Vlad or Tejada

[Hobosox]

Nancy, any word what's going on with Hot Stove talks??

looks like Trots is getting a jump on everyone with his posts in Tigerland, making a strong case for both players. Seems like all those Tigers fans think they can land both Vladdy and Miguel, but I have to believe the O's are still active too right?

they do give Camden Yards some props, but totally bash Angelos, which i have to agree with because he IS a nutjob. But i would hope Vlad would pick the Inner Harbor over Motown.

keep us posted :) ill be at Camden twice as much as last year if Vlad is in town. (i never miss the Sox-O's games in B'more :D )

[Nanner]

OOOH! A visitor!!! :wavey:

I wish I had more info on what's going on. Beattie and Flanagan seem to not be leaking any news. They're interested right now in keeping BJ Surhoff and working on that. They've been very quiet while so many other teams are making moves, and I find it very frustrating.

If they're determined to put Sparky (Brian) Roberts at short, I doubt they're going to make a play for Tejada. I think they still may be in the market for Vlad, but nothing much has been written about it. They seem determined to wait to see what other teams are doing. It's frustrating to me. Of course, now that I-Rod is probably not coming back to Florida, there's that possibility too. They have all this money. What are they going to do with it?

I'd prefer they hang onto Sparky, if they get Vlad. I really doubt Tejada is coming to Baltimore, but I could be wrong. I'm not good at guessing, and I hate rumors, so I'm just doing some speculating on my own.

I definitely will keep you posted!!! I'm planning on making a trip down to Baltimore sometime next season myself!!! :thumbsup:

[Hobosox]

:wavey:

[Nanner]

Today's Baltimore Sun is reporting that there's going to be some negotiating going on at the winter meetings. I think they're actually going to make a big push for Vlad. :clap2: They obviously were waiting to see what teams were offering arbitration to what players.... now that some things ar clearer, we could see some stuff going on. It sounds like they have a plan and I'm working on being patient. :D

O's costs now less for Lopez, Guerrero
Free agents not offered arbitration, so suitors won't give up draft picks

By Joe Christensen
Sun Staff
Originally published December 9, 2003



The Orioles' offseason plan seems to be unfolding about as rapidly as the continental drift, but they did get some news yesterday morning that may help spur a little movement.

Two of their top free-agent targets, Vladimir Guerrero and Javy Lopez, were among the scores of players who were not offered salary arbitration by their respective teams before Sunday's midnight deadline.

The Montreal Expos effectively cut ties with Guerrero, and the Atlanta Braves did the same with Lopez, so now the Orioles can sign both players without having to surrender draft picks.

For a club that's not only looking to reshape its big league roster, but also to rebuild the farm system, the Orioles could only look at this as a positive development.

"We don't want to give up draft picks if we don't have to," Orioles vice president Mike Flanagan said.

Among the highest-profile free agents, the only ones who were offered arbitration were Miguel Tejada, Andy Pettitte, Kevin Millwood and Bartolo Colon. From that list, the only one the Orioles have been courting is Tejada, the Oakland Athletics shortstop.

And Flanagan did not rule out anything. Asked if the idea of losing a draft pick would preclude the Orioles from signing a free agent, Flanagan said, "No. We wouldn't get hit that hard."

Tejada is a Type A free agent, so if the Orioles sign him, they would forfeit next year's second-round draft pick to the Athletics, who would also get a compensatory "sandwich" pick between the first and second rounds.

The price would be steeper for the Orioles if they had finished higher in the standings. The 15 teams at the bottom of the draft order (based in reverse order on last year's finish) must surrender a first-round pick when they sign a Type A free agent.

Still, the Orioles will have less to lose when they resume negotiating with Guerrero's agents. The two sides are scheduled to meet again at the winter meetings, which begin Friday in New Orleans.

The Orioles were planning to speak with Lopez's agent, Chuck Berry, last night.

The Boston Globe cited a major league source as saying the Orioles are preparing to offer Guerrero a six-year deal worth between $13 million and $14 million per year, but Orioles officials have not confirmed that.

Guerrero's market seems to be shrinking, even though the 27-year-old right fielder is considered one of the top talents in the game. The Expos made a last-ditch effort to sign him this past weekend, reportedly with a five-year offer worth more than $70 million, but he declined.

The Orioles' stiffest competition for Guerrero was expected to come from the Anaheim Angels, but there were reports last night that the Angels are close to signing Colon.

Angels owner Arte Moreno has said the club likely will sign only one player for more than $10 million a year, and that would be Colon.

The Los Angeles Dodgers would love to sign Guerrero, but only if they can trade starting pitcher Kevin Brown to free up some salary. The New York Mets also have interest, but they just committed $6.75 million per year to sign Japanese shortstop Kazuo Matsui.

One major league source said the Orioles had hoped to sign Matsui, but his agent, Arn Tellem, told them his client preferred to play in Los Angeles or New York.

The source also said the Orioles had hoped to land pitcher Javier Vazquez from the Expos before the New York Yankees swooped in and got him last week.

Montreal took the Yankees' offer of first baseman Nick Johnson, outfielder Juan Rivera and left-handed pitcher Randy Choate before the Orioles or other teams could make a bid.

But Flanagan said the Orioles have been in touch with several teams and several agents, looking ahead to the winter meetings. "We'll be busy," he said.

Beyond Guerrero, Lopez and Tejada, the Orioles have expressed interest in several players, and sources say that list includes pitcher Sidney Ponson and shortstop Rich Aurilia. The San Francisco Giants did not offer arbitration to either of those players Sunday.

The Orioles traded Ponson to the Giants at the July 31 deadline for pitchers Kurt Ainsworth, Damian Moss and Ryan Hannaman. Ponson turned down a three-year, $21 million offer before the trade and didn't leave on the best of terms, so the chances of him returning still seem remote.


Copyright © 2003, The Baltimore Sun

[PopTop]

Originally posted by Nanner
The Orioles' offseason plan seems to be unfolding about as rapidly as the continental drift...

:laughing Good one!

Here's some more on the O's prepping for the Winter Meetings ... I'd like to be there just because it's in New Orleans. :cool:




Gary Washburn / MLB.com (http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/bal/news/bal_news.jsp?ymd=20031208&content_id=612622&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal)

Orioles gear up for Winter Meetings

BALTIMORE -- When Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan took over the co-general manager helm last Dec. 4, they attended the Winter Meetings just eight days later without much preparation and saddled with unwanted contracts.

Beattie and Flanagan were patient. Instead of throwing excessive dollars at a free agent just to make a splash, the duo signed shortstop Deivi Cruz at the Nashville, Tenn. meetings and kept the rest of their available dollars in their wallet.

After the 2003 season produced a sixth consecutive fourth-place finish in the American League East, Beattie and Flanagan began the offseason by removing manager Mike Hargrove. Meanwhile, the heavy contracts of Scott Erickson (five years, $31 million) and Albert Belle (five years, $65 million) came off the books, along with the contracts of Tony Batista and Brook Fordyce.

So after a year of preparation, Beattie and Flanagan will arrive Thursday in New Orleans with the money to spend to quickly improve the stagnant franchise. Being one of the few big-spending teams, Flanagan anticipates he and Beattie will be as popular in Louisiana as fresh gumbo.

"I keep hearing that we are going to be busy there," he said. "I know we have gotten a lot of calls because of agents who know our situation. It's a good position to be in."

The Orioles are seeking a player who can symbolize their organization. Since the retirement of Cal Ripken after the 2001 season, the Orioles have not had a legitimate superstar. Belle retired before the 2001 season because of a degenerative hip while Erickson was unable to return successfully from Tommy John surgery.

Beattie and Flanagan made runs at Ivan Rodriguez and Cliff Floyd last winter but were spurned. So they will enter the Winter Meetings determined to add a star and that star could be slugger Vladimir Guerrero. The 27-year-old Guerrero is a gifted hitter, has a rocket arm in right field and would provide the Orioles' sagging offense with much-needed power.

Beattie will only admit to having conversations with Guerrero's agents, Fernando Cuza and Diego Benz, but there are indications that talks are getting serious.

"I think things are going pretty well with the response of the free agents we talked with," he said. "I'd say by the time we'd get to New Orleans, we'd have a better sense of where they were going. But all I will say about (Guerrero) is that we have spoken with his agents. We're not going to do a blow-by-blow."

The Orioles appear to be Guerrero's main suitors, with the Yankees and Expos out of the running.

Meanwhile, Baltimore has a gaping void at catcher that needs to be filled with a front-line starter. The club did not offer arbitration to Brook Fordyce, leaving inconsistent Geronimo Gil as the long catcher on the 40-man roster. Beattie said he has spoken with the representatives for Atlanta catcher Javy Lopez, who is coming off a career season.

Beattie said the organization does not feel pressure to make sudden moves because division rivals New York and Boston have added significant pieces.

"Did you think they weren't going to do anything?" Beattie said. "We were prepared for that. The timing doesn't bother us. We are proceeding with our plan."

The Winter Meetings will provide Beattie and Flanagan the opportunity to negotiate with agents who likely will be more aggressive to get their players signed before the holidays.

"Players don't like to be unemployed over Christmas," Beattie said. "The middle two weeks in December are going to be important for them and for us. Things can move fairly quickly."

Beattie and Flanagan want the Orioles to compete for the playoffs in 2004 and said they seek players who want to make long-term commitments to the organization. That is a key reason why a deal for Florida first baseman Derrek Lee fell through two weeks ago. But the duo said they have enough money and negotiating power to bring in their desired players.

The reintroduction of the Orioles into baseball's elite could come next week in New Orleans. Beattie and Flanagan have waited 12 months for the opportunity and are determined to make Baltimore a force again.

"We're in a pretty good situation," Beattie said. "A lot can happen in December but we'd like to get something done before the Winter Meetings. We're working on that."

[Nanner]

Originally posted by PopTop


"Players don't like to be unemployed over Christmas," Beattie said. "The middle two weeks in December are going to be important for them and for us. Things can move fairly quickly."



Lordy. "Quickly"...... How rare to see that word in a quote by Beattie. :wait:

Here's some more........ from today's Baltimore Sun.

Oh, and are the Yankees still out of the running, I wonder, what with Sheffield apparently biting himself in the ass? :umm

Rebuffed O's urge fans to be patient
Beattie gathers media, says club not frustrated by slow free-agent pace; 'Next week, I'd expect ... activity'; Likes of Guerrero put off teams till winter meetings

By Joe Christensen
Sun Staff
Originally published December 10, 2003



If the Orioles had their way, free-agent outfielder Vladimir Guerrero would have been sitting inside the B&O warehouse yesterday, admiring the view of the snow-covered field at Camden Yards.

Maybe they would have stitched up an Orioles jersey, featuring Guerrero's name and No. 27, just to let him ponder the possibilities. It could have been like a college recruiting visit.

Still sitting empty-handed on the free-agent front three days before the winter meetings, Orioles vice presidents Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan said things didn't have to be this way.

By now, they had hoped for a little face time with Guerrero, and some of their other top free-agent targets. They probably would have even flown to Guerrero's home in the Dominican Republic, if he had asked.

"The agents have pushed us away because they don't want to do that at this point," Beattie said, not speaking specifically of any player. "We've tried to ask them why, and they kept saying, 'Let's use this week and the winter meetings to get a contract, and then take care of more of the face-to-face things after the winter meetings.'"

Baseball's transaction wire continues to hum, and the Orioles - a team expected to make a lot of noise this offseason because of all the money they have to spend - have been silent.

Without Guerrero or another top star to entertain, Beattie and Flanagan invited the local media to the warehouse for a briefing yesterday, explaining why things are still moving slow and insisting frustration has not set in.

"The moves have been primarily trades," Beattie said. "If we felt like the [free agents] who have signed were players that were priorities for us, it might have been a little bit different. But we don't feel like players have been taken away from us."

The Orioles have had ongoing discussions with the agents for Guerrero, Javy Lopez and Miguel Tejada, among others, and those discussions figure to heat up at the winter meetings Friday in New Orleans.

But the fan base had best remain patient.

Beattie said he didn't expect to return from the winter meetings with a free-agent deal in place.

"This week, we've been continuing conversations," he said. "And those are conversations, not window shopping. When we get to New Orleans, I think it will be time for people to figure out which partners are the best for us now. And next week, I would expect there to be some activity."

From what the Orioles have gathered, Guerrero and Lopez have yet to receive an offer from any team. And, judging from reports, those players haven't met with anyone else face-to-face.

Lopez's agent, Chuck Berry, and the agents who represent both Guerrero and Tejada - Fernando Cuza and Diego Benz - did not return phone messages for this article.

Flanagan spoke yesterday with Scott Boras, the agent for Ivan Rodriguez, but Lopez remains the Orioles' primary target among free-agent catchers.

Beattie cautioned that his club might not have as much money to spend as most people think. There have been reports that they have about $35 million in commitments for next year (counting arbitration-eligible players) and can lift the payroll to $75 million, giving them $40 million to spend.

"Those aren't the same numbers that I'm working with," Beattie said. "We don't have $40 million to spend, and that's probably as specific as I would say.

"We're still looking to build the payroll. I don't think we'll jump right up there for this coming year.

"We're coming off six years of less-than-stellar performance, both on the field and financially, so we've got to get ourselves back into a situation where we build the revenues to support this. And, obviously, we've got to make the first step to get fans excited about all that, so we're ready to do that.

"We'll have a payroll that allows us to get players in this year, and then build the payroll up in coming years as the club improves."

On paper, the Orioles' task has only gotten tougher in the American League East, where the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox seem to be in an all-out war of one-upmanship.

Yesterday, there were reports that Yankees owner George Steinbrenner had ordered his baseball people to contact Guerrero's agents because the deal for free-agent slugger Gary Sheffield had fallen apart.

Beattie and Flanagan were unfazed.

"I don't feel like we have to make a splash," Beattie said. "I think our actions will show the fans that this club will be better. I think there'll be exciting [moves], whether it's adding that front-tier free agent, or whatever else we may do. Altogether, at the end of the day, I think there will be a feeling that this is a much-improved ballclub.

"I just don't see how it could be any other way, given the opportunities that we have."