That should help with the rebuilding process. Freel is older than Hernandez.

Julio Franco is still available.

I don't think it is any big secret that Ramon has fallen out of favor with a lot of Orioles fans. I would have to think that extends to Dave Trembley as well, though he wouldn't tell you that.

Freel is interesting. We have to temper our expectations about what we could actually get back for Ramon, a guy we don't really want. His defensive woes aren't only known to us and his offense isn't too far off of what his career numbers are like. A lot of people seem to think his first season with us was the norm, rather than the anomaly it was.

Through Freel has been an OF'er, what could also make him useful is his past as a 2b in the minors and as a utility player.

He's not tremendously good at any INF position for a long term role, but he's played 2b well at times. 3b and SS not so much.

We need a RH bat in the OF, Reimold might not be the guy, and Montanez can't field out there. He's also used to being a role player which is precisely the mindset we need a guy to have rather than a Jay Payton who wasn't happy unless he was starting full time, even though ability-wise he wasn't worthy of that.

If the majority decision is that Wieters is ready now and this is the best deal you can get for Ramon, I say you have to do it.

Freel can play the infield, too, making him even more useful.

Stopgap solution of Greg Zaun is also known as the "Evan Longoria/delay his arbitration clock" tactic, especially with Scott "the Devil" Boras as his agent.

Weiters will be up here for good by May 1st.

Adding Freel would be SUCH a smart move that I would be amused and surprised to see my ole Os pull it off. It wouldn't be sexy or a big name, but it fits right in line with our focus on all-around athletic types, and, it supplies us with a variety of options.

Firstly it sets the table for the emergence of Wieters. Freel would be able to platoon with Pie/Scott in LF, perhaps takeover 2B in case Roberts is traded, and also spell Mora at 3B (where Freel may have even more range than Mora). In the meantime, his bat could be either a true #2 type hitter, or, a strong bat at #9.

Hernandez has spent his time with us - it is time he moved on - and if we can get a part of the puzzle for him and dump his salary in the process - do it!

ghost, I guess you prefer Bynum and/or Fahey as the UTI guys again this yr ? Freel can do a lot of things, play the IF and OF, solid D, steal some bases and is a switch hitter

So Ghost Oriole, if someone were trying to pawn Hernandez off on us, who would you give them? See where this is going? I take that deal in a heartbeat!

I once owned Ryan Freel on my fantasy team, several years ago. That's more than I can say for Bynum and Fahey, neither of whom I believe have ever been on anyone's fantasy team, which necessarily means that he's an upgrade.

I had Freel in Fantasy a few years back too. And if I remember correctly, I started him at SS when Miggy lost his consecutive games streak.

I'd love to have Freel in Baltimore.

Great news, hope it happens!! We'd all like to see Ramon go bye-bye and I like that Freel guy a lot. He plays hard, has good speed, and bats right handed. Really hope this gets done.

Freel is a great ball player. He would be a fan favorite in Baltimore by the end of April. He plays as hard as anyone. I'd love to see him playing with "Baltimore" across his chest!