ESPN is just saying that Boston is still in because they want to believe that they can't be wrong.

Why are you guys relaying ESPN's information. All we have to do is go to ESPN for that info. This info is useless Pete, go have a beer and come back when you get something original.

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Pete's reply: Thanks for letting me off the hook, but I still have to answer your posts. This is a blog, you know, which means there often are reefers to other sites.

There may be a lot of conflicting information, but it seems to me that the bottom line for Tex hasn't changed at all from what everyone expected a month or so ago.

His choices seem to be a)the Red Sox, which give him the best chance to win now, b)the Nationals, a 100 loss team that is offering the most money, c)the Angels, his current team which just happens to have a geographic strike against it if he truly wants to stay on the East Coast, and d)the Orioles, probably the team he would most like to play for but which is neither a winner like the Sox or offering the most $$$ like the Nats.

What do you do? Take the $$$ and play for the Nats? I'd guess the Nats are his last choice of the four teams he could play for. So Boras is doing his best with the media to try to get the other teams to raise their offer to the Nats level so it doesn't appear that Tex isn't taking the "best offer" out there. If the O's and Sox stay put, i.e. "call Boras's bluff", Tex will have to make a choice between the right situation and the best contract. Boras will want the green, Tex will want the situation.

I don't see this getting settled by Xmas barring an increased offer by the O's or Sox. Just my two cents.

It's also not healthy to drink in excess, but it sure is fun. I think Tex is coming to Baltimore. He can crush my spirits later.

Yeah, Peter you are the big guy here in Baltimore right? Don't you have ANY sources to tell us anything??

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Pete's reply: We do, but they claim that nothing has change on this end. I don't necessarily believe them, but I haven't been able to break through on this. Seems that most of the action is outside of town.

The Nationals make no sense for Mark T. The team is essentially a AAA team with a few Major League folks mixed in.

The history of the team, since moving to D. C. is to unload bonified Major League players and plug scrubs in their place--like LaVon Hernandez, Alfonso Sorriano, who gave the team credibility.

Also unloaded was Major League manager Frank Robinson, who may have outlasted his own era, so to speak, but replacing him with Manny Acta? Come on.

Anyway, I doubt Texiera will mix up, or last very long, in an organization seemed bent on perpetual thrift rather than building a winning team.

Kind of like the Orioles. Hmm.

I think they should tell Boras the same thing, it is just wrong how that man operates. He should work with the WWF, or whatever the name of the top wrestling federation is this week. He can pull a rouge on the best of them.

Sportscenter, 8yrs and 195 million for Tex. I've been in favor of 8 yrs and 175 million but come on this is nuts. RATHER HAVE, 2yr Redding,3yr Perez, 3yr Garland, and 1 yr Pavono.

the morale of this story is: don't believe anything anybody (Boras, team execs, reporters, bloggers, columnists) says about the negotiations because they either don't know or are bluffing to gain a competitive advantage. Nobody outside of the process knows what is going on, and those on the inside are playing it close, as they must.

Pete,

My 2 cents worth! If Tex wanted to play here in Baltimore, he would have gotten this done. I just don't see him doing that! I've said all along that I felt he would end up back with the Angels. That said, I'm not really discounting Boston either. I actually admire the way Henry handled last night's meeting. Kind of looks like he told Boras if the offer you're telling me is on the table and legit, thanks for meeting with us, that's not what I envision us doing!!! Boras may not be sweating either. This drama is going to continue to play out.

See folks, this is the Tex we all knew and loathed down here in Texas. He'll play the O's too! Shame!!! You've got grown-ups pleading for little Markie to come home. Makes me sick.

Andy please tell Boras we are moving on, and sign some pitchers.

Pete, could you see Andy focusing on Ben Sheets is he pulls the O's out?

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Pete's reply: I don't think so. The O's don't like signing injured pitchers to big contracts.

because of his kids and his parents health tex will stay on the east coast. the orioles have to match or have the best offer to get him. it's between the red sox who are the favorites, the nats, the yanks and the orioles. 8 yrs at $185 or 9 at $205. this will be over by monday or tuesday.

I think you are correct here Pete, no sense in getting all worked up in this circus of a signing. There is an outstanding Ravens game to view Saturday night, and the Midshipmen of Navy get some bowl action in as well at RFK in Washington. The Capitals have a revenge game at Philly on Saturday as well. Plenty of things to distract you from the Tex-Boras Let's Mess with America Show. If none of those other diversions works for you, I am certain some store owners would love to see disgruntled fans with some money to spend say hello. One could always resort to the glorious pastime of adult beverages!
BTW, side note for you Pete, the Bum Steer in Tucson was recently re-opened. I will have to put it on the 'to do list' for the Holidays!

This whole thing is unbelievable. My hat is off to you, Pete, for keeping up with all of this. If Tex is reading this (probably not) he will know how important he is to O's fans. It sure would be nice to have him land here, but there is still a rebuilding process that we need to take into account. Let's not lose sight of that.

I will continue to hope against hope. It sure would be nice to lock up an anchor for the lineup, who will still be productive when Jones and Wieters are reaching their prime.

I have noticed that ESPN is not even mentioning that the O's are still players in this game. They said this morning it was down to the Nat's and the Angels. The skip over the O's even though McPhail said we had flexibility on the offer. I hope in the end their Sox loving bias makes them look like total fools.
Doesn't make a lot of sense to me that Tex would go to the Nats. The O's have a much more solid foundation of young guys about to break out or come up in the not so distant future. The Nats have Ryan Zimmerman and 24 guys named Harry. The Angels are out west and have started looking at contingency plans because they know how much of a priority playing in the east is to Tex. Just seems logical to at least put the O's on equal footing with those 2 if the Sox are indeed out.
He has said it would be his dream to play for the O's and since the other 2 present problems
A. a longer period of not winning (Washington)
B. Playing 3000 miles from home (L.A.).
I may be an optimist but I think Peter Angelos wants to turn this team around. He has to know how badly he looks to the public if he loses this guy and maybe he has the best offer on the table and nobody even knows it.
It makes sense to sign this guy for the birds. What would the Sox get revenue wise out of Tex, Fenway is always sold out. Would seem to me to be $200mill spent for no reason up there. The Angels are in a similar boat they already have a good team without Tex and will probably coast to another Western division title ( although the A's are making some moves to try and close the gap). The Nats with Tex will still not generate a lot of fanfare because they have no legacy, there is no passion for baseball in Washington. Baltimore on the other hand, wolud come out and make the day he signs a city holiday and opening day they would have to pause after his introduction for several minutes of a standing ovation because of the sheer excitment of bringing back a proven winner to his hometown. He would be viewed at first on a level just below Cal with the opprtunity to be looked at the same way as Cal if he could help bring the glory days back to Charm City. The yard would be packed, think of all the people who would be online ordering their new O's Jersey with Baltimore on the front and the hometown hero on the back. I keep hearing the money may be too much but in 8 years $23 mill/per is probably going to be a bargain and will look like money well spent when we consider the pennants hanging out in centerfield and all the people who walked through the turnstiles. It's just like buying a house, 20 years ago you could buy a home for $500/month. That was a lot 20 years ago but what are people paying for that same house if they buy it today.
To summerize I think that ESPN ought to stick to reporting what they know and not what they want to see happen. Peter Gammons, we all now you wear Red Sox underwear and a bloody sock so if you don't know what your talking about, then shut up and let an unbiased SCHMUCK show what reporting is all about.

I would have thought that only Hank Steinbrenner would be dumb enough to throw away that many millions on just one player. People are having a hard time making ends meet and we are treating these grossly over paid prima donnas like they are gods.

This is all way too much drama for me!!!

Teixeira might be too much of a "diva" for the Orioles clubhouse. This guy is essentially on the verge of realizing a contract that will net him God knows how much money and he has to play these little BS games to extract even more money. Give me a break!!!

Just make a decision and go with it. If he wants to play for a contender, then choose a team that is a contender. Why split hairs with the contract price when it is already in the stratosphere of contracts? If he wants to be close to home, then choose that team.

In today's world, it is all a bunch of BS. I think this whole process is exposing Tex as a greedy, money-hungry individual whose ambition to play baseball comes second to the grabbing dump trucks that are filled with the devalued piece of paper called the "dollar bill".

Personally, I hope all the teams tell Tex where to go. I commend Boston for taking their stance. If all the teams pointed out that they have a fiscal responsibility not only to their fans but to the rest of humanity that doesn't make 20+ million a year, then maybe Tex would realize that playing the game of baseball should come before playing little BS games through the EGO called Boras!!!

Pete,
I read your article at:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-schmuck1219,0,3831045.column

Very eloquently stated, this is exactly how I feel… I wish PA/AM would read your columns/blogs, maybe they would have some insight into how deep this really goes and what a turning point (good/bad) this decision is going to be.

Hey Pete , in your earlier response to "x-fan" , you brought up "reefer" . Did I miss somethun' ???

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Pete's reply: Now, don't get excited. When I used the term "reefer" I mean something that makes reference to something else, not something that smells funny.

Pete, just read your article in the Sun. Great job, I hope it gets the attention it deserves.

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Pete's reply: Thanks.

Pete, just read your commentary on the FO, Teixeira and the fans. I think you did a great job summing up how we feel and the situation. You get it. You get exactly how we feel and that hadn't been articulated in the press until your article. Thanks for that.
Also, it's the first commentary I can think of since AM arrived, that doesn't just assume he's doing a good job and the turn around is going to take forever. It's the first one to put some pressure on him.

If the O's can't land Tex, what do you think about Adam Dunn? I'm surprised at the lack of overall interest in Adam Dunn. He's a consistent 40hr/100rbi guy every year. Obviously, you're not going to get a high average with him but he does have a career OPS of .900. That's just 19 points lower than Mark Teixeira's career OPS of .919. If the O's can't land Tex, Dunn would certainly be an excellent backup plan and at a much reduced price. He and Huff could split time between DHing and 1B. No way would I want to see Dunn in the OF.

If Tex signs with the O's he will automatically become our most beloved . If he signs with anyone else , he will become the most hated . We will all feel used .

Don't the Orioles realize that all this stuff does is to continue to alienate the fans. In today's economy all they will guarantee is fewer people will come out next year. Seems a lot like the Vladimir Guerrero deal and we know how that turned out.

I just hope when you've had enough of the AngelOs and leave us for greener pastures that you won't be bitter like Olney, Rosenthal and that insufferable Peanut aka harold Reynolds. The only one who ever left B-More and maintained his composure was Jon Miller, always the hallmark of grace and class. These guys all seem to have a bias against anything Baltimore and their reporting reflects that. I can only hope that you, as a journalist will get a champion to cover before you die.
I hope as an O's fan, that I get another champion before I die. Then there's PA himself, who may want to pony up big one time before he dies.
While you have the wallet out Mr. Angelos, please don't forget to sign 4 or 5 free agent pitchers along with Tex.
I'm glad ya stayed Pete. Hope you don't leave, because I'm getting used to you in that Jon Miller, Chuck Thompson kind of way. Highest praise I can think of.

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Pete's reply: That's high praise that I'll never deserve, but it made my day.

Pete--xfan suggests you go have a beer and you counter with "reefers to other sites."

Wayne's World!

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Pete's reply: Poor choice of word on my part.

The only thing that is really keeping me from walking away from this is the fact that The O's really haven't been doing anything else that we know of in terms of filling the holes on this team...

We need 4 starting pitchers and we're midway through December and haven't heard anything about one since the Tex thing started catching fire. If The O's weren't heavily involved in these negotiations then wouldn't we have heard that The O's have closed the deal for one of those Japanese pitchers, or signed that other catcher they've been looking for, or talked to Roberts about an extension (or lack of one)?

Unless of course Andy MacPhail has been too busy talking to Scott Boras every day trying to bring Tex to the O's...

Or I could just be a desperate fan praying that it's not just The O's being The O's...

What do you think Pete? Are The O's focused here and not telling anyone? Are these other deals a priority? Are The O's trying to gauge the market for a team in Indianapolis (since no one will be going to games if another Golden Boy burns Baltimore, see John Elway)?

IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY!!!

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Pete's reply: I think Andy can walk and chew gum at the same time. He's very busy working on stuff, but he's not the kind of guy to talk much until things get done.

Hmmm seems there is some scuttle butt going around that he's gonna sign by monday.. to whom? your guess is as good as mine!

Angels probably 90% the rest.. take your pick!

Here is a question that does not require too much speculation on anyone's part: how much revenue would be (re)gained if the Orioles returned to the kinds of sell-out seasons they had in years past? I guess what I am wondering is has the front office, which seems so fixated on the bottom line, noticed a significant enough drop in revenue the past 11 years to justify signing, eben overpaying, a big name free agent in order to restore the crowds, or do they not have to attend to such things because the stadium revenues, MASN deals, etc. keep them profitable regardless of whether they sell out for the season or not?

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Pete's reply: It would be huge, but times have changed. The novelty of Camden Yards started to wear off after 1998 and the team's failures compounded the decline. The fans will come back if the team becomes a contender, but with the Nats down the road it will never be like it was in the 90's.

Pete--I read the column you posted at 7:05 pm. Nice job capturing the pulse of the Oriole fans. It was as if you were representing our thoughts and passions.

Let's hope the front office can pass this test.

Can I refer to the front page of baltimore sun today? Provident Bank, the oldest and largest owned Maryland Bank, steeped in tradition, sold today to a NEW YORK bank, for just over $400M. What is amazing is that for the last 2 weeks, everyone is glad to throw about half of that to a guy who has how many league MVP's or World Series Rings?? Thousands of people are at risk of losing their jobs everyday, for what will be making next year, about 500 could keep a very modest income. I can't wait to see how many corporate season tickets and club boxes are sold in 09' and 10' as corporate cutback really set in. Good luck where ever you land Tex.

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Pete's reply: Well, $400 million isn't a lot of money for a bank merger, but the point is taken.

Hi Peter...just read your "For O's fans, Teixeira a test club must pass" article and all I have to say is THANK YOU!! This is the first time I have read an article that truly sums up how most Orioles fans feel. In the article, you say "It's not my money, but I've got to go with the fans on this one. Teixeira presents the Orioles with a rare opportunity to alter public opinion and stem the potentially ruinous decline in gate revenue. If that means offering a few million extra to make his decision tougher, I think they need to do that. They've reduced the payroll over the past few years, ostensibly to prepare for this very opportunity, so they need to compete and the Red Sox apparently have left them an opening to do just that." Amen!! There have been many free agents over the past few years that have made Oriole fans drool at the thought of them playing for Baltimore such as Paul Konerko, Carlos Delgado, and Vladimir Guerrero, but Teixeira is different...he is the one free agent who is from Maryland and could very possibly be persuaded to "come home" and play for his favortite childhood team. He is exactly what we have been looking for and the Orioles should be willing to throw a little extra money his way to get him in Orange and Black,

pete you hear? its going around orioles offered tex 9 years 225 mil is that true???

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Pete's reply: I've heard that rumor for a day or so. I sincerely doubt it is true. I suspect if it were, there would have been a press conference today at the Yards.

orioles offered 9 years 225 million can you confirm that??????!!!!!!???

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Pete's reply: No. Not a chance.

ORIOLES OFFERED TEX 9 YEARS 225 MILLION!!!!!!!!!!!!! BOY IS COMING HOME

hey pete rumor is that orioles offered mark a 9 year deal for 225 million wow i didnt think PA would do it but lloks like he did

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Pete's reply: This is getting silly.

There's a rumor that the Teixiera has decided to give up on baseball to teaching baseball to underprivileged children in Africa. (Just kidding.)

Good piece from Sheehan on why O's should sign Tex

The biggest reason to like the idea of the Orioles signing Teixeira, though, is that this team is much, much closer to something special than people realize. Nick Markakis is a star. Adam Jones is, loosely speaking, Vernon Wells with better defense and less power. Matt Wieters is the best prospect in baseball, and will be the best catcher in the AL by the end of 2010. Brian Matusz was the fourth pick in last year's draft and could be in Camden Yards by September, and a number two starter a year after that. The Orioles have put together a championship-caliber core, and Teixeira would be another piece in that, giving them five players more than capable of being the five best players on a great team. A lineup core of Jones/Markakis/Teixeira/Weiters might not be one of the best in the league next year, but in 2010 or 2011? That's a group of players who could combine for 35 WARP two years out. You win championships with that kind of core. Add in the fifth pick in this year's draft, and it's not hard to get excited about the Andy MacPhail Era in Baltimore.

It's very rare that you could suggest a 68-93 team make a seven- or eight-year commitment to a 29-year-old first baseman. This player, and this team, makes that kind of decision sensible. Teixeira is a player who would not be blocking anyone, would provide value on offense and defense, would give the Orioles the power threat their future teams may lack, and who is likely to sustain his value past his peak in a way that allows him to still be part of a core when the Orioles are contending. Remember, this is the American League East; you need to build towards 95 wins to have any realistic chance of post-season play. Adding Teixeira is a step in that direction.

did you hear orioles offered tex 9 years 225 million with 3 year opt out? you think its true everyone is hearing about it

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Pete's reply: If that's true, I'll eat a big Stetson.

tex will be in baltimore sunday to finalize a 9 year deal for 225 million WOW we actually did it tex is an ORIOLE!!!!!!!!!!!

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Pete's reply: Stop it.

why is everyone talking bout a 9 year deal for tex i havent heard anything? have you?

mark teixeira will be in baltimore saterday to take a pyshical and if all goes plan a new conference sunday to annouce tex as an oriole!!!!!!! 9 years 225 million might have overspent but we have TEX!!! thanks PA and AM

Pete,

Finally, welcome to the fan bandwagon! I know your still trying to manage our expectation, but you tone has changed and level of hope is on the rise. Maybe we are hanging in there by a thread, hoping Boras comes back to our table and says "Tex would love to come to B-More, but you need to up the ante by $20M and the years to 8! But why take that chance, if he's setting down with the Bosox, why not sit down with Boras and say "what will it take to get him into Orange and Black, TODAY"!

Then were in or were out and we move on. At last check we have but one starting pitcher on our 40 man.

Finally I believe Brob and Nick are looking for the same committment the fan base is looking for before they will sign long term!

Pete,
can you or one of your colleagues just send an open letter to Mark Teixeira and plead with him to come to Baltimore? The O's won't do the full court press (Heck! They did it with Carl Pavano!)

It may not be Boras's style, and yes, I am glad we are talking to him, but can't we just call him and ask him what it will take to get it done? I love the sport. I also once loved the team. I had a 13 game plan in the 80's with 6 others (that's 7 seats). It got reduced to 5 seats and then we gave it up 3 years ago. In the 80's and 90's I could be found at an O's game 25-35 times per year. Last year I went to 2 games and bought my tickets at the scalp free zone for 1 and Ebay for the other, both at half of face value. We lost both games. They are just not interesting.

I just want a reason to be motivated again. I swear I will be out to at least a dozen games in 2009 if they sign Tex (which means that Roberts will follow and we probably can grab 2 other midline free agents). I will even bring my family a couple of times. I have 3 kids and my youngest, who is 3 always asks for Joe Flacco when we watch the Ravens (though she pronounces it "Fwaco"). I want to hear her pronounce "Teixeira"! Even more, I want the O's, who have the means to do it, to become respectable again! This division is open. Open letter to Mark? Maybe the Sun does a full page ad? Something?

I'm new to this board but have followed the birds since the ripken days. Anyhow I'm with all of you on the fact that the birds need Tex. I dont know if this current rumor is true but I think at the very least they should offer what Boras originally wanted for Tex....10 years and 200 million. Then I say tell Boras he has about 48 hours to make a decision or we're out.

Peter- THAT IS THE BEST COLUMN YOU HAVE WRITTEN IN YEARS!!! FAX THAT OVER TO THE FRONT OFFICE ANONYMOUSLY!!!
MAYBE THEY WILL GET OFF THEIR ASSES!!
Any truth on the 8/200 with a 9th 25 option from the O's?

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Pete's reply: I don't think so.

pete i just heard the latest update and the orioles are offering tex 9 years for 225 million and that tex will be in baltimore tomorrow!!! do you feel the orioles overpaid a bit? and what do you think the 0s will do next?

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Pete's reply: Where does that come from? I haven't heard anything of the kind.

Pete, I get the sense that Tex doesn't want to come to Baltimore. I have no insider info or what not, just a gut feeling that being part of the Angels team in 08, has shown him how exciting the playoffs are and since he wants 8 years, this could be his last contract so I still feel the Angels and Sox are the leaders because they are in the playoff hunt year after year.

I believe the NFL will be immune to the economic situation because your talking 8 games and 2 preseason games compared to 162 games for MLB and 82 for the NBA, so that is a huge difference. My point is that some of these long term contracts might hinder teams if things continue to get worse, so could this be the time that teams like the Orioles could steal guys like Adam Dunn or Bobby Abreau? Lowe and Manny will take up a lot of money, so some players will get the shaft and the O's might be able to really get good players, not ones on the decline for reasonable prices.

You don't have to answer this, but is Tex even in the top 25 best MLB players right now? I don't think so in my opinion, but curious what yours is?

And I thought it couldn't get anymore stupid than it did with the Roberts fiasco last year.... Guess I was wrong. What is it with these so called die hard Oriole fans... Seems like they're gluttons for self inflicted, media induced punishment year after year. I don't give a dayum if he signs with the little sisters of the poor..... enough already. Pete, you'd do well to sit back and cool it. Let the rest of the media world make fools of themselves... and rest assured, they will.

yankees fan checking in. whats going on? are your guys going BIG on tex or what? of course as a yankees fan, im rooting for him to go to dc but...

how can the O's even entertain the possiblity of letting teixeira become the face of the nationals? in your own backyard? sure the nats suck, but boros clients take top dollar no matter where it comes from (see arod).

this is a challenge to your franchise's manhood! you HAVE TO keep him out of DC or you will become more of a joke than has been the case since 97. this is YOUR BOY, as close to 'the next ripken' as you're gonna get. if the O's let tex go to boston or DC they slide down another notch from sorry franchise to joke.

believe it or not as a yankees fan, i miss the rivalry that used to be, hotter than the yanks-sox rivalry.

this is one of those moments you cant pass up. mcphail and angelos need to do this and bad. iv been waiting for the O's to come in and become the lead dog, but they seem to be daring tex to take the Nats money here.

As Sid Thrift once said " its as if we're using confederate money " .

I doubt the O's will get Teixeira, but these latest events are good for the O's. MacPhail has shown he's calm and calculating in these situations, despite the insanity of Peter Angelos. Remember the Adam Jones trade? Similar kind of 'what's going on' feeling there. I think (hope) the O's know that Tex wants to be an Oriole and are waiting for their face to face with Boras. Now that Henry has called Boras's bluff, the O's will be a little stronger in that meeting. It makes no sense for the O's to go any higher in their bid until the very end.

OK OK Can every one take a chill and sit back close there eyes clear their mind.You are Scott Boras and you are the best at what you do.Is the best you can do for your top client is get him to sign with a last place team that has no chance of winning right away?There is no way this ego maniac is going to let that happen.I am a long time Orioles fan win or lose and no one more than myself wants this to happen but I have to be real on this.I feel as though once again we are being used and at the end the we get kicked in the NARDS!

In reference to the article posted at about 7 pm, I wanted to say that you hit the proverbial nail on the head. It was beautifully articulated and spot on. I actually found myself nodding while reading it.

Boston apparently has countered the O's 9 - 225M offer with 9 - 230M. Now the O's offered 10 - 255M. Way to go PA, you have shown us all that you have no clue!

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Pete's reply: What is this, some kind of front office fantasy league?

I still think Mark T is coming to the O's. I think the Red Sox backed off because they got the sense they were being used to drive up the price, but that he wasn't going to sign. If he doesn't want the Red Sox, and he wants East Coast, then it's the O's not the Nat's. I know DC is nearby, but they were the Expos in Montreal when Mark T was growing up a Cal Ripken fan. Watch out for us in 2010!

ml

Just the fact that Tex met with the BSox--and my understanding is that Boros and Tex initiated the meeting-- must mean he wants to go there!!

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Pete's reply: I think the Red Sox initiated the meeting. They weren't among the teams (Yankees, O's and Nats) who met Tex face-to-face in D.C. before the winter meetings.

The O's need to get this done. I've held on to my season tickets while watching more and more people hand theirs back in. Every year I've been able to move to better seats as a result to this. Right now, I have a 13 game plan that allows me to sit right behind home plate in seats that were owned by corporations and law firms five years ago. You want to know the state of the Orioles, sit in my seat and think, "they sell this to a 13 game planner".

Over spend if you have to, the opportunity to stop the decline of the fan base is too big to let go by. They need to think of it as an investment that will return the fans to the park.

I think the folks over at MLB marketing need to get in on this. They are missing out on all those Teixeira jerseys that could be sitting under our trees as we speak.