Peter,
I enjoyed the Greivis Vasquez column. Nice job.

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Pete's reply: Thanks very much. Not everyone would agree with you, but that's why it's a discussion.

I did indeed "clean this up" & I don't use the magic words anyway. I read some of the posts here & mine is much more tame than some I saw. I saw some curse words spelled out for instance.
Anyway, when you first began here, saying Roch's blog or MASN was worse than a curse word... :-) You were quite sensitive to it. I am glad you aren't now & more comfortable here. Don't get me wrong... I like your columns.

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Pete's reply: I may have been sensitive to the number of early posts that said "We want Roch back," but that's because people assumed he was fired or something. I was happy for him to get the opportunity at MASN, but it was getting turned back on me. I still posted the comments that didn't flat out drop the so-called magic words on me. There may have been times when there were 20 of them that said exactly the same thing and I only posted 15 of them, but the only time I drop them now is if someone is profane or the rare occasion that there's a brutal attack is on a third party and I just don't think it's fair to publish it. That has probably happened 15 times in six months out of 14,000 posts.

Did the Japanese media have much of a scouting report on Uehara? Is he media friendly?

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Pete's reply: Not really. They say he's a guy of relatively few words, but they seemed to get along with him.

Oh for goodness sakes, would someone please nail down the pronuciation already, I'm tired of hearing all the differnt ways its "supposed to be pronounced". Ask they guy, post it and be over with it. Don't give me updates every week as to what the pronunciation is currently! Besides, I liked Wayahara better than Oohahara. Can you please change it back?

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Pete's reply: Some readers pointed out that it was pronounced OOH-EH-HARA early on, but the O's originally claimed it was WAY-A-HARA. It's the first one.

This guy's gonna be a pleasant surprise and a good value.

Pinpoint control and cool demeanor, coupled with the skill and ability to eat innings while keeping the O's in games.

Welcome aboard!

On nights Uehara pitches, I'm guessing there will be as many or more Japanese fans as those from Baltimore.

I'll not only welcome them...they can have my former seats!

Why does Amber Theoharis hold the mic up to the interpreter while he is translating her question to Koji...this is a bizarre broadcast.

Please explain something about the Oriole’s logic in free agent signings.

If the birds have nobody in the system to come up and play first base then why are they reluctant to sign someone like Wigginton especially when they were ready to spend 140 million on Teixeira? Wouldn’t he and Huff be adequate position players since they can play other positions and DH?

Also, it seems several good pitching prospects have signed with other clubs that the Orioles could have used for a year or two or three until their prospects become seasoned in the minors. Instead they seem content to buy a retread (Trachsel) or plug someone like Olson, Burres or Liz in a spot in the rotation that is beyond their talent level. Again if they were willing to spend big on Teixeira why not spend far less and sign pitching talent that can carry them long enough for the young arms to develop in the minors?

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Pete's reply: I don't know why they would be hesitant to give Wigginton two or more years. Maybe they are just in the middle of negotiations and they'll eventually do that, or maybe they think they can do better at first base next winter and don't want to lock themselves in.

Do you like sushi and/or sashimi? If so, perhaps you can trade some pointers for the Japanese writers putting you on their expense account!

ml

Pete, will the Asian Effect increase attendance, even by 100 people per night? Any way to know that?

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Pete's reply: I think it will have an effect. There are quite a few Japanese nationals living in the DC area.

Pete -- a rotation question: Guthrie seems to be assumed as #1 and with hopes that his control doesn't get lost in translation, Uehara is the number two. I assume, too, that Hendrickson is around to eat innings if he shows he can do it in the spring. Is there anyone else already on the roster -- Patton, Waters, Olson or even Baez maybe -- that people in the organization think are serious candidates to earn a spot and perform solidly or even exceed expectations this year?

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Pete's reply: I believe Patton will start in Triple-A. Baez is an option, but I think that's a longshot. I think Olson is a good bet if he performs in spring training. Waters is in the mix, but he'll have to pitch very well in March.

Maybe one of them is a right handed batter and can play 1b.... ask them !

Off topic Pete , but I see where Paul Byrd has decided to do a "Roger Clemens" and take half the season off . What's your opinion of players doing this ? I don't think much of it .

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Pete's reply: I heard that, too. I don't like it unless the guy has a family issue or is hurt. He's not Roger Clemens, so getting back in could be a problem.

Pete- I like your attitude and professionalism , not only to us locals ,but also to national/international baseball community .

Thank you Peter, for correcting the pronunciation of one of Japan's biggest baseball stars. Let's make Baltimore look like the sophisticated international city that it can be. Makes me proud.

Pete....I saw yesterday's post about 1st base and wondered if you had heard anything about talks with San Diego for Adrian Gonzalez who they are trying to move. He is one of the best 1st baseman in the game, young and available or are we only willing to step up and offer a big contract to Tex, knowing he won't actually take the deal?

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Pete's reply: I haven't heard his name mentioned by a team official. Haven't really heard a lot of rumors with the O's in them either.

Well, Pete...in response to your response. I'm not really in a position to suggest anything to the Warehouse, but next time they invite you over to consult on roster moves and possible trades, perhaps you could point out that a very realistic future for 1st base is sitting in San Diego waiting to be dumped by a team going nowhere and I don't mean us. Moreover, they seem to covet Garrett Olsen far more than we do.

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Pete's reply: That's probably true. I don't know if they covet him enough to give up a good player for him, or I think something might have happened already.

thanks for keeping us updated, pete. i always look forward to reading your blog (several times a day) even though i only rarely chime in.

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Pete's reply: Well, don't be a stranger.

"Your mother was a hamster, and your father stank of elderberry."