MacPhail: Business as usual
There were not major revelations during Andy MacPhail's 6 p.m. media briefing. The Orioles, he said, are not so close to any deal that it is "a phone call away," but he indicated that today has been a very busy and productive day of meetings with agents and clubs.
He did confirm earlier reports that he had met with the representatives of Aroldis Chapman, but said that Alan and Randy Hendricks are retracing the steps that Chapman's previous agent already had completed, so the process is still in its early stages and the Orioles are still involved.
MacPhail also confirmed the meetings with SFX -- which represents, among others, Erik Bedard -- and multiple conversations about a potential pitching deal, presumably the possible trade for veteran pitcher Kevin Millwood.
The Orioles do have the medicals on Bedard and have no ruled out making him an offer, though there are rumblings out of the Mariners organization that he won't be ready to pitch until late next season. It's not surprising that the agents and Bedard's former club would have differing opinions on his outlook, but the MacPhail said in all cases involving injured players the O's would go with the evaluation of their own medical staff.
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Comments
Looks like the Padres are driving a hard bargain for Kouzmanoff...
From MLB Trade Rumors:
"The Twins offered [Glen] Perkins for Kouzmanoff, but the Padres want more, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today."
"the Giants are talking to the Padres about third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, but the Padres want more than Fred Lewis and Kevin Frandsen."
Posted by: not brooks | December 8, 2009 6:46 PM
Pie, Arrieta and Snyder should make for a lucrative offer for Billy Butler - a middle of the lineup right handed power hitter Mr. Trembley has been seeking. Pie shouldn't be short changed; he had an amazing couple of months.
Posted by: Sudhir | December 8, 2009 7:15 PM
Sudhir:
Are you on drugs? You want to trade two of our top 5 prospects and Pie for a right handed Jack Cust? Say it ain't so.
Posted by: Crack | December 8, 2009 7:31 PM
Crack -
Butler's a lot better than Jack Cust.
But still, Snyder has Butler-like potential on his own. Adding a B+ pitching prospect and a solid fourth outfielder with upside would be pretty horrible.
Posted by: not brooks | December 8, 2009 7:39 PM
I have seen Brandon Snyder play a few dozen times and I don't think he is a sure thing by any means. He is below average defensively, does not have a good arm and is more of a line drive gap hitter. For a player his size he does not have good power or speed and once you get a good look at him you will know what I mean. Of course, he could develop some power later, but I think he is going to be a DH in the Major Leagues at best if he can
. He is fairly one dimensional but he can put the bat on the ball. He will remind you more of Jeff Conine when you see him. I would move him in a heartbeat if the right deal came along. Frankly, I don't think the Orioles believe he is the long term solution at first base either.
I'll bet that he is not one of our prospects that other teams mention frequently in trade talks. But that's just me.
Posted by: Gil | December 8, 2009 8:36 PM
The comparison to Snyder and Butler is in my mind spot on.
I'll take it. Give Snyder a shot, he's not going to overwhelm you hitting in Norfolk. It's a beast of a pitchers park.
Posted by: bms | December 8, 2009 9:11 PM
Are we even considering Adrian Gonzalez from SD?
Here is a young, power hitting, gold glove first baseman who SD wants to move.
He'd be a cornerstone on the O's infield, provided we show him the money. Offer some prospects!
Anything on this Capt. Pete?
Posted by: mookman8 | December 8, 2009 9:18 PM
this is the second day of the winter meetings. there has been some wheeling and dealing.i think andy macphail is feeding us a bunch of hog wash.the orioles will still be on the outside looking in when the winter meetings end on thursday
Posted by: leonard | December 8, 2009 9:21 PM
Sudhir, I'd love to see Billy Butler in an Oriole uniform, but I'm guessing the Royals would want more than what you propose. Really, I think K.C. would be crazy to trade him, as he has perennial All-Star written all over him.
Crack, Butler just a right-handed Cust? Unlike Jack, he hits for average, finishing at .301 this season and .291 over approximately two-and-a-half seasons; Cust, on the other hand, a .239 average in eight seasons. May I suggest you put down the pipe associated with your name and back away from the table.
bms and not brooks, You're both a bit premature in equating Snyder with Butler. Butler's proven he can hit big league pitching, while Snyder has yet to show he can hit Tripe-A stuff. I'm not discounting his potential by any means, but until a hitter proves he can hit major leaguers he hasn't proven anything.
Posted by: Ken Francis | December 8, 2009 9:27 PM
Can't wait for another year of baseball in birdland.
Check out this story on the birds
http://fortheloveofthegamelifeasasportsfan.blogspot.com/2009/12/several-possibilities-on-orioles-radar.html
Posted by: BirdsFan2110 | December 8, 2009 9:47 PM
Can't wait for another year of baseball in birdland.
Check out this story on the birds
http://fortheloveofthegamelifeasasportsfan.blogspot.com/2009/12/several-possibilities-on-orioles-radar.html
Posted by: BirdsFan2110 | December 8, 2009 9:48 PM
Ken Francis:
Butler's been in the bigs for over 3 years and KC has been on the cusp of giving up on him for years. Solid 1B limited power, good bat just needed to make some adjustments to fulfill his potential.
I think Snyder is very similar. I like Butler don't get me wrong, I think we have our own version though.
Posted by: bms | December 9, 2009 12:10 AM
mmmmmmm...........Butler...........
sold.
Posted by: paulie | December 9, 2009 1:24 AM
People.... AM even appearing in Indy is a joke (at least as it pertains to the O's). This trip is all about continuing to position himself as the next commish.
Sure, he'll likely pull off a couple very insignificant deals, but they'll be meaningless - accept to those fans who sleep at night in the O's jammy's.
Business as usual indeed!
Posted by: wayne | December 9, 2009 1:26 AM
People.... AM even appearing in Indy is a joke (at least as it pertains to the O's). This trip is all about continuing to position himself as the next commish.
Sure, he'll likely pull off a couple very insignificant deals, but they'll be meaningless - accept to those fans who sleep at night in the O's jammy's.
Business as usual indeed!
Posted by: wayne | December 9, 2009 1:26 AM
While the world goes after Kevin Kouzmanoff, I think the Birds should go hard after Uggla. The Marlins can't afford him and I've seen him play in person at least 15 times a year at LandShark and the guy is good. He's a leader, hits for power and isn't a 1 or 2 year player. I know the Marlins are asking a lot now, but they have no money and the O's have the prospects to make it work.
Pete, is Mark Derosa on the O's radar? A guy with his versatility would be something that I think would entice Andy since he can play so many positions which means he wouldn't block anyone plus every player says the guy is great in the clubhouse. I am not liking going after guys like Crede, Atkins or Feliz.
Posted by: Birdland Todd | December 9, 2009 2:41 AM
MacFail is just buttering our bread.....
The reality is he's speaking in glittering generalities to cover up the fact that the O's haven't (and won't) do a single thing.
Posted by: Hal W. | December 9, 2009 7:37 AM
Butler is a good hitter, but not home run power. Adequate at first, not so good at third or outfield. Upside is he is still very young. I wouldn't give up 3 prospects for him.
Posted by: bill | December 9, 2009 1:25 PM
Why do the Orioles persist in signing the rejects and fading stars from other teams? Does Glenn Davis of 1991 not ring a bell? 2010 looks gloomy already.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 9, 2009 2:44 PM
Why do the Orioles persist in signing the rejects and fading stars from other teams? Does Glenn Davis of 1991 not ring a bell? 2010 looks gloomy already.
Posted by: Marcia | December 9, 2009 2:45 PM
Why do the Orioles persist in signing the rejects and fading stars from other teams? Does Glenn Davis of 1991 not ring a bell? 2010 looks gloomy already.
Posted by: Marcia | December 9, 2009 2:45 PM
Kouzmanoff is the guy we need. Im not sold on Bell and Uggla has problems as well. Kevin would be a great fit in the BMORE system.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 9, 2009 9:54 PM