What’s this? A Boston-based writer making some sense? Bravo, Tony Massarotti. (Even though you don’t seem to realize that there are a million things getting in the way of this deal before Manny’s greediness even becomes an issue.)
http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=119986
Apparently, Miguel Tejada has become Baltimore’s own version of Kim Cattrall. As if we need two. Anyways, according to the article below (keep scrolling), six teams are now actively persuing the disgruntled superstar– the Cubs, White Sox, Astros, Angels, Red Sox, and Tigers.
Below, I’ll list who I think the O’s should at least inquire about from each team followed by who I am guessing they are inquiring about on each team. You tell me what list you like better. Remember, I’m not suggesting these are the actual trades, I’m just listing some of the potential building blocks.
Cubs (Me)- Jerome Williams, Rich Hill, Felix Pie…. actually, the Cubs don’t have enough without including Prior or Zambrano, so I’ll give the O’s credit for recognizing that.
White Sox (Me)- Ryan Sweeney, Brandon McCarthy, Francisco Hernandez
White Sox (O’s)- Jose Contreras, Juan Uribe
Astros (Me)- Roy Oswalt, Chris Burke
Astros (O’s)- Who knows?… because the ‘Stros aren’t giving up Oswalt and they have very few good young players/prospects. I guess Adam Everett’s name would come up. Interestingly, I’ve heard multiple reports that Brad Lidge is being shopped, but he wouldn’t be a piece of a Tejada trade.
Angels (Me)- Brandon Wood, Casey Kotchman, Howie Kendrick, Erick Aybar, Ervin Santana, Dallas McPherson
Angels (O’s)- (Orlando Cabrera, Darin Erstad)
Tigers (Me)- Justin Verlander, Curtis Granderson, Tony Giarratano, Joel Zumaya, Chris Shelton, and of course Carlos Guillen
Tigers (O’s)-Who knows? The cynic in me would point out that they have too many washed-up thirty-somethings on their roster for the Orioles to escape unscathed.
Red Sox- I’m going to give the front office a pass on this one. By all accounts, they’ve inquired about Andy Marte, Jon Papelbon, and Jon Lester only to be consistently rebuffed with Manny Ramirez and Matt Clement offers.
http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=119987
Wrapping this post up, it finally became offical that the O’s have inked Jeff Conine to a one-year deal for $1.7 million. There is a mutual option for $2 million for 2007. Conine can be a useful player for 2006. He should move around and get a few AB’s in LF, 1B, and DH. While Conine the Barbarian is not likely to give you much pop, he can still get on base 35% of the time if things are going well for him.
The main reason I am alright with the O’s signing yet another 39 year old with little defensive value and dwindling offensive skills is that he is one of the few guy’s out there worthy of being called a clubhouse guy. Jay Gibbons and Brian Roberts have both been candid about Conine’s role in helping them adjust to the big leagues, on and off the field. If he can help keep these young guys happy and motivated, then any production the O’s get out of him is gravy.
