...B-Rob sorta does, T-Bone Shelby doesn't even know what shape "it" is.

 

Link here , at everyone's favorite paper's website.

 

The relevant material:

 

"Trembley said that he has had no problems with the Orioles' aggressive base running.

"That's part of it," Trembley said. "You can't think negative. You have to think positive. You take the extra base. You go first to third when they allow you to do it. I don't think you play defensive. You play defensive now, you're looking to make mistakes. I don't like that."

 

Gee Dave. Know what I don't like? MAKING AN ENTIRE INNING'S WORTH OF OUTS ON THE BASEPATHS IN ONE GAME. Being aggressive is, for this team, apparently being stupid and running into outs in the name of "trying to create runs." Gotta have men on base to create runs, Dave.

 

Shelby weighs in: "I got guys taking bigger leads than they'd normally get," Shelby said. "It's not about getting picked off at first. They have more bang-bang plays at second and it's because they don't go take that extra step."

Actually John, what seems to happen is, they get picked off and we lose runners in crucial innings. Like the 9th.

 

B-Rob: "Being aggressive doesn't mean you give away easy outs. We need all 27 outs, and we need to use them all wisely."

 

Yes, true. So stop being aggressive. Geez.

...it is clearly a crock.

 

http://insidecharmcity.com/2008/04/01/orioles-to-be-up-for-sale-after-this-season/

 

Sure they are. Somebody will be prying this team out of Angelos' cold, dead hands, but only after someone stakes him through the heart, shoves a bulb of garlic in his mouth, and sprinkles his coffin with Holy Water, because as of right now his cold, dead hands are perfectly functional.

 

Besides, a community based ownership group? Sure, MLB would go for that. And again, even if this isn't an April Fool's joke, only Nestor Aparicio would be deluded enough to think he had any kind of pull or influence enough to be involved in something like this.

From The (Baltimore) Sun.

 

 

Here it is. Can't believe they made the smart decision in this case. I thought for certain Moore was headed to AAA and Gibbons was uselessly taking up bench space.

...it being Jay Payton bitching about playing time. I didn't think this would happen at least till, y'know, the season started.

 

"Last year, I felt like when I came in, I knew if I had a good spring, that I might be able to win a job," Payton said. "This spring, all indications were that it wouldn't have mattered if I hit .700. It's been a little disheartening. I felt like I was pushed to the fourth outfielder's spot without having a chance to compete against two guys that have relatively little experience, even though they are good players and have a decent ceiling."

 

 

No Jay, it wouldn't matter, because there is almost zero chance, barring injury, of you matching the production of either Scott or Jones. And, more importantly, they'll be here in 2010, and you won't.

 

"I'm making more money than I've ever made in my career," Payton said.

   The Os fiscal irresponsibility shouldn't guarantee you playing time.

 

Teams decide to take directions and you kind of have to deal with it. Hopefully if I'm not going to play a lot here, they'll do right by me and look for me to go somewhere else.

 

   Believe me, Jay, we'd LOVE to send you somewhere else.

 

Who am I kidding, though? I'd bet that at the first sign of Scott struggling, Payton starts to steal his AB. Sigh.

 

Personally I think this is a dumbass move, but on Roch's blog, he indicates that the Os have signed Trachsel to a minor league deal with a spring training invite.

Personally, I'd really rather see the rotation filled out with kids. What's Trachsel gonna do, teach 'em how to take 2 minutes between pitches?

I don't see a whole lot of point to the "veteran presence" nonsense, or the "he'll teach the kids." Isn't that what we have a pitching coach for?

...FINALLY.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-bedard204,0,7271042.story

To sum up: Jones is indeed taking a physical. If he passes, deal might be announced today.

Please, Warehouse, don't eff this one up.

Now, on to the Roberts trade drama...

let me post, let me post, let me post, let me post

Editor's Note (zk):A "source" also said Jones was in Baltimore taking a physical Friday, which was later debunked. But let's hope the Sun actually verified this before deciding to run with it.

UPDATE: Just found this was reported yesterday by the Seattle Post Intelligencer, so this is looking pretty confirmed.

Well, Goose Gossage is in. He was definitely better than Sutter so congrats, I guess. He's the only one. Blyleven gets denied another year, and Raines should've been a slam-dunk, first ballot entree. I hate the BBWAA.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.osnotes22dec22,0,201461.story

Well, not sure how to feel about this. Feels kind of like the standard company line; I doubt MacPhail has actually stopped talking to the Mariners, or anybody else that wants to call. At the same time, Bedard is ours till 2009; we do not NEED to trade him now. I suspect his value is at its peak right now, but if we're forced to keep him for a bit, that ain't the worst thing.

Besides, there's no reason why a team like the Dodgers or Mariners might not get desperate at the deadline this year and give up more than they would now. What if the Dodgers are a few games out and Kuroda has flopped (possible) Schmidt is out again (likely) and either Lowe or Penny has caught a crippling STD (certainly possible). Then suddenly Kemp+Kershaw+2 more might not look so bad . Also, note in that same article, Mora being a whiny bitch. "I won't play no left field...If you get kicked out of your house, what are you going to do?" Get the f!@# out of my house, Mora.

...listening to/watching Mike and Mike on espn2. Greenberg reporting that Clemens personal trainer provided him with roids prior to and during his tenure with the Yankees and he will be in the Mitchell report. Obviously no official confirmation till 2 pm...

...but thank you. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you. Merry Roidsmas.

...without giving up their top young hitter, Jay Bruce. According to mlbtraderumors.com, and their link to "Reds Insider," the deal would be for Joey Votto, Homer Bailey, and a top prospect. I'm not sold on Bailey, and we need BATS. You can never have too much pitching, true, but the arms in our system far outweigh the hitters. I still like what LAD has to offer better than this.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/12/reds-still-purs.html

I also want NOTHING to do with Edwin Encarnacion; barely above league average in the NL, and apparently an attitude problem. No thanks. I'll take all the attitude he wants if he can post something much more impressive than an OPS+ of 102.

As for Josh Hamilton...well, just on the numbers, I like him a whole lot more than Encarnacion. I don't like the hand-carts full of matched luggage he comes with, and I don't like his injury history. I hope for the best for him, and that his inspiring comeback continues well. Just not in Baltimore.

I don't think the Reds are a good fit without including Bruce. Thoughts?