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Sources: Orioles sign Uehara

By James Baker | January 6, 2009 | Oriole Magic

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-orioles0106,0,2908949.storyThe Baltimore Sun is reporting that the Orioles have reached an agreement that would bring Koji Uehara to Baltimore.He would be the first Japanese born player to dawn an Orioles uniform. Uehara pitched for the Yomiuri Giants and was a two-time winner of the Japanese equivalent to the Cy Young. The 34 year-old Koji spent the last two years in the pen, but he will be a starter in Baltimore.He spent time in the pen not because of injury or lack of performance. Word has it that Uehara made his desire to play in America very public and Giants banished him to the pen for the last two years of his contract. Even there he excelled.In his last season as a starter Koji walked only 21 batters in 168.1 IP. In his two years in the pen he walked 4 and 16 all year. He doesn't walk people, he strikes...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Baltimore Orioles, free agents, Japanese Baseball

Initial Thoughts of MLB Network

By Alan Smodic | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Much like DirecTV's MLB Extra Innings package, the MLB Network is more baseball than one can handle. -- programwitch/Flickr.com

On January 1, Major League Baseball followed in the footsteps of the NFL and NHL by unveiling its own channel -- the MLB Network.If you don't already know what this exactly is, MLBNetwork.com's about page helps:MLB Network stands for Major League Baseball Network, which means access to more baseball than America's ever seen! This new 24-hour network delves into the world of baseball, going far beyond the field. Fans can tune in at any time for fresh perspectives, current news, the latest trade rumors, pre and post-game banter, highlights and more.Again, if you've seen the NFL or NHL networks, just picture those and think baseball. I wasn't sure if I'd receive the channel (I get the NFL network, but not the NHL), so I was surprised to see it coming in through my satellite. Obviously, I checked it out.I was impressed with my first viewing. The first show I saw...

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Brian Roberts To The South Side?

By Anthony Amobi | January 5, 2009 | Oriole Magic

MASN's Roch Kubatko had this tidbit on Brian Roberts on his blog, and it could be of great importance assuming there's any truth to the posting. From MASN Sports: Brian Roberts always seems to be linked to the Chicago Cubs in trade rumors, but White Sox general manager Kenny Williams loves the guy and is trying to acquire him.The two sides have discussed former Mount St. Joe pitcher Gavin Floyd as a starting point in trade talks. The Orioles might need more, though the White Sox would want it to be straight-up, since they'd be surrendering a 17-game winner.At least Orioles president Andy MacPhail could say he brought a local kid home. It's just not Mark Teixeira.Anyway, that's the buzz. As much as I hate advocating this, I say if we could get another prospect or two to sweeten the deal -- do it. Roberts may or may not sign...

Read more | 6 Comments | Tags: Baltimore Orioles, Brian Roberts, Chicago White Sox, Gavin Floyd

Fantasy Baseball 2009: Trade Rumor-Orioles' 2B Brian Roberts

By Brad Berreman | January 5, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Orioles' 2B Brian Roberts - Phil Romans/Flickr.com

In what has become a regular occurrence, Baltimore Orioles' 2B Brian Roberts is on the trading block once again. Rumors have suggested that both Chicago teams are in the mix, but a report suggested that the White Sox and Orioles are discussing a trade. White Sox P Gavin Floyd would go east to Baltimore in the deal. Roberts has been a consistent performer over the past few years, In 2008, he hit .295 with 9 HR, 57 RBI and 40 SB. He also had 51 doubles last season, which was good for second in the American League in that category. Since 2005, he has hit at least .286, had at least a .410 slugging percentage and stolen at least 27 bases every season. Roberts has also been durable, playing in 159, 143, 138, 156 and 155 games since 2004. However, the White Sox lineup does face some uncertainty with the...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Baltimore Orioles, Brian Roberts. Gavin Floyd, Chicago White Sox, Fantasy, MLB

Salary Cap, Teixeira, The Yanks and the O's...

By Anthony Amobi | December 29, 2008 | Oriole Magic

After having a day to digest the news of Mark Teixeira signing with the Evil Empire, and I'll say I can't blame him for signing with New York, nor the Yankees for signing him. You can't blame Andy MacPhail or Peter Angelos -- despite the history and how many feel about him -- due to simply the Orioles not having a chance at all.The slugger, the more I hear in the press had zero interest in playing for Baltimore, and the news that came out insinuating he did may have just been planted by Scott Boras to drive up interest in his client. If the events of yesterday have not convinced you that the sport needs a salary cap, I don't know what to say. It's one thing if the Yankees had one huge contract signing -- but three within the last two weeks -- who could compete with that...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Andy MacPhail, Baltimore Orioles, Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees, Peter Angelos, salary cap, Scott Boras

Looking At Roberts After The Teixeira Deal

By Anthony Amobi | December 27, 2008 | Oriole Magic

At this point, with the reality of Mark Teixeira not being signed by Baltimore, the question that many have asked is what will happen to Brian Roberts?As most of us know, the Baltimore Orioles are in the rebuilding stage and have has eleven straight losing seasons. Moreover, the team plays in the AL East, and with the Rays as defending division champs, and with the powerhouse Red Sox, along with the retooled Yankees, one must think the organization has the task of climbing Mount Everest.Andy MacPhail -- despite the misgivings of a few fans -- I think has done a solid job in rebuilding the team. There's probably going to have a painful decision to be made with Roberts, and I think he will be traded before his contract is up.I am going to fathom that Baltimore will offer him an extension this winter, but he will turn it down...

Read more | 3 Comments | Tags: Baltimore Orioles, Brian Roberts, Mark Teixeira

Teixeira To Make A Decision Supposedly Today...

By Anthony Amobi | December 23, 2008 | Oriole Magic

Could the plot be thickening, or is this bizarre drama almost over? Mark Teixeira is supposedly going to make a decision today. I guess this is going to be a big event since the slugger and Scott Boras HAD TO TELL the world of this.A major league baseball source has told The Washington Times' Thom Loverro that there will be an announcement today regarding the future of free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira.While the source declined to discuss specifics, there are strong indications that the Red Sox will announce that they have landed the highly-coveted slugger, who has been courted this off-season by several major league clubs, including the Angels, Orioles and Nationals.Whether this is the end of the saga remains to be seen; however, I love again how the source is once again "unnamed" -- I mean how many "unnamed" sources have there been so far in the saga.Either...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Baltimore Orioles, boston red sox, los angeles angels of anaheim, Mark Teixeira, new york yankees

The Teixeira Saga Takes A Bizarre Turn...

By Anthony Amobi | December 19, 2008 | Oriole Magic

This all seems to be getting more bizarre by the day.From Boston.com: Red Sox owner John Henry e-mailed several media members late tonight with a stunning twist in the team's pursuit of free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira.Henry's words: "We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him. After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor."Earlier tonight, multiple news outlets reported the Red Sox had traveled to Texas to meet with Teixeira and his agent, Scott Boras, in the hopes of trying to finalize a deal. WCVB-TV Channel 5 reported that the Red Sox had offered Teixeira an eight-year deal worth $184 million (an average of $23 million per season).Five teams have been in the hunt for Teixeira to some extent -- the Sox, Angels, Yankees, Orioles, and Nationals -- and all indications had been pointing to...

Read more | 6 Comments | Tags: Baltimore Orioles, boston red sox, Mark Teixeira, scott boras

Initial Thoughts of MLB Network

By Alan Smodic | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Much like DirecTV's MLB Extra Innings package, the MLB Network is more baseball than one can handle. -- programwitch/Flickr.com

Read more | Discuss | Tags: MLB

Fantasy Baseball 2009: Trade Rumor-Orioles' 2B Brian Roberts

By Brad Berreman | January 5, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Orioles' 2B Brian Roberts - Phil Romans/Flickr.com

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Baltimore Orioles, Brian Roberts. Gavin Floyd, Chicago White Sox, Fantasy, MLB

Could Orioles make Peavy trade happen?

By Evan | December 1, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Garrett Olson - Evan Brunell

According to Jeff Zrebiec and Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun, (I bet poor Peter got razzed in junior high for that last name) the Baltimore Orioles may be the third team that San Diego Padres' GM Kevin Towers needed in order to ship Jake Peavy to the Chicago Cubs.Towers is looking for young pitchers and hitters in return for Peavy and while the Cubs can offer third base prospect Josh Vitters, they don't have the pitching needed to make the deal on their own.Enter the Orioles, who last year almost matched up with the Cubs on a deal involving second baseman Brian Roberts heading to Chicago for, amongst other things, centerfielder Felix Pie. Club president Andy McPhail acknowledged that the Orioles are looking at Pie as a way to bolster their depth in outfield.Pie, 23, supposed to be the future long-term centerfielder for the Cubs, has struggled these...Read more

Read more | 5 Comments | Tags: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, MLB, San Diego Padres

Hot Stove Dishes - November 28, 2008

By Brian Joseph | November 28, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The latest buzz served up from baseball's Hot Stove League. Ten of the hottest stories, moves and rumors from the past week: Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia -- the L.A. Angels "shell game" continues.The Angels haven't made an offer to Mark Teixeira even though they want him but have floated the idea of offering big money to CC Sabathia -- even though it might be tough to match the Yankees' gigantic offer -- and Teixeira's side has countered. Teixeira's agent Scott Boras revealed that Teixeira has had offers worth considering. All of the peripheral talk from the Angels about Sabathia as an alternative target and Teixeira's interest from other clubs stems from a difference in years of service the club is looking to give Teixeira and the 10 years that the slugger is seeking. You got to love the Hot Stove posturing, don't you? Brian Fuentes wants major cash and K-Rod doesn't want...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: A.J. Burnett, Baltimore Orioles, Barry Bonds, Brian Fuentes, CC Sabathia, Detroit Tigers, Francisco Rodriguez, Freddy Garcia, Houston Astros, Jake Peavy, Ken Griffey Jr., Los Angeles Angels, Mark Teixeira, MLB, New York Mets, Oakland Athletics, Rafael Furcal, Randy Wolf, Roger Clemens, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays

Where could Mark Teixeira land?

By Evan | November 20, 2008 | MVN Outsider

ccho

As Thanksgiving approaches with the winter meetings not too far behind, Mark Teixeira is getting closer and closer to figuring out what ballpark he will call home next year.There has not been a ton of chatter surrounding Teixeira, but everyone knows the two big players for 'Tex' are the Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees. There are, however, a couple other teams in the mix. Here's a ranking of who is most likely to get Teixeira...1. New York YankeesThe New York Yankees are going all out this winter, economy be damned. With the Yankees set to move into a new stadium that will send their revenue through the roof, they will continue to lead the field for a very, very long time in dollars spent.The acquisition of Nick Swisher seems to have tempered most people's expectations that the Yankees will chase Tex, but I don't believe it for a...Read more

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals

MLB Power Rankings

By Daniel Rathman | September 22, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The MLB Power Rankings will run on Outsider every Monday night until the conclusion of the regular season.� This is the second-to-last edition of the Rankings; next Monday's edition will be the last.� The final week of the regular season is upon us.� Yeah, already.� Hard to believe, isn't it?� The Halos, Rays, and Cubs are into the playoffs.� The Dodgers and Red Sox are, for all practical purposes, in.� Two of the Mets, Phillies, and Brewers will make it, as will either the White Sox or Twins.� All the other teams will be hitting their La-Z-Boys when the final outs of their games are recorded on Sunday.� Here's how the league stacks up in the penultimate edition of the Power Rankings. Note: some of the statistics and records below are through SATURDAY's games. 1.� Los Angeles Angels, 95-59 With the AL West division locked up and home-field advantage essentially...Read more

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