O's issue Roberts press release
Guess this makes it official. The Orioles sent out a press release a few minutes ago announcing the signing of Brian Roberts. Glad to hear it. Never would have guessed.
Roberts will take part in a news conference this afternoon, though he basically confirmed the deal and talked about it at length yesterday. He certainly looks like a happier player than the one who showed up at camp a year ago after nearly being traded to the Chicago Cubs.
The deal is believed to have limited no-trade protection for Roberts, but I'm only saying that because it's logical. Not because I know. Can't imagine he would sign a deal that gave the Orioles the right to deal him to the Kansas City Royals next week. He almost certainly has some say over where he could be dealt.
Don't misunderstand. Trading him is not an option anyone is considering right now. The club has made a couple of attempts in the past -- the Braves deal that was vetoed by Peter Angelos and the Cubs talks that eventually evaporated a year ago.
> 
Comments
Well, Peter, in a couple of year Roberts will get 10-5 rights, won't he? That's just as good as a no-trade clause. Or were 10-5 taken away (albeit grandfathered in) in the last CBA?
...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Good point. I'll have to check.
Posted by: Andrew | February 20, 2009 11:46 AM
Peter--Thanks for the beard photo! A little more time and Luke would've been the spitting image of General J.E.B. Stuart.
Posted by: PAUL.R | February 20, 2009 11:51 AM
4 More Years!
Posted by: Dave K | February 20, 2009 11:52 AM
This is such good news for O's fans. BRob is a fine person, a giving person (who now has a LOT to give), and a very good, if not great, baseball player. Very Baltimore kind of guy: hard working, blue collar (although $11M/year sort of moves you out of that category financially), and one who will not let the money get in the way of the work.
Whew!
Posted by: Noel Johnston | February 20, 2009 12:04 PM
Had to be done, got done, you called it. Great job petey. See you and your southern cal shirts at the yard this summer!
Posted by: raveno's | February 20, 2009 12:33 PM
Hey Schmuck,
I caught you on USA’s TV show called the “Burn Notice” last night. Apparently the character ‘Sam’ has a long lost brother from California and turns up in Southern Florida as a blog writer for the Orioles. Go figure…
Posted by: ncBIRDSfan | February 20, 2009 12:42 PM
Roberts was signed to an extension so that he could be traded immediately to the Mets for a few top prospect including Fernando Martinez and Jonathon Niese.
You'll see.
Posted by: DarylO | February 20, 2009 12:46 PM
Great to see B-Rob in camp and happy. How much of his agreeing to this extension was actually seeing the Orioles having a chance to win versus the economy turning south and there being no similar contract out on the market? Do you think the latter made the Orioles' upcoming series of 81-81 seasons seem more palatable?
.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I think everything factored in, though he stressed the progress that has been made the past couple of years.
Posted by: Jow | February 20, 2009 12:52 PM
Great signing. And great shirt, Schmuck.
I didn't realize it until I did some digging yesterday, but Roberts' VORP is slightly higher than Markakis's! If they can lock up Weiters next in a Longoria-style deal, that would be nice... Then go out and grab Beltre next year along with Lackey or Harden, and we're ready to compete with the big dogs.
Posted by: diamondjimmy | February 20, 2009 1:10 PM
I just have to say I'm glad I was wrong
with my prediction that BRob wouldn't sign! Now, AM get us some pitching!!
Posted by: UT Cal | February 20, 2009 1:22 PM
Hey Pete with Roberts and Markakis in the fold with long term contracts, who should the Orioles sign long term next? Adam Jones, Jeremy Guthrie come to mind as the next to sign long term contracts.
.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: You've got to see more from Guthrie and Jones before you do that, unless they really want to sign cheap in this economy.
Posted by: Dave | February 20, 2009 1:31 PM