Pete,

During the Holidays, you commented how that period would be a slow one for AM and the Orioles.

What's the excuse now though Pete? It's January 12th and you're talking about spring invites. The O's subject before this was about Chapman.

Good thing the Ravens are doing so well. Seriously, what would you be doing if they weren't? I mean you can only come up with these filler subjects about the Orioles for so long.

Maybe you can talk next about what a great job AM is doing. Oh, sorry...been there, done that!

Spring invites? Ugh!

.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Sorry Wayne, the last time I looked, I wasn't the general manager, but I'll try to pull off a trade for you. If nothing's happening, it's possible that nothing's happening. I'm not going to apologize for doing some Ravens stuff. I understand why you don't like that. They're winning, so they're obviously of no interest to you because you might have to say something nice about them.

Wayne, how do you not even know who contributed this article?

Wayne,
What's your excuse for coming across as a miserable human being?

Oh, I posted that Wayne. Many of us like to read JEFF ZREBIEC talk about the O's. The "ugh" is what we think when reading your constant negative drivel...

Pete, Jeff, anyone,

here's one of those few moments where i find myself agreeing w/ Wayne...what is going on in the warehouse???? my goodness it has been awfully quiet of late. will there be anything else done before spring training? if so when?

rumors abound that adam laroche is running out of possible suitors and that the orioles might wind up being able to sign him on the cheap. if so, that would be a job well done by AM for waiting out the market and getting one of the better corner infielders on the market for good value. But...why haven't we heard anything about this from you guys? What's going on @ the warehouse? your loyal readers want to know!!!

at this point we'll settle for scraps, but you gotta throw us something.

............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I certainly hope they do more, but I don't know what difference it makes whether it's today or next week as long as it's by spring training.

Enzo -

I'm probably gonna be called a "warehouser" for saying, but as of now the O's are looking at Carlos Delgado in the Puero Rico league. Plus, there isn't a huge market for LaRoche so it probably doesn't make much of difference anyway. There's also Jim Thome and Russell Branyen on the market as well. In terms of production, you're probably not going to see much of a difference between the four. Yeah yeah, I know, LaRoche is only 30.

My gut tells me that the O's are in the process of deciding between LaRoche and Delgado, who they just started scouting this week.

My response to that gut feeling is... STOP WAITING AND SIGN THEM BOTH!

Delgado at DH, LaRoche at first. And who gives a crap if they're both left handed? LaRoche is infinitely better than any current first base option and Delgado, if healthy, is infinitely better than any curretn DH option.

dave -

I'd rank 'em this way:

1. LaRoche: Youngest of the bunch, best glove

2. Delgado: If healthy, best of the bunch

3. Thome: Full time DH, for sure. I suspect he would mash at OPACY if healthy.

4. Branyan: No thanks. One healthy season in, what, a dozen? Back issues to boot. Pass...

And then theres Hank Blalock :P

Agreed, not brooks.

Sign them both and then trade Scott. Then sign Hendrickson and Bedard.

The Orioles haven't signed LaRoche or Delgado or Blalock yet because the Mets (and probably other temas) haven't made their move yet. Don't you know that when it comes to free agents, we eat other teams' table scraps?

Well with a lot of the free agents already signed i would love to see jim thome in a baltimore uniform.This guy can carry a club when he is hot and he can flat out mash the baseball.Ithink he would be an excellent fit at camden yards.Iam not sure what his asking price is but hes worth it im sure,if he stays healthy i would predict 30 to 40 hrs at camden yards

Montana... those guys are scraps. There is a reason they haven't signed with anyone. Hurt, not good enough, or want too much money.

There was one semi-premier player on the market and he wanted too much freakin' money.

It was a bad free agency year, can't make something out of nothing.

ranking 1B/3B options:

1) Laroche
2) Delgado
3) Garko
4) Tracy
5) Blalock
6) Branyan
7) Crede

Mora is better option than 4-7 but won't be back after problems with Trembley last season.

Mora can't his anymore. I wouldn't mind giving Blaylock a shot at first or Crede on third.

I was listening to XM radio on the way home from work today and on one of the "Home Pate Updates" they played a clip of a phone interview earlier today with Delgado. His comments were basically how he's glad to be healthy enough to play. What struck me as odd, though, was when the announcer said that Delgado was being pursued by his two former teams, the Mets and the Blue Jays. No mention of the O's...

Reading these coments everybody here sounds somewhat knowledgeable, which makes it surprising that despite the improvements made with growing our own players pretty much everyone here wants to O's to go out and sign every second tier free agent out there. I guess Sid Thrift lives. LaRouche is a descent option. Delgado is a waste, too old, too injured to be reliable. But even LaRoche shouldn't be a long term guy, sign him to a deal that makes him attractive to trade down the line. As I recall, Aubrey had a pretty good end to the season, don't write him off just yet.

Geof,

Nobody's talking about long term deals with any of these players. the longest deal anybody has in mind is two years, but really, the idea is to have a 1 year deal w/ an option year.

And, as far as Michael Aubrey, there's no way to speculate that he is capable of playing every day at first. yes, he has a decent glove and yes he hit fairly well in sept. but, from all the scouting reports on this guy, there's nothing to suggest that those kind of number will hold up over a season. that being said, i wouldn't mind seeing him get in a few games now and then to prove me wrong.

anyway, barring a blockbuster move (and no one's holding their breath on that one) the name of the game is waiting on some of the prospects who are on the verge now (bell and snyder). only then will we know what we have as an org. and be able to plan where the team goes from here.

Orioles better watch out! The players union got the Marlins today for being cheap.

Michael Aubrey? Geez, is this Jim "Three Weeks" Traber all over again? Maybe Aubrey can sing the national anthem, too.

Adam LaRoche being the top candidate is pretty funny. He was just replaced by Aubrey Huff.

(If it's so funny, why am I not laughing?)

{sigh}

Jason, you ranked Blalock fifth? Man, she was HOT on "Star Trek: Enterprise" -- she's my number one.

Honey, I'm comin' to bed now ...

To all those complaining that the O's are moving too slow, you need to look at the rest of the league. Most of the other teams aren't really in a spending frenzy either. Looking at the transactions through the past week or so, there's been more front office shuffling around the league than free agents signed.

As for who the O's should sign, I personally would prefer somebody who could play 1B or 3B (with Reimold or Scott at DH) since that's our biggest hole. I'm hoping Snyder/Bell pan out and they become good players, but until then, I'd like somebody who can play the field. We've got two legitimate DH types already, adding Delgado and Thome wouldn't clear things up. Unfortunately, that pretty much leaves LaRoche (who's way too expensive) and Crede (who's injury-plagued). Blalock might be a decent low-rent option.

Geez guys,

I really think some of these players have a lot of potential and have a real shot at... Kidding kidding.

Somebody has to fill in on those split squad days though.

not brooks

I agree with you about signing both Delgado, if he's healthy, and Laroche. It doesn't make our lineup unbalanced at all. We'd have Jones, Atkins and Reimold from the right side, Nick, Delgado and Laroche fom the left and Roberts, Weiters and Izturis switch hitting.

That's not a bad batting order. Other than Roberts and Izturis, we'd have potential 20-30 HR power from 2nd to 8th spot in the order.

What I wonder though is whether one of these guys, likely Delgado, would want to be DH for the Orioles if he gets another offer to play 1st base.

Waspman:

Aubrey Huff signed with SF Giants.

Adam LaRoche started 2009 in Pittsburg. Adam was traded to Boston.
After 6 days in Boston Adam was traded to the Braves.

Furthermore Michael Aubrey played well at 1st after the Scott and Wiggy experiments.

Hank Blalock is all but done. The guy has been hampered by injuries and I don't even think he is a short term answer. Joe Crede is another guy that I don't think will stay healthy enough to play a full season. My top 3 choices for 1B/DH would be LaRoche, Garko and Thome. I like Delgado, but I am concerned about his health and age.

The interesting thing with Huff is that the Giants are moving him to 3B which is a position which he played quite well in limited time here. I said to Pete after his amazing year that perhaps playing full time the field would mess up his stats and I really think that the O's should have left as a full time DH, but that's neither here nor there.

I think the Marlins overplayed their hand with Uggla so if they can't trade him perhaps they will be forced to trade Jorge Cantu. I think Cantu would be great for the O's. I love Uggla because when you watch the guy play, he's a gritty SOB, but he's not willing to change positions.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know if Brandon Philips can play SS? The Reds want to trade him and the guy is a 20+ HR and 20+ stolen base guy that would add more punch to the lineup. I have no idea if he can play SS, but I heard he's extremely athletic. I like Izzy, but I would love to have another speedster like when the O's had Roberts and Patterson running wild. I think Brian and Brandon could create a lot of offense. I know Nick and Adam talk about stealing more bases, but I don't see it taking place and with Jones, not sure I want him to risk injury.

Good post Birdland Todd. The options you suggested in Cantu and especially Phillips are interesting ones that I haven't heard a whole lot about. I would much prefer Cantu to all the jokers most of the posters here are screaming for.

If it's true that the Reds would be looking to trade Phillips that could be a huge opportunity for McPhail. I believe the 1st/3rd problem will be resolved to everyone's satisfaction before the start of next season (2011) just when we should be ready to start being a lot more competitive. But 2011 SS has been an enigma. Not nearly as easy to fill that hole especially with only one decent prospect in the minors who's only 18 or 19. My best scenario a while back was to sign Figgins before he went to Seattle and play him at 3rd for a year and then move him to SS in 2011. Phillips might actually be an even better solution. But as everyone says, moving guys from one position to another doesn't always go as smoothly as you'd expect. Either way Phillip's offense alone could be worth the risk.

As for everyone else I'll say yes that I would rather see Michael Aubrey for a year than any of the broken down 35-40 year old names being thrown around. Even if it is only for a year, this team can't have enough youth and energy. (yes I've been brainwashed by the FO!)

Turdland! The Art of losing games and being cheap!

La Roche on a two year contract is not a bad deal. But he isn't worth 8-plus a year which is what he's seeking. Delgado on a one year-not bad because if he can hit the long ball then he becomes Big Papi 2 (the orioles version). But if you take Aubrey's numbers from last year and multiply them to match up with everyone else's games played and innings. Well, he actually come out with 28 hr and a .290 average (but that's purely speculative. Problem is he is not known as a great fielder

La Roche on a two year contract is not a bad deal. But he isn't worth 8-plus a year which is what he's seeking. Delgado on a one year-not bad because if he can hit the long ball then he becomes Big Papi 2 (the orioles version). But if you take Aubrey's numbers from last year and multiply them to match up with everyone else's games played and innings. Well, he actually come out with 28 hr and a .290 average (but that's purely speculative. Problem is he is not known as a great fielder

La Roche on a two year contract is not a bad deal. But he isn't worth 8-plus a year which is what he's seeking. Delgado on a one year-not bad because if he can hit the long ball then he becomes Big Papi 2 (the orioles version). But if you take Aubrey's numbers from last year and multiply them to match up with everyone else's games played and innings. Well, he actually come out with 28 hr and a .290 average (but that's purely speculative. Problem is he is not known as a great fielder

La Roche on a two year contract is not a bad deal. But he isn't worth 8-plus a year which is what he's seeking. Delgado on a one year-not bad because if he can hit the long ball then he becomes Big Papi 2 (the orioles version). But if you take Aubrey's numbers from last year and multiply them to match up with everyone else's games played and innings. Well, he actually come out with 28 hr and a .290 average (but that's purely speculative. Problem is he is not known as a great fielder

La Roche on a two year contract is not a bad deal. But he isn't worth 8-plus a year which is what he's seeking. Delgado on a one year-not bad because if he can hit the long ball then he becomes Big Papi 2 (the orioles version). But if you take Aubrey's numbers from last year and multiply them to match up with everyone else's games played and innings. Well, he actually come out with 28 hr and a .290 average (but that's purely speculative. Problem is he is not known as a great fielder

La Roche on a two year contract is not a bad deal. But he isn't worth 8-plus a year which is what he's seeking. Delgado on a one year-not bad because if he can hit the long ball then he becomes Big Papi 2 (the orioles version). But if you take Aubrey's numbers from last year and multiply them to match up with everyone else's games played and innings. Well, he actually come out with 28 hr and a .290 average (but that's purely speculative. Problem is he is not known as a great fielder

La Roche on a two year contract is not a bad deal. But he isn't worth 8-plus a year which is what he's seeking. Delgado on a one year-not bad because if he can hit the long ball then he becomes Big Papi 2 (the orioles version). But if you take Aubrey's numbers from last year and multiply them to match up with everyone else's games played and innings. Well, he actually come out with 28 hr and a .290 average (but that's purely speculative. Problem is he is not known as a great fielder

La Roche on a two year contract is not a bad deal. But he isn't worth 8-plus a year which is what he's seeking. Delgado on a one year-not bad because if he can hit the long ball then he becomes Big Papi 2 (the orioles version). But if you take Aubrey's numbers from last year and multiply them to match up with everyone else's games played and innings. Well, he actually come out with 28 hr and a .290 average (but that's purely speculative. Problem is he is not known as a great fielder

La Roche on a two year contract is not a bad deal. But he isn't worth 8-plus a year which is what he's seeking. Delgado on a one year-not bad because if he can hit the long ball then he becomes Big Papi 2 (the orioles version). But if you take Aubrey's numbers from last year and multiply them to match up with everyone else's games played and innings. Well, he actually come out with 28 hr and a .290 average (but that's purely speculative. Problem is he is not known as a great fielder

La Roche on a two year contract is not a bad deal. But he isn't worth 8-plus a year which is what he's seeking. Delgado on a one year-not bad because if he can hit the long ball then he becomes Big Papi 2 (the orioles version). But if you take Aubrey's numbers from last year and multiply them to match up with everyone else's games played and innings. Well, he actually come out with 28 hr and a .290 average (but that's purely speculative. Problem is he is not known as a great fielder

La Roche on a two year contract is not a bad deal. But he isn't worth 8-plus a year which is what he's seeking. Delgado on a one year-not bad because if he can hit the long ball then he becomes Big Papi 2 (the orioles version). But if you take Aubrey's numbers from last year and multiply them to match up with everyone else's games played and innings. Well, he actually come out with 28 hr and a .290 average (but that's purely speculative. Problem is he is not known as a great fielder

For those who are uninformed, Both Reimold and Montanez played first base in the Majors and Minors, however they only played sparingly. Montanez is actually playing 1st base in the Puerto Rican Winter league (and was drafted as a SS originally).

Nolan Reimold also played 1st base in college.

So these two are not such a reach.

Since Scott Moore is invited to Spring Training, the Orioles will have ample competition at the corners. He can play 1st or 3rd and I believe he can also backup 2nd. Mr. MacPhail doesn't have to make a trade for a corner infielder or sign another corner feilder free agent. Moore may be better than Aubrey or Wigginton if he doesn't get hurt again.

west anchor, the Giants were negotiating with Huff and LaRoche, and chose to sign Huff. The wording in my original post was off. Good catch.

Aubrey won't be a disaster at 1B. But, c'mon, he won't be in the AL's top ten at that position either.

Considering the Orioles will be sub-par given what the team has and what is still available, I guess it really doesn't make sense to rush anything. In a few weeks the list will be shorter and the price tag will be lower.

So what if the Orioles are heading towards 71 wins instead of 75?

Even Domino's admitted they were bad and are willing to win back its audience with a better product. and they were Number Two.

{sigh}

Ok. Why is it that I feel ill when reading of signing LaRouche, Delgado, Crede, etc? None of them is anywhere near a long term solution. They will clog up the roster and make the club even less interesting.

People seem to forget that Aubrey was a top prospect and only injuries slowed him down. He appears to be healthy now so for me, I'd find this year far more interesting if the Os gave him a shot. If he failes, Reimold would be an option.

Let's see what we've got at first this year then the Os can make informed decisions about going for the likes of Feilder and A. Gonzales. To me, this year is all about developing pitchers and the younger players. I know you naysayers will not agree with this, but the O's have much more potential to grow into a competitive team this year than in any of the last 12 years. Bringing in old guys, injured old guys and stop gap players is not the way to go.

Ok. Why is it that I feel ill when reading of signing LaRouche, Delgado, Crede, etc? None of them is anywhere near a long term solution. They will clog up the roster and make the club even less interesting.

People seem to forget that Aubrey was a top prospect and only injuries slowed him down. He appears to be healthy now so for me, I'd find this year far more interesting if the Os gave him a shot. If he failes, Reimold would be an option.

Let's see what we've got at first this year then the Os can make informed decisions about going for the likes of Feilder and A. Gonzales. To me, this year is all about developing pitchers and the younger players. I know you naysayers will not agree with this, but the O's have much more potential to grow into a competitive team this year than in any of the last 12 years. Bringing in old guys, injured old guys and stop gap players is not the way to go.

gtluck, I totally agree that Aubrey deserves a shot and the Orioles could do a lot worse.

The problem with your post is, if you're talking about Aubrey, Aubrey is known as an outstanding defensive first basemen. An Indian scout called him the best fielding 1B in the AL and he is compared to Don Mattingly or Mark Grace in the field and at the plate. He is very good.

Why sign a 38 year-old 1B or a 39 year-old 1B when you have a clear alternative already here? Makes no sense. Let Aubrey have a shot unless there is a clear upgrade. That upgrade might be Adam LaRoche, there's apparently some little interest between the two sides. But otherwise, let Aubrey make his move.

LaRoche is the only answer for 1B, or stay with Huff / Wiggington platoon until Snyder is ready.

Do you remember the Konerko saga at the beginning of his career? He was a highly rated prospect who traveled through three clubs until he fit into the CWS lineup and exploded. Audrey Huff was a 1st round choice ( Cleveland) for a reason. Let him demo in Spring what he can do. IF we can sign LaRoche at 1B Huff could become the DH if Huff develops or Snyder if he is ready. It will give us some position players for future trades if Huff or Snyder develop and LaRoche is on board.

anyone know a list of minor league free agents? norfolk hasn't exactly been hot either and yes i realize thats where most of our best prospects skip on their way to our 4A major leagueu team.

Tom Hughes, you're confusing Aubrey Huff with Michael Aubrey. Your comments were right on about M. Aubrey and I couldn't agree with you more.

Tom Hughes -

Two huge differences between Paul Konerko and Michael Aubrey:

Konerko: .535 minor league SLG%, MLB starter at 23 years old

Aubrey: .467 minor league SLG%, turns 28 in April

Wake up call: Who cares if someone is a "highly rated prospect"? If a first base prospect isn't putting up first base numbers (ie: POWER) in the minors, he's not going to do it in the majors.

Another wake up call: It's not like Konerko bounced around because he wasn't producing. He was the major prospect piece in two trades for two very good ballplayers. At the trade deadline in 1998, the Dodgers traded Konerko to the Reds for Jeff Shaw, who, at the time, was one of the best closers in the game. After the 1998 season, the Reds traded Konerko to the White Sox for Mike Cameron, who has been one of the best power/speed guys in the game over the past decade.

Michael Aubrey, on the other hand, was traded for a player to be named later.

Wake up call #3: People - Stop trying to legitimize Michael Aubrey. He's a failed first round pick. If given a full time job at first base, he'll play solid defense and he might hit .280 with 15-20 home runs. But that isn't going to cut it at first base in the AL East.

djph,

Yes, let's get a whole bunch of 'youth and energy'. Oh boy, that would be swell!

Doesn't mater that youth and energy means NOTHING when it comes to W's.... But let's get as many as possible anyway.

Jeepers...... let's just do it!

A few years ago, everybody wanted to see the prospects and was criticising the leadership for signing one-year-wonder FA's. Now, when we have some genuine prospects, some folks want to see whom we can sign. I understand impatience and am getting that way myself. But let's not waste $$$ on some worn out hack just so he can take up space on the 40-man and DL simultaneously (like HOF vote-getter Segui). For one thing, Michael Aubrey may turn out to be a surprise. He is no slugger, but why not give him a fair chance to win the position. For another, I see that Scott Moore is still around and he has potential, if he can keep himself in one piece. And then we come to Snyder, who has even more potential. And behind him are Waring, Widlansky...and eventually Mark Flacco. At least one of those guys will probably be able to play this game in Baltimore. Frankly, I'd rather see a team of emerging young players than another squad full of Albert Belles, David Seguis, Marty Cordovas, etc. Maybe I am too optimistic about the younger players but I have had enough of the over-the-hill gamg.

rphall -

You probably are too optimistic about the young players. At least the ones you mentioned...

Michael Aubrey is not the answer. See my 12:30 post for more.

Scoot Moore is 26 years old, always hurt, and he hasn't been able to hit the broad side of a barn in the O's organization.

Brandon Snyder has even more potential than who? Aubrey? Last I checked, Snyder's MiLB stats are nearly identical to Aubrey's and Snyder doesn't have the great glove to go with the decent bat. At least Snyder's still young enough to improve, but, at this point, he's still not the type of prospect you worry about blocking.

Robbie Widlansky's another Aubrey/Snyder piece. Decent bat, but not enough pop to stick at first base. His versatility helps, but he'll be an old first time AA-baller and he needs to develop more pop.

Mike Flacco is a loooooong way off. I don't know a whole lot about him, but his bat looks like it'll fit in better at third base.

Brandon Waring is the one guy on your list that I'm really excited about. He has the raw power to be a Mark Reynolds/Adam Dunn type slugger. A full season in AA in 2010 will show us a bit more of his true potential.

not brooks

You said that a minor leaguer who isn't hitting for power is "not going to do it in the majors."

Well, Matt Holliday, one of your favs this offseason did precisely that. He had a career 427 SL% in the minors.

BTW, Holliday's 427 sl% was about 100 points below Reimold's minor league SL% yet you were in favour of signing him and moving Reimold.

For the record, Holliday averaged about 15 HRs per 650 PA in the minors. Reimold averaged about 29.

Holliday's an exception to the rule, flip. I'm sure you could find a few others if you looked.

I was in favor of signing Holliday and moving Reimold because Holliday has averaged a .545 SLG% and 25 home runs per season over the course of his Major League career. Over the past four years, those numbers jump up to .563 and 30.

What has Reimold done in the Majors?

not brooks

I agree that IF Aubrey is a .280 25 hr guy he's not what we need in the AL East. But, my point was he's a better alternative this year than the old, worn out guys.

What you don't acount for is his minor league numbers are greatly influenced by his injuries. He will turn 28 this coming year. Let's see what he's got. And, asking what Reimold has done in the majors when comparing him to Holiday is not really fair. Reimold showed potential. Let's see what he can do with another, healthier year. Frankly, we don't yet know what he, Weiters, Jones, Pie, Bergesen, Matusz, et all will turn out to be but we will know more after next year unless we block them with has- beens.

Having said all that, I still believe we should move aggressively to trade for a Feilder or A. Gonzales, but only if we can work out a contract extension.

Tom -

In pointing out Holliday's big league record and Reimold's lack thereof, my point was that, right now, Reimold is all potential. As you said, we don't yet know what he will turn out to be. Proof over potential, my friend. Holliday over Reimold.

And I wouldn't call Adam LaRoche an "old, worn out guy". He's barely two years older than Aubrey.

not brooks

I don't disagree that most guys who didn't hit for power in the minors aren't likely to do it in the majors. I was just pointing out that you were being pretty unequivocal in your post when you said of Aubrey that, "he's not going to do it in the majors."

There was another guy who I'll name in a minute who had minor league numbers eerily similiar to Aubrey. He hit 302 for his minor career with a 469sl% and a 771 ops. Aubrey was 294, 469, and an even better 823 ops. This guy averaged 18 HRs and 42 doubles over 650 PAs, while Aubrey averaged 20Hrs and 40 doubles.

The guy in question managed to hit just 30 HRs in his first 3 major league seasons and was traded because it was believed he'd never hit for power in the majors.

I am of course talking about Raffy, and while I'm not suggesting that Aubrey will follow the same pattern, you never know.

I just think you're being a little harsh in calling Aubrey a "failed" prospect. He had a string of injuries in the minors that slowed his progress.

In his draft year, Aubrey was considered the second best pure hitter chosen. He gets raves for his glove. True, he's 28 years old, but Raffy didn't start hiting for power until his 4th season, when he was 27 years old. It is not that uncommon for young guys to take a while before finding their power stroke.

Is Aubrey one of those guys. I have no idea, but I would repectfully suggest that you don't either.

flip -

Raffy barely played in the minors. If I remember correctly, he had one stint each in A, AA and AAA. And he was mashing the crap out of the ball in AAA before he was called up, only to continue mashing in his first real stint in the majors.

When he became a full time player, it took a while for him to adjust, especially after the trade to Texas. But the power came back and stuck around for good in his 26-year-old season.

Sorry, but Aubrey just isn't that guy. He hasn't put up a .500 SLG% since A+ ball in 2004. And even if he was primed to start hitting the ball out of the ballpark, you talk about his injuries like they're over. The guy has had chronic back issues over the course of his career. Back issues don't just go away.

Raffy was juicing.

Raffy was part of a major trade when he went to texas. A highly valued piece of the trade. The Cubs new they had to give up something (raffy) to get something (Mitch Williams and others). The Rangers saw something that made them ask for him. Aubrey has been a throw in in all the trades he's been in...telling me, scouts on neither side thought much of him.

The Os need a cleanup hitter. Delgado is a cleanup hitter. LaRoche is a 5-6 hitter. Aubrey is a 7-8 hitter, maybe 2 against certain righties.

cush -

I can't get myself to believe that Raffy was juicing for his entire career. He was a big guy, but he never suddenly developed the python biceps or the giant head.

I think he was just a guy who was fortunate enough to be surrounded by some very good lineups while playing in two great hitters parks.

NB, he wasn't an ape, but man did he bulk up quick. I'm a fan, and positive test or no (that still seems fluky to me, who is really that dumb?) he did get bigger pretty quick. The guy was a stick in Chicago. I don't think you can rule out anyone in the era, and if i'm sounding like i'm convicting him, i don't mean to...you just don't know.

Aubrey as "throw-in" in trades? I thought that he had only been in two systems, ours and the Tribe.

Re: Palmeiro... I would like to see some serious investigative reporting around his situation. I would bet that, at the end of the day, he will be exonerated and take his rightful place in the HOF.

Aubrey came to the Os for a player to be named. Tells me the Indians didn't think much of his chances to make an impact. Aubrey could be a nice complimentary player, there's less of chance of him being an impact bat than Delgado or LaRoche. Delgado could hit .250 in the 4 hole and he'd drive in 100. Aubrey wouldn't drive in 100 if he hit .300.

Let's keep in mind that the O's don't have a lot of leeway this year. If they're to have any hope of attracting premier FAs in 2011--whether Fielder, Gonzalez or a front line starter--they have to prove that they're serious about winning and close to competing with the Yanks and Sox. That means at least 85 wins, in my opinion.

So, much as I like Aubrey, I'd have to agree with "not brooks" that we need at least two reliable run-producers to strengthen the offense. Given our long-standing problems against LH pitching, I think that at least one of those two really has to be a RH bat. I'd vote for Delgado or LaRoche at 1B and Thome at DH. (Trade Scott.)

Then there's the longer-term short-stop issue. Finding a good defensive SS who can also hit, in 2011 and beyond, would make a difference in the W/L column. Ditto the back-up catcher problem. Would love to hear a serious discussion of possibilities(from either inside or outside the O's fold) at these positions.

Why is it that I feel ill when reading of signing LaRouche, Delgado, Crede, etc? None of them is anywhere near a long term solution. They will clog up the roster and make the club even less interesting. -Tom

Tom, you don't read Peter Schmuck's column, do you?

According to Peter, and not just Peter, nobody who is a long term solution will sign with the Orioles no matter how much money is tossed at them.

Also, if they are a short term solution, how are they "clogging up the roster?" They can be gone just as fast as George Sherrill, Rich Hill, and most of last year's 37 arms.

Also, how is Michael Aubrey more interesting? (If LaRoche, Delgado, Crede, etc. are less interesting, Aubrey must be more interesting. Right?) Let me see. Oh, he's a nice guy. And maybe, just maybe, he'll do a signing at Eastpoint Mall on a bye Monday.

Let me put it this way ... where should Aubrey bat in the order? If you say anywhere in the first six spots, I give up. If you say seventh, eighth or ninth, that's the reason for a different short term answer.

Long term answers want long term contracts.

That is why the Orioles are locked into the youth movement. They can have leverage on these guys should they ever draft and develop someone other teams interested in winning might want.

With the Law Firm of Peter G. Angelos (with no partners), it's all about leveraging. The last free agent standing has no leverage. Perfect. Minor league players are property of the home club for a given time. Perfect.

Now we're talking about interesting.

waspman, I do read Pete but I don't agree with him. In fact, I don't recall him saying that no one who's a long term solution will sign with the Os but I don't read him everyday so you may be correct. I don't agree with that anyway. My point is as you and everyone says there doesn't seem to be a long term solution in the O's organization for the number 4 power hitter needed to make the Os competitive in the East. So they either get one from outside the organization or we hope one emerges within the organization, or maybe two guys together fit the bill.

All I'm saying we know what LaRouche can do and he's definitely not the answer. We don't know what Aubrey could do but if you project his numbers last year to a full season he's a .290 hitter with around 24-25 HRs. If he does that he could hit higher that you project even though he doesn't rate the number 4 spot.

If you accept Peter's assertion then we have to hope 2-3 guys produce .290 25 each. Frankly, that is possible. It's possible the O's could get those numbers from Weiters, Reimold, Jones, Markakis and Aubrey.

Still I believe the O's could put together a package to trade for Fielder or A. Gonzales that would be costly but not mortgage the future. Combine that with a year in 2010 that shows the team promise and lot's of money and rhey may be able to negotiate a long term deal. Let's say Aubrey plays first next year and hits .290 with 25 HRs. You might get Fielder for a package of Tillman, Arrietta, Dave Hernandez and Aubrey, especially if the three pitchers have effective years in the minors everyone seems to expect them to have. The O's could afford to give up those 3 promising pitchers because they have even more in the wings.

Add a Feilder in the middle of a lineup that includes Markakis. Weiters, Reimold Jones and a pitching staff that includes Matusz, Berkesen, Patton and the O's could challenge in 2011.

I've been a Os fan since 1954 and I've seen this happen before. They are closer than most of you think they are.

Uggla is a terrible second baseman, and he strikes out a ton of times. I have been watching him the last couple of years. I am trying to deal with Spring Training going to the left coast, Booooooo!