Thanks and farewell, Brian Bob?

by Scott Christ on Feb 5, 2008 11:50 AM EST in News & Rumors

Buster Olney (ESPN Insider) says that when the Bedard deal to Seattle goes through, expect Brian Roberts to be sent to the Cubs after all, ending that saga. No timetable, but don't expect them to wait long. Too close to pitchers and catchers reporting, and Brian and the Cubs coming over would probably like to know if they're headed to Florida or Arizona.

Says Olney:

Pitcher Sean Gallagher would be the centerpiece of the package moving from the Cubs to Baltimore, and along with the players acquired in the draft and a better infrastructure, the Orioles could be in position to give their rabid fan base a team that provides legitimate hope in a few years.

Thanks for the compliment, Buster. It's not often national writers recognize how much Orioles fans really do care about the team, and how sick of this shit we are.

To fill the rotation hole that will be left with Bedard's departure, The Denver Post is reporting that the O's have shown some interest in Josh Fogg. I don't think they NEED that veteran starter, but Conventional Wisdom says they do, and it's not like Dave Trembley wants to go out there with Guthrie, Loewen, Cabrera, Gallagher and Patton, which would be my guess at a five-man rotation if the Roberts trade happens and we don't sign a vet.

Frankly, I prefer that to throwing Josh Fogg out there to "eat innings." But I also prefer Fogg to Trax or Lohse, so there's that.

Really, right now is just a continuation of the waiting game on Bedard, and now we throw Brian in there, too.

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I'm not ready for this

I've been trying to prepare myself for this for awhile now, Brian leaving. I just love that guy.

I'm anti Josh Fogg or any other "innings eater," what with all the youngsters we have. Besides, I think Cabrera is pretty much an innings eater these days, and not much else.

by Stacey on Feb 5, 2008 12:00 PM EST reply actions

Josh Fogg can eat shit.

We don't need him.

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job." -Brooks Robinson

by exitfare on Feb 5, 2008 12:05 PM EST reply actions

well-played, sir...

no veterans "to show the young guys how it's done", no character guys, no chemistry guys, no clubhouse leaders...BUNK!

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Feb 5, 2008 12:07 PM EST up reply actions

I don't disagree...

but isn't this the path that the D-Rays have been on for 5-6 years now? BTW, Willy Aybar has been arrested in the DR and may not get out until May.

"When you are in with the Lord there's just one reward, and they'd just as soon make it come true." -REK

by BPinOK on Feb 5, 2008 12:10 PM EST up reply actions

i guess my point is really more...

you don't get guys just b/c of their perceived intangible qualities. i mean, they have to have value in terms of the actual performance they are capable of delivering.

so, no, i don't really see how the devil rays have been on that path for 5-6 years. also hard to talk of rebuilding a team that was never really built in the first place.

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Feb 5, 2008 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

re

My only devil's advocate argument was that the Rays don't ever bring in any "clubhouse, chemistry, character" (whatever they are) and it would seem to show a little bit with the kind of character some of their guys have. Maybe Delmon Young just clouds my view of the organization.

"When you are in with the Lord there's just one reward, and they'd just as soon make it come true." -REK

by BPinOK on Feb 5, 2008 12:43 PM EST up reply actions

my issue is more with Fogg

than all veterans. I think Fogg is awful.

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job." -Brooks Robinson

by exitfare on Feb 5, 2008 12:42 PM EST up reply actions

Fogg IS awful.

I'd sign Trachsel before Fogg. Or Benson. Or (insert any pitcher's name here).

Our fans are better than yours.

by OEutaw on Feb 5, 2008 2:43 PM EST up reply actions

Agreeing with SC at this point

The veteran issue is pretty moot at this point for me. I just want to see the Os young guys playing every day. While a veteran presence could be helpful for a team within a year of competing, I don't think it'll do much for the 08 season.

With that said, I am, however, all for taking on Jason Mariqus if it means getting another or better prospects in the deal. Some have speculated that if the Os take on Mariqus and his contract the Cubs may substitute one of their lower grade chips for someone better. That, to me, sounds fair, especially if that piece is Tyler Colvin, Tony Thomas (second baseman and number 9 on BaseballAmerica's top Cub prospects), or Carlos Marmol (a possible closer candidate who is filthy).

by Dr Orpheus on Feb 5, 2008 3:00 PM EST up reply actions

I agree with this 100%

Though the idea of Marquis on our staff is distasteful (to say the least), I think we could afford his salary as a sunk cost if it meant we get Colvin.

by Chanumas on Feb 5, 2008 3:14 PM EST up reply actions

BRob for a pitcher?

Don't we have enough pitching prospects (with the understanding that possibly/probably none of them will turn out)?

Don't we need to get some position players in this deal? If we get only 1 solid position prospect (Jones) out of both the Bedard and Roberts deals, that's disappointing.

That said, I don't know shit about Gallagher.

oriolesupdate.blogspot.com

by BrianS on Feb 5, 2008 12:15 PM EST reply actions

I'm not thrilled

with any position players the Cubs are offering. All this pitching just makes for more bargaining chips mid-season. That is, of course, my blind optimism talking.

Do we know if Pie is completely off-limits? Or could B-Rob/Sherrill/someone else pry him away?

by The Sicilian on Feb 5, 2008 12:25 PM EST up reply actions

shit about gallagher

In 4 minor league seasons:

36-15 w/l
2.75 era
452 s.o/179 bb over 452 IP, 84 games

general info:

the Cubs' 12th-round pick in 2004 out of high school
loves deep-sea fishing (apparently more than baseball)
named the cub's #5 prospect by baseball america
born in bahston, mass
enjoys smashing watermelons with mallets

strength/weakness:

makes hitters guess, "intelligent" pitcher, very hard to rattle, very good control
lacks high octane fastball, doesn't have amazing stuff

he supposedly projects as a strong #3-type pitcher and baseballfever.com (not exactly the authority on baseball) says he compares best to a jake peavy type pitcher. heres hoping.

by daveh873 on Feb 5, 2008 12:43 PM EST up reply actions

K to BB ratio is nice...

.... but the watermelon thing worries me.

"Baltimore? That's like being hit in the head with a crowbar once a day."

by spike2131 on Feb 5, 2008 1:07 PM EST up reply actions

he's an illegitimate child of...

http://www.gallaghersmash.com/

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Feb 5, 2008 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

Another pitching prospect???

I would probably be happier with a lower rated position player than another pitcher. Eventually we are going to need someone to play up the middle.

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on Feb 5, 2008 12:24 PM EST reply actions

i still subscribe...

to the charlie casserly theory: you get the best guy available.

i think it's probably that if the mariners trade goes down as advertised and the o's get gallagher that pitching is going to get traded for young middle infield help.

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Feb 5, 2008 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

Ravens do that too

nad their drafts have worked out well. Not so sure this applies to trades for free agency, though.

I remember 14 straight foul balls in one at-bat.

by duck on Feb 5, 2008 12:36 PM EST up reply actions

Here here

If this truly is a complete demolition of a team that won't compete until 2010, it makes no sense to settle for less just so we can be serviceable this season. I don't pretend to know MacPhail's thinking, but it is way better to spend this season identifying an correcting a few key areas (pitching and OF, for example) than trying to tackle everything, especially since there's TWO season until 2010.

I'd be totally content with a Fahey and Luis middle IF and a well stocked bullpen/rotation/and maybe outfield, instead of a decent 2B and not Gallagher. Worry about the IF next year if no one thrills us.

by The Sicilian on Feb 5, 2008 12:38 PM EST up reply actions

Not Gallagher

I don't see MacPhail deciding between Gallagher and Cedeno. All we hear (for what it's worth) is that Gallagher is the centerpiece of the deal and then the discussion is over who the other couple players are.

I would prefer Pie, but it doesn't seem the Cubbies are willing to part with him. If that's the case, I'd take Cedeno and a prospect along with Gallagher.

by silverstadium on Feb 5, 2008 1:20 PM EST up reply actions

This late in the off-season...

I can't imagine MacPhail not snagging Cedeno in the deal. We're not getting someone from the M's and there's no one else out there worth pursuing. We can't have Luis and Brandon our double-play combo. We just can't.

Also, I've warmed up to bringing Cedeno on board. He did have two really good seasons of minor league ball and he's still pretty young. He's someone who can man the field for the next few seasons at least and he certainly has more upside than any of our other options.

Just no Marquis. Please.

by silverstadium on Feb 5, 2008 12:33 PM EST reply actions

I agree

I like getting Cedeno back, along with Gallagher. Stockpiling young arms is not a bad idea, but we do need somebody to cover the infield. Cedeno would certainly fill the hole at SS.

by crawjo on Feb 5, 2008 12:43 PM EST up reply actions

well, he might

He's another fucking tools-y Cubs prospect that has all sorts of holes in his game. I have advocated taking a flyer on Cedeno, and I still do, but I don't expect him to do more than seatwarm until we can get a real SS.

Gone but not forgotten...

by Scott Christ on Feb 5, 2008 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

I don't disagree with that...

...but I definitely would rather take a flyer on Cedeno than on hoping Fahey/Bynum/Hernandez suddenly learning how to impersonate a competent ML hitter. I don't think Cedeno's the next A-Rod but he could have a year or two of average to above average hitting in him. His AAA numbers are really very nice.

by KenDixonFanClub on Feb 5, 2008 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

re

Fahey/Bynum/Hernandez learning to impersonate a competent ML hitter scares the shit out of me. I hope they suck ass for two years so no one in the warehouse gets the idea that any of them are serviceable MIs.

"When you are in with the Lord there's just one reward, and they'd just as soon make it come true." -REK

by BPinOK on Feb 5, 2008 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

Cedeno sucks.

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job." -Brooks Robinson

by exitfare on Feb 5, 2008 2:29 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed

He's another Corey minus the good, happy-go-lucky attitude...and good defense...and strong arm.

The guy can hit in the minors, but when he's put in the big show he flails about with no sense of a strike zone.

by Dr Orpheus on Feb 5, 2008 2:49 PM EST up reply actions

fanbase

Re: Olney's comment about the "rabid fanbase": Um, do we really have a rabid fanbase? If you go to Oriole messageboards, sure there are some devoted fans. But isn't this true for other teams? Are our fans really better then any other teams? How is this even measured? Or is this just something you say?

And re: this trade...the cubs...pass! Call the Rockies, MacPhail. You don't have to trade with just one team!

Librarians are hiding something

by dfa on Feb 5, 2008 3:19 PM EST reply actions

RE:

I imagine it's just the impression that the particular person has. The fact that there are still so many Oriole fans despite being such failures for the past decade would leave me to believe the same thing.

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on Feb 5, 2008 3:23 PM EST up reply actions

LAD

wants a LH bat coming off the bench. How about Huff?

"When you are in with the Lord there's just one reward, and they'd just as soon make it come true." -REK

by BPinOK on Feb 5, 2008 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

I'm going mad from all the savings!

Huff and pitchers for Hu! GET IT DONE!!!

by Dr Orpheus on Feb 5, 2008 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

I'll make some calls...

I really wanted Kemp...what about an OF of Kemp in LF, Jones in CF, and Markakis in RF?

"When you are in with the Lord there's just one reward, and they'd just as soon make it come true." -REK

by BPinOK on Feb 5, 2008 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

Yes! Perfect!

Rework backward overflow and revolutionize outside the box while you're at it.

by Dr Orpheus on Feb 5, 2008 9:56 PM EST up reply actions

he's injured

No one's trading for him.

Gone but not forgotten...

by Scott Christ on Feb 5, 2008 10:44 PM EST up reply actions

yeah, i mean...

what if he never regains his form?

oh, wait...

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Feb 6, 2008 8:55 AM EST up reply actions

followed the orioles

If you check on it, Buster followed the orioles during the 95-96 season. That probably influenced his decision.

by Reddrummer9187 on Feb 5, 2008 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

I'll root for Roberts

Wherever he goes. Definitely gonna miss him, he's been my favorite player.

by Pack Man on Feb 5, 2008 4:44 PM EST reply actions

that was fast.

If you google:

"brian roberts" cubs

this post is the number one hit.

Batting fourth....playing center field....

by zknower on Feb 5, 2008 4:50 PM EST reply actions

not no more

we'd need to have all three terms in the title to really optimize. mlbtraderumors and a whole slew of others are coming up above us.

"Everyone always says 'You don't have to do this.'"

by Jonnypops on Feb 5, 2008 7:19 PM EST up reply actions

sorry,

I meant google news.

i.e., google the above text, then after you get reults, click on the "news" link. we're still first.

Batting fourth....playing center field....

by zknower on Feb 6, 2008 12:30 AM EST up reply actions

I have to say

im not so wild about this trade, espically compared to the berdard one

BE HAPPY DONT BE SAD THE ORIOLES CANT REALLY BE ALL THAT BAD!

by westcoastOfan on Feb 5, 2008 7:30 PM EST reply actions

I agree.

I'd rather have Roberts leading off and providing solid defense on the right side, than another unproven pitcher.

I've mostly been alone in the wilderness for many years now, but I've always felt that defense is the most under-appreciated aspect of baseball. I remember that the best Oriole teams always were one of the top defensive teams in the game. When you have guys like Blair, Robinson (B&F), Belanger, Johnson, etc, behind you, it's a lot easier to throw strikes. Having even a decent to slightly above average fielding infield could go a long way in determining how good our young staff performs. Roberts offers offence in addition to good defense and - in my opinion - makes it easier to play Hernandez at short.

by timg56 on Feb 5, 2008 8:05 PM EST up reply actions

Who would lead off?

Apologies if this has already been covered, but if we traded BRob, who would be at the top of the batting order?

by PhilR8 on Feb 6, 2008 3:30 PM EST reply actions

we talked about this in one of the diary threads

I suggested that I would use Mora. I predicted it would be Fahey.

Gone but not forgotten...

by Scott Christ on Feb 6, 2008 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

RE: Seems like an Oriole move to me...

Lead off the guy with an OBP under 290. What can go wrong?

God help us.

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on Feb 6, 2008 4:41 PM EST up reply actions

Re:

I don't think God can hear us from the basement we're in.

by The Sicilian on Feb 6, 2008 5:14 PM EST up reply actions

yeah

There are a lot of problems I see:

Trembley's approach to the game (e.g., "Fahey can bunt!")
Mora would probably complain about leading off, even though we'd be asking him to do something important and be a leader
The only other viable options are Millar and Markakis, and neither of those are happening

So Fahey, despite his suckage, is the option. 2B = leadoff! Hernandez is seen as a glove man, Fahey is seen as a get-dirty, anything-to-play guy who will bust his ass. And I like that about him. I like Brandon Fahey. I'd like him even more if he hardly ever played.

Gone but not forgotten...

by Scott Christ on Feb 6, 2008 5:28 PM EST up reply actions

RE:

Assuming we actually make the trade, what about Jones? Really doesn't make sense to me as he's not really an on base guy either and you're losing some of his power potential; but he's got to be better than Fahey.

And if we don't make the trade, where's Corey? He still hasn't signed yet, right? Orioles thinking about picking him up for their 2008 playoff run?

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on Feb 6, 2008 5:34 PM EST up reply actions

re:

Trembley won't put the pressure of leading off onto a rookie. I expect Jones will hit sixth or seventh to start the year, and could move up to cleanup by mid-season if all goes well.

Corey hates leading off.

Gone but not forgotten...

by Scott Christ on Feb 6, 2008 5:39 PM EST up reply actions

ha! no...

leading off hates corey!

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Feb 6, 2008 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

Markakis

Have him lead off, he is our best hitter, lets let our best hitter hit most often.

by Reddrummer9187 on Feb 6, 2008 7:02 PM EST up reply actions

Blarg

I think we'll have to wait to see what happens with the Roberts trade. The early speculation has been that the Os are looking to get a young outfielder in the deal. If that's the case Murton, Pie, and Fuld are definitely added options, depending on whom the Os get. If they get Fuld, put him in center, and let Jones spend some time in Triple-A; which has been suggested by many; he'd be a great option as he has fantastic pitch recognition, a high walk rate, and speed. Murton has a high OBS and Pie, well, he hasn't shown much with the bat as of yet.

Of course, there's also the option of Scott being shifted to...somewhere on the field, or DH, and putting whichever Cubs outfielder is received in left. I also think Colvin, although he hasn't progressed passed Double-A, is an option.

...I just used a lot of words and said very little.

by Dr Orpheus on Feb 6, 2008 8:39 PM EST up reply actions

+1

Forget it, Jake. It's Birdland.

by Titov on Feb 7, 2008 3:26 AM EST up reply actions

Reports are hinting Roberts remains an O

Roch is reporting that there is a feeling the currently rumored package is not enough. I don't know if that's entirely his take or if there is some noise from the team.

Connolly's article outlines some issues with Peter Angelos and his affinity for Roberts. Trading Roberts should be next step for O's

IMO Roberts should be traded, assuming a reasonable package. I'm not sold on current offers with Cedeno. However, if a deal does fall into place, I'm worried for Baltimore. If B-Rob is traded (and let's remember he said he wanted off a losing team and was not keen on a rebuild), maybe

(1) The Constellation sinks in the harbor
(2) The entire B&O roof collapses
(3) The bottle of cognac will no longer appear at Poe's grave.
(4) Faidley's will up and move to Chicago.
(5) The Bromo-Seltzer tower will start leaning

I've not even touched on the sociological effects. What do you think will happen?

"This is Birdland"

by drj on Feb 7, 2008 11:22 AM EST reply actions

Maryland Blue Crabs...

migrate to Lake Michigan???

FUCK MASCOT MILLAR and HORSESHIT HUFF

by Dave at Bottomfeeder Baseball on Feb 7, 2008 2:32 PM EST up reply actions

And

The men of Hamden will finally realize a Hanes undershirt does not qualify as an outer garment.
WBAL will trade Rod Daniels to WJZ for Denise Koch.
Crazy John's will open a salad bar.

by The Sicilian on Feb 7, 2008 6:11 PM EST up reply actions

Oh yeah

and Don Scott finally kills Marty Bass. On the air.

by The Sicilian on Feb 7, 2008 6:13 PM EST up reply actions

and

Edmondson Village gets voted one of "America's Top 10 Neighborhoods to Raise Kids"
A decent pizza place not named Matthew's opens up in the city.
The Murder Number drops under 200 for 2008.

"Everyone always says 'You don't have to do this.'"

by Jonnypops on Feb 7, 2008 7:23 PM EST up reply actions