MacPhail sticks up for the big guy

by Scott Christ on Jan 30, 2008 7:48 PM EST in News & Rumors

Asked if Angelos were responsible for nixing a deal, MacPhail responded, "No." He wouldn't elaborate further or provide details on why the talks appear to have hit a snag.

...

Adam Jones' physical, set for Tuesday, was postponed and not rescheduled. MacPhail confirmed today that Jones wasn't in Baltimore this week. The change in events led to an industry-wide perception -- and several Internet and newspaper reports -- that Angelos is holding up the deal. But the reports have been based more on the Orioles owner's reputation than any concrete evidence.

So, let's be honest, no matter what any of us feel about Peter Angelos: We have no reason anymore, other than speculation and reputation, to suspect that Peter Angelos has gotten in the way of this deal going through as of yet.

Pretty much everyone is in agreement that it looks like Erik Bedard is going to be a Seattle Mariner very soon. But we have no exact timeframe.

Here's my advice, if you care to hear it: Consider Erik Bedard gone. Consider Adam Jones a Baltimore Oriole. Welcome to the fold, Adam. ...HELP US.

The Sun article did give me one good belly laugh, though:

Executive vice president Mike Flanagan and former vice president Jim Duquette tried to persuade Angelos to make the deal [Roberts to Atlanta for Giles and LaRoche in 2006], but the owner refused to sign off, citing Roberts' impact on and off the field.

"I just thought that Brian should stay an Oriole, not that the front office didn't think so, [but] they were looking at it from a standpoint of improving the ballclub," Angelos said in March of the vetoed trade.

Improving the ballclub: Not one of Peter Angelos' concerns.

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I hate to say this about anyone but...

can he die and get it over with?

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

by westcoastOfan on Jan 30, 2008 7:55 PM EST reply actions

Now, now...

Let's not wish death upon the man. Let's just hope he somehow loses the ability to write or speak, and can only answer questions by beeping the light on his wheelchair once for "yes" and twice for "hell yes".

by PhilR8 on Jan 30, 2008 8:04 PM EST up reply actions

Hey,

it worked for Captain Pike.

by Dr Orpheus on Jan 30, 2008 9:56 PM EST up reply actions

Good to know.

Every once in a while a person slips and lets you know how they really think. I the grand scheme of things, this is nowhere nearly as noteworthy as say James Watson spilling his inner thoughts, but it is good to know. It explains a lot.

"This is Birdland"

by drj on Jan 30, 2008 9:00 PM EST reply actions

Yeah

I think that Angelos has always been something of a "players' owner" albeit one who picks and chooses which players he wants to protect.

FWIW, that Roberts deal in December 2006 would have been bad for the club. Thank God he nixed that one.

by crawjo on Jan 30, 2008 10:40 PM EST reply actions

Separated at Birth?

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

by spike2131 on Jan 30, 2008 10:43 PM EST reply actions

And the fans are treated like Han Solo

by eddie on Jan 30, 2008 10:53 PM EST up reply actions

Angelos is so lucky

Giles and LaRoche were both terrible last season, and will probably continue to get worse. Nixing Tejada for Erick Aybar and Ervin Santana now looks better than what it was because Ervin Santana took a huge step backwards last year.

"If you think your going to hit into a double play, strike out."-Earl Weaver

by jobe on Jan 30, 2008 11:15 PM EST reply actions

fwiw

I think I read in a BP article that Santana is a possible comeback player. They highlighted about 15 players who had off years and were expected to rebound. We'll see.

"This is Birdland"

by drj on Jan 31, 2008 8:08 AM EST up reply actions

The inner Petey

This "improving the ballclub [isn't a priority]" remark dovetails neatly with the classic "I've never enjoyed [owning it]" observation from last year to complete the PA psychological profile for anyone who hasn't seen the light yet.

Words fail me. Wait, no they don't, here are some good ones:

perverse
cynical
whacko
delusional
douchebag
impervious to logic and common sense; and
the best possible person to do a couple shots over lunch with Dick Cheney and then go duck hunting.

Forget it, Jake. It's Birdland.

by Titov on Jan 31, 2008 4:17 AM EST reply actions