O's the frontrunners for Burnett and Lowell?

[Baseball Guru]

http://www.addictsports.com/baseball/showthread.php?p=402022#post402022

[PopTop]

I guess Mighty Mel would move to the OF in order to make room for Lowell and makeup for loss of Bigbie :notme:

Understand Baltimore's interest in another starting pitcher, but I'm not sure if I follow why they would want Lowell.

[Nanner]

It's true. Well, it's true that there are rumors saying the Orioles are front-runners. One of the key issues, and the reason the O's may be the front runners, is that they are willing to take Mike Lowell and his multi-million dollar contract.

Here's a link to an article in the Baltimore Sun

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.osnotes18jul18,1,7558805.story?page=1&coll=bal-sports-baseball

The team official said talks have run "hot and cold." The Orioles' willingness to take Lowell might have pushed them ahead of the Boston Red Sox, who are offering pitcher Bronson Arroyo and prospects.

Lowell's production has taken a sharp decline, and he's slated to make $18 million over the next two seasons.

According to an Orioles source, there's some debate among team officials over the wisdom of acquiring Lowell and whether he can pull out of a season-long slump. But the Orioles seem open to it if they can reel in Burnett, whose next start is scheduled for tomorrow.

So, I'll believe all of this when I see that it's actually happened.

:D

[Nanner]

I guess Mighty Mel would move to the OF in order to make room for Lowell and makeup for loss of Bigbie :notme:

Understand Baltimore's interest in another starting pitcher, but I'm not sure if I follow why they would want Lowell.

No, Pops. Melvin is the third baseman. An earlier article I read said that they would put Lowell in the outfield and/or sometimes first base. I'll try to find that article.

[Nanner]

Here it is.......... well, this isn't the one I read, because I don't remember Ponson being mentioned in the one I read, and this article doesn't mention anything about the outfield for Lowell. But it does mention 1st base, and DH, since they need another right handed bat, and Maz would like to rest Raffy more in the 2nd half. Which doesn't make sense to me.........because Raffy seems to be doing just fine, thank you, without any extra rest! :notme:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.osnotes16jul16,1,6641297.story?coll=bal-sports-baseball

Lowell would move to first base with the Orioles if a trade is consummated, since Melvin Mora is entrenched at third, and also provide another right-handed bat as the designated hitter or in reserve. Manager Lee Mazzilli said he wants to rest Rafael Palmeiro more in the second half.

Ooh! Now they're saying on Baseball Tonight that it's pretty much a done deal. Peter Gammons is saying that Big and Burnett have been told to have their bags packed. And there could be an announcement by noon tomorrow. Then Harold Reynolds was talking about Melvin and where he would go, saying you can't take Mike Lowell and not have him play 3rd base...... then Gammons said, "1st base. They're putting Mike Lowell at 1st base."

[PopTop]

Aha! Well, it doesn't make sense to use Lowell in the OF, that's for sure. And I'm not so sure about how often they would want to use him at 1B and sit Raffy. Can't imagine Palmeiro needing more than 2 days a week off. So that just leaves 3B for Lowell and that would mean Mighty Mel would play other spots. Sounds sort of messy to me. Maybe they'll take Lowell in the deal and then move him somewhere else immediately for a relief pitcher to replace Julio :notme:

[rockin500]

harold reynolds is a tool. of course lowell was going to play 1st (or OF) if traded to the birds.

it really is kinda amazing how he has a job. (HR)

[imgreat95]

word here in Pittsburgh is that lowell is coming here... and Daryle Ward is going to Baltimore.

[Nanner]

Yeah, I started a thread here this morning about the possible 3-way, which explains all the possible moves.

http://www.addictsports.com/baseball/showthread.php?t=52605

And here's what Jim Beattie said about moving Melvin....... from Orioles.com:

When asked if he had any plans to move Melvin Mora from third base, Beattie said: "I wouldn't move Melvin out of third base, not unless Brooks Robinson is coming back."

I think that's a pretty decisive statement. :D