Where will Pie bat in the lineup?

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Pete's reply: If Roberts is still around, I'd guess seventh or eighth.

Great news, Scott turned out to be a great addition last year. So things are shaping up fairly well. Our outfield is set for the next 5-10 years. We have someone who actually has experience playing shortstop. Roberts will likely be playing 2nd base and a fellow ALL STAR, Mora, at third (though my guess is this may be his last year there, getting long in the tooth for the position) and I guy who had an ALL STAR season, Huff, at first. Zaun holding down the fort at catcher for uberplayer Wieters in the wings. Bullpen looks pretty solid. Starting rotation, another story. Pete, you've mentioned that you think the O's will likely sign at least one more pitcher for the starting rotation, and I assume you mean a veteran. Who do you think that might be? And do you think AM will sign one more big bat? (And who is waiting in the wings to take over for Mora since his days are pretty much numbered)?

Nice to see the O's get Scott signed without the unpleasantness of arbitration. Now if we could just get Roberts inked it would make my day. Assuming that they don't and he's out of town at some point, I took a look at Justin Turner's numbers and they look pretty good. What if anything Pete do you know about this kid's defensive abilities?

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Pete's reply: Not yet, but I'll ask around.

I honestly think Scott will have a huge season this year for a number of reasons:

1. DH is probably his best position (who else do you know who keeps a notebook of every at bat?);

2. Similarly, not playing in the field means he won't bring his miscues back to the dugout with him, so he can more fully focus on hitting;

3. He's had a full season to get acclimated to AL pitching staffs and should be all the better because of that familiarity;

4.He likely get platooned, and not see as many lefties;

5. Signing a new $2.4M contract probably doesn't hurt, either.

I'd be very surprised if he doesn't put better numbers across the board, and may even flirt with 30 HRs.

What is the possibility of us signing Ben Sheets? I know the Mets are interested, but are laying a heavily incentive-based deal on his agent. Sheets isn't looking for a 4-6 year deal like Burnett and Sabathia, so is it a possibility if the Mets don't get Sheets that McPhail considers laying a nice 2 year deal for about 16-18 mil, with an nice 3rd year option? Also Randy Wolf turned down the D'backs offer and I know the Orioles were interested in him.

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Pete's reply: I wouldn't be surprised if they are considering one of those guys, but have no info. Haven't heard a thing.

Little by little AM is quietly piecing together a speedier, younger, and more atheletic team. Why not give Ben Sheets $17 mil for two years and deal him either before this year's trading deadline, or next year's for at least a top corner infield prospect? His value is at an all time low even though he pitched 180 plus innings last year with a low ERA. Ben Sheets would be a steal at 50% of his true market value. Get Sheets for 17/2 and Looper for 8/2 to give our true top prospects time to make it to the show. Slot Penn in the 5 spot to sink or swim, Bass, Liz, Patton, & Waters in Norfolk. Let Pauley & Hennessey battle for long relief. Burress DFA'd. Give BRob $38 mil for 4 years or let him walk. There you have it -AM for a day.

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Pete's reply: If you can convince all those guys to take the figures you proposed, you might have something there.

"Gunner" Scott performed solidly on defense last season, getting to all the balls hit to him and not embarrassing himself. Even though he was streaky at the plate, he made up for it with some timely hitting. A great team player.

Wow, giving Scott a 2M raise, and avoiding arbritration to boot... hmmm maybe something is brewing down @ the Yards. Don't sleep on this little transaciton, it just may be the biggest departure from the past I've seen yet. AM is to be applauded. Even in the biting bitter cold, and our lingering burple hangover, birds of the orange feather, may just be coming together.
And in sports, we know, chemistry starts in the organization, tranfers down to the club and outweighs other tangibles; even dollars.

Of course the negotiations with Scott went his way, he probably brought his gun to the table:)

Now, call me crazy, but the Opening Day lineup looks pretty solid. Roberts - Jones - Markakis - Huff - Mora - Scott - Izturis - Pie - Zaun.

Now, does this stack up with the other AL East lineups? No. Do we have any pitching at all? No.

And another last place finish...but for some reason I'm excited for the season...

Getting Scott signed and avoiding arbitration is a big plus for the O's. I like his bat and his work ethic.

Pete, now that he knows some of the AL pitchers being in the league one year, do you see his bat and his production improving this year?

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Pete's reply: Yes, if he adjust to being a DH. Not as easy as it sounds.

I agree with the above posts...Sign Ben Sheets and/or Jon Garland (both 2-3 year deals). Acquire a young 1B Prospect (Daric Barton in Oakland??) and keep B-Rob around going into the season. I think MacPhail has shown patience in waiting for the right deal. I loved the Pie deal, our OF is set for the next 8-10 years!!

I love rearranging those deck chairs , but in the end we still hit the iceberg. What they needed all along is 3 (three) Major League starting pitchers a # 1 -2 -and a 3 with Guthry # 4 . What the heck , were rebuilding for 2011, or 13 or 17 . or whatever . Oh that Mr. Pete , what a smoothy .

..............................................................................................Pete's reply: Would have been nice, but no No. 1 was willing to come near here, the No. 2 (AJ Burnett) got money even I wouldn't give him, and it's not my money, and you'll probably get your No. 3 before the winter is over. If they had signed the best three they could sign at what it would have cost, you're locking in fourth place for a long time.

No way I'd sign Sheets, no matter what the price. As a Type A free agent he'd cost the Orioles a high draft pick (likely second round unless they had a better than expected year, in which case it would be their first round pick). As far as the Orioles still have to go with building the farm system, it's not worth it for a short term small improvement that won't get them to the playoffs. Any of the other potential starters that they can get for a bargain price sounds good to me.

the lineup is shaky but will have to manufacture runs bunting base stealing. The defense will be the best we have had in a long time. Pitching is still an issue but if we can sign one more like a Garland sheets would be real nice or even Wolf. Our depth will be better this year. I beleive that Liz patton penn waters bass should vie for the 5 th spot. Starting rotation Sheets,Guthrie japman, Hendrikson, etc. Still would like to see one more bat maybe a Sexon at first or someone of that caliber.