Vlad about to fall in the O's lap?

[TonySoprano]

Last I checked, all of the teams with nearby Latino populations have given him the cold shoulder.

Not so fast. Mama Guerrero still has hope. NY has the largest (name the ethnic group) population in the country.

[TheBee]

I admittedly have no objectivity when it comes to Vlad. He does things at the plate that normally only happen in backyard wiffleball. I've loved watching the guy since he first appeared in Montreal. I'm pretty confident he won't end up here, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't love seeing him in the black and orange for a few years.

[Arthur_Bryant]

I admittedly have no objectivity when it comes to Vlad. He does things at the plate that normally only happen in backyard wiffleball. I've loved watching the guy since he first appeared in Montreal. I'm pretty confident he won't end up here, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't love seeing him in the black and orange for a few years.

I would have confidently written the bolded as late as 2007. Not now. In a few years Vlad will be out of MLB.

[Bradysburns]

Yes, I can see it that way as well.

It is true we may be the slowest team in baseball, but its not like Pie is going to steal us 50 bases. Eff it.

That lineup would RAKE

Hey, the O's have proven that slow doesn't mean you can't score! A lot of these guys have good contact/discipline/power. Could be a top-third-in-the-league offense, and I would love to see it!

[Bradysburns]

People need to stop posting bs right now about health and start posting facts about how many at bats a player has earned. It has been rampant in the D.Lee discussions and now Vlad.

I kinda get it - because Vlad does sort of lope around now. He's not the same five-tool guy he once was. But I always remember Harold Baines, who basically needed a walker to get to first base... but just hit .300 like every friggin' year... into his late 30s... with about 20 HRs... steady as a Rolex.

Of course Vlad could flame out next season. But it seems more likely to me that he hits around .300 with around 20-30 HRs... 85-plus RBI... with about 500-plus ABs and an .850-ish OPS. Just purely based on track record.

[scOtt]

I kinda get it - because Vlad does sort of lope around now. He's not the same five-tool guy he once was. But I always remember Harold Baines, who basically needed a walker to get to first base... but just hit .300 like every friggin' year... into his late 30s... with about 20 HRs... steady as a Rolex.

Of course Vlad could flame out next season. But it seems more likely to me that he hits around .300 with around 20-30 HRs... 85-plus RBI... with about 500-plus ABs and an .850-ish OPS. Just purely based on track record.

I have to admit, you swayed me a little there. The comparison to Baines is a really good one (only on pure numbers and shot knees, NO comparison on their styles. )

Still I think there's no way he comes here.

[wildcard]

Place your bets. Is Reimold going to regain his offense touch for a 800-830 OPS or do you sign Vlad and move Scott to left for the same production?

I think Andy is going to bet on Reimold.

[TheBee]

I would have confidently written the bolded as late as 2007. Not now. In a few years Vlad will be out of MLB.

I wouldn't want to sign Vlad for more than one year deals, however, the guy has hit above 300 every year since 1997, his numbers were very solid last year, and Bill James actually has his OPS increasing again this year. I understand what you're saying, but the guy is special.

[crowmst3k!]

Vlad would make this a very potent Camden Yards offense. The combination of Vlad, Lee, and Reynolds could finally spell the end of Jon Lester's dominance over our birds.

[LookinUp]

It certainly appears as if the O's consider Scott a DH only. If so, there's only one way we'd end up with either Thome or Vlad, and that's if Scott is traded for another piece.

[Sports Guy]

The answer to this question is no...Tampa, Minn and LAA are reportedly interested in him. Those teams are going to get Vlad before and that is if the O's are even contemplating acquiring Vladdy, which I doubt they are.

[paulcoates]

Wasn't it just stated last week by MacPhail that the Orioles aren't interested in Thome or Vlad?

[EddieEddie]

Hey, the O's have proven that slow doesn't mean you can't score! A lot of these guys have good contact/discipline/power. Could be a top-third-in-the-league offense, and I would love to see it!

Could be even better if the light comes on for Wieters/Jones.

But again, I don't see this happening. I could see us making a move like this next year though.

[TheBee]

Wasn't it just stated last week by MacPhail that the Orioles aren't interested in Thome or Vlad?

I'm not sure, but I think that was Zriebec's educated opinion - not a quote. When I saw it, it was just written as opinion. However, I do think it is probably true.

[ChaosLex]

I'm hearing this secondhand, but I've heard a couple of people mention it now.

Is this from MLB Network's Hot Stove or one of his Twitter postings? Unfortunately, I have access to neither at work.

I find this hard to believe considering some local beat reporters (i.e., Roch) think we're done with "major" acquisitions. Still, what do you think?