Pete,

Just to do some rumor-quashing of my own, Gammons never said "it's down to Washington and Boston." You should listen to the segment. He just cited them as two potential destinations for Tex, while he was talking about where Manny Ramirez might sign.

HAve the Orioles even thought about an offer similar to the Yankees with CC? i.e. 7 or 8 years at 20-22 mil per year with an opt out clause after 3 if Tex is not happy with the way the O's are trying to be winners? Sounds like a deal to me.

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Pete's reply: Sorry, but an opt-out clause after three years is an absolutely terrible idea for a rebuilding team. You don't pay the guy $20 million per year for the years you're not going to win and let him walk when you get close to being competitive. That would guarantee another 11 straight losing seasons.

Peter,
I believe the Oriole offer is 7 for 150 mil and the others are 8 for 160, which means we have offered more money on average but just one year left, that is not out of the ball park like Olney and Gammons are reporting. Mr. Gammons also said it was Boston and the Angels and that the Nationals had a shot if they came in with an unbelievable offer and convienced him the was the building block of the future. Gammons is a Boston guy and I also believe he wants Teixeira to sign to keep the Yankee/ Red Sox rivalry going into the playoffs, I am sure ESPN wants that too!

Pete,

I'm with you. I REALLY want Tex in orange and black. I can see going as high as 8/$160M. However, Boras wants an all out bidding war, and that can do nothing good for us (or Washington, Boston, or Anaheim). If Tex wishes to play in Baltimore and he says so, make him a good faith offer. If Boras tries to negotiate his way up, let Boston have him.

The speculated signing of Mark Teixeira has become a wave of emotion that
has cause me to lose sleep at night. I have been on the edge of my seat since the
winter meeting and to be honest "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE"
I am a die hard Orioles fan and signing Teixeria would be a dream come true
however the Orioles have a history of coming up short and if that happens
here the Orioles have no one to blame but them selves. Please up the ante
and sign Teixeira and fans will return to Camden Yards for years to come.
Everyone wins !!

Please let this end today !!

The next step in the negotiating process is for the Orioles to determine the price that would be required to for Texiera to sign a contract. In other words, ask Boras the minimum price that is required for an immediate signature. If that price is too high pull out, if not sign the contract.

I have loved the O's for 35 yrs. I don't see are pitching that far away from the majors, MAYBE 1 yr. If this doesn't happen with TEX I will be very upset, and the O's have just recieved my last dollar, in hats, shirts, stuff for kids, and the biggest yet, TICKETS!!!!!!!!!! I SHOULDN'T BE THE ONLY ONE FEELING LIKE THIS EITHER. bye bye O's, I guess they can't take CAL memories from us too.

Granted, the offer is tremendous; however, same ol' story, why even make an offer if it's not going to be competitive w/the other offers? Regardless of whether he's from here or not, why would he accept less money to play for a losing team? So, really, they were not serious in signing Teixiera to begin with...again...offering money to someone they know is not going to take it.

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Pete's reply: I can't agree. You offer what you think is the right number and what you can afford. I think Andy is making a sincere effort, but it just isn't going to be enough.

An 8-10 year contract is not about 2009 alone.

There are plenty of logical arguements to sell Tex on Baltimore..

A) Oriole Park @ Camden Yards…
B) One of the best RF’s in baseball….
C) One of the best defensive CF’s in baseball, with pop…
D) One of the best Catcher’s in baseball…
E) Depth in quality arms with Guthrie, Olson, Albers, Ray, Johnson, Liz, Penn, Bergesen, Hernandez, Tillman, Berken, Arrieta, Matusz, Patton, Spoone, Erbe, Butler etc.
F) Upcoming payroll flexibility, with the 2009 expirining contracts - Mora, Huff, Walker, Baez, Gibbons.
H) Expected production at DH and LF at limited cost with Scott and Reimold.
I) Lifetime endorsement deals here.

Getting back to the O's ability to financially obtain Tex... Forbes estimated the O's worth as $398M to start 2008, which is non-inclusive of their ownership share of MASN.

In 2007, the Orioles had $166M in revenue, including $49M in gate receipts, which again was non-inclusive of MASN.

They also had $103M in player expenses, and of course additional costs…

It would seem realistic that the O's made at least $30M+ on MASN in 2008… and can expect that to increase.

MASN — nearly quadrupled its cash flow in 2006 to $11.07 million from $2.81 million in 2005. However, that increase was largely due to a huge increase in subscribers — from 425,000 in 2005 to 1.8 million in 2006 — and the inclusion of Orioles games on the channel.

- So in 2006, with 1.8M subscribers, the cash-flow was $11M… a huge increase from 2005 due to a large increase in subscribers.

To start 2008, MASN was in 5.2M homes, with expectation that it could grow to 7M.

Can any information be provided on the 2009-12 revenue expectations for MASN?

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Pete's reply: No, they don't give that stuff out.

Texiera is a very good player, but he is not Nap Lajoie, Ty Cobb, or Mickey Mantle. Boras needs the Nats and O's to play along to get the needed millions out of Boston or NY.
The O's have made a good faith effort; a contract is between two parties - here's what we (O's) have to offer, here's what they (Boras/Texeira) have to offer. If the offerred is valued, sign. If not, move on. But don't drive up the market.

Schmucker:
This "home town discount" BS is just another teaser engineered by Angelos to give the Baltimore fans hope, when he knows that he isn't going to step up to the plate and compete for Teixiera's services. What a shame. We have a clean cut, established superstar on both offense and defense with 10 prime years ahead of him, a hometown boy who wants to, apparently, play for his hometown team and the Oriole's ownership won't be competitive in their bidding. Instead, as they usually do, they act like they are players in the free agent market, but intentionally come in under the radar low enought that they don't win. Usually we can't attract premium free agents because we have been an embarrasment for 11 years and because of our reputation. This time we have a superstar who wants to come here if he can be properly compensated, and the ownership won't step up. If the O's blow this one, you are going to hear some real unhappy fans, and attendance will again drop in 2009. What say you?

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Pete's reply: What constitutes "properly compensated?"

Pete-I dont know about you since you represent the local media , BUT

My question/thinking is.....did the O's signed Izturis because he is best AVAILABLE SS ? Or did Izturis just happen to be CHEAPEST SS available ?
Its gonna take more than that to get fans excited to attend O's this coming year . {sigh}

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Pete's reply: They signed him because he was the best defensive shortstop available at the right price.

I hope no one is surprised by this. King Peter has always done this, make an offer that he knows will be topped and then say "we tried". They know that with Bora$$ as Tex's agent, the one who offers the most will get the player. It doesn't matter who the GM is, King Peter still calls the shots and this is just par for the course. As long as Angelos owns the team, forget about getting any big name free agents, and forget about ever having a winning team.

Know one seems to think of this scenario: Orioles bid above everyone else, and Texeira goes to a team that makes the postseason more times than not. The facts are the Orioles have had 11 straight losing seasons.

Just do it!

$205M over 9 years.

2009 $21M
2010 $22M
2011 $23M
2012 $24M
2013 $25M
2014 $24M
2015 $23M
2016 $22M
2017 $21M

Just do it!

I wonder if Peter Angelos reads your blog Pete. If not, maybe he should start.

No player is worth the money that is being offered Tex, but Baltimore is really the only destination for him where his off-field intangibles make a contract of that size and scope worthwhile. What does it say when the front office is prepared to offer $160 million over 7 years but 180-190 over 8 years is too expensive? It says to potential free agents that the Orioles remain under Peter Angelos a my way or the highway club. That's fine, it's his team and his money. But no one should be surprised when the fans feel like it's salt being rubbed in their wounds when we have to watch Tex play for the Sox for the next decade because the front office was too stubborn to go from an insane $160 to an unfathomable $190. The front office should have just said from the start that Tex's demands would be too great for the team payroll. Fans can accept that, and free agents can understand that. But to come up, say, $30 million short over the span of an 8 year contract to a division rival sends the wrond message, both to fans and free agents.

But that's fine with me. Ever since Millar did his Ray Lewis dance on Opening Day, he's been my favorite Oriole and we'll need him back in that lineup next season.

Come on, is Teixeira really worth an 8 year deal. He'll be 36 at the end of such a contract. Players aren't aging as well as they used to. We would be paying 25+ million dollars for essentially Kevin Millar production at the end of that contract. Teixeira would definitely be worth his contract for about five years or so, but after that you're just throwing that money away. I'd love to see the O's land Teixeira, but the price is getting outrageous and we do still need pitching anyway. Let's not throw Andy under the bus for not signing someone for more than they're worth. Be prudent, sign some pitchers with that money, and see the starting rotation take off. Kudos to McPhail for being patient!!!

Peter- They have to have known that if your not offering 160-180, then your not trying, right?
The fans are not dumb. When you keep losing, and the end is no where in sight, we have come to know our team very well. There the team that does stuff half-you-know what.
I mean, How crazy is it that we are the only team with a 7 year deal on the table.
Its pathetic.

I still don't understand the desire to tie up so much budget in one player at this point. The O's have so many needs that they'll never be able to fill them all in free agency. Even the Red Sox and Yankees use a number of home-growns on their rosters, just not the stars. I really think this team needs at least another year to figure out where the real needs are, then start the spending. Tex would be a great, hometown story, but I think finishing over .500 some time in the next decade would be better.

If by chance we happen to sign Texiera, I don't think an opt-out clause makes much sense. It only benefits the player;what does a team have to gain by such a move? The guy can walk away from a 'bad situation' or if he gets greedy. In my humble opinion, either you're in all the way or not at all. If Texiera is unsure fo coming to Baltimore and isn't aware of how far we are from contending, then his agent should spell all this out to him. What we don't want is him signing on for 10 years and then wanting out after 2 ala Tejada. Then try and find a team interested in 8 more years at 20 mill....We end up either with an unmotivated player or someone who we give away for next to nothing and/or pay half his $$ as well. That's why I won't be as broken hearted as virtually everyone else if we don't sign Tex. We need to look at the big picture-he's only one piece of the puzzle.

I find it hard to believe the O's have not increased their offer. The O's front office has been pretty clear there is flexibility. I can guarantee one thing the people quoted as "close to the negotiations" are Scott Boras. I know money plays a big role in things but why would a player go to a team like the red sox or the angels and be just another number compared to some of the other big sticks when he can be the man in his home town.

Peter, you are well aware of my position on MacPhail (I'll play nice for now) and these negotiations. Looking for a hometown discount while the Nationals go all in speaks for itself, but I won't beat a dead horse. You have your opinion, I have mine.

My problem with the O's and it's been systemic from Syd Trift all the way to MacPhail is "what is Plan B?" Not that Tex apprently was ever Plan A, but who is at first? Huff? They apparently do not like his defense there (or anywhere for that matter). Other then Huff, there is no one on the 40-man roster that is a 1B by trade.

Who is the clean-up hitter? Huff? Ok, not my first choice, but then who protects him in the 5 hole? Luke Scott, Melvin Mora?

Signing Tex fills both holes. Say Huff's numbers from last year are for real, a 3-4-5-6 of Markakis, Tex, Huff, Weiters isn't a bad foundation to build around. Then Scott and Mora are down at 7 and 8 where they belong and give some protection to Weiters.

If the O's wiff on Tex, everybody moves up a notch and instead of looking for a clean-up hitter who can drive in runs, we're going to settle for one who can give us, if I remember the quote on Millar, 'one who can give us good at bats."

Problem is, we don't even have Millar anymore. So who else are the O's looking at for 1B? Giambi and Dunn are the only other substantial FAs on the market that even play the position and their gloves are worse then Huff's. I woulnd't mind Dunn as the DH but didn't we have that problem before, too many DH types? Bringing Millar back? Don't get me started.

After Tex, there really is no Plan B. We're talking Plans J, K and L they are so bad. There is nothing in the Farm system right now (Brandon Synder is still a long shot) that is even remotely close. And I can't think of any clubs looking to move a 1B that would give you anything remotely close to what Tex brings to the table.

And that is my problem with the O's. The distance between Tex and the O's next best option is incredible. But they don't see it that way, so maybe I'm missing something.

Anxiously awaiting Plan B.

Pete,

Is it possible that this "source" cited by ESPN is merely a ploy to get the O's to up their offer b/c Tex clearly wants to play in Baltimore?

It would be tremendously disheartening to the fan base if we lose out on a hometown dude who can revive a franchise (a la Ripken)...

In your opinion, why wouldn't the O's brass (ie, Angelos) up their offer to meet Tex's desired salary? Is another $10-15M really going to hurt this franchise???

Pete,

Several points.
1. Baseball is a childrens' game played by grown men making an exorbitant amount of money.

2. Past performance does not guarantee future outcome. Just ask Mike Mussina about all those rings he got with the Yankees.

3. No matter what sports writers report they do not effect the story they are reporting. Tex, Boras and all the teams trying to sign Tex don't watch ESPN to determine their next move in any negotiations. Boras is even quoting as saying he doesn't watch that program when asked about ESPN's report from the Georgia Tech sidelines that Tex would like to play at home.

A couple of years ago I went to the Cubs home opener. After a leadoff hit by the Astros, people started lamenting "new year, same result"... It was just a hit!!! You can't win with such pesimism around!
The O's are finally doing a good job rebuilding the franchise, Tex would be a dream come true and is one of the few players I would give a huge contract under the franchise current status. Let's give them a break. They cannot keep a biding war with the Red Sox and if he really wants to play for the O's, he'll take an offer that comes close to theirs. Also, remember that before you start a negotitation, you have to be aware of your limits.

This is just another example of the O's hovering just under where they need to be to sign a guy. They don't want him, and are simply posturing to try to appease O's fans. Why offer 7 years and $140 million when you know going in it is going to take 8 years and $160 million or more? Why even bother? And if you're serious, then you need to up the offer to at least match what other teams are offering. The market has been set. And so far, we're not competitive. So good luck Texiera and the Red Sox.

These posts are cracking me up! Thanks for the good chuckle. I hope the O's sign Tex, but it's not the end of the world if they don't. They can become competitive and moreso even if they don't sign him. All this brouhaha just because he is from my homestate of Maryland? I say sign him if you can, but if not then stay the rebuilding course!

Maybe the new Messiah Obama can donate some of that "bailout" money to the Orioles to get their offer over the top. lol

I just got this email from the Orioles with the header--"Last minute gift ideas from the O's."

I know what gift the team can send me and all other Bird fans.

Hey Pete,

Sitting here on my lunch and I just caught wind of this from ESPN Radio that "Boston would NOT be willing to go to an eight year deal."

Doesn't that completely contradict Buster?

I get the feeling that there is a lot of misinformation getting thrown around, and that all points to Boras.

Anyone else notice that ESPN has said that every team in this chase has been the "favorite" at least once?

Pete, I think you had it right when you said everyone wants to be the genius who guessed right when all is said and done. I have been constantly checking sports websites for information on Tex and everywhere you get a differebt story. Ravech says the O's are the frontrunner, Gammons ( Red Sox Homer) says the sox are the frontrunner, Olney says the O's are behind everyone else, etc. I believe, at the end of the day, this is exactly what Boras wants; chaos. This will only drive the price tag up so the team that ends up with him will have to come up with a drastic offer spur of the moment just as the Rangers did with A-Rod. He has all the cards and I believe that if playing at home were not a legit reason to Tex, the O's would have been sent packing along time ago. I believe also the Nat's have no shot at Tex, none. Think about it, you grow up rooting for the O's and dreaming of playing for them. You have a chance to come home and literally pick up the flag carried by Cal Ripken all those years and instead, you drive down to D.C. to play for a team that is even further away from contending than the O's. C'mon man.
If Tex is the guy I think he is, he will come home for maybe a little less than the Red Sox offer and allow the O's to have a little room to get some help for him in the future. Unlike what A-Rod and Boras did to the Rangers. With Tex in our lineup, we might have the best offense in the AL East. Without Tex, we have no shot whatsoever. Paul Byrd, Braden Looper, Tim Redding etc, they are not Sabathia and Burnette so we better get someone who can hit.

Pete, I think you had it right when you said everyone wants to be the genius who guessed right when all is said and done. I have been constantly checking sports websites for information on Tex and everywhere you get a differebt story. Ravech says the O's are the frontrunner, Gammons ( Red Sox Homer) says the sox are the frontrunner, Olney says the O's are behind everyone else, etc. I believe, at the end of the day, this is exactly what Boras wants; chaos. This will only drive the price tag up so the team that ends up with him will have to come up with a drastic offer spur of the moment just as the Rangers did with A-Rod. He has all the cards and I believe that if playing at home were not a legit reason to Tex, the O's would have been sent packing along time ago. I believe also the Nat's have no shot at Tex, none. Think about it, you grow up rooting for the O's and dreaming of playing for them. You have a chance to come home and literally pick up the flag carried by Cal Ripken all those years and instead, you drive down to D.C. to play for a team that is even further away from contending than the O's. C'mon man.
If Tex is the guy I think he is, he will come home for maybe a little less than the Red Sox offer and allow the O's to have a little room to get some help for him in the future. Unlike what A-Rod and Boras did to the Rangers. With Tex in our lineup, we might have the best offense in the AL East. Without Tex, we have no shot whatsoever. Paul Byrd, Braden Looper, Tim Redding etc, they are not Sabathia and Burnette so we better get someone who can hit.

If my math is correct 140 at 7 years and 160 at 8 years are both 20 per year. 150 at 7 is MORE per year then 160 at 8. Less years guaranteed but more per year. Let's not forget that long term deals almost always are BAD. They usually tie the hands of the team because they are stuck with an unproductive player and have to pay him and them don't have the money to spend on a current need.

I defy anyone reading this to name 10 6+ year deals that worked out well for the team in the last 2-3 years of the deal. I can easily name 10 that didn't. Let's look at reality here. The O's may very well be wasting money if they give Tex a 8-10 year deal. It will appease the short-term thinkers but will not help us be long term winners.

We loved it when we signed Ramon, Tejada and Javy Lopez for the first year or two but then couldn't wait to get rid of them.

O's fan unite! I'm sitting here in chilly OH (probably the only O's fan in OH) and WE NEED TO SIGN THIS GUY! How are we going to compete against the Stinkees, Sox and now the D-Rays with that massive whole in the #4 spot? How? We are, BY FAR, the worst team, in the AL east now, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. With Tex, it gives us a credible CONSISTENT RBI/ HR threat in the 4 spot. He is a home grown kid, never in trouble, glod glover, consistent 30-35 HR, 105-120 RBI guy. GET HIM @ 10 years-200 million NOW!! He could fill the void Mr. Ripken has left as Mr. Oriole. Without him, we trade Huff and B-Rob at the all-star break, piss off Nicky M (not that they have allienated him already) and we finish 60-102 if that. Lineup could be:
B-Rob
Mora
Nick
Tex
Huff
Wieters
Jones
Freel or Jay P
Izturis

Not bad, but not horrible. If Peter the Great wants to bring in more fans, sign him now. If you don't, I think it will bring major negative reprocussions on this team and maybe he'll sell the team in 1-2-3 years. That would be outstanding! Therefore don't sign him!

Pete -

I just read your article about Ponson. If Angelos doesn't care about giving up 11 million to a has been like Sir Sidney for his arbitration hearing, then what is another 20 million and a year to get Tex?

Do the O's also need 19 years to decide whether to increase their bid on Teixeria ?

If the O's don't sign Tex, I am officially done.

Maybe I will become a Rays fan.

Wow someone actually said that Texeira was not Ty Cobb or Mickey Mantle? Is he more like Honus Wagner, Shoeless Joe, or Dimaggio?

It's delusional that the Orioles are really much better with Tex. How many times did you really feel that Orioles needed help with the offense?

We need PITCHING! PITCHING! And guess what more PITCHING! And after that a SS that can hit their weight in average. And then maybe we can afford Adam Dunn.

I'd rather overpay for 3 mediocre starting pitchers and hope that one pans out to be a decent 3rd or 4th starter.

I just find some of this amusing, when some are calling 10 to 15 mill a year cheap. my question is what does one do with it all? i know were on bad times, but how does that price make the rest feel. I remmber way back when 5 year for 50 mill was too high and now it sounds like its a bargin in this day and age. This world would be a whole lot better America more so if all these dollars would be spread around, instead of trying get 5 million more. should be satisfied with what you have when theres a whole lot more that have nothing at all. Its Christmas time you all should be about giving not about taking. Money doesnt bring happeiness least true happieness can't even buy it, comes from seeing smiles on kids or anyones faces when you given them even a little bit of kindness.

Players aren't aging as well as they used to? Huh? Millar never put up Teixeira numbers. But lets look at some 36-38 year old Teixeira 'Big power and OB%' types.

Carlos Delgado (36) - 38 HR 115 RBI .271/ .353/ .518

Manny Ramirez (36) - 37 HR 121 RBI .332/ .430/ .601

Jim Thome (38) - 34 HR 90 RBI .245/ .362/ .503

Jason Giambi (37) - 32 HR 96 RBI .247/ .373/ .502

All over 30 HRs 90 RBI and OPS over .850. Those numbers would have been the 3rd best on the team this year. Sure no one can predict the future but those numbers are still good. Especially considering the numbers the O's have had at 1B the last 5-10 years.

(Huff was the DH not the 1B)

Plan B for 1B is probably Kevin Millar, which of course, is a far cry from Tex. I can't believe we don't have anyone ready in the minors. Isn't 1B a position that should be easier to fill than others?
There doesn't appear to be too many first basemen in the free agent pool so do we troll the waiver wire or make a trade with some team that has a surplus?

Get the hometown discount and then trade him immediately for prospects.

Pete -

Thanks for all the updates and for attempting to keep the rumors in perspective - some O's fans need to take a deep breath and another look at the 40 man roster - as far as I can tell Jeremy Guthrie is the only seasoned starter - I would much rather Angelos commit $160 million over the next eight years towards building one of the best farm systems in the league - it's time to make a really smart play over the long term

A couple of random points...

When was the last time a Scott Boras client didn't take the biggest contract available?

I won't blame the Orioles if they don't get Tex, with the numbers that are being tossed around. He's a terrific player, and among the top three or four first basemen in the majors. But eight years at $20+ million? Too much. He's not a must-have player, especially for a team that's at least one more year away from threatening the .500 mark.

Remember what happened with Mike Hampton, Barry Zito, Alex Rodriguez with the Rangers, Albert Belle, etc. There's a lot of risk in these big contracts.

I refuse to give up on Tex. He would do wonders for this organization, more than just his great play on the field.

I agree with McPhail that we just need some veterans to wait for the young guns to come up. I just wanted to ask if the orioles are thinking about ben sheets. When healthy he is a great starter. I understand he has some health issues and might be expensive. Sheets and Guthrie would be a great 1 2 at the top of the rotation. Is Sheets to expensive to a stop gap starter?

Also, what about putting Montanez in the DH. It seems that his only fault that he is a sub par defender at best. But he can hit. He was a triple crown winner in AAA. So put him where he can hit and doesnt have to play the field. If we dont get Tex we can put him at DH. If we get Tex and move Aubrey to third. I think we could trade Mora for some prospects even though i love the guy. Or atleast keep Mora for a part time gig.

McPhail has done a great job so far. I trust him

Aubrey Huff:
.304 avg. 48 doubles 32 HR 108 RBI 330 TB

Tex:
.308 avg. 41 doubles 33 HR 121 RBI 317 TB

Just saying.

I, too, like many other folks on this blog, have come to the end of my patience with management of my beloved Birds if they don't sign Mark. I am sick and tired of losing out to Boston or New York. If we're ever going to turn this thing around, we need a WIN and signing MTex would represent a significant win. Don't let this one get away, Andy. I still believe in you, but this has to get done.............or I'm done. I'll simply turn my attention and affection to some minor league team and wait for football season to come around each year..............

MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I dont know if this point has already been made but a 7/150 contract is better then the reported 8/160. Theres more money per year, and whats the one year matter if he has a "strong attraction" to the Os. If all we offer is 7/150 you cant be too upset with that. Take it or leave it.

Ok, I know that ESPN is a "respectable source" when it comes to the sports world, but I have to say, it's always been fairly obvious that they have their favorites, and neglect to pay attention to any of the teams in between. The fact is, they cover the teams that interest the most viewers (Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Mets), and by saying the Red Sox are the front runners to land Teixeira, they get the Sox fans tuned in all day for updates. The biasness, aside from the fact that there is not one actual quote from Teixeira or Boras "eliminating" the Orioles from this ESPN created "tournament", makes for an interesting specatcle. I only hope that Teixeira makes his decision not off of what ESPN reports, but off of his own free will. This is why I check the Baltimore Sun for updates way before I even think about turning on ESPN.

OK, so call me crazy, but one day there is a "Tex wants to stay in Baltimore" report from ESPN, then a report the next day saying they were out because they weren't upping their offer.

Boras is smart and knows how to work the media. I read this as negotiating through the press to get more money from the preferred team.

They are probably happy as can be that McPhail comes right out and makes it clear that this is not the final offer from the o's.

Hey Pete,
O's offer (we think) 7 years - 150 M
Other teams (we think) are 8 years - 160 M

Not much difference here? Am I missing something?

We can't add a year and 10 M???? It's less per year anyway? Seems like if we made a bid on level with others TEX may come home.

Schmucker:
To answer your question, talk to the Orioles to find out what "properly compensated" means. They are the ones that are looking for a "home town discount" because it is Teixiera's home town. So they obviously don't want to spend at the same level of their competitors. Obviously, by inference, if the others want to offer $180 million (or whatever the going rate is) for 9 years, they don't want to play at that level and are hoping to get him on the cheap because he is from this area. Thus, they are looking for a discount. This is not Konerko, Carlos Lee, or Magglio Ordonnez, etc., who all were somewhat tainted by age or injuries. This is the perfect match. You got a guy that is a home town boy, a superstar who hits for both average and power, a gold glove fielder, and a kid that is a class act, who has 9-10 more solid years ahead of him. He even has indicated that he wants to be near home. He'll put fans back in the seats. So let the front office tell you why they are only trying to get him, if they can get him cheap. Angelos could recover some of his despicable reputation if he would step up to the plate and get this done. If not, your column will be smoking for months with disgruntled fans and I'll be one of them.

maybe brady anderson could come play first

AtomicDog -

In past posts I have called out your thought process on the direction Andy MacPhail is taking this team. And while I might not necessarily agree with your latest entry, I can understand where you are coming from.

I want to give Andy some credit and I am probably one of a few that thinks the guys is operating with a plan.

Here's my thinking on how Andy went into this off season. Absolute musts: at least 2 short term FA starting pitchers, and perhaps a reclamation project, followed by an everyday starting SS, and find a way to move Ramon. You can probably add extending Roberts & Markakis here as well. Possible additions: Tex & AJ, depending on whether each player was willing to place a premium on playing close to home (because that's all the O's really offer at this point). After that, you are talking about adding a little more speed & versatility off the bench. All the while keeping an eye on waiver wire transactions.

I'm pretty sure Andy has an idea where he stands in the Tex negotiations (at least to some degree). There are already rumors that the O's are investigating trade opportunities to pick up a 1st baseman. Hence the Ryan Garko rumor.

If I'm Andy MacPhail, the minute I feel like I'm out of the Tex sweepstakes, then maybe he immediately goes after Sheets, along with Paul Byrd, then perhaps take a flyer on LH Mark Hendrickson.

If you manage to pull that off, you've got a starting solid defensive SS, along with 3 starting pitchers. One which should be around for awhile. You've moved Ramon and added a versatile hard-nosed player in Ryan Freel along with some interesting prospects. Sign Zaun and now you've got a couple of decent catchers to hold down the fort until Weiters comes up.

And if we whiff on Tex, why can't we add a power bat from the 09 draft?

Peter- Could you please instruct everyone that compares huff with Tex to please stop it. lol.
I mean, aside from the why not have both and be able to hold our own against the yanks, sox, tigers, angels, etc. argument....this is probably the better question to ask them, and it has nothing to do with on the field performance,
How many Huff O's jersey's have been sold? If anyone thinks Huff is gonna duplicate his 2008, i want to sniff some of that glue too.

I love the O's but they are not nearly aggressive enough to compete in this division anymore. I am all for building through the farm system, developing quality young pitching but, what do we expect to happen if say lighting strikes and we develop 3-5 stud starters which all hit the big club at the same time. We all know as soon as that series of events comes about the Yankees and the Sox are each going to go out and find the 3-5 big money sluggers to come in augment their lineups and neutralize our gain. And then after a few years with those guys in the rotation we are done again for the next ten years. Who thinks the rays will be competitive in 5 years? Competing in this division means at some point you make the conscious decision that you will compete. Period. Then you learn to embrace the lunacy that caused you to make that decision in the first place every single year, all year. Acting like the competition begins with games in April is for the NL West. Waiting around to compete isn't competing in this division. We are in the conversation at least to get Tex. Bring in the closer, toe the rubber and get this deal done. Bring Tex home at any cost! Deal with the rest later as required.

Wow Huff has had 1 good year in the past 4. He must be the answer!

Come on!

Career:

Huff (32) - .287/ .344/ .483 188 HR 667 RBI

Teixeira (28) - .290/ .378/ .541 203 HR 676 RBI

All of Teixeira's numbers are better and he has been in the league since 2003. Huff has been around since 2001.

I am asking this question out of curiosity and I hope that you don't read any disrespect into it, but do you choose your featured comment based on how much you liked the question/comment or by how much you liked your response?

I enjoy all of your work, and appreciate the opportunity to occasionally participate in the discussion.

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Pete's reply: It's a fair question, but I don't know if I have a consistent answer. In the case of the last one, I just thought it was a good time to explain that aspect of the bonus system. Usually, however, it's just the way a comment strikes me -- either because I think it will be of general interest or it gets under my skin. And, admittedly, sometimes I just need to put something up.

From reading the above posts, it sounds as though I will have plenty of seats to choose from in 2009. As much as I would love to sign Tex, has anyone stopped to think about the fact that he failed to win a title for Atlanta or Anaheim? He's a local guy and would be a great addition to the Os, but their chances of contending don't hinge on his acquisition.

It is so amusing to read of "lifetime endorsement deals" in Baltimore v. endorsement deals elsewhere. I'm sure Scott Erickson was set up for life with his wooden attempts at car salesmanship, just as Rick Dempsey receives an emmy nomination for his LOCAL endorsements. A major market with frequent exposure on the national telecasts gets -- listen up, folks -- NATIONAL exposure, NATIONAL endorsements and a lot more than car-dealer compensation. With the dough these guys make, I have no idea why they'd want their faces out in public more than they have to be; life in a gated community forever cannot be that appealing. But, in addition to all the other minuses that beside the Birds' efforts, the lack of real endorsement opportunities stands out.