Per Rosenthal: Balfour (FINALLY) to Orioles...

[DrinkinWithFermi]

It is not a straight-up choice between the two. Remember the money and the draft choice... and the money. Did I mention the money?

I'm aware of both of those things. My statement stands. I would rather have Choo at $18-20 million than Ethier at $12-15 million, despite the pick. Choo is the better player, fills our gaping leadoff void, and doesn't necessarily have to be platooned.

Neither player will be an Oriole next year though so it doesn't really matter what either of us would do or want.

[VeveJones007]

Will the LH half of the platoon have a career .411 OBP vs. RHPs and the RH half have a career OBP of .340 vs. LHPs? Because it's hard to imagine a platoon matching that. Not saying I would do $100+ million for him. Just saying, that's all.

You can have your .340 OBP every day of the week if it's more than half of the player's OPS. Hard pass.

It isn't worth it to pay that player $20 million a season now, let alone his age 38 season.

[Roll Tide]

I'm aware of both of those things. My statement stands. I would rather have Choo at $18-20 million than Ethier at $12-15 million, despite the pick. Choo is the better player, fills our gaping leadoff void, and doesn't necessarily have to be platooned.

Neither player will be an Oriole next year though so it doesn't really matter what either of us would do or want.

What if the Dodgers paid 7-8 per year of Either's salary?

[waroriole]

What if the Dodgers paid 7-8 per year of Either's salary?

Who are you going to give them to get the Dodgers to do that?

[DrinkinWithFermi]

What if the Dodgers paid 7-8 per year of Either's salary?

Then you're giving up several quality prospects to acquire a platoon player that will still cost $8-10 million dollars a year.

[Guest]

Then you're giving up several quality prospects to acquire a platoon player that will still cost $8-10 million dollars a year.

Either will be better then anything we throw out in 2014 in LF. Remember we will have 2 black holes in 2014, 2nd and DH. Don't need 3 black holes.

[DrinkinWithFermi]

Either will be better then anything we throw out in 2014 in LF. Remember we will have 2 black holes in 2014, 2nd and DH. Don't need 3 black holes.

A bad move is a bad move whether it is made out of desperation OR necessity.

[scOtt]

That's kind of what I'm getting as well.

I was going to agree with Veve too but I didn't have the balls. It all depends on the offers too tho. The offer with the option might be for less money. I do think players see Balmer as a desirable option. Webb just gushed about signing on. Last year Feldman and Norris both said they were happy to hear it was us they were traded too.

[Guest]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23orioles&src=hash">#orioles</a> still waiting to find out whether A.J. Burnett wants to pitch in 2014. If so, they want to talk to him. Met with rep at meetings</p>— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) <a href="

">December 13, 2013</a></blockquote>

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[Guest]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Nothing new on Balfour. Market flush with closers and <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23orioles&src=hash">#orioles</a> still looking around while he decides. Axford most likely alternative</p>— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) <a href="

">December 13, 2013</a></blockquote>

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Here comes the spin job.

[Dark Helmet]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23orioles&src=hash">#orioles</a> still waiting to find out whether A.J. Burnett wants to pitch in 2014. If so, they want to talk to him. Met with rep at meetings</p>— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) <a href="

">December 13, 2013</a></blockquote>

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Just sit around and keep waiting. While the Orioles are trying to talk guys out of retiring, other teams are making moves that actually improve the team.

[weams]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Nothing new on Balfour. Market flush with closers and <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23orioles&src=hash">#orioles</a> still looking around while he decides. Axford most likely alternative</p>— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) <a href="

">December 13, 2013</a></blockquote>

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Here comes the spin job.

Spin like this?

Boston general manager Ben Cherington stressed a "disciplined" approach in rebuilding the franchise, according to the Boston Globe, which likely means forthcoming free agents Josh Hamilton and Zack Greinke probably aren't in the cards and trades for younger, up-and-coming players are more likely. They'll also re-emphasize building from within, and this trade added a pair of pitching prospects, right-handers Rubby De la Rosa and Allen Webster.

It's a proverbial one step back in order to take two steps forward.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/joe_lemire/08/26/five-cuts-dodgers-red-sox-trade/index.html#ixzz2nOxwHOsK

[Dark Helmet]

Spin like this?

When the Orioles sign Napoli, Koji, Victorino, and Gomes then that article will make me feel better. Boston still spent money to improve.

[MrOrange82]

Spin like this?

That's not even comparing fruit to a different kind of fruit.

[scOtt]

In the interview DD did with MLB.com he said that they were looking to trade for a LH hitter. If that's the case, what are the options?

<iframe src='http://wapc.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=31265365&topic_id=40172882&width=400&height=224&property=mlb' width='400' height='224' frameborder='0'>Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe>

1:50 for that btw.

At 2:25... OOOOO Balfour fields too! :drool: