Exciting Rule V possibilties
Does it say something about the Orioles' chances of doing much here that we're already talking about Thursday's Rule V draft. There aren't really many exciting possibilities for the Orioles, but I knew I could attract you with that headline.
Some posters wrote in, however, saying that the O's cannot choose anyone because their major league roster is at 40. That's techically true, but they can move players off the roster if they really want. They'll have to if they sign one of the available Japanese pitchers this week, which is one of the few player moves that actually seems likely.
Who are the candidates to go? Maybe cather Guillermo Quiroz and/or Alfredo Simon.
Club executives started filtering into the Bellagio Hotel yesterday. Ran into Cincinnati Reds GM Walt Jocketty and his top execs late last night. The Reds might be interested in Ramon Hernandez, but Walt wouldn't say much when I brought him up. For the O's to move Ramon, they probably would have to absorb a big chunk of his salary.
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Comments
Boy, I hate teasers with no substance.
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Pete's reply: Hate is such a strong word. I only mildly dislike teasers with no substance, so I occassionally drop one in here. Do you honestly think there's a blogger on earth who has the protected lists and can tell you who everyone is going to draft?
Posted by: Greg | December 7, 2008 11:48 AM
I hope you brought lots of money, Peter since our economy here (vegas) is suffering...spend a lop\t!!!!!
Las Vegas Charlie (formerly Baltiore Charlie)
Posted by: Charles Sullivan | December 7, 2008 1:00 PM
If the O's have to eat some of his salary then so be it. What a huge disappointment Hernandez has been.
I was pretty excited when they first acquired him, but the big bat fizzled and he is an embarrassment with a glove on his hand.
Posted by: Roy | December 7, 2008 1:05 PM
That's just cruel Pete, playin with our emotions.
Posted by: jj | December 7, 2008 1:39 PM
Actually, Pete, it is not the Rule V draft - it is the Rule 5 draft.
It follows in the Basic Agreement the rule about the June draft which is officially the "Rule 4 draft".
JR
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Pete's reply: I'm worried that you know that. I just like Roman numerals.
Posted by: JR | December 7, 2008 1:42 PM
Pete,
The Orioles are paying to stay at the Bellagio? They seem more geared to stay at Binion's or the el Cortez.
I guess we can rule out signing anyone.
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Pete's reply: The weeknight rate at the Bellagio is actually fairly reasonable since nobody in this country has any money anymore.
Posted by: EC | December 7, 2008 2:10 PM
Based on the lackluster hopefulness of looking forward to the Rule V draft, I really don't know why the O's wasted the money to send anyone to Vegas? Maybe the money could have been better spent on player development. It's like a high school kid who sits on the end of the bench say "I'm just glad to be here", but then again, once the season starts nothing will appear to be Major league in Baltimore, so I guess Andy deserves the week.
So if this GM meeting is to be a success, we get a 33+ Japanese end of the rotation pitcher, a 260 no punch all glove SS and toss in some rule V candidate to compete for the last rotation spot and we should all be feeling really great for 2009! There truly is no joy in mudville!
Posted by: Keith Rowe | December 7, 2008 3:07 PM
Pete,
How many Mai Tais did you have last night?
It's the Rule 5 Draft, not the Rule V Draft.
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Pete's reply: But Rule V is so much classier, don't you think?
Posted by: Mark | December 7, 2008 3:37 PM
I personally think that getting rid of Ramon would be a huge addition by subtraction trade. I know Ramon has power, but his handling of the pitching staff, ability to throw out base runners and his lack of all around hustle, truly outweigh whatever positives he brings with a bat.
Pete, are the O's saying the job is there for Matt to take or are they thinking of someone like Zaun to hold the fort down another year?
I am a little surprised that the O's don't sign Cesar because they are in Vegas.
Posted by: Birdland Todd | December 7, 2008 3:43 PM
So Peter, can the Orioles select a player in the Rule 5 draft???
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Pete'sr reply: Yes, if they move somebody off the 40-man to make room. Same goes for signing one of the Japanese pitchers. They would have to release or outright somebody.
Posted by: LArry | December 7, 2008 3:46 PM
i would like very much to see ramon get a ride out of baltimore,but what or who do or would we have to replace. him until mat wieters is ready. i think mat ought to stay in the minors for at least another year. if the orioles have to absorb ramon's salary so be it.
Posted by: leonard | December 7, 2008 4:52 PM
We are at best looking at a Japanese pitcher and a .260 shortstop. Why, do we not have money to spend? Its really a matter of philosophy. Teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, and Braves are run to win and will go after expensive free agents. The Orioles are run to make money and put it in Angelos pockets. Some would say we don't have enough revenues to win. In truth we are a top market team. Its not just about revenue, its also about costs. We have very low costs. So our income, revenue-cost is high. We can afford a 100 mil payroll, any amount less goes in Angelos pockets.
Here is income from 2002 thru 2007 in millions and the rank of various teams.
THE TOP TEN
team income rank
Indians 125.3 1
Dev Rays 106.3 2
Orioles 101.3 3
Reds 98.8 4
Braves 95.1 5
Wh Sox 93.9 6
Mariners 90 7
Brewers 85.6 8
Cubs 83.1 9
Astros 75.9 10
THE BOTTOM TEN
team income rank
Blue Jays 22.8 21
Mets 22.3 22
Phillies 22.1 23
Tigers 19.7 24
Dodgers 9.4 25
Rangers 2.6 26
Angels -15.1 27
DBACKS -22 28
Red Sox -42.9 29
Yankees -169.6 30
Conclusion Angelos is running this team to make money and doing a great job. This is how the Orioles will behave this offseason. Winning isn't everything, making money is. For the last 6 years the Orioles income is 270 million higher than the Yankees. We will make some moves toward winning but the end result will be a low payroll team with with 75-82 win potential. The Orioles will return to high profitability. We won't truly win until we are run to win not line the owner's pockets. This will require a new owner. It's time to boycott Angelos.
Posted by: Dave | December 7, 2008 7:48 PM
Pete, if you get a chance to see a movie you should definitely go to the Cannery Galaxy Theatres. Best Cinema in Vegas. And the food in the Cannery isn't bad either.
Posted by: Colin | December 8, 2008 3:01 PM
It is called journalistic license, Peter can call it the Rule V if he wants to. I still like writing it that way myself.
One name I am sure the Orioles will be interested in if he is not selected before they have their pick is Cubs prospect Donald Veal. Yes, he could compete for a rotation spot, but I think because of his history of control problems, they stick him in the pen as a long reliever or extra lefty since Jamie Walker was garbage last year and Sherrill might end up closing again or being traded if Ray is not healthy.
There are a couple of other interesting pitchers in the Rule V, and a right handed hitting 1b that gets on base pretty well, but doesn't have a lot of power. I doubt the Orioles take any position players in the major league portion of the draft...but there is also a very young and rangey SS; Eduardo Morlon I think his name is. Hasn't hit much, but he's still very young and supposed to be very good defensively. The O's need a utility man and he can't be any worse than Fahey/Bynum.
"o' is for Orioles.
Posted by: The Mythical One | December 8, 2008 3:58 PM