Sun-Times says O's want Cedeno, Gallagher, and 2 more prospects

[hoosiers]

Well Cindy; for what it's worth (and I realize it is very little). In a response to Dan Connolly's article regarding Tex in the Sun today, someone claiming insider information said McPhail has spoken to Boras and was told there is no way Tex is coming here if we trade BRob.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.connolly28feb28,0,227944.column

Our FO has us on a very nice course to compete for several years starting in 2010 or 2011. If Tex wants to go to NYY and compete every year, that's fine. It would be crying shame for all involved if we do become very competitive in the 2010/11 time frame and start making the playoffs and Tex sits at home during the post-season because he thought we'd be awful without BRob in Spring Training 2008.

As an aside, I think the supposed insider info is pure bologna.

[TinCup]

Well Cindy; for what it's worth (and I realize it is very little). In a response to Dan Connolly's article regarding Tex in the Sun today, someone claiming insider information said McPhail has spoken to Boras and was told there is no way Tex is coming here if we trade BRob.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.connolly28feb28,0,227944.column

If anybody believes that report, then they might be interested in buying this here "prime real estate"...great price, available now, ready for residential development....

<image src= "http://climatex.org/media/images-image-image/Garbage_landfill.jpg">

[ChaosLex]

Well Cindy; for what it's worth (and I realize it is very little). In a response to Dan Connolly's article regarding Tex in the Sun today, someone claiming insider information said McPhail has spoken to Boras and was told there is no way Tex is coming here if we trade BRob.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.connolly28feb28,0,227944.column

We better put our boots on. The b.s. is getting mighty thick. Haha.

I'm saying that about the guy with "insider information," not you Big Al.

[ChaosLex]

He MUST stay here!:002_scry:

I'd like to see him stay too.

Unfortunately, it looks like the writing's on the wall.

[laxtonto]

and in other relevant news, Gammons reported earlier today that

Gammons notes that the Cubs have discussed Matt Murton with the Rangers and Red Sox, but he alone wouldn't get them Marlon Byrd or Coco Crisp. Murton was drafted 32nd overall by Boston in '03, and then traded to the Cubs a year later in the Nomar Garciaparra deal. Murton would remain pretty well blocked in Boston though.

MLBTR

So, it looks like the Cubs are still trying to move Murton, and not to the O's.

[bluehens45]

How about getting Murton then packaging him with a prospect for a blocked SS. Let Cedeno play 2nd or get a blocked 2nd baseman and let Cedeno stay at SS. Maybe we could include Murton and a Pitcher and get Duran from the Rangers or move him to the Pads or Indians. Im sure after Spring training teams will be in need of a player like Murton.

[Ruzious]

Gammons notes that the Cubs have discussed Matt Murton with the Rangers and Red Sox, but he alone wouldn't get them Marlon Byrd or Coco Crisp.

Wow, Murton's trade value appears to be microscopic.

[ChaosLex]

How about getting Murton then packaging him with a prospect for a blocked SS. Let Cedeno play 2nd or get a blocked 2nd baseman and let Cedeno stay at SS. Maybe we could include Murton and a Pitcher and get Duran from the Rangers or move him to the Pads or Indians. Im sure after Spring training teams will be in need of a player like Murton.

I mentionied this a few weeks ago. I think a package of Murton/Scott and one of our young pitchers (i.e., Olson, Liz, etc.) would be able to get us a nice SS or 2B prospect.

[SHAWN555]

Well Cindy; for what it's worth (and I realize it is very little). In a response to Dan Connolly's article regarding Tex in the Sun today, someone claiming insider information said McPhail has spoken to Boras and was told there is no way Tex is coming here if we trade BRob.

I am sure Boras would be all about telling one of the teams that may offer the most money for his client that they are not interested in playing for them.

That makes sense try to weaken the market for your client.

People need to stop taking everyones "insider" information seriously.

[Lucky Jim]

Wow, Murton's trade value appears to be microscopic.

But he'll outhit Scott this year. The Cubs fans say so.

[Number5]

How about getting Murton then packaging him with a prospect for a blocked SS. Let Cedeno play 2nd or get a blocked 2nd baseman and let Cedeno stay at SS. Maybe we could include Murton and a Pitcher and get Duran from the Rangers or move him to the Pads or Indians. Im sure after Spring training teams will be in need of a player like Murton.

I'm not so sure. Murton is a good hitter, but his inflexibility in the field makes it hard for teams to carry him.

His only position is left field. All outfielders can play left field. As a 4th or 5th outfielder, most teams want someone that can play all 3 spots reasonably well, or at least both corners or first base. Remember, since nearly all teams carry 12 pitchers, there are only 5 bench spots (4 plus the DH in the AL.) Typically the mix is something like 2 OF's, 2 UT inf, and a C. Even in the AL, teams like for their primary DH to have some fielding capability and flexibility, unless they happen to have an Ortiz-type stud.

This was evidenced by Texas deciding to pass on a Murton-for-Byrd offer from the Cubs. Texas figures to have a Catalanotto/Nelson Cruz platoon in LF as of now, and there aren't many teams that would figure to possibly be more interested in a Murton than the Rangers. Yet they said no.

His marketability is pretty much limited to teams for whom he would be the clear-cut starter at LF or DH. Even then, a team may have salary issues that make cutting or trading the player blocking Murton problematic (like Huff or Gibbons with the Orioles.)

EPat faces this type of issue, as well. From what I've read, he is rated too far below ML average at 2B to be viable there, and lacks the arm for CF or RF. His bat, his speed, and the fact that he can fill in at 2B and possibly CF in an emergency, mitigates this concern slightly in his case, but it is still an issue.

[cindyluvsbrady]

I'd like to see him stay too.

Unfortunately, it looks like the writing's on the wall.

God Help me!:002_scry:

[davearm]

But he'll outhit Scott this year. The Cubs fans say so.

Sounds like you're incredulous. Curious, how many Orioles do you expect will outhit Murton this year?

The list is short... 3 or 4 is probably being generous. It could easily be just 1 or 2. Last year it was 3, IIRC.

So the Cubs can't give away a guy that would instantly improve the middle of the O's lineup. Not sure you ought to be crowing too loudly about that.

[NoVaO]

Because we don't need a player like Murton. We already have a stockpile of LF/1B/DH type players and he just adds to it. He has been declining and at his best is a part-time player.

So it doesn't matter if Murton is better, cheaper, and younger than all, but one of them (Scott)? And can you really call a player who has played just 2 professional seasons declining? At his best, he is mostly an everyday player who mashes LHP and puts up respectable numbers against all but the toughest RHP, which is when he would find himself on the bench.

We already have Jones, Markakis, Scott, Payton, Redman, Roberson, and Reimold (in the wings) for the outfield. If we trade Payton to the Cubs, I'll be "okay" with getting Murton back. However, if we add Murton to the names listed above, we'll have a cluster**** in the outfield.

Jones in CF, Markakis in RF, Scott at DH/LF...Payton? Redman? Roberson?? None of those guys should prevent us from acquiring Murton...we could cut each of them without missing a beat.

Reimold is a guy to watch, but he still hasn't proven anything above AA yet. If he forces the FO's hand at some point, I don't think it will be tough to move a guy from the glut of players that occupy the same position.

If we have a chance to acquire a guy like Murton who is better than most of the players that play the same spot, we shouldn't let concerns about playing time prevent us from acquiring him.

And who is the alternative? Is it Patterson? I personally don't have much confidence in the bat of Patterson not to mention his questionable defense. Veal? Talented pitcher, but struggled mightily with his control and we know the risk of attrition in young pitchers. Ceda? Talented, but a very long ways away and again there is a risk with pitchers. Colvin? One of the most overrated prospects in baseball.

Murton is about as much of a sure thing as Roberts, is still relatively young and would be under our control for a long time. I don't see why anybody would be opposed to him being included in this deal.

[byrdz]

Sounds like you're incredulous. Curious, how many Orioles do you expect will outhit Murton this year?

The list is short... 3 or 4 is probably being generous. It could easily be just 1 or 2. Last year it was 3, IIRC.

So the Cubs can't give away a guy that would instantly improve the middle of the O's lineup. Not sure you ought to be crowing too loudly about that.

I'm not sure what all the hating on Murton is all about either.