Super agents use "outcome-determinative" in sentences and everyone else doesn't. It's just that simple.

This post is for Mark Teixeira,

Mark,

The future for the Orioles, for the first time in a LONG time, is looking up. We have a GM who knows how to build a team. You build teams on pitching, defense, and timely hitting. We are doing that. We have some really good young hitters (Markakis, Jones, Wieters) just waiting to explode onto the scene next year. We have protection for you in the lineup, with 2 guys that drove in 100 runs last year. We would have a very good defensive team if you joined us, especially when Freel plays in LF. We would have speed, as there are 5 guys right now who have the ability to steal 20+ bases (Jones, Freel, Izturis, Roberts, and Markakis). We have some power (Mora, Markakis, Huff, Jones, Wieters and Scott all have the ability to hit 20+ homers). We are stocked with young pitching that is 1-2 years away, some of which will be hitting Baltimore this year (Chris Tillman, Jake Arrieta, Brian Matusz, David Hernandez, Brad Bergesen, Chorye Spoone, Brandon Erbe). We should have a very solid bullpen with George Sherrill, Chris Ray, and Jim Johnson anchoring the late innings.

You are a perfect guy for the Orioles - professional, hardworking, and a very good all-around player. We haven't many of those guys since Cal retired, but they are becoming much more common the last couple of years.

Think back to when you were a kid in Severna Park, cheering on Cal Ripken Jr., and guys like Brady Anderson, Mike Devereaux, Mike Mussina, and Ben McDonald. Wouldn't you give anything to be able to come and play in Camden Yards? I know I would have! If, 16 years later, you knew that you were going to be offered $16-$20 million a year to come play for the Orioles, you would have jumped at the chance, right? Well, here's your chance. The Orioles are on the rise, and I know I can speak for ALL of us in Baltimore when I say that we would welcome you home with open arms. We all want to see the Orioles return to the great teams we saw in the 70's, 80's and mid 90's. If you signed with us, we would be well on our way to getting there in the near future.

Sincerely,
Tom McAllister
Orioles fan for 27 years

Peter- Everyone is reporting now that the O's are up to 8 years and that is NOT a final offer. They can play with it. For instance, then can give a 9th option is what espn is saying. They also could put in a no-trade clause.
LETS GET IT DONE BABY!!!!

Pete, are you surprised the O's are going this hard after Tex? I would love to have him here, but I am still a little shocked that we are among the final teams for his services.

I know fans are saying they don't want Tex playing for the Nats, but if the choice is the Nats, Sox or Yanks, I'd rather have him in the NL than in our division.

Pete, fans our leaving the Birds because they signed Cesar Izturis instead of trading for Mr. Greene, so before the rumors start, will you still root for the O's if Jim Hunter goes to another team to announce?

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Pete's reply: I'm not surprised the O's are making an effort. I will be surprised if they succeed.

Pete--I think we're going to celebrate Christmas and find the one present we really want under the tree--Mark Teixeira.

I read on an article about all the Tex rumors going around that when Tex was coming out of St. Joe's the Red Sox spread the word that he wouldn't sign out of high school so he dropped to the 9th round or something like that, picked by the Red Sox. His family was apparently out raged and talked him into taking the full ride to play in college. If thats true then there is definitely some kind of animosity right? I mean how can someone mess with your potential future like that and you forgive them? I guess 200 mil changes that perspective...maybe he is using the Orioles to get every possible dollar out of the Red Sox, or vice versa. I hope Cal has called him...even maybe other Baltimore athletes like Ed "MVP" Reed, Ray ray (lewis not rice) and that swimmer who apparently is fast. He has to be a fan of them too...heres to baltimore sports.

It can't be about just wanting to get Tex anymore. The O's need Tex to move forward. In a lineup boasting power hitters Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, Aubrey Huff, and Matt Weiters, Mark Teixeira would be a fine addition. After we see the load of top pitching prospects make their way up to the big leagues, this team will seriously become the next Tampa Bay Rays. Hopefully, though, we will actually win the World Series. lol

I don't know about you- but I could swear I heard a hint of "Tex would liek to play in his hometown" there in that last statement by Boras!

I can't believe how excited I am every day to hear about the Orioles with the Ravens in the middle of a playoff push!

Sign on Christmas Eve Tex, and Baltimore won't need much else the next day! (other than a few wins by the ravens!)

Scott Boras is good at this... Pitting teams against each other to raise the $$$ amount on his clients overall deal... Can't fault him with this tactic, but let's be honest Mark doesn't want to be on the "Left Coast" and Boston has 2 players they can plug in at 1B. So that leaves the O's and Nat's.... Pete do you think Mr. Angelos will lose the best 1B in MLB and a native of the Baltimore Metro area to "HIS" hated rival down I-95, even if it means pushing the deal to or past $200 million overall?

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Pete's reply: I don't know what Peter would do, but I think Albert Pujols is the best first baseman in the game.

If Tex signs with the Orioles do you think his ringtone is gonna be Thank God I'm A Country Boy? or is it already?

Pete, Just pay Tex what he needs and wants. He will put butts in the stands, including me. I really believe he wants to come to Baltimore. I guess the team has to pay the steep price. Thank you, MASN. That is the only chance we have getting him. If Angelos didn't have MASN, we would not even be in the running from day one.

peter im getting very excitied!! this is huge.
answer one thing? honest answer....
do you feel the 0s will sign TEX?

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Pete's reply: No.

Pete,
Let's be honest here. The Orioles offer is fair, but you know that they really don't think that will get him to Baltimore. It's made as a jesture to say "we tried and can't compete with big market teams".

When he signs with Boston, that will be their mantra. Angelos is guaranteed a minimum yearly gross of $130M by the MLB and Forbes magazine estimates $166M revenue and expenses of $111M. Do the math, they could afford who they want and if spent properly, that means win and more revenue.

I'm not saying they should have offered more, but it's the claim that they can't compete that is a falsehood.

As important as it is to sign MTex, I believe the Orioles have made an egregious error in not throwing a wall of money at A.J. Burnett. It all begins and ends with pitching. We could have all-stars at every position on the diamond, but it's all for naught if your staff has only one legitimate starting pitcher. Mediocrity (or something less)
will be the Camden mantra yet again.

Chances of winning and ownership committment....
THERE GOES OUR CHANCE OFLANDING HIM

Why haven't the Orioles been involved in the Furcal chase? Could you imagine a 1-2-3-4 of Roberts, Furcal, Huff, Texiera?

There's NO WAY Tex is coming to Baltimore. Didn't you read the part where Boras has said that Tex wants to play for a winner and a winner for years to come? Neither the O's nor the Nats are a winner nor will they be one for years to come

One thing about Boras is he likes to see high priced players spread around because it raises salarie everywhere. You'll recall that IRod wound up in Detroit.

I really think that Tex is our's to lose at this point.

I think Tex will sign with the Nats.

Look, he's the best in the business, but who can read a Scott Boras quote and NOT feel nauseous?

Who wouldn't want to see it happen - I just don't think it will.

Post to Mark
Mark, please come to Baltimore and help stop the suffering that is ruining these once great franchise. I have been an Oriole fan since I discovered baseball fifty years ago. I have seen all the great teams that we have had.
All the hall of famers. The money they are offering you is unheard of so they really do want you here. This park is made for you. I want nothing more than to even the play in our division and once again bring home a World Championship.

Despite the fact that Angelos has duped us into thinking we are a small market team, I don't think it's a Tex and nothing else scenario. Angelos has the money. He proved it back in the mid 90s. Maybe it's time to start spending it again and bring in Tex and AJ. Why should we have to think small? We are not the Royals.

For everyone saying if Texeria signs with Baltimore then I will come back to Camden Yards... you are part of the reason the Orioles are in the state they are. No revenue, no fan base. Even when the Os are in the mix, like they were in to June last year - the stadium was empty. I was there and it is embarassing. I'm not surprised top-level players do not want to play in front of a minor league crowd each night. I know we are all frustrated by Angelos and the state of the Orioles, but if you need Texeria to bring you out to the Yard then you aren't a real fan. We have good young talent and a great coach in Trembley... they need our support with or without Texeria.

Pete. Thanks for your concise reply when asked whether you think the Birds will sign Tex. In a world of BS, it was a fresh breath.

I want to believe that Mark will sign with the Birds. Get it done Andy. But we will need some starting pitching help as well until our young pitchers develop.

If 10 years at $200 million will get it done, do it, please. He will pay for himself with increased attendance figures and we WILL win.

Hey Patrick Lynch,
I can not believe that someone would actually say that the O's should throw a wall of money at AJ Burnett (only if you were a relative of his). The proposed contracts for him are 5 year's. There is no way that he is able to pitch healthy in those 5 years. I think that the majority of fans on here (say 95%) understand that was a smart move by the O's to not offer that kind of contract. What do you think Schmucker?

Exactly, Alex, on "outcome-determinative." Totally hilarious, pompous usage.

OK, now make it nine years, $190 million. That will succeed.

I say IF we sign him and we sign him by say Sunday morning, he should immediately be flown in and be the one who tosses the coin for the football game this weekend. That crowd would go nuts!!

Wow, to be honest I didn't think we'd go that strong for him and didn't think we'd have chance. Now, I think we'll go even stronger and I agree for all the reasons stated that he is what this franchise needs. It would be proof positive that this club is headed in the right direction and there would be no doubt that its a club that will be built around him. I'm gathering that Angelos wants Teixeira and from our (the fans) perspective that is a very good sign. I'm sure he's noticed that MacPhail has done good things and that the foundation of young players is already starting to gel. I think the serious needs are two big time hitters (Teixeira and Wieters) and starting pitching. I'm actually more hopeful now about the former than the latter.

First of all, for all of tha animosity he may harbor towards Boston, that was many years ago and under a different regime. I think Theo Epstein has already distanced himself from the old guard. That being said, Boston has a legitimate shot.

Second of all, let's not lose sleep over AJ. My bet is that after 5 years, the Yanks will feel about as good about this deal as the one they gave Carl Pavano.

The Washington Nationals claim he is their No 1 choice this off-season and have offered him $160m and 8 years. My money is on his going to Washington and I am an Oriole fan.

I'm a long term O's fan now living in Berlin, Germany. The Tex suspense continues to mount as some web sites are reporting the Evil Empire (NYY) have become a player. My guess is that they just want to make sure he doesn't go to Boston.

I hope PA and Andy think thru all the angles. Since they are seriously courting him, they risk an incredible let down if they don't reel him in. With a terrible economy looming, that let down will translate to catastrophic declines in ticket sales with no Tex. Don't even want to think about the additional bad vibes if he ends up with Boston, NYY or the Nationals.
So this is truly a case of spending a nickel to make a dollar, or spending millions to make more millions.

No other team in the Tex sweepstakes has as much to win or lose than the O's. If we truly have 7 and 150 on the table, let's hope we have the guts to play the right card at the end to get this done. In other words, (PA, please hear us) another 1-2 years and extra millions will not hurt this franchise in the long run.

One final point....I wonder if the Weiters-Tex connection could end up being a tie breaker factor in Tex's mind. Both are represented by Boras, both went to G Tech and both are power built switch hitters. A guy like Tex wants protection to put up HOF type numbers, I think he has that in Weiters and possibly others on the O's. Imagine having two switch hitting power bats in the middle of our line up for the next 8 years! And don't think that Boston and NY haven't thought about it. If we get Tex, a sleeper in the East could become a beast.

Andy, do what it takes to sing him, this is a momentum changer.

Pete:
Doesn't the MASN deal throw more spending dollars in the orioles pocket even with the economic downturn? You said you don't think the O's will sign him. Is it because you don't think the O's will be the highest bidder? I think if they get close on the money he will stay local.

When the Yankees went after CC, I understand Reggie Jackson stepped up and talked to him about the pride in playing for the Yankees. In that Cal is the hometown guy who spent his career here, where is he in this scenario? Cal wont do anything unless it benefits Cal. Last thing he wants is a hometown guy coming in and stealing his thunder. Much less a .300 hitting hometown guy. People might relaize his .270 wasn't all we've made it up to be.

Burnett for FIVE YEARS! Geez! We would be lucky if he was able to play 2+ yrs total in 5 yrs. He will not make a difference here. Too much of a gamble. Aaron Sele anyone? Tex, while the money is insane, we would at least get something for that money AND we would gain respect in the MLB world. I don't see Tex doing a Dale Murphy and dropping of in the next couple of years.

Pete, is Teixeira even worth this kind of money? Is he the anchor for the next 10 years? Is he as close to a guarenteed thing as you get in sports?

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Pete's reply: There are no guarantees, but he's pretty close to automatic when it comes to his annual run-production numbers.

Pete says:

"I'm not surprised the O's are making an effort. I will be surprised if they succeed."

I agree completely. The Orioles are not in the position to land a player like Tex as long as winning is important to a player like him. He doesn't fit the plan Andy outlined when he was hired.

Pete said: "I don't know what Peter would do, but I think Albert Pujols is the best first baseman in the game."

Again, I agree. Albert Pujols is the best 1b in the game. He is good defensively and far and away the best hitter, one of the sweetest RH swings in the game. He is eligible for FA in 2010, but had an option, then can become a FA again in 2011. Do I think he makes it to the market? Probably not, depends on what he wants and if the Cards can afford it.

Tex will end up in Boston because nearly every player either ends up in Boston or New York (or possiby LA) and until baseball gets a cap of some kind, that will continue to be the case.

Yeah, I can see clearly now. The future of the Os flows through Japan!
We're going to bolster the starting pitching by luring pitchers from a country half a world apart with not a lick of MLB experience. What was once proudly known as the Oriole way once again devolves into Oriole dismay. Yes, I think I will have another shot of that saki...