I'm confused. The last time the WBC was held we were all complaining because we had too many pitchers involved. Now, we're supposed to be upset because don't have any players? I hope none of our players play. We need the rest to get ready for a long season. Hopefully we can avoid injuries for once.

Hey Pete,
Any news of tex? just kidding. I'm a patriot and would love to see usa win the cup but is there anyway we can "encourage" guthrie not to go? He is far to important to the club, as its only starting pitcher, to attend.

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Pete's reply: I don't know, but you make a fair comment on the double-edged nature of sending pitchers to the WBC.

I seem to remember the last BBALL Classic had 4/5ths of our rotation out for the better part of spring training. I think that may have torpeedoed that season before it began.

Let everyone else get hurt and tired playing. The O's need to focus on throwing strikes in the AL East...

Well to be totaly honest I don't really care for the WBC least the timing anyway, not in the middle of spring training. I know the first one really set back the Orioles because so many starters was in the WBC and didnt have enough time to prepare as a team.

It looks like the Yanks might get Tex. Just because their offices are closed next week doesn't mean they aren't open right now. SI's Jon Heyman says that the Yankees are in "deep discussions" with Boras and Teixeira right now, and have stepped up their efforts to sign him.

Why did the Orioles even enter this rodeo if they didn't have the horses to win it?

Mr. Angelos - I will no longer come to any games at Camden Yards. You are entering the realm of the Detroit Lions, sir. How on earth are you going to get someone to sign here when you can't even get someone who's FROM here (and wanted to play here) to sign here?

Welcome to another season of last place baseball. The only way that this can be remedied is if we totally throw ourselves into the rebuilding, and trade Jamie Walker, Brian Roberts, Luke Scott, Melvin Mora, Aubrey Huff, and George Sherrill. What are we going to do - lose more? The Red Sox and Tampa were already light years ahead of us, and now the Yankees will be too. That's just effing great...

Pete, I know it's good publicity, but I wont be crying if no O's play in the WBC. The season is long enough, especially for pitchers. They dont need any more wear and tear. Just focus on trying to lead a Tex-less O's team back to respectability.

i don't know why they need to have this w b c anyway. it sure throughs a monkey wrench into spring training. it jujst seems that the wbc is something that baseball can do with out.

Well considering that Guthrie has yet to stay healthy for a whole season in the big leagues as it is, I am rooting for him not to get that invite.

Peter,

On ESPN right now, there's breaking news coming out on the ticker, where Buster Olney is reporting that the Yankees and Teixeira have agreed to deal. That's all it says though... no specifics.

Unbelievable.

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Pete's reply: I'm hearing something similar...but no confirmation.

NY signs Te$hera.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3790141

Longtime oriole fan from montreal ... if 140 or 150 million is not enough to play for your home town then Mark Teixeira is the sellout. Don't pin this on the Orioles. Look around you guys, we're in a global recession and Tex and Bora$ are looking for more. Macphail stick to the plan: pitching and defense. Merry (real) Christmas Baltimore!

ESPN's reporting Tex signed with Yankees. Who needs him if he wants to play for NY. I'm sure McPhail has a back-up plan and will spend the $150 million wisely - ie - Ben Sheets and Adam Dunn. I'll even take Manny Ramirez. I'm glad this is finally over!

Finally! Now Andy can focus on bringing back Kris Benson.

While we are talking WBC has anyone seen the prices they want for tickets? It is ridiculous for a tournament that is an exhibition. You can't get into any venue(and the closest is first round site Toronto) for under $120 and that is if you want to be closer to the Toronto Space Needle than the field. I was interested in going at one point but for the cash MLB wants forget it. Now I can spend my extra income on the Oriol....whats that...no Tex? At the Hippodrome!

WFAN-FM in New York reporting Teixeria agrees to terms with the NY Yankees

How can someone that grew up an Orioles' fan sign with the Yankees? A previous poster said he knew Teixeira & he was a greedy bastard looking for the most money. I guess that's true.

Hey angelis

You are full of it.

You would take 30 million less to play in bmore i call bs on that comment.

The orioles had the chance to change the direction the franchise was going but they refused.

And how is sticking to the plan having one of the worst pitching staffs in the history of baseball, which is what we will have in 2009.

This team is dead to me until Angelos is gone.

Hey angelis

You are full of it.

You would take 30 million less to play in bmore i call bs on that comment.

The orioles had the chance to change the direction the franchise was going but they refused.

And how is sticking to the plan having one of the worst pitching staffs in the history of baseball, which is what we will have in 2009.

This team is dead to me until Angelos is gone.

Teixeira signs with Yankees.

Here the article.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3790141

Teixeira signs with Yankees.

Here the article.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3790141

Thanks Pete for putting a competive offer out there.
If things are that bad, sell the team and do us all a favor..

Thanks Pete for putting a competive offer out there.
If things are that bad, sell the team and do us all a favor..

nwash don't be naive in thinking that Tex was ever going to sign with the O's he used us just like the Angels and the Nats(180$). And as for mcphail's plan it takes a little longer than a year to build a pitching staff
drafting and developping not buying like the Yanks ... are you an orioles fan or should we have given Bora$ anything they asked for?

Hey, I'd welcome Benson back as long as he brought his "Barbie" with him...

Benson Continued...

...and the O's put a pole behind the backstop where "Barbie" could distract the opposing team's pitchers with her "dancing" moves...lol

T-Mac,

Tex wanted to play here? Are you kidding or delusional? And you got this information where??? Tex had no intention of playing here. And maybe it is based on 11 consecutive losing seasons. That said, we still have to right this ship. And that's not impossible. We have some very exciting young arms on the way, as well as a pretty damn fine catching prospect in the minors.

OK, so you ask where do they go from here? Well they need to find a few serviceable arms to get us through next season, while the prospects ply their trade down on the farm. We need to probably ink Zaun, and perhaps find another power bat to protect the line up. Whether that be Dunn, Burrell, Garko or even Giambi. If a really good offer comes along for Roberts we need to do the deal. Then Andy should bring in Markakis make him a solid offer and explain to him that he & Guthrie will be the face of this franchise. That the team will continue to focus on the draft, and making their presence known in the international scouting market.

That's the truth. Andy never said he'd make us competitive in 1-2 off seasons. So now the focus returns where it should. I'm still on board. I'm not a bandwagon fan and will support the team no matter what. I said the team, not the owner. And by the way, I believe the owner is letting Andy run things as he needs to.