The Schmuck Stops Here

More semi-news from Birdland and beyond

2009-01-08T22:23:00Z

Still no official word on what role Mike Flanagan will play with the club this year. Sources have confirmed that he did have a sitdown recently with John Angelos to discuss his future, which could include a return to the broadcast booth as a member of MASN's Orioles crew. Mike's front office contract expired at the end of December. Both Roch Kubatko and Dan Connolly beat me to the correct pronunciation of Koji Uehara's surname. It is, according to the Orioles, pronounced Way-a-hara. Glad that's settled. Shortstop Juan Castro, who helped stabilize the Orioles' middle infield after the Luis Hernandez experiment went awry last year, was one of 15 free agent players signed to minor league contracts by the Dodgers this week and invited to major league spring training. That group includes another Japan-born pitcher who will be 34 on Opening Day, but his name is pronounced Steven Randolph.

Favre promises slow decision

2009-01-08T18:37:50Z

New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre (left) isn't going to rush into his next retirement decision. He said this week that he's going to wait several weeks before informing the Jets whether he wants to play another season. Here's the ESPN.com version of the story. That's great. The Jets don't even have a coach yet, so they don't really know whether they're going to need an aging quarterback who ran out of gas down the stretch and basically got the last coach (Eric Mangini) a new job in Cleveland. What he also promised he isn't going to do is hold another tearful news conference that everyone can throw back in his face if he changes his mind again. I think that's a mistake. The one thing we still want to see him do is cry. It's sort of like that hilarious Cheers episode where Norm gets promoted into a job where he has to fire people, but can't seem to do it without bursting into tears. When he finally gets control over his emotions, the employees who are getting fired start to demand that he cry during each of their termination meetings. I'm feeling the same way about Brett. How about you? Getty Images

O's: Who'll be on first?

2009-01-08T11:09:10Z

Here's all we really know about the first base situation: The Orioles want a right-handed hitter or a switch-hitter to fill the opening at first base left by Kevin Millar, who apparently will not get the opportunity to fill it himself. The Orioles are leaning away from Millar, even though he seems amenable to a part-time role and he's fun to have around. The free-agent names that have been afloat are Ty Wigginton, Richie Sexson and Rocco Baldelli, and club officials were not totally ruling out any of them yesterday, though it now appears Baldelli will sign with the Red Sox. There also are some interesting trade possibilities, including Cleveland's Ryan Garko or one of the Royals' first basemen -- either 22-year-old Billy Butler or 28-year-old project Ryan Shealy. Several readers have written in to inquire about the possibility of the Orioles acquiring Nick Swisher, who appears to be extra baggage in New York now that the Yankees have brought in Mark Teixeira. The O's showed interest in Swisher before the Chicago White Sox dealt him to the Yankees, so it wouldn't be a surprise if they inquired about him again. What would be a surprise would be a significant trade between two longtime division rivals, though it's possible the Yankees don't consider the O's enough of a threat right now to worry about a deal coming back to haunt them in the AL East standings. He's a switch-hitter who has averaged 25 home runs over the past four seasons, so he probably wouldn't come cheap if there is any chance of him coming here at all.

Catching up on the possible catchers

2009-01-08T02:32:57Z

Just a hunch, but I'm getting the feeling that the Orioles are going to sign a veteran catcher in the next several days. I can't tell you exactly who that would be (or I'd have to kill you), but here's some video of the two top candidates -- in order of likelihood -- in case you haven't seen them lately: GREGG ZAUN IVAN RODRIGUEZ YouTube

Mangini can relate to Cleveland

2009-01-08T00:02:52Z

The news that just-fired Jets coach Eric Mangini (left) already has agreed to a four-year deal to coach the Cleveland Browns was met with great enthusiasm in the home of Baltimore attorney Ron Shapiro, who happens to be Eric's father-in-law and now will have another excuse to hang around the Cleveland area. Ron's son Mark (right), is the general manager of the Cleveland Indians, so the Shapiro extended family now is helping to steer two of Cleveland's three major professional sports franchises, and it doesn't stop there. "A friend just called me and said, 'All you need now is the Cavaliers.'" Ron said. "We don't have an actual son there, but we're close. One of the assistants to (Cleveland Cavaliers general manager) Danny Ferry lived in our house for awhile. Mike Winger worked for me at the Shapiro Institute and when Danny took over the Cavs, he asked if he could have Mike. So we have all three teams covered." Photos: AP and Getty Images

Ravens: Cam on the system

2009-01-07T23:20:31Z

When Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron was asked today if young quarterback Joe Flacco and the rest of the offense fully grasp his system yet, his answer was pretty interesting. He basically said "no" and that he doesn't expect them to ever have a total handle on it. "It is ongoing,'' he said. "The system is never-ending. You never just know it. You are constantly learning." That includes Cameron himself. He says the offensive scheme is more about evolution than creation. "I don't have it mastered,'' he said. "Defenses don't allow you to master it, per se."

Uehara speaks ... sort of

2009-01-07T16:42:20Z

New Orioles pitcher Koji Uehara spoke to a group of Japanese reporters yesterday and had this to say about apparently reaching a two-year deal with the Orioles: "Right now the negotiations have reached a concluding phase. And they are still working on details. I have nothing more to say now." Obviously, a man of few words, and you wouldn't understand them anyway. Can't wait for the introductory news conference. I hear Dave Trembley is out looking for the Japanese version of Rosetta Stone as we speak.

O's: More holes to fill

2009-01-07T11:02:50Z

Finally, there is incontrovertible proof that Andy MacPhail and the members of his front office staff can walk and chew gum at the same time. MacPhail signed Mark Hendrickson during his Florida vacation and obviously kept negotiating with both of the Japanese pitchers in this year's free-agent market, finally getting Koji Uehara to agree to terms yesterday. While the quest to sign a veteran catcher and a right-hand-hitting first baseman has moved up on the club's priority list, the O's also have been working the market to fill the utility infield role. The trade for Ryan Freel gave them added versatility, but club officials still feel they need a reserve infielder who is a dependable understudy at shortstop. There was talk earlier in the offseason about former Oriole Jerry Hairston, but he reportedly just agreed to a deal with the Cincinnati Reds. The Orioles have had several conversations with the agent for our old friend Chris Gomez, but are concerned about his range at this point in his career. Willie Bloomquist might be another possibility. The O's signed former Royals and A's utilityman Donnie Murphy to a minor league contract in November, but have not stopped pursuing a better option.

O's: What next?

2009-01-07T01:30:38Z

Now that the Orioles have signed Japanese pitcher Koji Uehara and journeyman Mark Hendrickson, they're expected to step up their pursuit of one of the remaining free agent catchers. Much of the speculation has centered around former Oriole Gregg Zaun, but Ivan Rodriguez apparently is not out of the question. Have to admit I brushed off questions about I-Rod earlier in the offseason, but interest in him has been light enough that somebody may be able to sign him to a short deal. If that were the Orioles -- and that has been discussed -- they could conceivably bring him in to start the first half of the season, then move him to a contender in July and turn the position over to top prospect Matt Wieters. The O's also still need a first baseman and could be interested in Shelly Duncan, who was designated for assignment by the Yankees today to make room on the club's 40-man roster for Mark Teixeira. Duncan is a right-handed hitter who had good power numbers in the minor leagues but appeared in only 57 games at the major league level over the past two seasons before becoming expendable.

O's make first Asian inroad

2009-01-06T22:45:41Z

Give some props to Sun baseball writer Dan Connolly for breaking the news that the Orioles have agreed to terms with Japanese right-hander Koji Uehara pending some contractual details and a physical. I'm sure there is about to be a wave of criticism for this move, because Uehara struggled last year in Japan and even spent some time in the minor leagues, but there's way more to this acquisition than meets the stat sheet. Frankly, I don't know if the guy is good enough to be a capable No. 3 or No. 4 starting pitcher, but the Orioles are finally trying to think outside the box. Uehara will be the first Asian-born player in O's major league history, but the point is for him not to be the last. The Orioles have had little presence on that side of the Pacific Rim and they needed to sign at least one of the two Japanese pitchers available this winter to establish Baltimore as a potential destination for future crossover players. The Orioles had fallen way behind some other organizations in the scouting and acquisition of foreign talent, so Andy MacPhail created a new position for John Stockstill to try and close the international scouting gap. This is the first concrete step in that direction. I have no idea how it's going to play out, but spring training just got a little more interesting. Photo ID: If you were wondering, Uehara is on the far right of the accompanying photo receiving congratulations from teammates after closing out Japan's 6-1 victory over Taiwan in the Beijing Olympics last summer. Getty Images

White Sox cast doubt on Roberts rumor

2009-01-06T19:58:19Z

Sounds like the Orioles won't be sending Brian Roberts to the White Sox for pitcher Gavin Floyd anytime soon, though that rumor seems to have more legs than the Rockettes. White Sox general manager Ken Williams made a statement yesterday through a spokesman that he hasn't talked to anyone from the Orioles about anything since November. Though many O's fans think that Floyd would not represent fair value for BRob, the White Sox apparently feel that a 17-game winner with several years left under reserve is a pretty valuable commodity. If they didn't, you'd think Williams would use the trade rumor as a pretext for contacting the Orioles to bat the idea around, since Roberts would be a nice fit in the White Sox lineup. Don't hear much about this coming from the warehouse either, but -- to be fair -- you'd be hearing even less if something was going on. I haven't forgotten about the Mark Teixeira news conference in New York today. I'm just trying to block it out of my psyche. The guy didn't want to come back home to play in Baltimore -- except for the occasional three-game series -- so I've decided to just treat him like any other Yankee. Didn't write anything about the C.C. Sabathia/A.J. Burnett news conference either. Isn't there a relevant NFL playoff game this week?

Sad day in Schmuckville

2009-01-06T11:00:58Z

I'm sure all of you share my sadness at the recent death of Alfred Shaheen, who was basically the Henry Ford of the Hawaiian shirt. Shaheen became the first manufacturer to mass produce the blousy and colorful shirts that became a post-war fashion statement and eventually the last sartorial refuge of millions of moon-shaped men like myself. Here's a story about him from yesterday's Chicago Tribune. Shaheen (left) passed away at 86 on Dec. 22 in Southern California, hopefully still resplendent in a bright silk "Aloha" covered with tropical flowers. Rest easy Alfred. Nice shirt. Associated Press file photo

O's update: Flanagan's future

2009-01-05T22:20:23Z

Mike Flanagan was executive vice president of baseball operations until his contract expired at the end of the year, so it's fair to ask what he's going to be doing now. It's also fair to ask what exactly his role has been for the past year or so. Nobody is willing to say anything publicly about this apparently sensitive situation, but sources have been telling us for a couple of months now that Flanny probably will return to the broadcast booth. Calls to Mike by O's baseball guys Jeff Zrebiec and Dan Connolly have not been returned, but sources said he's expected to meet with John Angelos soon to discuss new duties with the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network. Hope Mike's okay with that, because I think a lot of Orioles fans will be. Mike does solid color commentary and conveys his pitching acumen well to the average viewer. I'd be surprised if the Orioles didn't want him to stay in the organization and I'd be just as surprised if he doesn't want to remain involved with the team on some level. Pretty sure, however, that's not going to be in a baseball operations role anymore. Associated Press file photo

Forty days

2009-01-05T14:56:31Z

Orioles pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Feb. 14, which means the front office still has 40 days to figure out who exactly they are going to be. That's still plenty of time for Andy MacPhail to fill some more holes in the starting rotation and sign another catcher, considering how slowly the free agent market has evolved this offseason. Most of the biggest names are gone, but dozens of free agents remain available and the O's just might end up in a position to pick up a bargain or two. Things should start heating up soon now that most baseball executives are back after the holidays. Don't hold your breath waiting for Derek Lowe to see the light and decide that Baltimore is the place to be, but I've got to think that the Orioles either sign Japanese pitcher Kenshin Kawakami and/or reel in one of the Paul Byrd types. They are holding off on finalizing some minor league invitations to major league camp, so MacPhail obviously believes he'll be bringing in some more pitching from outside the organization.

NFL playoffs: The odds are up

2009-01-05T13:50:00Z

The lines are out for the next round of the NFL playoffs and the Ravens are listed as a three-point underdog on the road against the Tennessee Titans. That's not surprising, considering the Ravens lost to the Titans at home during the regular season and the Titans are the top-seeded team in the AFC, but it doesn't mean all that much. Considering that the home-field advantage is factored in at about three points and the Ravens are one of the best road teams in football, the game is something of a tossup from the perspective of the oddsmakers. It is the tightest line of the four Divisional Round games coming up this weekend, In case you were wondering, the Giants are posted as a four-point favorite over the Eagles. The Steelers are a six-point favorite over the Chargers. The Carolina Panthers are the heaviest favorite, giving 10 points at home to the Arizona Cardinals.