step one .

Your right Peter I had my doubts. I'm awfully glad that we could get this one done. I didnt want to see Nick going off to some other team. Im back on the crazy for O's section again. Now when are we going to go after Adam Dunn?

Pete:
You were absolutely right on the button!
Great news for Oriole fans and another smart move by Andy Macphail.
I think the Orioles do end up paying Nick more because, of course, we do not have the track record over the last decade of winning that the Red Sox have, so I think Pedroia and Youklis have signed with them for less than they or similar players would have signed with the Orioles.
I think you are starting to see a reverse market effect...namely where an athlete who wants to be with a perennial winner will take less than he would insist on from a perennial loser.
Given that, it is a tremendous declaration of dedication and faith for Nick to say..."I want to be an Oriole" and we should celebrate this as a sign of the good days returning in the near future to Camden Yards.

Well you know what Pete, maybe some of these whiny fans will hop back on the bandwagon and stop complaining. I'm sure that your done with it as much as i am, all we need now is to get roberts to an extension and wait one more year. I'm willing to do it, but i don't know about everyone else.

I think alot of people did not understand that we had Markakis Locked up for 3 years anyway. (even though you said many times that is the case) He "has" to sign this deal. Once signed he is 65 Million richer. 65 Million, versus 500K, Hmmm what would you do!

He potentially will still be "the Man" in 6 years and can bolt if we still have done nothing to get better. He can still have another huge payday, if he plays well.

Yo Nick, can I borrow some money!!

WOOOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW GET JONES, GUTHRIE, AND B-ROB SIGNED AND WE'RE ON A ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!

Ight Nostradmos what is going to happen next.

You were right and I was wrong, Pete.

I hope this gets done soon; I'm sick of people whining about this who thought that this had to be done by December 1st, 2008 before he turned into a pumpkin or something.

Ok, you may stop bragging now, although I suppose congrats are in order.

But basically, you predicted that the Orioles would do something right.

You certainly cannot expect the rest of us to be so optimistic as to believe they would not have screwed up negotiations with the most important player they have. I mean, c'mon.

Good call Mr. Schmuck...I was keeping the faith in MacPhail and it looks like its paying off. I like the direction he is taking the franchise.

That's great Pete, & I really had faith in your opinion. Now about 11 more signings like that & we can finish 3rd inA.L. east. Say 5-6 years?

GO BLACK& PURPLE!!!!!!

Me too! Or I'm going to have to wear a Steelers Jersey for he Superbowl and I think I'd rather split my rists.

Pete; I like it. I think everyone should have a little faith in AM and reserve judgement at least through the 2010 hotstove season. Now let's get BRob done so that we can show potential free agent studs that there is at least a hint of stability here. AM's plan for competitiveness was to prep for 2011 and this is a big step in accomplishing that goal. I still don't understand why Adam Dunn wouldn't fit into that plan at DH. A run producer that has at least 40 bombs for the last 5 years and is still 29. With the shorter porch in right at OPACY, he may get 45-50 for the next 5 years especially following Markakis in the order. In know , I sound way too optimistic but I get this way for a few days every winter around this time....it probably won't last!!

Hey Pete,

I just want to take the this time out to point out to everyone that have blasted Andy MacPhail and the O's front office since the season ended that you have now been proven wrong in your unjustified constant assaults against the O's organization this past season. No one could look past the anger and resentment many held/hold for Angelos and past front office blunders. But Angelos has learned the hard way, once he got a taste of winning in the late 90's, he pulled a bull-headed Steinbrenner move and tried to buy any 'talent' he could find and it didn't work which set up back 3-5 years every other season or so.

The O's are getting back on track, but things like this (when done properly) take time.

My faith as a fan never wavered as I'm sure many of the other true Orioles fans of this generation haven't wavered either.

Thanks MacPhail for putting the right building blocks in place.

All I can say is Thank You Andy! This is the next step to becoming a great team that contends year in and year out. Sign these tremendous young players to long term deals. I say we give do the same for BRob. He deserves the money he's done nothing but play his butt off. You can do a lot worse then Brian Roberts leading off for the next 5 or so years.

Pete,

Well, Nick's in for a big payday alright. The Orioles have kept their end of the bargain, but will Markakis follow suit?

It's a gamble for the O's to shell out that much money, but it would have been a gamble if they hadn't. From the standpoint of building a team, he's a vital part to such plans. And it would be unthinkable to allow him to sign with another team in a few years (possibly even the Yankees or Red Sox).

Also, I think they had to do this for PR purposes as well, because if they hadn't they'd risk further alienating a shrinking fan base that finds over a decade of losing something that's getting old in a hurry.

But the real question is: Did they overpay Markakis just to keep him an Oriole? Yes, he's a very good all-around player, but, hypothetically, what if he's hit his ceiling? What if he's never anything more than a .290 to .300 hitter, who's only good for 20 to 25 home runs a year? Then what?

Is such a player worth $11M+ a season? I don't believe so. I can't think of anyone today who's making that kind of money in exchange for those kind of numbers (unless, of course, he has Steve Boras for an agent-lol).

Do I think Nick's reached his statistical ceiling? No, of course not. The best is surely yet to come.

And the Orioles don't think he's reached it, either. But no one knows at this point. It's a calculated risk, but one the team clearly had to take.

Now, what are your predictions about Brian Roberts? Is he an Oriole on Opening Day? If so, will he and the team have reached an agreement extending his contract or will he just be playing out the games till free agency rolls around?

Tough questions, but I think there's a much better chance of the extension now that Nick's signed. It can't hurt, that's for sure.

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Pete's reply: Yes, I believe Brian will be in the Opening Day lineup for the O's, but not necessarily with a new contract. Now, they have to wait until some team has an injury that forces it to pony up good prospects for a one-year rental player. This could remain an open issue until July.

MacPhail is true to his word. I hope the signing of Roberts to a long term deal comes next. That way he can stay or we can deal him as a signed long term prospect. Things are starting to take shape. I'm trying to be patient. 2009 is gonna suck, with the exception of watching wieters play mlb, but it seems that better days are coming.

Pete,

I'm elated that Nick and the O's are getting this done, good for Nick, the O's and the fans! I apparently enjoy beating a dead horse so here I go again! This just tells you how hamstringed AM is in negotiating on behalf of the O's. After what seems like decades of lowballing, and little committment to winning AM faces an uphill battle to get even our own players to resign at a reasonable price let alone Free Agents. Not until we CLEARLY demonstrate a continued committment to putting the best team on the field will be able to level the playing field and get great players to want to come to Baltimore and STAY in Baltimore. Having done a lot of travel around the country, Baltimore and it's suburbs are nicer and less expensive than most. We have a great stadium, but what we don't have is the ability to give any player the warm and fuzzy that we are in it for the long haul to win! This stigmatism attached to the O's won't go away easily and will take some time to overcome. Syd Thrift said it best, they must think we have Confederate Dollars!

Great move, though expensive as compared to the AL MVP! Now lets get Adam Jones signed and Brob moved if he won't sign!

Pete, the only reason people said Nick would not be signed, was just out of fustration (can't blame the fans). We all new in are hearts McFAIL and the O's had no choice. Roberts is going to be a different story. I think we have to trade him in July. The O's have made it clear this year in free agency, WE WILL NOT COMPETE UNTIL 2011.
Pete, I hear Felix pie will be traded next week, is it the O's???

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Pete's reply: Haven't heard that, but they do like the guy.

now they need to get brian roberts

It's all Greek to me and Nick too, just beware of Greeks baring gifts. Hope it buys us all happiness.

Pete,

You are the man! You indeed did state the O's would get it done, and the final number would be $63 mil! I never really doubted that Andy would get the deal done, but I have to admit I was getting antsy!! Guess I'm in the minority as to those who feel that Andy knows what he is doing. I signed on for the rebuild knowing fully well the 1st two years would be really ugly.

But if you listen to the baseball experts, like Steve Phillips, most have been saying that Andy knows what he's doing, and is taking the correct approach in rebuilding this team. Steve Phillips even went on record saying he would not invest in Tex because while the guy is a real good player he is not in an elite talent worth 20 + mil a year. i would have loved to see Tex in Baltimore but felt deep down he's was never coming back to MD & that the O's would not get into a bidding war for the guy.

At this point, I say sign Looper if the money makes sense, give Wigginton a 2 year deal, and take one final crack at extending Roberts. If the deal ain't there, see if there's a deal out there that makes sense.

Pete

I believed you. All your points were good ones.

Doug

This could sure take the sting out of the Teixera debacle. As we all learned, it turned out that the Tex fantasy was all a delusion -- he had his cold heart all set on being a Yankee all along. So no need to bash MacPhail over that one. The Birds are sticking with the plan, building a young nucleus centered around Markakis, Weiters, Jones, and a handful of promising pitchers that aren't quite ready yet. Next we need to either trade Roberts for great value (as we did with Bedard and Tejada last year), and add a pitcher and another bat for the short term. Maybe we'll get to .500 this year, and be in position for an exciting 2010. Keep the faith, brothers.

Pete I always figured Nick would be stupid not to accept an extension. Either make a total of say 10 million over the next 3 years (if I got my arbitration understanding correct) or make 65 over the next 6 or 30 over the next 3). It's a no brainer. Glad to see it come to fruition.

We truly are on the right track with Mr. MacPhail. Can't tell you how excited I am to see this team grow with players like Markakis, Jones, Weiters, Guthrie, Mora (yes, Mora), Ray and Sherrill. I hope Roberts is signed as well. With a little luck and patience with the young pitchers, things are looking up.

Thank God. The Markakis worriers will shut up. Thank you Peter, for the official news.

Time for everyone to worry about guthrie. When is he due for free agency, 2013?

Booya!

I never doubted you Schmuckster

Good deal Pete, but what about Roberts? We're not out of the woods yet.

Yes Peter, I remember and I was under the same impression. Andy wasn't stalling to get him cheaper, he was waiting for a counter-offer from Markakis and his agent.

Now that his agent has seen how the market is shaking down, he has come back with a realistic offer and it seems both sides will end up relatively happy.

So MacPhail bashers, when you think Andy is "doing nothing," remember that you are wrong.

The one thing I don't understand about all the comments on the blogs urging the Orioles to "just get it done" with the signing of Markakis and Roberts - why is it always just the organization that's at fault, and never any of it on the players? It takes two to "get it done", whether it be signing a contract, making a trade, or coming to any other agreement where there are two parties involved (heaven help us if there are three or more parties involved). Just like if Teixeira really wanted to play in Baltimore, he could have told Boras to work it hard but make it happen in Baltimore, regardless of what other offers were out there. I am glad to see that Markakis looks to be close to signing, and would like to see Roberts extended as well. But that's at least as much up to Roberts as it is to the Orioles.

Great News!! Hopefully they can get a long term deal for Brian Roberts next.

How many comments on this blog insisted that he was going to play through his three arbitration years and bolt the team when he became eligible for free agency?

About 4,387, despite the fact that Nick has said a few times that he wants to settle here.

Good news. I'm looking forward to seeing a little sunshine from the doomsday crowd.

Schmuck,

Well aren't you the greatest? It looks like you and the Os finale got something right. Great blog patting yourself on the back, true professional.

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Pete's reply: Thanks. That's my reward for answering about 1000 comments about this over the past few months.

"I told you over and over that the Orioles would sign Markakis to an extension this month, and nobody wanted to believe it."
Do you really believe this? I can't tell if you are ever sincere or if you're always show. Either way, it's not conveying properly.

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Pete's reply: Must have gotten hundreds of posts from people complaining that Markakis was just going to wait and become a free agent. Every time I said to calm down and wait a few weeks. It would get done. Doesn't make me Nostradamus because it wasn't that hard to figure out, but it is the truth.

You're right Pete, I can exhale a bit. But just a bit. It would be great if we can get B-Rob signed now. I thought it would be good to trade him for more prospects but then I considered how hard it would be to replace him as a leadoff hitter. The guy has some very good numbers for the top of the order and for a good defensive second baseman. Please predict that he will sign with us since your prognostications seem to be right on with these Orioles.

Finally!! Markakis will be the backbone of this team for years to come.

Mr. Schmuck,
First I want to apologize for what is going to be my exceedingly long first post for your blog. I loved reading the forerunner of your blog and was an occasional poster, but usually only in the weeks leading up to spring training when it used to be that hope sprang eternal for fans of all teams (unlike so many of the hopeless O's fans now). Since you have taken up the blogmeister gig (on top of the exhausting jobs of reporter, bon vivant and raconteur), the blog has continued to provide excellent information while you have added your own sense of wit and style and frankly pretty darn good journalism. But it seems that the task has lately been getting tiring, or is it tiresome? It is hard trying to provide daily edge of our seat information, especially with the current front office execs. and their deliberate methodolgy. But by far the biggest annoyance appears to be the repetitive, constant, negative, downright silly and thoughtless bashing, trashing, dashing, smashing of anyone currently in public roles with the club and those who blog about it. I have to say that you and your MASN counterpart have both dealt with this increasingly frustrating situation with patience, professionalism, and (perhaps too much) grace. It is in some ways sad that some posters rant and rave about some point ignoring that they were ranting and raving about the opposite two days prior. As to the actual purpose of this posting, I have about three points, extended as they may be, that I just have to get off my chest.

Last year if memory serves me correctly at least the following pitchers were injured for at least some portion of the year: Ray, Albers, Sherill, Johnson, Walker, Guthrie, Loewen, Baez, and Sarfate. And there were others in the minors. Imagine what could have been if each of them had been healthy the entire year last year pitching at somewhere near their best. (Add to that dream what if the D-Cab of May had been real.) At this point any fan without rose colored glasses and Koolaid stains dripping down to their belly button will say, "But pitchers never stay healthy. You have to assume that there will be several breakdowns among any major league staff."

This brings me to my first point (yes all of the above was just the intro.). Even before AM got here the O's had begun to stockpile arms in the minor league system. Erbe and Spoone and Hoey and Penn and McCrory might still be crucial parts of the rebuilding of the O's. As could the group that hasn't been hyped as long as those guys: Waters, Bergeson, Bass, Perez, Simon and Hernandez. I have not even mentioned the crop hauled in from the two big trades last year or the latest draft choices. The point is every team, except the Yankees, is leary of free agent pitching (because pitchers break easily), yet pitching is the hottest commodity year after year. As other bloggers have stated, it is a much safer bet to put down serious money on hitters than pitchers. I agree with the Angelos general concept of no long term contracts for pitchers. It seems to me that part of the "plan" that some contributors cannot see and others want explained again and again, is to have the biggest batch of near major league pitching of any franchise and a constant pipeline of it at every singal minor league level. Demand will always be there because everyone wants good young pitching (cheap) that is a manageable risk instead of veteran pitching (expensive) that is a much higher risk. Many of the above named pitchers coud still be a big part of the "plan", but the part several of them will play is to be pitching for other teams within a couple of weeks to 2.5 years, bringing us young position players (and more younger pitching) in return.

Point two. The trick is to be able to showcase really good young arms to trade, while keeping the very best arms to pitch. There have to be some slots in the rotation this year to provide the showcase. Still, the young arms can't be over burdened and over pressured such that they don't pitch to their ability or they increase their odds of poor performance and serious injury. It damages your assets, dampens demand, and kills your bulllpen. (Look at the number of the injured listed above who are relievers.) So yes we need innings eaters and guys who can go to the rotation for the sake of the bullpen, but we also need those same guys to be able to go to the pen for the sake of the showcase. That's why Hendrickson and Uehara were both good signings. This year it is not about the wins; it's about protecting and nurturing the club's best assets, young arms. For the same reason, it makes sense to let Baez try to earn a spot in the rotation - if he has any value to the team at all his arm needs to be stretched out pretty well. This is also a huge fact in what we end up doing with Roberts. Many fans have finally resigned themselves to trading Roberts, but others are still adamant about extending him and point out that the "plan" has some holes in it (especially in the infield after 2009). But In another three years does Roberts turn into Mora, still game but aging, perhaps going over his hill when we are getting to the top of ours? Should we really "Pay the man!"? Is his current great defense worth (for the sake of the young pitchers) the diminishing return he could bring in a trade (diminished only beacause he is a year older and unsigned for next year)? Could it be that we want to extend him to increse his trade value but he would rather pick his own team through free agency? I believe that whenever Orlando Hudson is finally signed, Roberts future will become clearer. Back to the young pitchers, we need the best catcher mentor possible (I would have been sounding as bitter as Jack if we had signed I-Rod, certainly not a mentor and diminished in the post 'roid era; Zaun was clearly the way to go.) and we need the best defense possible behind the younguns. The team doesn't have to win this year, but the young pitchers need to look solid and have good metrics. Side note, I also agree with the waiting out of the free agent pitching market. There will be some last man standing who will be a decent pitcher who can be signed for little, who will have a burning desire to prove himself who can be flipped for future pieces in July, a la Trachsel a couple of years ago. Or else he will allow us to trade one of the young pitchers. About all you get in July for an overpriced veteran pitcher is a salary dump, Baez anyone, for a really cheap bargain you coould get mid level prospects (a la Cherry & Moore). I want the team to win but I'm not that much more excited about 75 than 65 or even 85 than 75. I want 1966, 69,(even though it still hurts after all these years), 70, 71, 79 (ditto) 83, (even 88 and 89 weird I know). I don't want 95,96, fun though they were...and especially not 98 (ring a Belle?) and I really don't want what we've had from then to Miggy. I want 95 win teams and the Oriole Way.

Third point. A few facts. We are in the most competitive division in baseball. We are not a small market team and there are resources to bring to the table. Every team in the division is better than us. All teams are small market when compared with the Yankees and Red Sox. So, we have to be smarter, more efficient, more professional than all the other franshises. The Dominican facility is a huge step. The Uehara signing is a huge step. Not wasting money on Sheets or Dunn is a huge step. We can't go toe to toe with the Yankees every off season. But when we were close to them and actually had a chance, PA was more than willing to put up the money. I have problems with the owner like the rest of the world, but it is his money. If I were him, I wouldn't want to buy ten more wins for 20,000,000 more dollars. But I would bet that he would be perfectly willing to pay out $40.000.000 for a real chance at a championship. In other words, we have to get as close as we can the Tampa Bay way, the old Twins way (who was that executive?), and get close before we spend the enormous bucks going head to head with the empires and nations. We could have, would have been competitive in the NL West several times in the past several years. But we have to win in the AL East. Pitching, defense, timely hitting, a three run homer, an occasional free agent an occasional big trade. The recipe still works, but you have to have consistency and excellence throughout the minor league system. As Jack has pointed out, there will be some great baseball in the minor leagues this year and the affiliates office staffs are as helpful as the on the field talent is good. The coaches have to be top notch and on the same page low A through AAA. Could that be why some of them flipped spots this year? We have to have the best scouting and from the looks of our last couple of drafts it seems to be on track. We have to look internationally. We have to be smart with all of our assets; we can't squander like the empire does. We also have to do things in the right order. Let the free agent market play out before the turning up the heat in the trade market. Extend Markakis, of course, those who doubted it are silly and worse. But do it after the past frenzy has died down and comparative economic sanity return (e.g. Pedroia and Youkilis).

I think Mr. Angelos has done his best job of being an owner over the past year and a half ever. (Perhaps not a high bar.) Name two things that he has publically said or done that have been infuriating? Yes the Belle signing made him gun shy and injury paranoid, but he is letting AM call the shots now. AM acts like everything is so complicated; but I think he is right (and yes his verbal bob and weave is frustrating, though I would be trying to do the same in his position). He is deliberate, slow, tortoise-like, perhaps even glacial, but he is trying to rebuild not just a team, but an entire franchise, in the best division in baseball. Great care should be taken in such an operation. It is very difficult to beat the teams in the AL EAst more than they beat you, especially if you want to do it over time. I think AM's plan is the only possibility for long term competitive vialbility in this division. I don't know if it will work. But what I do know is none of the master plans I've seen on the blogs from the expert fans and back seat GMs have a chance of doing what I want for the team. And if the most vocal fans did get to make the decisions,it would be like the management of the late 90's that got us into this mess in the first place. Unlike a bunch of fans out there, I have finally found some hope for the O's future in what has happened over the past two years, much more than any time since the mid 80's (no I haven't forgotten the mid 90s, but they weren't built the right way either). Yes the mid 90's were fun, but they couldn't last, the knee jerk Belle signing proved that and in fact ended it. (Angelos at his worst). I want the best record in baseball over a 20 year period again, not 71 or 81 wins this year. I would rather have 60 now for the chance at a consistent future winner. As for those infield holes, don't worry, they won't be here in 18 to 24 months but neither will some of our young pitching. Sorry for the rant.

I just had to get it off my chest.

Jack, I disagree with almost everything you say and the tone with which you say it, but I appreciate your non-baseball service to the citizenry.

By the way, 78 to 83 wins two young starters emerging, another young position player beginning to establish himself, and no self inflicted bullpen implosion, you read it here first.

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Pete's reply: Thanks for the note, which may be the longest in the history of "The Schmuck Stops Here."

I'll give MacPhail credit for getting it done. Based on his past comments about squeezing players when the club has the advantage during the arbitration years, I'm shocked.

I'm not trying to rain on this minor parade or say it's not a good thing. It's very much a step in the right direction. But as far as improving the club, it means little right now. All this does is lock Nick down for an extra three years past his arbitration years. He was here (happy or not) for the next three years regardless. So in that respect, I'm surprised they didn't wait until year 3.

In year 4, if the "developmental" phase goes according to plan, it may mean something then. So wake me in 4 years when that happens because this club will be unwatchable until then.

Nick, sign the damn thing. You're getting paid uber millions to play a game - and you nor any other sports athlete has any ethical right to expect that kind of moolah, regardless of what our glorious system supports. Sign it, be a man, and get on with your life. You'll make more that hundreds of us patched together will make.

It's rather sickening, dude. Just do it.

I don't know what makes me happier about Markakis signing an extention, that it's great to lock in a key building block of the Orioles future or that there's one less thing for the nattering nabobs of negativeity to cry about. Oh hapy day.

Pete, I certainly was in the minority that he would sign because a young player doesn't leave 60 mil. on the table and gambles that he wont get hurt for the next 3 yrs.

I hope this ends the "Nick hates Baltimore" and "O's aren't looking to pay for real talent". I am sure if Nick didn't break off negotiations, it would have been signed before the Holidays, but better late than never.

Pete, I know the market isn't what it was last year for Brian, but do you think it's time for one last offer from the O's and then trade him for the best package and who do you think could be one of the teams that has serious interest? I also could see Brian being in a lot of demand come July, but it seems to be a gamble one way or the other. I'm still not sold on what the Cubs offered us last year, so I am not lamenting the fact Andy didn't pull the trigger.

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Pete's reply: I don't see much of a market for Brian right now, so I guess it's possible that negotiations on an extension could heat up. Otherwise, the O's may have to wait until July to get enough for him...if then.

I said $60 mil was a lowball offer, and Markakis wouldn't accept it.

It looks like I was right, too.

As for this being proof of the O's being serious about building a winning team again ... sorry. It only proves they aren't completely inept.

If three years from now we are trading Markakis for five prospects to get all lathered up about as the newest of the new x-year plan is in place, ...

OK Karnak, does B-Rob re-sign or get traded?

Actually I was the one who said weeks ago that the O's would never let this fine young GREEK lad escape.
Anyway... now it's time to wrap up the best leadoff hitter in baseball. SIGN ROBRTS ! ! !

signing markakis should give the nitwits one less thing to kvetch about macphail. probably not though. some of these nitwits seem to invent things to complain about.

final score today ravens 23 steelers 13

Until Peter Angelos sells the team and baseball has a salary cap, we still have serious issues....

This will be the first ligit move of the off season. Next ?

Thank you Peter Schmuck and Peter Angelos. Nice job to both of you. This is a step in the right direction.

As I'm sure you know, Eric Milton has been working out for several MLB teams, including the Orioles, and has a couple of offers on the table. Do you think Andy sincerely interested?

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Pete's reply: Eric, as you know, lives in the area and probably wouldn't mind attempting his comeback here. The O's have looked at him, but I have no info on whether they'll offer him a minor league invite.

Yes, Peter, you were right, and Markakis did re-sign. I think we can all agree that Markakis has had great seasons over the past two years. Hopefully his continued presence in the lineup will bring continued success to the Orioles.

Oh wait, even with him, they finished in last place.

While not losing your own players is a starting point for good teams, it's considered a cause for celebration in the Warehouse.

Let's sign Dunn through 2013, too. Last place teams need to add quality players to improve, not just tread water by resigning the guys they already had.

Good prediction, Pete. Repeat after me: in Pete we trust. One question: wouldn't the better reference be Boston's signing on Friday of Youkilis for $41 million for four years with a team option of a fifth year for $13 million? That deal is slightly more favorable to Youkilis than what you are projecting for Markakis, but Youkilis is more of an impact player -- his numbers last year were higher than those of Markakis, and his defense ias non-pareil. Overall, I think that McPhail will overpay just a tad, but that's OK to lock up a key player that the franchise has to keep.

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Pete's reply: The trouble with comparing both Pedroia and Youkilis is that Pedroia has one year less service time than Nick and Youk has one year more. I think the O's overpaid a little -- from a pure market perspective -- but I think it was the right thing to do.

Good prediction, Pete. Repeat after me: in Pete we trust. One question: wouldn't the better reference be Boston's signing on Friday of Youkilis for $41 million for four years with a team option of a fifth year for $13 million? That deal is slightly more favorable to Youkilis than what you are projecting for Markakis, but Youkilis is more of an impact player -- his numbers last year were higher than those of Markakis, and his defense ias non-pareil. Overall, I think that McPhail will overpay just a tad, but that's OK to lock up a key player that the franchise has to keep.

You don't want to play games with your top young marquee player. Now time to get Adam Jones done also so you have 2/3 of your outfield signed for long time.

Pete, I'm not wearing the purple Hawaiian shirt today, Going with the Ray Lewis jersey in honor of this possibly being his last game for the Ravens... Hope not...

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Pete's reply: I think they need to concentrate on several other things before Adam. He's not going anywhere for a long, long time.

I think the Youkilis contract made this real for Nick.

Imagine having a job that encourages thousands of people writing on your behalf to support your efforts to make 10 million + a year to play a kids game. And he's still in his twenties....! I sound envious don't I? Good move, go Orioles!

Thanks God. Maybe my grand daughter Youla can now meet this nice, rich greek boy, get married and settle down with kids here in Baltimore :o)

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Pete's reply: I hope you're granddaughter is about 2 and you're talking about Nick's soon-to-be-born son (if it's a boy), because Nick is happily married.

ONLY a 290 to 300 hitter with 20 to 25 HRs? That average season would compare favorably with Al Kaline (297/23), George Brett (305/19), Fred Lynn (283/25), Miguel Tejada (286/26), Dave Winfield (283/25), Cal Ripken (276/23). Pretty good company if you ask me.

Poor Markakis. He is going to be Baltimore's Ryan Sweeney.

This is nice and everything, but I'll point out we still don't have a rotation. Best case, Guthrie wins 15 games and nobody else on this staff as it exists now can even win double-digits games.

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Pete's reply: Did you mean Mike Sweeney?

does is seem like its taking forever to sign players this year? lots of FAs left, Pitchers and catchers report in less than a month?

Id like to see Dunn... I'll take 70 home runs over the 315 ft RF fence and 6 off the warehouse. 70 dingers and 225 ks... Whoo hoo!

To all those people who may be thinking the O's are overpaying Nick at roughly $11mil per and/or that he's reached his ceiling: come on! He's only improved his numbers the past two full seasons, and he led the Majors in outfield assist last year and DIDN'T get a gold glove! Not only is he homegrown talent (which by the way, Tex was NOT, he only grew up nearby), an Oriole his entire professional career, but he's an outstanding fielder with a cannon arm, has a great eye at the plate, and is fully capable of stealing 15-20 bases when it helps the team. Plus, this is a huge morale booster to the players and fans, oh, and it boosts peoples' opinion of the folks in the Warehouse.

I don't know if the O's necessarily need to lock up Adam just yet. This will only be his second full season in the bigs. Certainly, if he improves his plate discipline, flashes some more leather, and contributes to the club in 2009, he deserves a serious look at a long-term deal. Guthrie, well, I think they need a deal soon.

And as far as BRob is concerned, I don't think it's necessary to dump him for whatever package there might be out there for him. He's a switch hitter, good plate discipline, good fielder (though his range may decrease slightly), and an excellent base stealing threat. On this last point, look at the likes of Rickey Henderson and Kenny Lofton. Brian never possessed the pure speed those guys had, but all three of them have the instinct. Everyone gets slower with age, but the instinct and base stealing knowledge (and confidence) just build. Don't think that's a huge problem, even when approaching his mid-thirties. So, give him a chance with a 3-5 year deal. The O's don't possess a guy who could step into the lead-off spot, and I don't think they could get anyone in return who would be able to either. So, unless BRob really doesn't want to be an Oriole when free agency rolls around, lock him up. If he wants out, let him out.

Keith Rowe -

AM faces an uphill battle to resign his own players at a reasonable price? Are you whack? 11 + mil for a really good right fielder who just completed his third season in the bigs, is true commitment. Just look at the Pedroia deal. And that guy was a league MVP!

I for one do not believe this team is as hamstrung for money as some suggest. Andy proved that with his opening offer to Tex (can't believe those that called it a lowball offer). The difference between Andy & others, is that he envisioned the direction this franchise needed to take, and knew it would not be popular with a lot of fans that had already suffered through a lot of losing. He has never mislead us on his intentions. In fact he said that it wasn't going to be quick or pretty.

Me personally, I would have liked to see Andy sign another solid starter to soften the bludgeoning I suspect is still going to take place in 09. And many cite Andy's emotional statement of addressing the woeful pitching in 08 thru this off season. I too heard it, but my thought is that once all the strain of the last 2 + months wore off, Andy looked at the market and decided he wasn't going to get into bidding wars with players that probably wouldn't want to sign here anyway. My guess is that he felt that if this team ever was going to be able to lure FA's here, it would be establishing a productive farm system and locking down the future similar to what the Indians did during the 90's. So it appears he decided to strengthen the bullpen add a couple of questionable pieces with potential in the rotation and find out once and for all whether Olson, Liz & Penn have a future in the majors, be it starting or long relief. And what better way to determine this then with a club that has no possibility to escape the cellar. That's when you roll the dice on prospects as starters. Not when the club is ready to compete. The hope is after Guthrie that Koji makes the transition and becomes a serviceable starter, that perhaps Hennessy delivers on his potential, and settles into the starting staff, and that perhaps one of the 3 questionable prospects settles into the rotation. If so, then going into 2010, you've got a semblance of a starting rotation with out over paying mediocre FA's.

So yeah our pitching still looks very iffy for 09. We need some pitching to step up to keep the season from going to absolutely unwatchable. But this is the time to try something like I described above. I believe that Olson is the one who emerges as a decent starter, along with Hennessy & Koji. I think Liz & Penn lock down relief roles along with Hendrickson, Sherrill, Ray, & Sarfate. Realistically, that leaves 2 spots, between Albers, Patton, Walker, Baez, Simon, Miller, Hoey, & McCrory. It'll be a dogfight, but I see Baez & Walker emerging. If both are healthy, they are still the best options. Patton needs to build up arm strength and innings in the minors. Albers is the big question mark. If he comes back without surgery, can pitch in relief effectively, then he's obviously in the equation as well.

Forgot to add Johnson to the list of definites coming out of the pen from my previous (novel) post.

Pete, I think Ty Wigginton is a signing that still makes sense for this team, even at 2 years. We need players that can play multiple positions. And the guy has some pop. Any sense he winds up here?

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Pete's reply: My gut says no, but the sudden signing of Markakis makes me think things are ramping up and more news is possible.

Weren't you a bit surprised when the Pedroia deal was announced? I live in the Boston area these days (although I rode my bike to 33rd street as a kid) and Theo and his staff have an uncanny ability to get players to occasionally take less than market value to play at Fenway. Let's hope the O's re-up Roberts and make this O's team the start of something special.

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Pete's reply: Yes, I did think the Pedroia deal was a little low.

Good signing, glad to see the attitude on the blog (by the commenters) improving. Now maybe we can concentrate on Steeler whuppin' and Easy Cheese, at least until (the)pitcher and (the) catcher reports.

Pete, this is great news. But seriously, you act as if we had NO REASON to be nervous or skeptical as if this organization had never blundered or let a great player get away before. I know that hasn't really been the case now in the MacPhail regime but still... and before anyone pipes in about Texiera, he never had any intention of coming here.

Glad to see that your crystal ball is working. Regarding the Markakis signing - the ink hasn't been applied yet - remember the Aaron Sele deal...?

As far as the O's go, well...even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.

Wieters is next.....then Jones, then Guthrie

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Pete's reply: Wieters just signed a big contract (albeit a draft deal). You've got to see him succeed before you update that one and the six-year clock hasn't even started yet.

Hey ken - get off the fence would you? You don't get to wait until he puts up crazy numbers and then pay him 11 million? You pay him 16-17 million...so to write that they've overpaid is just plain ignorant. He has had little to no support around him in the order and is a good guy in the community and clubhouse - not to mention a Gold Glove caliber fielder. You pay for more than stats. - but even if all you did was pay for stats he is worth every penny. If "all he is" is a .300 hitter with 25 homeruns (which if very good in the new "non-steroid" era) - I'll take it.

Trade Roberts to the Cubs . Heard the Cubs are still interested in BRob .. Since Roberts is saying he won't resign with the O's . Better get something now . What do you think ?

Thank God Nick is staying. But an idea why not go after Audruw Jines. He acn be had right now for the min $400,000 a year so basically free. The guy has had one real bad year. Before that he was one of the best in baseball, i.e 10 gold gloves. He would be a great vetern to teach Adam Jones the ropes. To me if he would come which it looks like he would go to any team that would sign him, its a no brainer at that price.

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Pete's reply: I'm hearing he goes back to the Braves. He's worth the tiny risk for any team, but he'll have plenty of options, so I doubt he'd be willing to come here.

Jesus that guy needs to write a book. And just one little note. There was nothing wrong with the way the 90's went and why it didnt loast. That time frame was when New York and Boston started going into bidding wars and driving prices for players to record highs, also the start of the Boras BS that he has done to basball. Yes Belle was a bust but there are busts on every team every year. And if it wasnt for Boras and the the two Banks not Baseball teams in the AL east the 90's would have continued. One more thing MacPhail is doing a GREAT job and I have faith in the plan. But you still have to take gambles and you still have to at times spend money on FA talent,its just a fact. And until we have a Owner thats cares more about winning and less about one bad signing a decade ago, we will never contend one a year end year out basis. Lokk at Tampa even they spent money this of season cause it is what you have to do. And they will also cont. to sign their in house talent like that have done. But my worry is at the end of this rebuilding is PA gonna let the GM do his job and bring in the FA that EVERY team needs to be a every year contender. From the past I dont see the owner allowing it. Nick is about to sign the second Biggest contract in Oriole History,which in this baseball world of today isnt even that big compared to what the other teams in the division are spending or in 85% of other teams for that matter.

Now, ....for gosh sakes, sign Whittingham for 2 years!!! He offers a great deal with his position versatility, decent av., and decent power. His pop in the middle of the lineup would also offer some consistency and protection. Do it now!!

Hey PA!!! Do you see the passion of the O's fans that shows up daily in these blogs? Some of us have rooted for the O's since they first came to B-more. The O's were a part of our summers and we were proud of who and what they were; but to see them fall so low and be ridiculed these last 10 years has been a painful experience. Respectability is what we're hoping for. That's not a huge demand. Perhaps the signing of AM is a true sign of your epiphany. The national media has not been kind to B-more on most occasions through the years; but one thing is for certain, and unbeknownst to most of the ' empire ' fawning sports media types,...B-more has the best sports fans ( go Raven's!! ) in the country!!! The Colt fans of old taught 'em how to get crazy for the home team. It started here!!! Don't let it end here!!!

Cat got your tongue Jack? Par for the course for you and your ilk....

"Now, ....for gosh sakes, sign Whittingham for 2 years!!!"

Who is Whittingham?

Are you talking about Josh Willingham? He's still three years away from free agency...

He's talking about Ty Wigginton, a free agent that played with Houston last year

i love u people...go orioles =)