Orioles: The spring thing
The deadline imposed on the Orioles by Vero Beach officials passed late yesterday without incident, but with a few recriminations. The mayor of the city that is trying to bring the O's to the abandoned Dodgertown facility, Sabe Abell, is quoted today's edition of the Vero Beach Press Journal as saying that the O's haven't been "negotiating in an honorable fashion."
Geez, never heard that before.
The Orioles actually have switched their focus to Sarasota and negotiations for an upgraded complex that would be within a few miles of their existing minor league training complex at Twin Lakes Park. It would be a very convenient situation and a throwback to the early 1990s, when the Orioles played briefly at Ed Smith Stadium in downtown Sarasota. Club officials are believed to be there right now.
Even the budding relationship in Sarasota has already hit some speed bumps. County commissioner Joe Barbetta, who was disappointed that the area was passed over by the Red Sox, insisted on a much lesser deal for the Orioles because, he said, the Red Sox are the "gold standard" and the O's are the "tin standard." And in a comparison between the Red Sox' NESN regional sports network and MASN, referred to MASN as "basically worthless."
Frankly, the Orioles have been insulted in better places than that, but it still might be the right place at the right time. I mean, they've only been looking for a new spring training home for the past 19 years.
Comments
unfortunately, his perception is right about the O's when comparing them to the Red Sox. N way to argue it but you'd think that he'd be a little more tactful to the team he is "courting" to fill a void and help the economy there.
What do you think is the odd are on the O's getting Kawakami after the following comments:
Kenshin Kawakami's agent says he's received official offers from "more than one team." It's not known which teams offered contracts, but the Braves are interested and lists the Orioles, Red Sox, Angels, Giants, and Brewers as other possible suitors.
1000 to 1?
r as in resigned to the leftover pitchers they'll eventually sign
Posted by: Jim | December 16, 2008 6:44 AM
Pete,
Why are we even negotiating with a venue that doesn't want us? Tin Standard? I'm liking Vero better all the time. At least let's go to some place where we are wanted.
Posted by: Tiki Tim | December 16, 2008 7:17 AM
Hey Pete, the other day I disagreed with you when you said O's fans should root for Washington to sign Tex if the O's cant. But after reading Olney's condescending blog on ESPN.com yesterday, I have changed my mind. He made it sound like Tex is too good for any team outside NY or Boston. We may not be contenders in 2009, but that doesnt mean we (or the Nats) shouldnt try to acquire top talent. Olney says one player shouldnt take up so much of our budget. The budget is so small because we dont have any superstars in their prime. Anyway, that's our business not Olney's. So now I'm rooting for the Nats to get him if the O's cant and Olney can stuff his blog where the sun dont shine! (Thanks for letting me rant)
Posted by: Mike | December 16, 2008 7:33 AM
Wow. Nothing like getting insulted from both places we are looking to relocate to. I am sorry that Vero didn't work out since I've heard only good things about Dodgertown. Sarasota can go to back to where they came from with that attitude. Insulting potential clients is no way to drive a bargain. Good plan, Florida.
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Pete's reply: I think you've mistaken the Orioles for having a third option. If they don't sign something soon, they'll be holding training camp in 2010 at Fanfest.
Posted by: bryanintimonium | December 16, 2008 8:17 AM
I love the comment about the gold vs. tin standards. It's from an outsider, and it shows that the rest of the baseball world is very knowledgeable about what the true value/status of this organization is about. I don't consider it an insult, but a realistic analogy.
Posted by: phil | December 16, 2008 8:54 AM
I know you don't throw things in the trash over one person's comments, but why would we want to go to a county in Fla that would allow one of its officials to talk like that about a potential business partner that could bring a lot of tax dollars into your county?
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Pete's reply: Because it's the best of two options and the mayor of Vero Beach insulted the O's too. Maybe they can't all be wrong.
Posted by: Bill | December 16, 2008 9:14 AM
Another classic example of how idiotic this organization really is...Gotta love the Clippers east !!
Posted by: Cereal Blogger | December 16, 2008 9:17 AM
Peter
How do we expect this organization to sign a free agent like Tex when the can't make up their mind about a training camp base of operations!
Posted by: TomP | December 16, 2008 10:50 AM
This is way off topic, but I was reading the piece on the Izturis signing on mlb.com when I saw this quote from our new shortstop:
"We have a lot of young guys and a good pitching staff."
I'm glad Izturis is in Baltimore. As I've said before, he'll be a great defensive addition, if nothing else. But a "good pitching staff"? I guess he thinks Jeremy Guthrie is going to toss every day. I hope the poor guy didn't get the Orioles confused with the Red Sox or the Rays.
Posted by: b | December 16, 2008 12:13 PM
I'm just curious, because I'm not exactly familiar with Florida's layout... would moving to Dodgertown allow the O's to have the Minor League and Major League players training all in one complex?
I know right now that they have a horrible setup that makes it incredibly difficult for Major League coaches to fairly evaluate Minor League players over time, while still working with their Major League players. I understand that this is why Sarasota is a plus and was wondering if Dodgertown also offered that?
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Pete's reply: Dodgertown not only offers room for minor leaguers, but housing, too, and it's all on the same complex. In Sarasota, the minor leaguers would be at Twin Lakes Park and the major leaguers at the downtown facility a few miles away. Either way, it would be a much better situation than they have now.
Posted by: Michael J | December 16, 2008 6:56 PM
Pete - If I were you , I wont fret about insults from Sarasota and Vero Beach Officials . For Vero Beach , just wait till they see no Dodger player in sight this Spring and for Sarasota , the 2010 Spring features no Reds player in sight .
My point is , after they see no Spring Training business , that having the Orioles sure beats nothing !
Pete , is what the Orioles doing with those Florida towns is just business , any different from the way Scott Boras playing the MLB teams in Teixera Sweepstakes?
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Pete's reply: That's fine. But in most businesses, it doesn't take 19 years to get a deal done. They just can't make a decision.
Posted by: Allan | December 17, 2008 8:24 AM