Schmuck: Westward Ho!
I'm heading to BWI to catch a flight to California this morning, so my participation here may be uneven for the next few days, but I have some very good news. Orioles beat reporter Jeff Zrebiec has agreed to help me out a little bit and keep the blog fires burning. He'll be posting a few entries -- and he has an interesting take on departed reliever Chris Ray ready to pop in the next half hour or so -- so there's still going to be good reason to stop by for your daily baseball fix.
I'm not going to be completely out of pocket either. I'll be chiming in from time to time on the Orioles offseason machinations, and I may even give you my take on the Central Coast wine country as my wife and I visit family from Los Angeles all the way to the coast of Oregon. It's going to be a whirlwind trip and I'll be home in less than a week, but I'm pretty sure Bob (blancione) will have me fired by the time I get back.
Just a couple more words about Jeff:
Be gentle.
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Comments
'Orioles offseason machinations'?
Are you kidding Pete?
You can go away for a month, come back, and the Orioles will still have huge holes.
Sure, you can fill time by writing about MASN or possibly about one of the 'filler' free agents they're thinking about grabbing.
Or maybe you could give us an update on the blockbuster Millwood acquisition. Maybe put his 07' and 08' stats on the blog?
Nah, don't worry about it Schmuckster. Take as much time as you need. The Orioles will still be one of the 3 worst teams in baseball when you return.
Posted by: wayne | December 12, 2009 9:26 AM
yeah pete... and don't comeback with out Adrian Gonzales, Matt Holliday, Jason Bay, John Lackey, 2002 Vlad Guerrero, 1998 Ivan Rodriguez, Adrian Beltre, Prince and Cecil Fielder, Erik Bedard, Chone Figgins, Tim Lincecum, Miguel Cabrera, a new owner, a new GM, a new announcer, new manager, and new coaches.
Whats the limit on your Baltimore Sun AMEX card? $200mil, plus the entire farm system?
Don't think you need to worry about blancione getting you canned... Wayne is heading to Sun headquarters as I type!!!!
Posted by: SHAMROCK | December 12, 2009 10:19 AM
I've only been to Napa/Sonoma wine regions. Hit a few places in the Alexander Valley and Russian river our last time out. Will you make it through there heading to Oregon?
Good deals at Chateau St. Jean in Sonoma. Best Chardonnay, or atleast tied for the best with Beuna Vista Carneros. Gotta hit the Cheese Factory on the Sonoma town square. Ravenswood has the best tour and great Zin.
Posted by: SHAMROCK | December 12, 2009 10:35 AM
Hope you brought your umbella...it's been raining a lot here on the Central Coast!
We're not in shorts and t-shirt season anymore.
Posted by: Austin | December 12, 2009 12:50 PM
Pete i never realized the hostility between us has gotten this far. But i don't hold any grudges because i can take just as much as i can give out. Actually i take you mentioning my name in your blog as a compliment.Take care and have a safe trip.
Posted by: blancione | December 12, 2009 1:25 PM
Hey Pete.....don't want to blow your image or nothin......but thanks, frrom one dad to another. The time you and Jeff, and Rock spent with a local kid trying to break in at the winter meetings in Indy, was above the call of duty. I know he learned alot just talking with you, and listening, and I now it meant the world to him. I realize most only know you guys as media personalities, so the fact that your really good people may be hard for some to handle....don't worry you don't have to post this.....just know this is a greatful Dad.......Happy holidays...Larry Williams
Posted by: Larry Williams | December 12, 2009 3:25 PM
Hey Pete.....don't want to blow your image or nothin......but thanks, frrom one dad to another. The time you and Jeff, and Rock spent with a local kid trying to break in at the winter meetings in Indy, was above the call of duty. I know he learned alot just talking with you, and listening, and I know it meant the world to him. I realize most only know you guys as media personalities, so the fact that your really good people may be hard for some to handle....don't worry you don't have to post this.....just know this is a greatful Dad.......Happy holidays...Larry Williams
Posted by: Larry Williams | December 12, 2009 3:27 PM
I'm loving the hot stove possibilities for the O's. Next week could be telling, I think. But it'll likely be a long drawn out winter. I'm interested in others' thoughts on some possibilities.
Somehow prying Butler from the Royals would be amazing. Could Pie be packaged with someone like Scott get it done? Butler hasn't shown power yet, but I'd love to see his righty bat spraying liners all over Camden. Perfect world scenario would also include netting Atkins for 3b and maybe a late game move to 1b for defensive replacement and Butler moving to DH.
I hear talk of Bedard as a post-injury gamble. Is Wang discussed as a possibility, as well?
Now that Kous has an offer from the Padres, is he still a trade candidate? Seems like a good org fit for both teams. Headley could move back to 3b for them. Maybe another Pie package.
Is there any discussion about Lopez from Seattle as a potential 1B trade opp?
I get the feeling the O's are handling the closer market nonchalantly, but I'm worried. I don't want them to overpay for an overrated arm like Rodney or Valverde. Is there another Sherrill floating out there somewhere. Gonzalez would be nice though.
Posted by: Matt | December 13, 2009 9:07 AM