Some stuff

[cindyluvsbrady]

I still don't believe Roberts is going anywhere.

I love you!

Please be right!

[Mashed Potatoes]

Based upon what?

By all reports, the Cubs were prepared to finalize a deal coming out of Nashville in December.

Then a bit later it was reported that the Cubs were really hoping to have a deal in place in time for the Cubs Convention in January.

Then a bit after that, we heard that the Cubs thought it would be splendid if this thing could be resolved before spring training opened in February.

Now here we are in March.

Doesn't it seem as though if the Cubs were inclined to cave, it would have happened by now? They've had ample opportunity already.

No, there's a big difference between various points in the offseason and now, when the actual season is about to begin. That's an added pressure which wasn't there before.

[ChaosLex]

It'll be interesting to see what develops from this Alou situation.

Somehow I don't see Jay Payton at the top of the Mets' contingency plan... assuming that's who you're referring to here.

Millar might be though.

[wildcard]

I'm pretty iffy about Lohse, particularly if he will be even remotely expensive or would want a second year. Everyone knows the only real value he'd have to the team as a potential trade piece, which I'm inherently weary about anyway. MacPhail has earned my respect as a general manager, but the man is remarkably slow-moving and part of me worries that he doesn't really have the speed to be counted on year in and year out for deadline deals.

Also, I'll be fairly surprised if the Orioles don't at least hear from the Mets now that Alou is injured. It's one thing being particular and desiring a platoon partner, but it's another thing entirely finding a replacement for an injured starter.

Lohse has an established history of begin traded at the deadline for 3rd round pitching propects. If MacPhail could sign him at a reasonable price and duplicate that, I think he would.

From BaseballReference.com

July 31, 2006: Traded by the Minnesota Twins to the Cincinnati Reds for Zach Ward (minors).

July 30, 2007: Traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the Philadelphia Phillies for Matt Maloney (minors).

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/M/Matt-Maloney.shtml

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/W/Zac-Ward.shtml

[Hank Scorpio]

Is this a joke? You were saying the same stuff about a possible Bedard trade.

Except this time I agree with him. I'll be surprised if we trade Roberts.

[Tony-OH]

Really, at this point, I have no problem holding onto Roberts if we can't get players that are going to be a major part of our future. My personal opinion is that Roberts has the game to be a productive player well into his late 30s, and with the young players we've brought in, hopefully the Orioles can show him that they are moving in the right direction.

Now, if we can get the right return, then I have no problem moving him, but I don't think we HAVE to move him. God's honest truth, if we're not getting a SS and or 2Bman of the futre and a possible starter, why should we move him?

[Hank Scorpio]

Really, at this point, I have no problem holding onto Roberts if we can't get players that are going to be a major part of our future. My personal opinion is that Roberts has the game to be a productive player well into his late 30s, and with the young players we've brought in, hopefully the Orioles can show him that they are moving in the right direction.

Now, if we can get the right return, then I have no problem moving him, but I don't think we HAVE to move him. God's honest truth, if we're not getting a SS and or 2Bman of the futre and a possible starter, why should we move him?

I'm with you, Tony.

I have confidence in MacPhail to identify and act upon the "right deal."

There is a deal out there that I'd take, and even one that I'd take from the Cubs.

[Skeptical]

I may be wrong, but weren't the O's planning on sending scouts to the Cubs ST site this week? Has that happened yet or am i a week early?

[Moose Milligan]

Is this a joke? You were saying the same stuff about a possible Bedard trade.

No, not a joke, and yeah, I said the same thing about a possible Bedard trade...so what's your point? That I was wrong? Brilliant. I didn't think it was going to go through, based on history and the O's stunning ability to muck up deals and not have the balls to pull off big trades.

It just sounds like we're too far apart from the Cubs...hell, we don't even have a Sean Gallagher soundbyte saying he's coming to Baltimore for a physical and everyone scrambling to act like nothings happening.

<img src = "http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b353/kidcruisin/funny.gif">

[Frobby]

Really, at this point, I have no problem holding onto Roberts if we can't get players that are going to be a major part of our future. My personal opinion is that Roberts has the game to be a productive player well into his late 30s, and with the young players we've brought in, hopefully the Orioles can show him that they are moving in the right direction.

Now, if we can get the right return, then I have no problem moving him, but I don't think we HAVE to move him. God's honest truth, if we're not getting a SS and or 2Bman of the futre and a possible starter, why should we move him?

I think it is safe to say that any deal we do here is going to be debatable. It's clear that MacPhail himself isn't sure that the deals that have been offered are worthwhile. This is going to be a borderline call.

[NewMarketSean]

We're not Kyle Lohse's first choice? A 4.82 ERA guy with 34 wins in fours years is unsigned in March, we're interested, and he says, "Nah, you're not my first choice."

OhhhhKay

We're the Orioles. We wouldn't even be Jose Lima's first choice if he made a comeback.

[BillySmith]

I don't think the O's are interested in Lohse for the number of wins he might bring. They are looking at him as a commodity just like Trachsel was last year. They can wait until July-August and then flip him for prospects. They like how the got Moore and the want to do it again and again and again.

If they can get Lohse for 1/3 they will do it. They will just push their young pitchers down in the minors or maybe make that trade for a good young SS.

I think this is right. I'm buying into the idea of making the Olson, et al. start at AAA and show they are ready to try the majors again. The competition will do them good, and we can flip veterans at the deadline.

[McNulty]

I dont see what the big deal is in taking a flyer on Lohse. Its not my money they are spending, and the potential upside is enough to justify the risk of him being, well, Lohse-like.

[lint06]

I didn't see this little tidbit yet:

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry shot down rumors that a deal for Baltimore second baseman Brian Roberts is imminent.

Blame the Peter Principle. Roberts, see, remains the boss fave of Orioles owner Peter Angelos. Such a boss fave, in fact, that talk is the Cubs have to go out of their way to lose the deal in order for Angelos to change his mind. And if you're thinking that Angelos will relent at the trading deadline, forget it. The guy apparently is bonkers enough to decide he doesn't want to make a bad team worse, even though Angelos makes a bad team worse just by owning it.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-06-rosenbitmar06,1,1837312.story

The guy seems like a bit of a tool, but everyone has a right to their opinion.

[davearm]

Millar might be though.

Millar? As an everyday OF?

That's a pretty big reach at this point, no?

Again, that'd have to be well down the Mets' list I'd imagine.