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

[WEAVERMAN]

Can the Orioles please get the Balfour deal done? Give him the third year or at least an option to get it done. The alternatives are not acceptable if you're serious about contending. Let's go.

[Dark Helmet]

Can the Orioles please get the Balfour deal done? Give him the third year or at least an option to get it done. The alternatives are not acceptable if you're series about contending. Let's go.

The problem is that the Orioles aren't interested in contending. They are happy being a .500 team and hoping that keeppls most fans interested enough to spend their money attending games.

[RVAbird]

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?

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1:50 for that btw.

Ike Davis, Justin Smoak, Mitch Moreland, and Mike Carp are logical targets that have been rumored to be available.

[scOtt]

<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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Roch's avatar looks like the Godfather. "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse."

[weams]

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

Well, in a sense it was. Cherington was explaining the advantage of trading several of his team's stars and decreasing payroll incredibly. He reallocated his new resources. Or a third of them. And did well with it.

[MrOrange82]

Well, in a sense it was. Cherington was explaining the advantage of trading several of his team's stars and decreasing payroll incredibly. He reallocated his new resources. Or a third of them. And did well with it.

Right, but his resources remained immense as compared to the O's.

[fansince71]

:laughlol:60 page thread on some two bit relief pitcher that we can't seem to sign:rolleyes:

[weams]

"There are plenty of closers on the market," said executive vice president Dan Duquette. "I'm not that concerned about it. We'll see how things go. We're still looking around."

[scOtt]

Right, but his resources remained immense as compared to the O's.

But he's not planning on spending just to spend.

[Number5]

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.

I was thinking along the lines of the Dodgers eating half. Again, we both agree it isn't likely, but I can see a scenario (though unlikely) where Ethier would make sense. At what is being discussed for Choo, I see no scenario that would make sense. That is the point I am making. Kemp is probably a little more possible, since the Orioles could reasonably decide to pay a larger portion of what he is out than Ethier, but it is still a longshot, IMO.

[weams]

Right, but his resources remained immense as compared to the O's.

Absolutely. As did his market. As did his market.

[weams]

But he's not planning on spending just to spend.

He reallocated a third of his saved payroll.

[Number5]

<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.

What spin job? No spin necessary. We offered 2 years. He wants 3, DD holding at 2 -- which is the right call IMO. If the guy gets offered 3 years elsewhere, more power to him, but 2 years should be our max.

[scOtt]

He reallocated a third of his saved payroll.

DD slow and steady wins the race?

[Three Run Homer]

What spin job? No spin necessary. We offered 2 years. He wants 3, DD holding at 2 -- which is the right call IMO. If the guy gets offered 3 years elsewhere, more power to him, but 2 years should be our max.

So you're willing to have a washed up arsonist like John Axford as your closer just to avoid giving a good closer 3 years instead of 2? Will you still feel that way when Axford has an ERA of 5 and eight blown saves by the ASB next season?