O's Ink Izturis

[NuOriolesNation]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3759382&name=winter_meetings_2008

Pending a physical.

[markpolis]

I know it's been talked about, but I didn't see it officially reported:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=winter_meetings_2008

Steve Phillips of ESPN is announcing the deal is done.

[Birds08]

Hopefully these threads can be merged with the one's from last night saying its basically a done deal, with the new titles.

[davearm]

If it's for one year, then I guess you call it making the best of a bad situation.

For two years, ugh.

[Dirtyburnie]

Now let's fill the hole at 1b:D

[Moose Milligan]

Cesar will put us on his back and carry us to the promised land.

[Dipper9]

Cesar will put us on his back and carry us to the promised land.

All HAIL King Cesar!

[clapdiddy]

You know, I was not too thrilled about this at first, but after reading (and re-reading!) Baltimoron's analysis of Itzuris, I can certainly live with him for two years. I would caveat that by saying that this "endorsement" is only dependent on us developing and/or acquiring his eventual replacement. I'm hopeful that Miclat can be that guy.

[TGO]

If it's for one year, then I guess you call it making the best of a bad situation.

For two years, ugh.

I can deal with him as a $3M utility guy in 2010 if it comes to that. Freel and Mora will both be gone.

[Fan4Life]

:clap3::clap3::clap3::clap3::clap3:

[Frobby]

If it's for one year, then I guess you call it making the best of a bad situation.

For two years, ugh.

Two reasons a two-year deal doesn't bother me:

1. Our best SS prospect in the minors is at least 2 years away, but may well be ready in 2 years (so I really don't want to be tying someone up for multiple years next offseason).

2. We already are looking at replacing Huff, Roberts and Mora next offseason, if not before. That's enough instability for one offseason.

[bird watcher]

Good signing. The difference in offense with an upgrade wasn't going to make the difference in us winning or not. We needed someone to steady the defense and we just got him. Now lets get some pitching and Tex.

[maudibjr]

If it's for one year, then I guess you call it making the best of a bad situation.

For two years, ugh.

He is a serviceable starter for this year and more importantly fills a desperate need.

As far as a second year, he will still have the same function assuming we cannot sign/develop someone better and at worse will be a moderately expensive utility guy.

I think it is the best of a bad situation and certainly better than the revolving door of crap at SS we had last year. Although I thought we should of explored a trade for Jack Wilson more.

[wieters=nucleus]

Well its better than Bynum and L. Hernandez

[markdublya]

Looking at his career stats, I find it odd how inconsistent his ability to successfully steal bases is from one season to another...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=4607