What I am becoming concerned about is the payroll situation. It seems at every turn the FO choice is to go cheap.

Building through the draft and trades is all well and good but you can not tell me that they honestly expect to catch lighting in a bottle like the Rays did and compete in the AL East with a bargin basement payroll.

Yeah.

Journeyman catcher for 2 journeymen position players and 2 minor leaguers.

Ooh.

Its not a lack of Texiera that will ruin the Os in 2009, but both the lack of solid pitching and the lack of solid bats past Nick, Huff, and Luke Scott--whether or not Roberts stays.

Hey Pete,

Any updates on the Japanese pitchers the orioles were looking at? I saw in a couple places that other teams were interested in them but not much on the Orioles. Are we still working with their agents to sign them? Who do you foresee as our starting rotation?

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Pete's reply: I can't foresee anything right now, with just one set starter. I read where the Red Sox might offer Kawakami 3 for $21 million. If that's the price, the O's are probably out of that derby too.

Are the Orioles a small market team? Couldn't they afford one big name guy like Teixeira to do something good for the fans in the short term?

I know they can't be the yankees or red socks, but they could overpay for someone once in a while.

I find the view that free agents won't sign with the Orioles because of 11 straight losing seasons a lame cop out. It is also totally remote from the facts.

When was the last time the O's failed to sign a top-of-the-line free agent for which they were the high bidder? I can't recall an instance of this actually happening, although I admit that information on contract offers is hard to come by.

Usually, the O's are not the high bidders, they are tire kickers who pretend to be interested, then drop out in sticker shock when the market price proves to exceed their quasi-medieval notion of what they are prepared to pay.

One good thing about dealing with an auctioneer like Scott Boras is that we can be sure he will hit the gavel on the high price. His commission doesn't go up because he signs his talent to winning teams. If the Orioles really want to land Texeira, they will, by bidding more than anyone else. Under those conditions, he will be delighted to play here.

You merely confuse the issue by pretending that the O's routinely bid for the services of first caliber talent, but get no response to their money.

The reality is quite different. The O's have routinely tried to low-ball talent and talk them into taking less to play here. And not surprisingly, that seldom, if ever works.

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Pete's reply: I believe they were the high bidder on Konerko a few years ago, and they outbid the Rangers for Raffy, but he went back to Texas anyway,

Pete,

Good points all. But for many of our fanbase, at least those of us that remain, Chad Moeller, Itusaris, two minor leaguers who appear to have an upside doesn't inspire those who saw 93 losses and 11 straight years of futility. No one expected Andy and O's to turn a corner in 1 1/2 years, what we wanted to see was a real committment and the aforementioned players haven't done that for me or what appears most of the fanbase. That said, we must give Andy credit where it is due and dumping Ramon for a versatile utility player and two minor league prospects was a nice deal. Now back to the committment, to me it's all about the fans, and if the O's don't want an attendance figure closer to 1 Million they better SOON show us some REAL committment! I believe the right word is HOPE, with the AAAA team on the field there is no hope, major league prices, minor league talent. Brob and Nick want to see the same committment, both in other positions and for themselves, we don't want another BJ Ryan incident! The reason the famous or imfamous line about confederate dollars even became a perception is that most player don't believe the O's are committed to winning and the track record reflects just that! It's time Peter the Great does the RIGHT THING, gets out the checkbook and asks that one painful question to Tex, what number will it take to have you playing firstbase in Baltimore!

"Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!"

Geez. Read a history book and skip sports for a few months.

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Pete's reply: Rich, that was a line from "Animal House." You might want to skip sports for awhile and go to the movies.

Hi Pete I've been checking in and out since the winter meetings, first time ive posted to your blog though, just wanted to say your doing a good job. My Opinion on this is some times in order to find the good gold or the diamond in the rough have to dig deep and get dirty, and not just talking about Tex, but maybe an unknown prospect that’s coming along. Never know what you will find when at first looks like a rock being picked up till it gets turned over to find the gold running through the seams. If you need an example, just look at the Cardinals and them taking a chance on a player named Albert Pujols( not sure if name is spelled right) but point is they wouldn't have known what type of player he would have turned out to be if they never gave him that chance.

Pointing fingers doesn’t do much good anyway. Thinking positive and believing does.

Exactly!

jamie burk is available played for seattle last year. true vereran..know's gutherie and they are from the same town in oregon.

There is speculation that the Orioles have offered Tex their "Wow" offer, and possibly have the best offer on the table for him but arnt letting it slip to the media as to not back Tex into a corner and make him publicly walk away from his home team. that certainly does fit AM's M.O. Is this some of the home team cool-aid or a realistic analysis?

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Pete's reply: I haven't heard that.

You really don't have to explain all of this to most of us, Peter.

Unfortunately, whether it is hearing them on the radio, responding to them on a message board or reading their comments on a blog, there are just some people out there who WANT to criticize the team. They go out of their way to criticize the team.

It would be one thing if the team was announcing this as they would a big signing, but they aren't.

Don't let a small minority of ignorance block out the majority of us who see what goes on and have the ability to fit our reaction to the move.

Totally agreed Pete......it's understandable that O's fans are impatient (including me), but this took a long time to bring the organization down to the level it was when AM arrived and is going to take some time to reverse course. I believe we have, but one free agent signing doesn't make or break the rebuilding project. Hopefully by 2011 - 13 this will call come to fruition and we can compete and contend again.

Completely right Pete. And was I correct in hearing from someone that you said Tex would be at the Ravens game tomorrow? Nothing like a good old dose of what Baltimore fans can be like.

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Pete's reply: No, somebody called the radio show and claimed to be a neighbor of the Teixeira family. Said Tex was in town and going to the game. No confirmation on that.

I've been accused of talking out of my "posterior" about the O's offer. Hmmm..let's review the offers as printed from the December 12 article by Jeff Zrebiec:

Nationals: It is believed the Washington Nationals have extended the biggest bid, an eight-year deal worth $160 million, though there has been plenty of speculation that their offer is even larger.

Angels: The Los Angeles Times reported that the Los Angeles Angels might be willing to offer at least a seven-year pact of about $160 million.

Boston: The general feeling here was that the Boston Red Sox are the clear front-runners, though their offer is unknown.

Orioles: As the winter meetings concluded, the Orioles, one of four teams believed to be bidding on Teixeira, had a seven-year offer on the table worth between $140 million and $150 million, according to an industry source. The club had not dramatically sweetened the offer and had no immediate plans to do so, according to the source

For the SHEEP defending "McFail" did ya overlook the "had no immediate plans to do so" comment?

"McFail" is not going to come swooping in at the last second with a better offer. This is not negotiating with a draft pick whose only option is to return to the draft next year and leave huge money on the table.

Tex has 3 better offers to consider (although the Red Sox offer is not listed, have no doubts it is better then what the O's offer) on HIS timetable, not the O's. He is under no obligation to call them to see if they will match or even better what he may eventually take.

And if he decided that the O's #4 bid was good enough, don't ya think he would have snapped it up by now?

"McFail" has once again bamboozled you SHEEP with some decent flim-flamery (yes turning in a disgrunteled, underpeforming Hernanez into three usefull parts is impressive), but I guarantee that we will finish in last place again, no matter how many more slick, housekeeping moves "McFail" makes this year.

Heck, we may even finish in last with Tex, but at least I would believe the O's are actually trying.

Sorry, but I'm calling the O's out on this one for being either: 1) horrible negotiators, you don't let the NATIONALS of all teams come in with the high bid, 2) stupid, for thinking the low bid would land the number 1 free agent left on the market, or 3) disengenous, for making the lowest bid, knowing Tex won't take it and looking like they are trying.

Someone asked why would the O's offer money they are not willing to spend. Hey, I"m not saying the O's are not willing to spend it. It's a great move on "McFail's" part. Low ball and look like you are doing something (at least to the SHEEP) and if you get lucky and he takes it, you look like a genius.

See, the Nationals got it right. Their team is in the same boat as us. Nothing else to offer but money. So they threw out apparently the best bid. If "McFail" did that and lost, then I would have nothing to say, and I would applaud his attempt.

But as I said before, in his approach to this situtation, in my opinion he is either: inept, stupid or a snake-oil salesman, keeping the masses appeased with the BALTIMORE jersey's and the brilliant houskeeping moves.

Neither of those things will pull the O's out of last place this year. Until "McFail" does something that will, I remain unimpressed.

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Pete's reply: I think you're being a little heavy handed. Did you really expect McPhail to rebuild this team in one year?

Have you heard anything in relation to Tex being in attendance during the Ravens game tomorrow?

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Pete's reply: Just something a caller on my show said today. Can't confirm it.

Right on, Peter!

Don't worry, Schmuck. They'll blame Angelos.

This is par for this course Peter. Go back a week to when the O's signed Donachie to a minor league deal. Some fan, quite pleased with how clever he was being, wrote "This is the move that will rocket us past the Yanks and Red Sox". Every move is met with this sort of self impressed clever response. No one doubts where it comes from. A decade plus of frustration with this team's owner. They have really not cut any salary so far from last year but no one wants to hear that the plan is not to just cut costs to increase profit because they are frustrated with the owner. We all know that YES and NESN add more to their teams than MASN does but no one cares because . . . that right, frustration with the owner. I can look up on Forbes 400 annually and see Steinbrenner ranked and Angelos not ranked so I know that Angelos cannot overspend to the extent that the Yanks boss can but it doesnt matter because? Because we are all frustrated with the owner. Now I personally stick to the facts and I personally shake my head when I hear fans say that Cal Ripken should stick his nose where it doesnt belong by calling Tex, but I understand why they do it . . . they are pissed off at the owner.

The big three automakers blew the perception battle when they took multi million dollar jets to come beg to Congress but they drove here the next time. They heard the voices (over a silly non issue) and recognized that perception is reality and changed their behavior to make a point with no substance but lots of perception. I am not sure the on field effect of signing Tex is worth ten years 200M. I approve of every move that AM has made except for the Bradford for cash trade, but just because each move on its own merits is positive, nothing has pushed us closer to the top of the AL East. MacPhail is solid and will improve the team but as far as I can tell all of our farm system's top four could fulfill their potential and it still might not get us higher than third or fourth in the AL East. Are we playing for more than the KC Royals are playing for? Do you believe that an AL East title is even possible, never mind are we on the right track? Most importantly, does Angelos get it? Does he understand his perception problems?

Dittos

Pete,

Just picked up a comment from the Chicago Tribune that should make us all feel real good! "Robert Valido, an above-average fielder who can't hit his weight, went from the White Sox to Baltimore in a secondary phase of the Rule 5. He might be the Orioles' shortstop if the season started now.

While I'm not nit-picking, I can't get excited or behind this buy on the cheap that Peter the Great is putting us through, it shows a total lack of respect for the fan base and the existing players on our roster. I know we have minor league spots to fill, but really, come on, what form of committment is this to a loyal and supportive fan base?

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Pete's reply: Valido? They've agreed to terms with Cesar Izturis.

Excellent post, Pete. Bravo.

Of course, brace yourself for the hatestorm. Some people just can't understand that leading an rebuilding organization out of the woods of eleven straight losing seasons is a pretty difficult job.

I just hope that Andy keeps his job after the oncoming deluge of fan hate when Tex signs with Boston.

I thought it was Hernandez + $2 mil for Freel and the prospects. Which in the end means both teams pay about $6 mil. So it really did not save anyone money.

And why do people keep saying its Hernandez's walk year? Doesn't he have an option that could be exercised?

Also PA should not care how long the contract for Teixeira is. He seems to be a much older gentleman. I don't see him controlling the team for then next 10 years.

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Pete's reply: The O's were on the hook for $9.5 million with Ramon (including a buyout). They get Freel for $4 million and give the Reds $2 million, so they save $3.5 million.

Pete,

You just wrote: "...the Orioles don't appear likely to sign free agent superstar Mark Teixeria," which is just a variation of what you and others in the media have in umpteen different ways been writing since, oh, say since the day after the season ended.

We all knew the odds a long time ago. We all know the Orioles have been a stinko team for the past decade and most big name free agents don't want to come anywhere near the team. We know, too, that there are teams out there with big bucks and winning records--free agent magnets--that are also in hot pursuit of Tex. We get the depressing message loud and clear!

Stating the obvious over and over again ad nauseum doesn't increase or diminish O's chances to sign him. It has zero effect on the process. All it does is rub salt in the wounds of long-suffering fans.

Is that your intention? Do you enjoy rubbing it in?

If not, hw about giving the tired rhetoric a rest and just let this process play itself out? Is that asking too much? Pleeease?

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Pete's reply: So, you want me to shut down the blog?

Do your lips get sore from sucking up to the front office this much, or do you ice them after every entry?

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Pete's reply: Do you always jump to ridiculous conclusions with absolutely nothing to back them up? I guess so. I rip the team when it deserves to be ripped (which is a lot) and I call over-reactionary fans on the carpet sometimes, too.

Over? Did you say “over”? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!

And it ain’t over now. ‘Cause when the goin’ gets tough…the tough get goin’! Who’s with me? Let’s go!

Posted by: cb coach | December 13, 2008 4:14 PM

=======================

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't it the Japanese that bombed Pearl Harbor?

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Pete's reply: C'mon. That's a line from "Animal House" that is played on the scoreboard in the ninth inning. You need to get out more.

Hey Pete, do you think the O's might be interested in Chris Capuano? I know he's been hurt, but Andy seems to know when a guy can contribute when no one else expects him to.

So far I like what has been done.

We have a steady, defensive SS who should make plays behind whomever is pitching like that we haven't seen in years. He is focused and intense, and that is exactly the kind of guy I want manning the most important position behind pitcher and catcher. He won't wow you with the bat, but I think O's fans are going to change their tune about him when they see the way he plays the game.

Freel gives us a respectable 4th OF'er that plays better defense in LF than Payton did, gives us speed that Payton didn't have, and can help out in a pinch in the infield. I know you've said that he won't push Luke Scott out of a starting role, but I'd have to think that unless the Orioles sign another decent bat, that Scott will find a good amount of time at DH and Freel will patrol LF. Who else do they have that would be a decent bat at DH right now? I don't see that guy.

Hernandez is gone and most fans agree with that move. So do I. He was a decent bat and I never knocked that part of his game. He just wasn't quite as good as his career year. His defense was never very great. I am talking about all around. Including all the little things a catcher has to do to help win a game, like blocking balls in the dirt and blocking the plate...and perhaps throwing the ball to the man covering the bag.

The minor league players that were obtained are nothing special. Waring has power potential, but whiffs a ton. In order for him to be of any use in the future that trend has to change. The other player is a decent fielder, spray hitter with no speed. He'll have to draw more walks and be exceptional on defense if he's to be anything more than a utility player.

None of these moves cost a ton of money which allows the team to be in the hunt for Tex, even though I think they have almost no chance to get him.

It also frees up a lot of cash to sign several pitchers for the rotation. If they don't get Tex, there is no reason at all why we shouldn't expect 3 FA pitchers to be in the rotation for next season. And I am not talking about the top tier guys either. With CC and AJ gone, Garland pricing himself out of a lot of teams' price ranges, and with Wolf and Byrd still out there, plus the Japanese pitchers, and then the lower tier guys...I'm sure the Orioles could stock their rotation with at least major league arms.

One thing not being brought up about Moeller is that if he accepts the minor league assignment he is an established major league catcher that knows how to call a game and guess what?

He'll be working with all the young arms that won't be on the major league team because Andy has brought in some other guys to keep a spot warm for them once the young hurlers refine their craft.

Not only that, but Wieters can learn from him in the minors before he gets sent up here.

And, if anything should happen to Wieters or the guy holding down the fort on the major league team (Zaun perhaps), it is nice to know we have Moeller waiting and won't have to rush up Wieters.

Just another Andy move. It doesn't exactly wow you, but it makes perfect sense.

Just wondering out loud...

What if when Boras said all those possible in the bidding have offered 8 years if it means the O's aren't considered possible places for him to go. Since its been 'reported' $140-150 mil.

What is the Orioles payroll right now? We've got no Tejada anymore...do we even have anyone who tops 5 mill annually?

I know we're not the mega-market teams, but my goodness, we have to have SOME money available.

PETER- You have got to get this scoop for us. I have heard that TEX is Angelos's personal guest 2morrow at the Ravens game. Apparently, he wants to come here but will NOT take less to do it. If the O's go 9 180 they got him. Please check this out.
Also, I can not believe that dummy was making fun of you for saying "Was it over when the Germans bombed pearl harbor". Talk about putting you foot in the mouth.
LOL. You are great pete.

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Pete's reply:I think a rumor has gotten out of hand. Somebody called the radio show and said Tex was in town and was going to the game. I have no idea if that's true or not.

Pet,have to disagree with you on your title,when is it time to nit pick Peter the Great,year 2015 when we are still in 4th or 5th place and we can't get people to come here? 11 straight losing seasons and you think because we're upset the Orioles haven't made a major move we are nit picking.I've often agreed with you in the past but this isn't one of them.The best thing I can say about the Orioles off season is GO RAVENS!What more does a guy like Salazar or Montanez have to do to even get a shot?Instead we get Ryan Freel?Unbelievable.

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Pete's reply: I wasn't talking about Peter Angelos. I was talking about the MacPhail rebuilding program. Also, are you really upset that they brought in more depth. If Montanez belongs here, he's perform.

Just decided to check in on my favorite blog and its good to see you, Mr. Peter, putting people in check. I am sick of hearing the "McFail" thing as well. Certain people should have some respect for a very respected baseball man. If anything, he deserves everyones trust for the trades he pulled off last off season, let along what he did with the Cubs and Twins in the past. Obviously a decade+ of losing takes it toll but if building a winner was easy then it wouldn't take the Cubs 60+ years to make it to the WS again. Go O's, Go Ravens.

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Pete's reply: Thanks, but i went back and lightened up my response. Shouldn't lose my cool with readers.

McPhail continiously let's players go without getting a suitable replacement. Bedard,Tejada,Millar,DCab,Hernandez.OK,so they finally replaced Tejada after a year. I'd be a little more excited about Freel if he hadn't had at least 2 leg surgeries.besides he's not even a starter. My guess is McPhail will take the lazy way out on a 1st baseman and resign Millar.

The only good thing about letting DCab go is it thins our depth out so Arietta,Matuz,Tillman or Bergesen can make itto the majors faster.

Winter Meetings doesn't mean that's it for signings and trades. Whether people like the signings and trades the O's made or not, it doesn't take away from the fact that they were one of the busier teams in Vegas.

Give Cesar a shot before you knock him down. Anyone who has seen him play, will say that he is an excellent fielder and quick to start the double play which was something that was lacking for almost the entire season.

I know getting a super utility guy isn't equal to signing Tex, but regardless, we went from Cintron to Bynum to Fahey and they all failed. Freel can add another dimension to this team, but the fact that Ramon wont be calling balls and strikes, is the biggest positive that came out of Vegas.

The same people that blame the O's for 11 straight losing seasons, now want them to stop rebuilding and go back to overpaying anyone with a recognizable name. We are in this mess, but we have a leader in Andy, who knows we he is doing. Give him time. Andy has said he wasn't happy with the performance of the starting pitchers from last season, so why assume that he wont do anything? AJ was the only one that he targeted and he ended up getting more than anyone could have thought. Garland's price may drop, but if not, there are trades and other guys from Moyer to Looper, that would be a step up over last years impersonation of a starting staff.

To those who are critical of the front office, for your consideration:

Yes, it looks as if next year's team isn't going to be very good. We're looking at another 90+ loss team, even with Tex. However, I still think the front office is doing a decent job.

Remember, the goal here is to win the World Series in the near future, not to lose only 85 games or even only 81 games. There is no reasonable amount of money the Orioles can throw at various players for that to happen in 2009.

We all know what the plan is. The next winning Orioles team will be led in the batting order by Markakis, Wieters, Jones, maybe Tex, and a carefully chosen free agent or two. A strong starting rotation featuring Matusz, Tillman, and Guthrie will hand leads to a solid bullpen filled by young relievers and cheap fill-ins.

Everyone knows it--that's the plan, at least until something goes wrong. Filling in next year's roster with expensive MLB average players instead of cheap replacement level players doesn't help the plan. Short of avoiding complete embarrassment on the field, there's no reason to pay much money to anyone who isn't going to be part of the next good Orioles team.

The Teixeira matter is separate from all of this. Clearly signing him is a long-term move, not a short-term stopgap. The question here is not so much whether the front office wants to win, but whether he's the right way to go. Here I think reasonable people can disagree on whether he's worth the kind of money people are talking about. Frankly I'm not sure of my own opinion, other than to think that $20 million/yr for eight years seems like a lot for a first baseman, and not one that completely stands out, as A-Rod and Albert Pujols do.

I would say that comparatively speaking, the Orioles *are* a small market team. There's no competing (financially) with the "monopolies" up north, and, as the last decade-plus have shown, it's not worth overspending on players. Period.

I believe the Orioles would have to overbid/overspend on Teixeira in order to get him -- and even then, after offering up an insane sum, they probably wouldn't get him. Therefore... I am assuming the Orioles are not really in the running (more of a potential pawn for negotiations, if anything), and more to the point, are not really interested in acquiring MT. Even though he's a great player, it seems very unlikely he'll be worth what he gets paid. That is, if the Orioles signed him...

All this said, I think the Orioles have done a wonderful job in the draft the last three years, and the trades/roster moves over the last year and half have been excellent as well. Last year felt like a real step up, and for the first time in a decade I'm looking forward to next season (and more to the point, the seasons after that). We'll still lose in the short run, sure. But in terms of being competitive down the road, of spending wisely, things are looking good. The Orioles have clearly upped their game internally.

It's always going to hurt when the Yankees or Red Sox sign every great free agent on the market. True. But we're not in their league, and we're not in their market. We have to be smart. We should appreciate the battles we can win: signing Izturis to a good deal is smart; getting Wieters major league action is smart; filling the organization with strong prospects is smart. Building one small piece at a time... is smart... when you're not capable of betting big.

Pete,

It's quite clear that frustration here is paramount, but many of the facts are just that the facts. Brob and Nick remain unsigned and IF they are waiting for the committment most fans are looking for do we continue to let our best players walk and say were building around some guy were gonna draft next year. I believe this is about drawing a line in the sand and establishing a precedent to every MLB player that the O's are committed and intend to be legitimate players! Does anyone on this blog believe this today?

Andy is doing a fine job in the housecleaning area ( vice Brob and Nick) but who wants to low-balled by a last place team? Would you want to write your column/blog for a weekly newspaper at 1/5 the salary? We have so many holes to include the minors so Andy is doing more than filling the MLB roster, understood, but this perception that the O's are cheap and not committed to winning is the biggest problem and that can't be solved in the Rule 5 draft or through housekeeping. We've reached that moment where we want to be considered serious about commitment but our history preceeds us. I know you to get frustrated with many of your bloggers negativity but that is only going to be reversed by a clear and significant committment from the O's ownership. Andy Mcphail is 1 1/2 years into a prolonged project, but the ownership could help accelerate this effort by a influx of well placed cash! Patience is a virtue but after the last 11 years, the fans have endured enough, even though Andy has seen just the last 1 1/2 our tolerance is very low.

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Pete's reply: I realize that, but there are two months left in the offseason. I think you have to let it play out before saying "Oh, here we go again" and criticizing McPhail for not doing stuff he still has plenty of time to do.

Peter- i just read all of your posts. I went over and read Roch's and melewskis.
Everyone is going nucking futs. Someone joked that the fans will burn down the warehouse if Tex doesn't sign.
After reading all of these blogs and posts, if I am Angelos, and I don't sign Tex. I would seriously consider getting more personal security. I am all for signing Tex. I think if they do not do it, after admitting defeat for a couple years, not to mention not spending, the fans are gonna go bonkers.
This is great. 26 seasons, (-2) of losing has lit a fuse. This could be the straw that broke the horses back. I bet, if they don't sign him, 1.5 million fans don't show this year at OPACY.
Any takers?

Peter- Also, any truth to the rumor that as a plan b, if Angelos does'nt sign Tex, that he has petitioned the league to make an adjustment to the schedule, so that every Oriole home game is against either the Yankees or Red Sox in order to at least have someones fans in the seats?

pete if the orioles were to sign tex, how many extra tickets do you think that signing would translate to? yesterday i heard the angels offered him 8 for 160 and also heard that the red sox would only offer 6 yrs. so if geography is really important to tex it looks like to could be between balt and wash.

Pete,

Don't let the bloggers raise your blood pressure. We are all easily frustrated because we just want to see more than these mediocre backup catchers/players being signed. Even when we made a "splash" a few years ago, the biggest need for the Orioles was their pitching, and frankly the Orioles have done nothing in the past 5-6 years really to prevent guys like Liz, Olson, etc. from coming up early. I would not mind (especially if Tex signs elsewhere which I hope he does not) using all that money to get a bunch of solid starters. I still say Burnett is the next Pavano, and I would not mind guys like Looper, Kawakami, Smoltz, Oliver Perez, and co. Get 2-3 of those guys and you might have decent competition in spring training and we won't have to consider bringing up guys like Bergeson mid-season. Have the O's been negotiating with any of the above or anyone else similar?

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Pete's reply: The O's have been talking to Looper and Kawakami. Don't know about the others.

Sorry Pete, but I don't root for Minnestoa or the Cubs so "McFail" has no credit with me. I'll stick to the History Channel if I want to relive old times.

You see, you're not from here and members of the media constantly tell you they aren't "fans" so they can maintain objectivity (snicker). So you do not have an emotional dog in this fight. I and many other fans do.

We've seen this team at it's best and suffered through some of the worst mis-management and ownership over the past 10 years or so. Actually, aside from the little 2 year run, the ineptitude goes as far back as the last World Series run in 83.

So forgive me if I'm a little ticked off. I'll put my logic and acumen up against any of the O's brain trust that has been in place since 83, they've done so well. You want me to write a term paper on twenty years of bad drafts, poor free agent signings, rushed prospects, horrible managing, etc then I can and will.

I'm not saying "McFail" hasn't done some good things. But he's basically putting up the drapes before the house is even built. All the moves this year have been things to solidify a team in contention, not dramatically fix a team in dissary.

In this supposed 2 - 5 year plan to fix this team (no one wants to say for sure, they just keep saying it took 10 years to break it, can't take one year to fix it), Freel, Iztrus and Moeller won't even be here. So I'm not exactly sure what good they are going to do now. Oh..we'll only lose 85 games instead of 93. Yeah, that will fill the seats.

"McFail" can have it both ways. We can rebuild through the farm system and draft, and we can plug a HUGE hole with the best free agent possible. Not with a bum like Konerko, but a young, local guy who can anchor 1B and the clean-up spot for the next 8 years or so.

In that situation, you do or do not, there is no try.

For all of your time here Pete, you sure can't read the majority of the fan base very well. Didn't the hero worship of Cal show you anything? B-more has always had an inferiority complex. When one of our own becomes big, especially playing for us, they write their own ticket in this town. Tex could be the face of this franchise for the next decade. Name another player on the roster or currently available who can. As popular as B-Rob is, he would just be another guy once Tex got to town.

You seem annoyed by my comments (at least we're even on that regard) and that's good. I wish the Front Office would be equally annoyed and do something.

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Pete's reply: I toned down my reply to your last post because I shouldn't get peeved at individual posters, but you're way out of line on a couple of points. I may not be from here, but I've been here for 20 years and I've been covereing games involving the Orioles for a lot longer than that. But if being from here gives you license to be illogical and unfair, then I'm a Californian and proud of it. Now, to the rest of the people here, I consider myself a Marylander and am proud of that, so don't misunderstand.

Peter,
You lost all credibility with this blog. You went from being the one reporter that tells it like it is to one that must have received a phone call from PA to your editor. And now you have been told to drink some of that orange Fool Aid.
We fell out of the Burnett sweepstakes, falling out of the Tex free for all, signed another Brandon Fahey, traded away a 15 home run catcher with a bad attitude and signed a backup washed up catcher. And now you are telling us that everything is roses and lolly pops so far this off season.
Instantly your credibility has vanished. Good riddens to this blog and I am deleting your blogs from my favorites.

CAN ANYONE IN BALTIMORE REPORT IT LIKE THEY SEE IT WITH THE ORIOLES?

BRING BACK NESTOR

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Pete's reply: Have a good life. My opinions are formed day to day and occasionally that means I will defend the club against an illogical attack. If you're going to question my ethics or whether I'm in the pocket of Peter Angelos, I prefer you move on.

If I were Andy MacPhail, and I'm not, first and foremost, I would fix the starting rotation. Not a bad ballclub til mid-August when only one of your starters could consistently get through 5 innings (and he got hurt). I would sign at least one of those Japanese starters, Ben Sheets and see if I can find another starter in January who can throw 200+ innings. Obviously, I'd look at Garland, as well. I wouldn't have dropped Cabrera because he's approaching his prime (27 years old) when many pitchers blossom (and he has the potential to throw lots of innings). I might even take a flier on Bartolo Colon if the price was right. The O's have a quality pen but have to be able to get to it and not wear it out.

Second, I'd have tried to acquire a quality SS. "Slick fielding" SS's are like slick fielding center fielders; when characterized that way, they can't hit a lick. Since they have nobody in their system, why not throw money at Renteria (who signed with SF) or offer something for JJ Hardy? Furcal wants too much money but what an addition he would be if healthy. Great bat in the middle infield.

Texeira reminds me of the Rangers signing Alex Rodriguez. Absolutely no help to a team that can't pitch.

I'd be looking to upgrade 3B in the near future. Mora is more injury prone these days and that's the perfect environment to bring a young guy in.

The upside of this club: Markakis and Jones will only get better (if you sign the former). Roberts is a quality leadoff hitter and 2B. Huff had an excellent season at 1B. Wieters is an up 'n' comer. Guthrie is a quality starter and the pen is solid.

On the downside: going into this season like they have the past two, which was relying on young starters to develop quickly, has been disasterous. Fix that problem and the team is competitive. You don't need Sabathia or Burnett, just guys to get you to the pen while you're still in the game (preferably in the 7th inning). Oh, is there some aging bat out there who could serve as a DH? Find it. Once again, they don't need MT, but someone to solidify the lineup would make them better in 2009.

Pete, don't let the restless "native" get to you. Keep up the good work.

The comments below sound like there is little hope in getting either Japanese pitcher as the O's won't get into a bidding war for either one of them. Does AM have a "short list" for starting pitchers that he thinks the O's can realistically get on a short term deal besides Looper? Or Byrd (yuk)?

"If the Braves are in fact interested in Kenshin Kawakami, they may have to beat an eventual three-year, $21MM offer from the Red Sox. And,
Omar Minaya thinks Koji Uehara projects as a starter, and future negotiations will be based on that projection."

Dont try to sell me Ryan Freel. He's a 30+ platoon / bench player. Great??!!? And in regards to Izturis...there is a reason why he hasnt played much in the last couple seasons.

Would you bet money that we dont finish in last this year?

Peter,

I have to say I agree with you 99 times out of 100. I do not totally agree with you now, but let's get some facts straight.

You responded to one of the reader's posts by stating that the Orioles made the highest bid to Raffy, but he went to Texas anyway. Let's be accurate about this. Peter Angelos probably had the most ability to persuade Raffy to stay here, but he dilly-dallied until Raffy was just about to sign with Texas before he came in at the last possible second with "the best offer." Kind of reminded me of Andy Kauffman on the series premier of SNL. "Here I come to save the day." Except, it did not work.

Sure, there are the Paul Konerkos of the world who received the best deal from the O's but did not want to come to Baltimore. However, more often than not, the "best offer" has been made in the same fashion that Peter made it to Raffy.

Before I wrote this, I saw 43 replies. We all know what Scott Bor-ass's M.O. is. He is going to advise his client to take the highest offer. If the Orioles are really serious about signing him, they will make him the highest offer, and be very transparent about it with the fans. Offer the dude 8 years at 168 million (21 million per year), and let it "slip" out to the fans. I don't believe that true Orioles fans, such as myself, really want to keep piling on the front office about how untruthful they have been. The fans want to the truth. As your buddy, Roch, has been writing, "Make Tex the best offer and put the onus on him to explain why he turned down the best offer from his hometown team."

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Pete's reply: Raffy went to Texas because he had a home there. The Orioles dilly-dallied when they failed to give him $50 million the previous spring, but they did eventually get to that point and he settled for $45 million from the Rangers because he wanted to go home and the tax structure there made the deals equivalent.

Pete,
Are the O's interested in Mark Mulder? I think he would be worth the risk if you could get him for 5 or 6 mil. He is 103-60 and he could help some of our younger guys plus he is only 31.

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Pete's reply: Haven't heard a word about him.

AtomicDog -

Wow, you can't be as ignorant as your post portrays you to be. You apparently know little about negotiating. I sure wouldn't want you negotiating for my company.

A Little clue here about negotiating with a Boras client. You make an initial offer that is in line with what the players worth is thought to be. We all figured that Tex is going to get 20 mil a season or more. So you make your case why Mark should consider playing for the O's, what you're attempting to do to make the franchise competitive, and put an offer on the table that reflects a sincere interest on your part to sign this player.

With Boras what you don't do is keep going back and upping the ante. That's what he'd like for you to do. But what probably earns respect from both player and agent is a suitor who makes an offer, indicates that if the price goes higher they'd be willing to compete, and when the offers seems to have hit the max, let agent know you will match it.

AtomicDog, you make all these points without really considering one huge factor. What if Mark really doesn't want to play here. So you just keep going out and throwing crazy money after a player that really doesn't want to be here. You've now played right into Boras's hand. And you look foolish doing so.

So go ahead and brand Andy a failure. Guess you want to go back to ignoring the farm system and chasing free agents who really are not going to consider playing here at this time. There was a reason Syd Thrift made his famous proclamation that players/agents were treating the O's offer as Confederate Money.

Me personally, if I was Tex, I'd resign with the Angels for the 8 year offer, tell them to take the money they lost with K - Rod and find a viable 3rd base option that increases the chances at going back to the WS.

Pete,

ESPN reports Tex is at the Ravens game as a guest of Peter Angelos and they are anticipated to make a final offer! Baltimore, there still may be a Santa Claus!

Sportscenter reported that Texiera was going to the ravens game and that the o's were going to extend the offer. Any truth?

ESPN just reported tthat Tex was in town for the game and a guest of Angelos today.

Expecting O's fans to be fair and logical is both irrational on a certain level, and also sadistic. Tormented as they have been, O's fans are edgy, bipolar-esqe, and plain unhappy most of the time.

It would help if they could be that, but it will take several winning seasons to dampen that spirit in the majority of them.

Come on Angelos, make the offer to Tex today! 10 years and $200 million. Walk out with a deal.

Pete,
Back in October just after the Rays made it to the World Series weren't people on this board suggesting that the Os follow the Rays example and build through the draft and trades and sign mid level free agents to fill in gaps when the time was right. During the five years of rebuilding, the Rays finished with the worst record in baseball several times, allowing them to draft the top player available. If one wants to follow the Rays example the Os need to get worse not better for the next few years. A three year rebuilding program is overly optimistic five years (we are currently entering year two) is more in line with reality. This isn't the NFL with league wide parity. The Os can't be turned around in a year or two even with Tex. Last I checked he has never pitched in the major leagues and so is unlikely to be able to win 30-40 games next year which is what the Os would need to be competitive.

Ignorant, illogical, way out ofline..call me what you want. I hope at the end of the day you can call me wrong.

I hope I am, I want to be.

But I won't.

And all the Who's in Whoville will go cry boo-hoo-hoo when Tex sings elsewhere.

Welcome to Year 2 in the 10 year plan to rebuild the O's.

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Pete's reply: Maybe, but I've never said they'll sign him, and don't think they will. I just don't think you can automatically pin that on MacPhail. There's a pretty good chance it will be for reasons other than the size of the Orioles offer or the effort they have put out.

Atomic Dog -

The thing that makes you ignorant, illogical and way out of line is that fact that Andy MacPhail has done nothing but make solid moves for this ballclub.

This statement is absolutely the epitome of ignorance:

"Sorry Pete, but I don't root for Minnestoa or the Cubs so "McFail" has no credit with me. I'll stick to the History Channel if I want to relive old times. "

That's like saying, "I don't root for the Yankees, so Babe Ruth has no credit with me." Or, if the O's pull off a miracle and sign Teixeira, "I don't root for the Rangers, Braves or Angels, so Tex has no credit with me."

That fact is, MacPhail has a history of putting together solid ballclubs. And after the Tejada and Bedard trades, everyone was on board with his rebuilding plan. Rightly so. But what has changed since then? All I can think of is that Mark Teixeira is a free agent, everyone wants him, and we're a long shot to get him because of the fact that Boston and Anaheim are in the running.

"I'm not saying "McFail" hasn't done some good things. But he's basically putting up the drapes before the house is even built. All the moves this year have been things to solidify a team in contention, not dramatically fix a team in [disarray]."

So what were you expecting? Did you really think the O's would get in on the Sabathia sweepstakes? Did you really want them to offer a seven year contract to a 260 pound pitcher with 500+ innings on his arm over the past two years? Are you aware of the awful history of pitchers signing seven year deals (Kevin Brown, Mike Hampton, Barry Zito)? Did you really want the O's to offer A.J. Burnett a deal that would compete with the Yanks' five year offer? Are you aware of the fact that Burnett is 32 and has been healthy in two of the past six seasons?

And now on to shortstop. Did you want the O's to sign 34-year-old Orlando Cabrera for $8-10M per season? Did you want them to sign Rafael Furcal to a four year deal despite the fact that he's coming off a season in which he only played 36 games because he had back surgery? The fact is, Cesar Izturis is a solid defensive shortstop and the O's got him on a two year deal. He may not be around when the team starts winning, but the plan was to sign a guy who could play a whole season at short and back up a young pitching staff with solid defense.

Now to the Hernandez trade. What were you hoping for? Did you really want Ramon in an O's uniform next year? Basically every fan in Baltimore has been calling for his head and he's responded by putting up career worst numbers and seriously slacking on defense. So then MacPhail trades him for a decent fourth outfielder/utility man AND two prospects and you're freaking out.

"In this supposed 2 - 5 year plan to fix this team (no one wants to say for sure, they just keep saying it took 10 years to break it, can't take one year to fix it), Freel, Iztrus and Moeller won't even be here. So I'm not exactly sure what good they are going to do now."

Right... What good is it to sign a cheap shortstop who can actually play a full season, while backing up a young pitching staff with solid defense? And what good is it to sign catching depth after trading your starting catcher and hoping your #1 prospect will mature into a big league starter in '09? And what good is it to trade for a fourth outfielder, especially when left field isn't even pinned down for '09? What a bunch of worthless moves...

"We can rebuild through the farm system and draft, and we can plug a HUGE hole with the best free agent possible. Not with a bum like Konerko, but a young, local guy who can anchor 1B and the clean-up spot for the next 8 years or so.

In that situation, you do or do not, there is no try."

Thanks Yoda. You make it sound like the Orioles don't want Teixeira, which is far from the truth. Everyone in town obviously wants him. And in a situation where you're competing against a team that won 100 games last year (not to mention a World Series in '02) and a team that won the World Series in '04 and '07, all you can do is try. Face it. Baseball players generally go where the money is. How else could you possibly explain guys like Gil Meche and Jose Guillen signing with the Royals? But when you've got the same amount of money on the table from a couple of perennial playoff contenders as you've got from a team that hasn't put up a winning record since 1997, where are you going to go?

And you talk about how the Orioles could add Tex as part of this rebuilding plan without even considering how a $20M per year contract could handicap a club. Suppose Tex gets hurt in year three of an eight year deal. Suddenly, signing a pitcher that could get the team over the top become a lot more difficult. Suddenly, it become a lot more difficult to resign Matt Wieters, Chris Tillman and Brian Matusz.

I know we all think, "Hey, it's not our money and Angelos has a ton of it." But a lot goes into rebuilding such a downtrodden franchise. And in order for this team to be successful any time over the next ten years, Andy MacPhail has to be basically flawless. It's a tough job. And I wouldn't want it. Especially with people like you who don't appreciate that massive change in direction that MacPhail has given this ballclub.

Pete.... You're getting lambasted for telling the truth. Not to worry, it happens all the time in todays society. When it's all done and said and the final numbers have been crunched, the overriding factor of where Teixeira goes will be decided by which team gives him the best chance at a WS ring.
Santa should bring some of these fans a healthy dose of reality.

Baltimore fans live in a dream world. You can't cure ten years of mismanagement overnight. Overpaying for one or two players is not going to make them winners and it's hard to overpay when the fans don't continue to support the team. They also complain that we don't make trades, but you can't trade overpaid players past their prime for current or future stars.
Get realistic and get behind MacPhail.

Thanks for the quick response on the Animal House statement. Sorry they thought it was you that posted it.

I agree with you, lots of time left and the winter story has really just begun, just hope for a good ending!

I hope some of the people posting on here, don't ever go out and buy a new car because you do know you have to negotiate? If they have a Burnt Orange VW, are you just going to say "I love the O's and these are this color is the closet to my teams colors, so whatever it is, I'll take it because I am a real O's fan." This is what it sounds like when people say give Tex anything he wants. Crazy!

There are some very rationale posters on here like TX O's Fan and then there are the Atomic Dogs of the world. Dude, you say you don't want a history lesson, but you are calling Andy McFail which is a name that he didn't get here in Baltimore so you must have some knowledge of the Cubs and Twins? I guess it was Andy's fault that a fan interfered with a pop up and I guess maybe he should have won 3 World Series trophies and not two, so I see why you hate him so much, but if you hate history, how do you know so much about Big Tex? He hasn't played in Baltimore.

Basketball fans pay to see a star like Kobe, King James, KG, etc., but I am not sure that same rule applies where a fan says "I have to see Jeter play before I die." No question that Tex will help with shirt sales and ticket sales, but I am curious if he signs, will 6000-8000 fans get some sort of season ticket package? When the Heat got Shaq, they knew the place would be packed night after night, but other than Barry Bonds in San Fran, I can't think of a player that draws fans in. My point being, I don't think you can say the O's will make the money back on ticket sales alone.

Pete, you are doing a great job and I am sure you don't need my words of encouragement, but what I like about your blog, is that you give your opinion and respect your readers' opinion regardless if you agree with it. This is what talking about sports or anything should be about, voice your opinion and respect others, but when it gets nasty, no place for it.

You know there is an old saying that I like "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones".
I personally get tired of post from people who can do nothing more than put other people down. So what if you don't agree just say "I don't agree" and not use words like "ignorant", "illogical" and "stupid". As far as I'm concerned the posters who uses those words are most likely describing themselves.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, even columnist and the media. It doesn't mean what is written is right or even the truth but it is the writers right to be able to write it as long as it is not libelous.
So can't we just read other peoples opinions and then state ours without calling names or putting others down, no matter if it's a paid reporter or a blue collar fan.
Yes I'm an Oriole fan and have been since the Browns moved here in '54 and yes I have my opinion which don't all way agree with the O's front office or who ever the writer may be but hopefully I can state mine in a clear concise manner without putting down the blog or the other posters.
If you disagree that fine just don't call names or cast dispersions.
While I'm at it "THANKS PETER" I enjoy reading your blog even if we do disagree sometimes such as in the "Roots for the Nats"

Birdland Todd-Excellent point about the fan impact on Texiera. I raised this point before-is it relaly going to result in a major increase in attendance? Many die hard Orioles fans are going to attend no matter whose playing, some new fans may emerge and other potential fans aren't coming until we have some semblance of a winning team. I'm sure many casual fans have never heard of Texiera.
In the pre-steriod era, more fans probably would have come out to see Bonds, Sosa but in today's game,there doesn't seem to be too many gate attractions, other than maybe Arod/Jeter /Pujouls. Tex is a solid player that can go deep 30-40 times a year but so does Jermaine Dye or even a guy like Huff so I don't think you can justify paying out big $$ on the premise that he will pay for it on attendance alone.

A lot of the issues with everyone in an uproar is that everyone decided "bring Mark back to Baltimore" was the only way to success. That of course is not true, it is part of a puzzle. If the O's come close on getting him, and do not, there does not seem to be a plan out there. I guess that is what bugs me most about it. It seems to me the O's should be looking and talking to what would be a good second option. I want Tex here as much as anyone, but if it comes down to the team having to outbid everyone, that may not be a great plan. If a player comes here just for money, then forget it. Do you want to have to pay 10% to 20% more than anyone else to get him? The team needs pitching more than hitting so you figure it out. Good job Pete! Do not let the negativity wear on you, you have to remember how many people signed the online petition and the natives are restless. So there is not a lot of rational now, it is like a child crying for a toy, it is fine if the toy is priced right, but remember how many people were willing to pay 250.00 for a cabbage patch doll or a talking Elmo...