make more money. If he's led us to the playoffs, everybody is happy and he stays with the other core players for another four years.

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Pete's reply: I don't see it, because it would be a self-fulfilling prophecy. All that money up front would make it harder to field the rest of the team, making it more likely the player opts out after four years.

Hey Pete! I'll treat you to some cocktails! I'm looking forward to having the baseball people in town. Maybe we'll have to revive a old Las Vegas tradition and 'back room' Scott Boras!

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Pete's reply: The only Vegas tradition I'm familiar with is me getting cleaned out regularly.

Pete,
I've heard from friends of Texeria that he feels the same about what Angelos has done to the team that most people do.

Why would he buy a ticket to the Titanic (or even if was paid to go on the trip)?

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Pete's reply: There's a lot of that kind of talk going around, but I don't know that it's true.

Signing Tex is Job One.. Everything else falls into place (BRob, Nick, SS, 2 starters) Pete, can you get us the Vegas odds on our signing Tex?

Pete, is there any reason that Adam Dunn isn't being mentioned in any rumored signings? This guy would be the O's answer at DH to Big Papi, as he is one of those rare players that seems to be able to hit HRs in any park. I also like that he can play 1B and the OF which is something that Dave and Andy seem to value, being versatile.

Huff was asking for a lot, but fell through the cracks and we ended up getting him cheaper than what he wanted at the start of free agency so my question to you Pete, is who do you think will be the best bargains this year of the players that seem to slip through the cracks?

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American Friends!! Every day I read your discussions of things related to Baltimore area sports, and I have enjoyed occasionally adding to the discussion. I love the Baltimore-Annapolis area; it is my American home town.

The Orioles who were running a few lengths in front of the Rays now have seemed to stop off for a Gatorade......it appeared they sat around and drank the whole 36 ounces cause the Rays not only passed us but they took the Jays out too. The Orioles have a lot of catching up to do now in the AL East (probably work they didn't think would end up on their desks) But this free agent market could really help this team to get back into the mix and contend in 2-3 seasons. The Rays turned things around very quickly with their young superstar talent and that seems to be MacPhail and the Orioles philosophy moving forward. Lets stay young develope our minor league talent and we should be right where the Rays were in 08. Tex in my mind is a no brainer. He is a younger clean-up hitting first basemen that the Orioles dearly need. He fits perfectly into our plans and our franchises future. The shortstop pool is not too impressive this off season to me and we will probably just have to fill that position with a temp. But if I am the Orioles I am going to out bid everyone on Tex. He has to sign here and if he doesn't then this off season will be a complete failure in the minds a majority of Oriole fans. This team cannot afford to lose anymore fans in the seats. I just dont get Mr Angelos. He is a business man and the way business goes is that you attract consumers to build up your profits. Well he seems to be doing the opposite and I know he is smarter then that.

Lets sign Tex to a major deal and keep him in Baltimore for years to come. Lets get some innings eating pitchers in here (a la Livan Hernandez) with some 1-2 year deals to keep us from having to go to the minors for pitching. We have some pitching talent that just dosesnt need to be in the majors now. If we arent well rounded both offensively and defensively then why waste some of these guys arms. Matt Weiters is going to be a gem to our future but we need to really stop and think if we want him to be our opening day starter. Not that he is not capable of doing it but again why waste his time up here when we arent ready as a complete team. DO NOT sign AJ Burrnet to a big deal. He has been injury prone the past few seasons and is looking for that big contract. I dont see him taking any pay cuts to play somewhere over another place. He will take the highest bidder and will do so for the sake of this being his last big contract. He will be looking out for himself and who can blame him but I just see Albert Belle all over again with Burrnet. It will be an interesting season to come. Hopefully one of many positives and few negatives. But we will still be building and fans are going to have to deal with that. Id much rather see a streak of good seasons in 2-4 years then one good season and then another 10 year mishap. It will take time......time that should have been used 8 years ago and not now but it is what it is. Angelos has helped to steer this club in the right direction buy obtaining MacPhail and we just gotta trust that he will get us back on track. GO O's !!!!

Birdland Todd:

About Dunn:

The reason why you haven't heard him mentioned is because he bats Left Handed. That would be a batting order of Markakis 3, Huff 4, Dunn 5, and then you have Luke Scott coming in at 6 or 7. One other reason will be that you have to use the word "play" in the context of OF and 1b with Dunn very loosely. He's a body at those positions and not much else. Lastly is the price tag. Would you pay him almost as much as Tex is going to get for a .230-.240 average? Sure he's got huge OBP numbers and lots of HRs, but with that comes a ton of K's and he is not the bat to build an offense around for years to come.

Brian Roberts should not be extended, he needs to be traded while his value is high. When his extension would run out he would be an old 2b with declining skills and with a higher salary. Who wants him then?

SS: Cesar Izturis. He's exactly what Trembley wants. Gold Glove caliber Defense, puts the ball in play a lot, and has speed when he does get on. Not a superstar with the bat, but isn't Juan Castro.

Pitching: I don't see AJ coming here. I do see a logical Perez coming here though, and an O. Perez at that...but his first name is Odalis and not Oliver.

1b: Tex is a pipe dream. Besides, in 2011 Albert Pujols is a FA. Who would you plop tons of money down for an extremely long period of time? Tex or Pujols? Has anyone seen a sweeter RH swing than what Pujols has?

x is for Xavier Nady?

Hey Pete,
Just remember that little phrase, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." I mean, why else do they have those video cameras everywhere? Whatever happens is on tape!

Happy Thanksgiving to European Prof, Pete, and all my friends who express their passion for the Orioles and Ravens on "The Schmuck Stops Here."

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Pete's reply: And, of course, to you too.

VEGAS!! cool maybe you can lose that ugly shirt out there. that said, I will be SHOCKED if the O's sign Tex, I'd love to see it, and actually think it makes more sense than throwing money at a rusty hinge like burnett but who am I, I'm just a fan who buys tickets.

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Pete's reply: I can't believe you would diss that great shirt. I paid $14 for it.

If that shirt cost you $14, you must be heartbroken by the $$ woes of Steve and Barry's. You've probably got a closet full of college hoodies from that place.

As for the comment by "The Mythical One" ...

>

There's not a manager in baseball who would hit Huff fourth with Dunn on the team.

>

Doesn't matter. At this stage, he should be a DH only, so it doesn't matter if he plays grounders like live grenades. Take his glove away from and tell him to keep his bat handy at all times. The left-handed thing doesn't matter -- if the guy starts popping windows out of the warehouse (preferably aiming at DEVILos's office), he can hit the thing off a tee if he wants. If a guy can go long in any stadium -- and clearly Dunn can -- do you really care which side of the plate he stands on?

>

The so-called "power hitters" in the lineup in recent years have been named Huff and Millar. So yes, I'll put up with a bunch of K's to see a guy who scares the hell out of opposing pitchers and managers. Besides, word down here (Texas) is that Tex is an overrated prima donna who cares only about his own stats and can split a clubhouse like the Red Sea, and the Birds would be MUCH better served by spending that money on Dunn and a pitcher. For an added bonus, it eliminates Boras from the equation.

>

Only if he is replaced by someone better, and that might well be very hard to arrange.

>

Wow - talk about pipedreams. I'd be all over it -- Pujols is with a dozen Teixeiras -- but there's no way St. Louis lets him get out of town. They'll re-name the arch after him, if they have to.

YOU WAS ROBBED!!!

Birland Todd & Texas Orioles Fan -

Dunn? Are you kidding me?? First, as a previous poster pointed out, you can't have a lie-up heavily tilted LH, with little RH power. gotta be able to mix it up. Secondly, Dunn is a slug, lots of power with lots of strike outs, and clogs up the base paths. And he is not even on the same level as David Ortiz. Dunn can't hit. yeah, O's fans will love this guy as he leaves Brian, Nick or Aubrey on base.

No Adam Dunn here. I rather take a shot at Burrell than that guy. And I'm not thrilled with that thought either!

As much as I'm convinced that landing Mark Teixeira here is a plus, I believe Mr. MacPhail has to direct his energies toward signing A.J. Burnett. The punch in the lineup with the addition of Teixeira is something to drool about, but what's it worth when you're scoring nine runs but your opponent is posting ten?
Sign Burnett and watch him win twenty-plus games for the Os.

Sadly I consider myself a "realist" (for whatever that's worth), and I gave up on the idea of Tex ever playing here a year and 1/2 ago when the Sun ran an article on Tex & he proclaimed himself a life-long Yankee's fan who "idolized Don Mattingly" his whole life. In the same interview he also said he'd never really "given any thought to playing here" more or less. So that combined with that fact that his free-agency would coincide with the Yankee's opening a new park & the knowledge that Giambi was on his last legs in NY told me the tale of the tape way back then. The article actually almost read as an open advertisement to the Yank's... I think our only hope would be if Tex has matured some and decided he liked playing in Texas & Atlanta better than the (mini) spot-light that is L.A., (In comparison to the magnifying glass that is N.Y.). I think we'd have to pull Burnett in the fold first though, it would take that type of acquisition to even begin to show a player like Tex that he's got some players around him. It's so sad, because here's a home-grown kid in his prime, and he'd be the absolute perfect fit in the line-up. A legit 40 HR, Gold Glove 1B, Switch-Hitting, #4 hitter- under 30. That description should come tagged, "An absolute perfect fit for the Orioles". So I have to say I echo Peter's sentiment's with my ideology, and apparently Ben Franklin's as well (And here I thought I invented that particular "World View"!?) haha

For Texas Orioles fan:

If you have a .300 30HR 100RBI guy on the team and a .240 40HR 90-100RBI guy on the team to bat fourth, who do you bat there?

Apparently the Reds thought Brandon Phillips was a better option than Dunn and Phillips certainly didn't hit as well as Dunn.

If you want to talk attitudes, how about the lovely relationship the Reds had with him when they originally wanted to move him to 1b, and would make a defensive replacement for him late in close games because his defense was so bad?

And yes, a left-handed heavy order would matter a whole lot in close games. All the other team would have to do is bring in a good LHP in relief and he would get to face: Markakis, Huff, Dunn, perhaps Scott or Hernandez/Mora (but in this scenario I actually see Mora as the 2 hitter). The Orioles don't have any sluggers from the right side of the bench and they wouldn't pinch hit in that situation.

And yes, it does matter that Dunn is DH. Because Huff is a DH, and so is Luke Scott, but he's better in LF than Dunn. There is also a situation if Wieters makes the team as the catcher and you need to get ABs for Ramon, which would be at DH. How many DH's do you want?

Markakis has power, Scott has power, and Mora has power. Dunn doesn't scare so many pitchers because he can be pitched to. If you make a mistake he can hit it a long way, but you can get him out if you know what you're doing.

Dunn and a pitcher? I think you need to look at the kind of money Dunn is making. It wouldn't be any cheaper to sign him+ a pitcher than Tex + a pitcher.

I mentioned Pujols because one argument for signing Tex is that, "Talent like that doesn't come along very often in FA." Well, in this case, something much better comes along in just two more years.

I like the idea that you tried to debate me on a point by point basis, good job on that front. I just think the facts are a bit more on my side.

Yeah Vegas is tough, I'll have endure two weeks of it in January...wish me luck.

Oh btw, Pujols will not make free agency. Remember many huge names won't and the Cards will re-sign Albert before he reaches the market or he'll use the market to raise his price before re-signing with the Cards...he's not going anywhere. Teixeira is the O's best bet.

AJ Bernett is stretch people. He wants to many years for a picther is injured as much as he's healthy. Bad idea for more than 3 and no way no more than 4 years.

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Pete's reply: Two weeks in Vegas is generally too long. I hope you play golf or are planning to rent a houseboat on Lake Mead.