During the stretch drive tonight, for whom was David Gerrard playing?

ESPN still hasn't updated their site...too much egg on their face???

Do you think the end of this roller coaster ride could come to an end in Baltimore tomorrow or are we in a dark tunnel and about to go through another loop?

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Pete's reply: Just got this info a few minutes ago like everybody else and don't know what to think.

Hard to imagine the Yankees outbid them. I would think the Sox would do whatever it took to keep him away from NY. I am thinking the Angels. Buster and Gammons are like weathermen, their guess is as good as anyone else.

Peter- Now is the time to make the move. The O's should call Boras and have him in Baltimore 2morrow. They should say lets sit down face to face and work this out.
The fans will truly burn down the warehouse if they do not land him now that the Sox are out.
No one can gaurantee winning now, so it comes down to home and money. 8/184 gets it done. Or 7 161 with a 25 million option for the 9th season with a 4m buyout.

I want to believe so bad he's comin home, but why would Tex be in texas, out west???

Schmuk----With all your negative comments I can't see why any player would come to Baltimore. You are an @#$ for writing some of things you POST. I have stuck by the Orioles since watching Brooks Robinson retire as a 10 year old in 1977 and will always be a fan. I get sick when I read all this crap thats written. Don't just blame the Orioles if we don't get him, look in the mirror and blame some SCHMUK

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: It's spelled S-c-h-m-u-c-k. Learn it. Live it. Love it.

Peter,

I am stumped. I think if Boras ever gets tired of being a baseball agent, he should consider a career as a political operative. With the way he runs such a tight ship and knows how to use the media, he'd be a natural.

I'm so lost!!! Lol

Pete, I am feeling good about this. Teixeira is coming home!

Something else, don't be surprised if it's the Braves, all there bad luck this spring..

I personally think that Mark Teixiera bluntly told the Red Sox that he has better priorities and he prefers to stay put in Baltimore, and play for his hometown team.

Mark knows what the Red Sox is all about, but he still said, sorry, y'all, I'm staying put.

come on espn now gammons, and onley.....hope ravech was right with his soures.

COME HOME, MARK!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, did I not just say something was fishy about ESPN's reports? It never made sense for one more year and a few hundred thousand per year to be the deciding factor for Tex. You've gotta love Buster Olney and his constant use of "unnamed sources" or "sources with knowledge of the situation" or "sources who requested anonymity."

Didn't we see this same thing last year when Brian Roberts was supposed to have been traded and ESPN and the Tribune were reporting he was taking a physical the next day because some "unnamed sources" told them so? You'd think they'd learn?

Even better, remember the whole Peavy trade debacle a week ago? ESPN kept reporting they had no idea who third or fourth teams could be while The Sun was reporting all the details of the O's involvement.

ESPN: Your Wolrdwide Leader in Sports... though the only proof we have of that is from an unnamed source who can't verify it in any way...

This entire process is disgusting. I confess that I have been checking the blogs because the signing of Teixeira is about the only way I see the local team having a shot at competing within the next 3 yrs. That being said, Scott Boras is a symbol of everything that is wrong in this country right now. Greed run amok. I don't want to hear from anyone telling me he is just doing his job, blah, blah, blah... He is no better than an ambulance chaser. I truly hope Tex comes home. I want to believe that there are guys who still care about something other than making that last red (sox) cent. But there is something unseemly about Boras floating rumors and lies to milk an extra $10, $20, or $30 million out of the pockets of fans for the sake of an already rich young man who will be "wealthy" after signing this deal. Enough. Finish it. And finish him -- Boras.

This whole thing is giving me the worst gas.

Screw Tex. If he wanted to be here so bad he would have signed. The O's are being used! Spend the money on pitching. He's not an elite player deserving of the money.

Mr. Schmuck, it's nice to admit that you feel like you're being used, but don't you love the attention you get, too?

I would love to be in your position right now... minus the late hours (even though I have similar hours studying for finals). Here's why:

If Tex doesn't sign, you're right, all the fans who post comments filled with hatred will be completely disappointed, but you get to say "I told you so," but then explain why the O's technically don't "lose" anything because he never had them and that other guys could be a better "fit" lineup and position-wise, even though it may not be the case.

On the other hand, if he signs, all the Schmuck haters get to say "I told you so," to you, but they love you, anyway, because Teixeira is an Oriole, and that could lift the hate off of any O's fan towards you.

In the end, your blog gets incredible off season attention, the O's get unprecedented off season attention, and you become that much more of an iconic Baltimore Sports hero.

Finally, I whatever these people say, I admire your responsible reporting and not getting carried away with these rumors. I know Buster and Peter Gammons may feel awful, slightly embarrassed, but that's what happens, sometimes you're right, sometimes you're wrong, but if you really believe in your sources, ya gotta run with it.

Thanks for taking us along on the ride, can I get back on?

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Pete's reply: Since you're the only one who will ever call me an iconic Baltimore sports hero, you can not only get back on, you can drive the bus.

Gammons you freaking homer, looks like the Sox are not geting you a Tex for Christmas!

"Used" is putting it aptly, Peter. The whole thing is a travesty: dragging boatloads of people through an emotional quagmire so that two dudes can eke out a few more million bucks -- on top of 150 million. Hilarious, in a way.

Tex Tex Tex Tex Tex Tex Tex Tex Tex Tex Tex

I have this feeling the Birds were given the complimentary option of last offer. I hope I am correct, for obvious reasons.

A lot of folks are speculating that Henry is trying to play Boras right back... Boras is asking for more cash, claiming big offers... Henry is saying "fine... we're out."

Maybe Boras will go begging his way back...

Maybe Tex will wind up in Baltimore...

It was a second offer from the grassy knoll...

I have learned, from a well place source, what happened. MacPhail, after begging for permission to really blow Boras away with an offer, upped the Orioles' offer from 7 years 150 million to a staggering 7 years 151 million... Upon hearing that news, the Red Sox packed up and flew back to Boston.

just in baltimore went to boras with a 8 year 180 million, tex will come to baltimore tomorrow to finalize everything and he will be an oriole by saterday!!!!

Referring to your earlier post....Yes, Pete, I do believe in miracles.

If a reported 8yrs/$180mil to play for a super organization like the Sox is an offer that is "not a factor", my guess is that someone has gone to nine or ten years, something the Sox are adamant about not doing after Manny. If I had to guess I'd say the Nats are the only club desperate enough to go 10yrs/$200mil, and if a Boras client always takes the most money, I'll wager Tex ends up in DC.

The only reasons the red sox would be out of it would be either length of contract or location, the money had to be there. I hope if the O's don't get him the Angels pick him up. Definitely not the nats. The baseball buzz is gone here in DC. No one here in DC cares about Tex except the sportswriters.

My bet: the Marlins jumped in and said "If you come play with us, you can just have the dam franchise!"

My bet: the Marlins jumped in and said "If you come play with us, you can just have the dam franchise!"

Really, Pete? Do you think the Orioles have a better chance, now? Are the Yankees going to make an offer? I gave up on articles but, this is all over and I got excited all of a sudden. Make a decision, Tex!

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Pete's reply: Well, they certainly have a better chance than I thought they had five hours ago.

Boras uses Boston to get more money out of ______________?

A. Orioles
B. Nationals
C. Angels
D. Yankees
E. None of the above

WOW, what happens next? Maybe the Twins sweep in and get him.

I never say never.....

Pete's reply: It's spelled S-c-h-m-u-c-k. Learn it. Live it. Love it.

Don't do that when I'm taking a sip ever again Pete! Suds all up my nose. Thanks for the belly laugh!

.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Sorry. The next one is on me.

Do I believe in miracles? Yes!

Pete,

Wouldn't it be great if you had all the power Al Mooney "thinks" you have?

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: So you're saying I don't?

Oh my , talk about breaking news!
I have 2 questions though
1) Why is Teixeria and Boras in Texas?
2) Why did they had Henry/Epstien fly out there to meet them if Boras/Tex, knowing in Henry's words 'will not be a factor ' ?

This looks like sign that rollercoaster could be hitting skids within 48 hrs .
I really thought Red Sux had snatched Tex !
The Suspense contiunes (twilight zone theme)

SCHMUK!

So we can blame you! How convenient.

Curiouser and Curiouser. I've thought all along that the Orioles will get Texeira if that's where he wants to play. If he doesn't they won't. It's just a matter of how long Boras plays the game.

If Texeira wants to be an Oriole, Boras will get the other teams to increase their bid in order to get the O's to increase theirs.

If Texeira wants to play somewhere else or for a winner or just simply for the most money, Boras is going to play the O's hometown angle as way to get the other teams to increase their bids.

That's the way the game's played.

For all we know Texeira might have been willing to sign with the O's for their original offer, or he was never going to sign with the O's no matter how much money they offered. Only two people know - Boras and Texeira.

Anyone else's opinion is as the last week as shown, is a guess.

w is for one more month

I will believe this when it all comes down in the morning. Not sure that the Sox are telling Boratto name that tune. People have seen this before from Borat. Phantom bidders.

It all depends on what matters most. Winning [ Sox or Angels]; Family [Os or Nats]; or Money ????

Al Mooney,
What are you blaming Schmuck for? What negative comments did he make? I think he tells it the way it really is with Angelos and the front office.He doesn't have anything to do with the O's roster. Doesn't it make you more sick to see what Angelos has done to this great team?

Pete Schmuck - I want to compliment for your commenteries on this blog . Your blog is my first stop for O's news( Ravens Insider is mine for Ravens' news) . You wrote the facts , stories,opinions and humor in this blog .
I dont see any negative O's comments from you ( as the above poster claimed) . IMO , your only weakness is that you dont write any poison ( or negative ? ) against O's King Angelos . Angelos seems blind to O's 'Tin Standard' reputation among locally and nationally baseball world..

I'm starting to think this is all the Glenn Davis curse in play. We'll sit here and speculate, sign Tex and he'll hit .234 with 14 HRs because of a strained oblique that "doesn't allow full range of motion."

Wouldn't this be the perfect end?

If Texiera takes an offer from the Nationals he is a fool. That team couldn't draw fans in the good times. And can't even pay its 3 million a year rent.

With the economy about to go totally down the tubes, the Nationals are a heartbeat away from bankruptcy.

If Teixera comes here, the Orioles payroll is going to explode. They would almost have to sign Roberts(Otherwise, I dont think Tex would give the O's a second thought) and Markakis is gonna want his, and sooner rather than later. They still have to sign a pitcher or two to bridge the gap until the big three get here. Signing Teixera gives the O's instant credibility and some of the FA pitchers still out there will be more receptive to coming here. All that being said, I cannot hide my excitement at the prospect of Teixera coming here. Dont we all just love spending Dirty Pete's money(And I dont mean Scmucks nickels and dimes!)

Peter- The Fans need some help here.
I mean, is the Front Office even aware of what we are going through?
I seem to remember you or Zreibec reporting a year or two ago the Peter said he knows it will take 110 to 120 million a year in payroll to be competitive. We have some good pitching in the Farm system. 3 of the top 50 mlb prospects and 7 of the top 100 baseball americas.
Our payroll according to Orioles.com will be like 21 million after 2009. Add 10 for Nick and we sit at 30. Brob, Jones, some vet pitching, etc and there should be plenty of money to sign Tex.
NY has 4 players over 20 a year. 9 over 10 a year.
Our highest paid player is Huff at 8.
SPEND SOME MONEY FOR US!!!!
Good God.

i'm getting nauseous!

I haven't seen anything as whacky as the courtship of Mark Teixeira since Jerry Maguire lost Frank Cushman, the night before the draft. This is absolutely nuts!!!!

Pete, do you think this saga will end before the Holidays or do you expect some more twists and turns? I thought the Jays would be a player in the Teixeira sweepstakes before their owner passed away, so unless the Yanks come into the picture, it looks like a three team race, but nothing has been simple in this whole process.

Pete,

It's nice to be able to write in and not berate you for comments about how you didn't give the O's much of a chance to land Teixeira. Although you may still think that way, at least now it looks like the glimmer of hope's grown a little brighter (or at least appears so), what with MacPhail saying there was some "flexibility" to the team's bid and the startling news of Boston apparently bowing out of the competition for Tex.

It's been the tendency of observers to focus on reasons why Mark would find other teams more attractive than the O's, but never focus on reasons he might not want to go to them. Here are a few:

Boston--A great team, but a great team that has some key players who are aging or ailing, including Wakefield, Drew, and Lowell. Their shortstop, Lugo, is not as good as, say, Izturis. It's still up in the air whether Varitek will come back for another year, and if he does, he's not the player he used to be (though still a clubhouse figure of note, and if he doesn't return, there's no Wieters waiting in the wings for the Sox. Also, they're in need of someone to replace Crisp in center. Finally, what about Ortiz? His production dropped after Manny was dealt, and it remains to be seen how Big Papi will do in his full year without his security blanket batting behind him in the lineup. (Yes, Boston still has a formidable offense, but, sorry Red Sox Nation, Bay is no Ramirez--guess you didn't need anyone to remind you, eh? LOL)

Los Angeles--Not a great team, but one that's more than good enough to win or contend in the AL West for the immediate future, despite losing K-Rod. Tex would go a winner now, but one that's 3,000 miles from home. So with a decent proposal, the O's have a chance, especially if Mark prefers the intense competition of the AL East to running away from the pack in the West and understands that the O's aren't too far away from contending.

New York Yankees--Questions all over the diamond. Rivera and Posada are graying, as are Jeter and Petitte. How well can they still perform? How well will Matusi be able to rebound from injury and will he adjust to the DH role? Some considerable offense has been taken off the team, as Abreu and Giambi became free agents. Where will the team make up that run production? Can Canu get his career back on track? Will the oft-injured Burnett be next year's Pavano? (Probably not, but with his track record, another stint on the DL can't entirely be ruled out.)

Washington--Much further from contending than the Orioles. Tex will choose Baltimore in a heartbeat of the Nats, unless the offer him an insane contract, especially since he grew up cheering the O's.

Mystery team (Atlanta)-- In terms of good vibes and affection, this is probably the club he'd pick second after the O's, as he went to school at Georgia Tech, enjoyed playing on the Braves. Not likely, however, that Atlanta has the kind of money needed to swing the deal.

Which leaves the Orioles! We hope!

Tex Message: If you decide to come here bring your A game, bring your heart, focus on the Oriole Way, and make the next 8 years something we all talk about for the next 40 years. That's all we ask.

Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing-the result.
- Vince Lombardi

See Ya in the spring.

Pete,

I can't understand the animosity thrown your way! You do a great job. No sugar-coating, no over-the-top prognostications, no "I know the chick who took Tex's virginity and she says..."

You just told us the Red Sox are out of the running. I mean, that is the second best thing an Oriole fan could possibly hear at this point. Do the Yankees have any money to throw around after the two massive contracts tehy just signed? Roberts, Jones, Markakis, Huff, Tex, Scott, and Mora would scare any rotation in MLB.

Any updates on Redding/Looper/Japanese phenoms?

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Pete's reply: They are in play for all three, but I don't know where the negotiations are today.

Ya think that for once the O's might be the user instead of the usee if Tex reallllly wants to play in Bmore? I also think a certain rightfielder is watching this foolishness with a vested interest, right?

Cashman tells the NY Post "It's not us". They think the Angels are the team that blew Bos out of the water. It's Vlad all over again

Let's figure this out, if Boston is out and they don't "factor" into the race then does that mean that location or loyalty is a factor? I could tell you this, if I had Tiexiera's talent to play baseball and I was a die-hard Orioles fan growing up, and I decided to go to college for a couple of years just to get a second chance of being drafted by them, I have to think Baltimore is the factor and not the money. Every team in the bidding could keep raising the stakes, money must not be the issue. Seeing as how Boston is the best chance of a World Series ring, that is not the factor either. Either he really enjoyed his 3 months in LA or he wants to live his childhood dream. In which case I will be going to games this year after all.

MacPhail needs to sigh this kid in the next 24 hrs........GET IT DONE NOWWWW!!!!

I wonder if there is any way of erasing some of the terrible comments made during the last 12 hours or so - and erase the talk shows - so that Mark wouldn't read or hear how fickle some Oriole fans are... some say passionate - but I say fickle... I will always be a fan - win, lose or draw. I would rather win, but I will root for them come what may.

Mark Teixeira, there are loyal Oriole fans who would love to have you come to Baltimore to help lead us back to winners. You would be a great local product. I would hope in time, held in high esteem like Cal Ripken. But whether you come to Baltimore or not, I will root for you as a local product, but more importantly, I will continue to root for the Orioles. They are my home team and I support them.

Come home and help us win again - The Orioles' Way!

All of the teams should drop out of the running and put an end to this nonsense of players becoming filthy rich when they should really be getting a reality check! Is it just me or doesn't everyone think this is absolutley ridiculous?

At 25 to 1, please put $2 to win on the Os.

Pete.Maybe John Henry did the proper thing, by going public, Boras can no longer use the Red Sox in trying to leverage more from others.

DG

I posted several days ago that the O's should offer 8 yrs/$180M with a opt out that lets him get $40M for the first two years, then leave if he doesn't like the team direction. Also, BlackNOrange, might be on to something, maybe Boston said, "Tell us what we have to offer to get you to sign this minute," and Boras told them they would give the O's (or maybe another or more than one team) the right to match, and maybe Henry won't allow himself to ante up just for "right to match," and he took his baseball and went home.

Well, Pete! For another day it's fun to be a writer in Baltimore! I still can't believe you chose to stick it out here, but I'm glad ya did. One day I'll buy you that beer I promised you two or three years ago. Without throwing any names out there, ESPN personnel with former ties to the Orioles always appear to be wishing us more misery. As the poster above stated.."too much egg on their face?" Nice to see them humbled.

Being an Oriole lifer of 48 years I'm afraid that the only thing going is the new road uni's with Baltimore on them, thought they had to screw it up a bit with that stupid maryland circle patch.
We're also stuck with the ugliest caps in mlb that bird has got to go. Stopped buying anything with that stupid bird logo long ago. Bring back the cartoon bird! Hey TEX stop the GREED and come back to Charm city and help us win some games 15-14!

Andy....please take a flight to Texas (Tex has a home there from his days playing for the Rangers) and give him 8 years for 175 and bring him home. The Boston offer was not 184 as reported by the ESPN non it alls, it was more like 160....see MLB.com

Tex will pay for himself in many ways:

*Adds 500,000 in attendance.
*Brings in addl' advertising revenue for TV and radio.
*Will give Weiters an extra incentive to stay in B'more long term.
*Will help bring FA pitchers here, they will know the O's are legit and can score runs.
*He will give us our 4th switch hitter, nightmares for pitching match ups.
*Most importantly, revives baseball in Baltimore again.

Andy and Peter, you got it right putting Baltimore on the front, now let's get Teixeira on the back.

Don't get too excited. This happened with Dice K and the red sox only to have him signed a day later. This was after Boras got caught in a bluff of over 15 million dollars and an extra year. I like the way Andy is handling this. Taking it slow and sounds like he had asked Tex for a final shot so who knows but I hope it ends soon.

this just strikes me as a whole lot of hype on a player who has good, maybe very good, numbers for the last few years, but not great numbers. maybe great numbers will come, maybe not. but paying "great" money for "good" numbers just never made sense to me.

Forget about Tex. In another year we will have Brandon Snyder nudging into the lineup with a .257 BA, 7 homers and 63 RBI. It's baseball's fault, and partly Angelos' for when he decided it was best to forego his partnership with owners years ago and refuse to field a replacement team. In the next bargaining session owners should be ready to go a season or two with replacement and non-conforming union players. The union would threaten to form a new league, but that's likely all it would be--a threat. The pay scale and kowtowing to superstars is ridiculous. Somebody needs to invent a new summer game.

Pete, what other moves do you think the O's will make if they were to sign Tex?

Pete, I don't know about 'Tex earning all that money , but over the last few days you've certainly earned yours , right up there with Kevin Eck . (that's an inside joke ! )

It seems that ESPN's people are about as accurate as those that try to predict the weather. I wonder what their weather...opps, I mean Teixeira prediction is going to be today.

Wow, this is like a soap opera. Boras may be a jerk, but he gets his clients the best contract. But this is the time for the O's to step up (if they haven't). This is a move that could revive the franchise and the fanbase. You dont get a chance very often for these kind of moments and you have to seize them.

MSJ MSJ MSJ go TEX!

Now, now, Pete, the line is:

"Learn it. Know it. Live it."

Phoebe Cates wasn't the only memorable thing in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High."

I hope the resaon Teixiera spurned the Red Sox offer was, because of his desire to play for his hometown team I hope he decided that a couple of million more per year was not enough to offset the hidden asset of being a hometown hero in terms of advertising, endorsements, speaking engagements and appearance fees. This could actually add up to quite a nice financial package and retirement plan. You also have to hope that he is not being completely mercenary about the whole thing, and really does appreciate the chance to play for his hometown team. A team and a town that is so widely disrespected in the national media for whatever reason. All of that being said, I hope the Orioles won't pay 23 -25 million/ year for this guy, and won't go past eight years. Frankly he is not worth it. If they are willing to put this kind of money out there. Then use it to land a couple of decent pitchers, hold on to Markakis, Roberts, Jones, Wieters (remember Wieters is also represented by Borea#$) and their young talent that is just developing. There will of course be other good hitting players that will be available in the coming years that can either play first base, or third that they can sign for less than what is being asked for Teixiera. This is provided the market doesn't get set at a ridiculously high level as a result of the bidding for Teixiera. Borea#$ has succeeded in whipping the sports media into a frenzy over this thing. It is time to regain some sanity and realize that Teixiera is a good player, but A. Rod he ain't.

Wayne

This is GREAT, told ya to believe in miracles Petey! :-) Don't sweat that guy that said you're negative and mispelled your name. You were just writing what was reported. You rock Pete.

What are the O's doing? Remember when the stand were full, tickets were scarce, and the O's competed? Tex can be a huge building block back to those days...or the last nail in the coffin of mediocrity if we don't get him.

For crying out loud, act like you really truly want the guy!!!

I just hope that McPhail doesn't blow this deal . Boras is just waiting for an improved offer from the Orioles so that he can have Texeira' s signature for us . Right now I'd say that he has no intrest in any of the teams except the Orioles and Nats and we can't let the Nats have him .

I don't think the Os should get crazy paying for one player. You have to have some sensibilities. Refresh my memory, why don't we sign Huff to a long term deal? Doesn't he play first base, have similiar stats, but at 1/10 the price? I would rather sign Nick, Brian, and Adam J. to long term deals to lock them up right now. Boras, as usual, is making this a fiasco. Offer 8 years at 21or 22 m, with a no trade and an opt out clause after 5 years per and let the chips fall where they may.

Or this could just be a bluff by Boras to get more money from Boston............and Boston called their bluff. Nobody is out of this until he officially signs. Sure is fun to watch though.

The people screaming for Teixeira remind me of stupid children looking through the glass window of a toy store. Anybody with half a brain knows that a payroll busting contract brokered by Scott Bor-ass will doom the Orioles to 11 more years of being the ALE doormat. Pitching and defense first you morons. Can anybody say Albert Bell?

Pete,

Do not feel bad, we are all being used!

Pete, I don't understand why you say you're "feeling used"? With the Red Sox becoming a non-factor, doesn't this increase the odds of the O's signing him by quite a bit? This is GREAT news!!!.............And for all you folks saying you're done with the O's if they don't "get" Tex, have you considered that he might just not want to play here and that there's NOTHING the O's could do to sign him? It's Texeira's decision, NOT the Orioles!! They've made a big enough offer that, if he wants to play in his home town, he will. They should bump it up once, though!

Here's my take on the situation: Teixeira told Boras from the beginning he wanted to go to the Orioles and then handed the problem of getting the most $ out of them to Boras. Boras is "the unnamed source" in all of these cases, as each time it has been to drive up the price. Andy M is a PRO and will get our M-T 1B position filled for the holidays.

ml

For an ex-Baltimore sportswriter Olney is sure an a**. I am not surprised by Gammons and ESPN because we all know that they are die hard SUX fans and part of the so called Red Sux Nation. By the way what are the qualifications for being a member of that nation...arogant, whiny and its always somebody else's fault? This would be the best time for the O's to make another offer which accordning to Macphail is no tout of the question. I could see that happening but until then the O's initial offer to Tex looks a lot like the French offering appeasement to Germany. Make us believe there is a true offer and we are taking a legitimate shot at Tex. We all know how good that worked out for the French and unless there is a better offer you will have a lot of unhappy people around town saying we should, and could, have done more.

I don't believe what Henry says. I think it may be another negotiation tactic. People lie so much in the name of "negotiating" you can't believe a word out of anyone's mouth any more.

That being said, if there is any truth to what I have been reading the Os lack of activity in these negotiations, then I will not be very happy with their performance. Guess it won't be the first time they have been disappointing. Come on McPhail, make me eat my words.

i think im going to start pulling my hair out!

Can you imagine the feeling around here on Opening Day if Texiera is announced as the starting firstbasemen for the................New York Yankees! I think we'd all be ready to jump off the Key Bridge if that happens. Yuck!

I remember Al Mooney at Thanks Brooks Day in '77. He was bored by the whole affair and said that DeCinces would be better than Brooksie.

Please - I beg of you PA and AMcP,
take this money and buy:
PITCHING, PITCHING, PITCHING
and one of Burrell or Dunn to play BAT.
They will get 80% of Tex's #'s, and cost far, far less.
We don't need hometown heroes.
We need a team that can win.

Re: Boston Red Sox owner John Henry announcing that the Red Sox are taking themselves out of the bidding war. Sounds like really good news, if you believe it. I have believed all along that Boston would get him, so I'm a little skeptical about it right now, but at least it gives us hope. I have a feeling that they have the best offer on the table and they are trying to call Boras' bluff.

Here are the facts that have been stated so far, in chronological order, and what I think of each of them:

Angels have taken themselves out of the running and are now focusing on Manny Ramirez (I believed it at the time but now I have a feeling Moreno is ready to get involved again with Boston supposedly out of the mix).

Baltimore has made their offer, believed to be around 7 years and between $140 and $150 million (I believe that is all they have offered so far, but I don't necessarily think that they won't make a last stab at him, as McPhail has openly stated the deal has 'flexibility')

Washington has been maybe the most aggressive and is looking to throw the most years and dollars at him (This may or may not be true, but seeing how he has very little ties to the Washington organization and they are significantly worse than Baltimore in my opinion, I am not very worried about this at the moment).

The Yankees have not made any offer and only would get involved to drive up the price (I believe this rumor the most. I can't see how they can afford to through a ton of dollars at him. All of a sudden the Yankees being able to buy everyone in the market isn't so true after all, as I've argued all along).

Boston has taken themselves out of the running and claims they will not be a factor (I don't believe this for a second. I still think he is going to Boston. The only thing I think this means is Theo has made his final offer).

So while I don't believe that Boston 'will not be a factor,' here is my take on the situation. I think Boston has made their final offer, probably a very solid 8 year deal, worth somewhere between $175 and $185 million. I still tend to believe the Angels are not looking to get involved in a bidding war as they have spent a LOT of time on trying to work with this and the market for Manny is looking pretty weak right now. I really can not see him going to Washington unless they offer a ludicrous contract, similar to what Texas offered A-Rod. However, if they don't do this, I think this is the one team that we can offer less to and still get him over.

This means that I think that there is a tangible price that McPhail has to beat to get this deal done. The way I see it this puts the ball in our court. I think the 2 playoff contenders have taken themselves out of the bidding process (with the Yankees never really being involved), and I really can not see Peter Angelos letting him get to our geographic rival, Washington. If we can make an offer similar to what you've suggested, Peter...i.e. he gets 8 years, $192 mil or maybe even a little less than that, I think he is attainable. I think McPhail has done a great job so far of being patient and not jumping the gun, but if he in fact is going after Texeira (and not just trying to appease the fan base by pretending to go after him) then I think he has to make his move this weekend and get the deal done. I'm not optimistic, but I am happy with the way things look to be unfolding, and I think we are in much better position now than we were 3 days ago.

Pete:

I'm suspicious - Sox bowing out looks to me like a smokescreen to prevent Yanks from swooping in and driving the bid up.

Just one SP boy hoping another SP boy comes home to make good!

Great, I almost wish this new wasn't out there just yet...now I'm going to be checking every sports site every 30min at work all day to see if there's an update. No sense in fighting it, it's a lost cause.

Hey Al Looney - It's ALL the O's fault if they don't sign Teix. They need to pay him what he wants. He's more valuable to the O's than any other franchise.

This doesn't mean the Red Sox have pulled their offer. It's a negotiating ploy to say they are not going to outbid anyone. Still doesn't mean Tex won't sign with the Sox. I hope not but don't read too much into this.

Pete - On a side note...think the O's will go after Brad Ausmus? Seems to make perfect sense to me.

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Haven't heard that.

Enough. Just enough. This got ridiculous a long time ago, now it's just annoying. Sign wherever Mark but just freaking sign.

Nail on head...

"The O's are being used! Spend the money on pitching. He's not an elite player deserving of the money."

Nail on head...

"The O's are being used! Spend the money on pitching. He's not an elite player deserving of the money."

Boras is playing the media types like a finely tuned violin. Enjoy the ride.

It is time to step up and do what is right by the fans and the team. Sign Tex and Markakis. If they do this then other players will want to play here again like they did after the players strike..............Let's hope that all Baltimore Baseball fans can get a Christmas present...

I think what you are seeing here in the of the Red Sox & Tex is a little payback. Tex cannot STAND that organization & just had a little fun with 'em...he will end up in LA...why not, who could stay away from the earthquakes, mudslides, botox...

Moving on to other subjects, Pete, do you see any of the O's pitching prospects making the big club this year?

Okay, message to MacPhail: we've got to get this thing done now.

Basically, we have two roads:

1) Sign Tex, sign B-Rob to an extension, trade Huff, wait for our pitching prospects to reach the majors.

-or-

2) Don't sign tex. Trade B-Rob, Huff, maybe Sherrill, get more prospects. Build even further from the ground up.

Option 1 is obviously the faster route, but requires more money.

Option 2 takes several more years, might work out better, might work out worse.

I prefer option 1.

notice also that Huff gets traded THIS OFFSEASON in both proposals. He had a very productive 2008. What are the odds that he'll do it again? Slim. Trade him now, eat some of his salary, and get more prospects for him while we still can (he's gone next year anyway). Given what he's said about Baltimore I don't think either side will be too disappointed to see him go.

don't count out the red sox. they just said they weren't going to get in a bidding war. talk is cheap.

I think there is a fair chance that this means Tex is either coming home, or going to the Angels. Boston would never bow out on the Yankees. I don't think Tex would play in Washington unless they pony up 200 mil.

O's and Angels.

Is it reasonable to say that this is the Birds' only chance to bring in a cornerstone over the next few years? The free agent options coming up look really bleak.

Who cares? Texiera couldn't hold Frank Robinson's jock, and the Orioles will still finish 5th the next two years as they rebuild. Spend the money on some veteren pitching until the kids are ready. If they sign Texiera he will want out after a couple of years of losing. I'll still attend 10 games a year with or without Texiera.

this is most likely a negotiating tactic by the Sox to tell Tex that he has seen their best offer, and that he should sign now if he wants to play there.

rember what i said sunday, when your parents are gone it is over don t miss out on this expierence for them and yourself....i bet your first pro hat was a bid hat as well as you first t shirt.. call him boog, call him eddie, call him diamond jim, bring him hom..his new uncle ed what a x mas for the birds.

Hey Al, Brooks retired when he was 10 years old?

Most surprising is Boras letting the Red Sox walk away from the table. Bad negotiating. Something must have gone very poorly down in Texas. I don't see how letting the Red Sox walk away was part of any good Agent strategy. Bad day for Scott.

Good day for O's.

Pitching, pitching, starting pitchers. We all know thats what really wins championships! We are really far off on this one to spend that kind of money for a player of that caliber. He is good, but he can't pitch. He would have to hit like 100 homers a year to make up the differerance. I as a fan do not like being used as a bargining chip either for another arogant agent!

Of course you feel used Peter, we're all being used. I almost wonder, really, if Tex said, Boras, get me back in Baltimore but at top dollar. Why would he go to Boston, especially after his experience with them out of high school and the perception they knocked him down in the draft and as an O's fan? The yanks, no freaking way he goes there, not a Mt. St Joe guy. The Nats??? He grew up a Baltimore, not DC fan and grew up in Bmore, not DC.

Anyway, I am concerned about the Angels. Money and winners and far enough away from this coast that it won't matter as much to him. IMHO.

I like Tex's talent and was dissapointed when he was drafted by the Rangers in 2001 just before the O's had a crack. Tex could be an icon in O's world just like Cal if we find out after all this is done, he is an Oriole and was always going to be an Oriole despite Boras's personal agenda.

Tex, we will hate you if you chose more money over being an Oriole because you will be symbolic of everything that is wrong with American greed and your unfortunate agent Boras who represents you. You come to Baltimore and you will see genuine love like no other player experiences in any other town. You know what I'm talking about since you grew up watching Cal. If you turn that down for a few extra million, then your soul is obviously more wronged than simply hungry for more money.

If the Nats sign Teixeira and the O's don't then there is no hope for the O's with Angelos. Perhaps, no hope for Mark either as he would not be very smart.. He would get many endorsements in Baltimore and be a home town hero like Cal Ripken throught his career and afterward.. Total Greed will come back to haunt one.
Angelos could always find a way to move Mark out if it was necessary. Look what the Rangers did with ARod. Also, the value of Angelos franchise would increase immensely. Maybe, he is not very smart either.

give him the 10years 200 million....isnt it less money per year than what the orioles already offered him?

who can say HEY BOBBY?

Are the Orioles really bidding for Tex. I live in Florida but i"m an advid O's fan. I just heard on ESPN Boston is out of the running and that leaves Washingtton and California. They don't even mention Baltimore as a serious contender to land Tex. What's goning on . Are we as fans just being bamboozold?

if the Red Sox are not in it any longer, and they're offer was by far, better than the O's offer, you'd have to be a moron to think he'd sign here. Look, he may be a Baltimore native but he also has an ego. He wants to get the largest contract he can so he has bragging rights. With that said, it may hurt him a little to show up here in his hometown next year in pinstripes or red sox and get booed profusely, so, it does seem like he is in a catch 22

Sooo, when did Garrard sign a baseball contract? I must have missed that one.

Looks like Peter's aneurysm took away all his intelligence. All the analysts are idiots and don't know shit.

I've come to the conclusion that Espn has really blown it on many of these so-called stories of theirs with all of the 'un-named' sources being cited and what not.

I'm a lifelong O's fan myself and would love for Tex to come to Baltimore but if it didn't happen, I would honestly be semi-satisfied with the fact that MacPhail did try to put a respectable offer on the table for the guy.

Think about it, when is the last time we were able to get free-agents to take us really serious other than the Tejada signing which didn't pan out for us at all. Schmuck, back me up on this here.

If we do manage to sign Tex, I'm willing to bet we'd also be able to land a decent SP or two as well afterwards.

I believe Andy Mcphail is a very smart GM and knows what he is doing. Nothing is to be taken from his public remarks other than what it simply states. Even if O's have best deal, Boras and Tex are the only ones in control here and Andy still must assume not and leave it open for Tex to return for a deal. Very smart. Though I have heard from a source that the O's have secured a deal for Tex and we will find out soon. I will not believe it until I see it publicly because you never know if Boston jumped back in when they had second thoughts after they backed out. Whatever Andy does I think we should support him and the O's. We all must understand that as good as Andy is, there is no one that can control the Boras factor and greed.

I think Tex is a must for Baltimore. He is a good guy, from the area, a boyhood O's fan just like Cal. he is worth a lot for all of thos reasons because he will bring that back to Baltimore and pay for itself. The Nationals are now here and things are different in the region. The O's must secure this deal to make stride with the change or O's fans will lose all grip of the old O's way now that we are pushing over a decade away from winning. The O's future depends on winning in next 3-5 years to reach out to young fan base that will be O's future support. Tex should do the right thing and enjoy playing for his childhood team and this wonderful area of the country. Tex needs to get far away from the Chowdahead libs of Boston and far from the California S-Stabbers. Coming home to Baltimore is a great place to raise his kids and I hope that is top on his list because all kids should be tops on parents' list. Arbitration and revalue can alwasy occur later if O's win and he shouldn't let a few million get in way of becoming the hometown hero for his childhood team.

I have read a lot of "Is Tex worth it" statements all over the net. The question is...is any player worth it. Of course not,BUT, Tex is worth more to the O's than any other team in MLB. $$ ROI..does a player return more $ than he gets paid. Hard to measure in a non-pitcher. BUT, fan base IS shrinking in Baltimore and you gotta believe having Tex in the lineup will bring in more fans and other revenue. Wins..Sure, Angels and Sox are BETTER with him, but HOW MUCH BETTER? Two or 3 more wins a yr? Having him in the lineup would make all the young O's better hitters and he will be a + in the field too. One last way he pays back on his investment. Our OWN talent, Free Agents and Drafted players will take the Birds mor seriously and be more likely to sign HERE if we have an anchor in the lineup.Yes, We still need pitching, but most of our young talent IS pitching. With a gold glove quality SS AND 1st baseman in the lineup our pitchers become a little bit better.

I don't understand why people say things like, "Take this money and buy pitching."

The Oriole payroll is what for 2009? $50 million? So signing Teixeira will make it $70 million. That can't be the limit, can it?

So, pitching AND hitting can be both done. Last I checked, both are needed. Last I checked, the Orioles are severely lacking in both departments.

first he's not going to the angels. tex has 2 kids 1 and 2 yr old his mother is a cancer survivor and his father had a benign tumor. so he's going to stay on the east coast. if he came to the orioles he might help us win 5-10 games next yr. and we'll still finish 4th or 5th with another losing record. other top flight players aren't coming to balt because tex would come. they go for the most part where the money is and usually where they have a chance to win. unless albers, payton, penn and/or a couple of the bowie pitchers make the rotation and pitch really exceptional the orioles will be in 4th or last place again this coming yr. had the orioles had a decent starting rotation settled for this yr it would make a great deal more sense for tex to sign with the o's. common sense says he'll sign with the red sox unless the orioles match or exceed the highest bid which is probably going to be 8 yrs for around 180 million or 9 yrs at 200 million or so.