As my good friend Jeff Spicoli once said "Totally awesome!". That should show Texiera that we mean business here in Birdland.

I feel very good about this signing. Shortstop was a mess last year. A little consistency will be welcome.

The MacPhail snail express probably doesn't want to be inundated with Teixeira questions......

"Maybe the PR department was afraid somebody might throw a shoe at him."

Priceless! Now they need to introduce some MLB quality pitchers and forget about Teixeira.

OK, one deal finished. Now increase Tex's offer to nine years, $192 million. Sooner rather than later.

We should have kept D-Cab.

Is that normal protocol after signing a free agent? Never heard of a team not having a news conference after signing a free agent.

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Pete's reply: No disrespect was intended to the player. He's a shy guy who apparently preferred a conference call.

Hey pete have you seen this entry by Buster Olney? (2nd one down about O's and Nats):
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=olney_buster&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fespn%2fblog%2findex%3fname%3dolney_buster

Pretty disrespectful in my opinion, this is why baseball on the whole sucks. He's advocating the riching getting richer and the weak getting weaker!

Based on his Gold Glove reputation, Izturis probably would've deftly fielded the shoe on one hop and fired it back at the perpetrator for an out.

This is a terrific move by Macphail. The Orioles should be strong up the middle once Wieters arrive around Memorial Day.

Paul Richards built the franchise on young pitching and defense back in the day. Macphail is striving to do the same thing. At least we finally got started after 10 years of drifting.

Maybe the O's are just waiting to schedule a bigger press conference with a few veteran catchers, some pitchers and a first baseman from Severna Park!

I must have missed this post...

Here's an Izturis quote from mlb.com:

"This is a good opportunity for me to play every day and help the team win," Izturis said. "We have a lot of young guys and a good pitching staff. It's a good opportunity to be here and be part of this organization."

I guess he's getting the O's confused with the Red Sox or the Rays.

Peter:
What time is the conference call today? Could they possibly be announcing anything else as well...?

...............................................................................................Pete's reply: Sorry for the late reply. Apparently not.

Welcome to Baltimore Cesar. I just saw that Karl Ravech reported that Teixera is still interested in Baltimore because of his family ties to the area.

What about pitching? We aren't going to bring in Steve Trachsel again are we?

They wouldn't throw a shoe at him.

Live report on ESPN this morning from Karl Ravech says the Os still in the running for TEX. He made it sound like there's more money elsewhere (there is) but the draw of playing for the hometown team is strong.

Curious about the Olney article. Buster...SHUT UP! If MT takes up 22m of an 85m payroll, it doesn't take away flexibility if you can afford 120m/yr. The Os can't outspend the Yanks and the Bosox but they should have the budget to field a competitive team in any division if they're smart.

Just heard Karl Ravech on ESPN say a person close to negotiations for Teixeira has a "an enormous attraction to the Orioles." It just may happen!!!

I'm trying to look at this in a good light. I don't want to be Mr Grumpypants. So...

If I remember correctly you said the O's saved $3+ mil on the Hernandez deal correct? So in the end for trading Hernandez the O's got Freel, Izturis and 2 prospects. Also opening a spot for Wieters to earn the everyday job. Pretty decent overall.

ESPN says: Which team will ultimately sign Mark Teixeira? Karl Ravech says the Teixeira sweepstakes are nearing a conclusion and indications are that the free agent has "an enormous attraction to the Orioles."

Peter, what is up with Tex? We're hearing multiple things that the O's and Tex could actually *gasp*, reach a deal.
ESPN is reporting it here:
http://www.camdenchat.com/2008/12/16/694796/espn-s-ravech-teixeira-has#comments

And WNST is reporting it here:
http://wnst.net/wordpress/drewforrester/2008/12/16/im-hearing-os-think-theyre-getting-tex/

Nothing from you Schmuck. Heard anything?

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Pete's reply: No, I'm afraid not. This is the time when a lot of people will throw things out that they can't be held accountable for and then claim they broke the story if it comes true. I'm going to show my readers a little respect and refrain from going with something when I don't have any real information.

C'mon Pete...Reports are that the O's upped there offer and Tex wants to play in Baltimore.

What is the latest word? Or is it a ploy to drive up the price??

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Pete's reply: I hope those reports turn out to be correct, but I don't believe they are based on anything more than wishful thinking. But I will say this: I think the Orioles will make one last run at him at the end.

Peter....if I were you, I'd tell everybody to get off my back and shut up. Most folks know that reporters are supposed to REPORT the news, not MAKE the news. You're doing a great job....even if you're in a "no-win" situation with some fans.