I had read that too Jazz, only what I had read was that (1) of the guys the Orioles interviewed for the GM position felt that Mark Reynolds was the best trade chip they had, but they didnt name which guy it was. ID say there was a pretty good chance that the guy who proposed trading him was the same guy that traded him from the Diamondbacks to here in Jerry Dipota.

IMO there is only one team that makes sense to trade for Mark Reynolds and thats the Phillies. Since they lost Ryan Howard, Placido Planco is 36 and Jim Thome is 41. They have Joe Blanton to offer, I doubt that gets it done but if they perhaps offered Vance Worley or another young pitcher, I could see the Os parting ways with Reynolds - but I dont place very high odds on that.

Unless of course they give Aramis Ramirez a 4 yr deal which will put him at 37 when it expires and roll with Chris Davis at 1b.

Or this is another angle that should be explored since Brian Roberts cant stay healthy of late and they need leadoff help. The last part of the sentance is really what makes me like this guy even more. Wouldnt be the first guy to forget how to play in Seattle either.

The Chone Figgins' signing has been nothing short of a disaster for the Mariners, which is why the team is willing to include cash in any trade involving the infielder according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. There isn't much interest right now, but Morosi says the Mariners view the Reds, Giants, and Tigers as possible trade fits.

Figgins, 33 in January, has hit just .236/.309/.285 with 53 steals in 74 chances during his two years in Seattle. He can play second and third bases, and has also filled in at left field in recent years. There are still two years and $17MM left on his contract, and a $9MM option for 2014 will vest with 600 plate appearances in 2013. It's not unreasonable to think the Mariners will have to eat upwards of $15MM to move Figgins

IMO there is only one team that makes sense to trade for Mark Reynolds and thats the Phillies.

The Marlins.  Reynolds makes $11 mil next year and isn't a FA until 2013.  The4 Matrlins are looking to make a big splash this off-season and aren't afraid to shell out the bucks.  They also need a 3B very badly unless they sign Jose Reyes and move Hanley Ramirez to 3rd.

The A's.  Billy Beane would make that trade if he thinks he can trade him off later in the year.  They also need a 3B.

The Mariners.  They need offense and a 3B.

The Dodgers.  They need a 3B and they just gave Matt Kemp a very big contract.  They could also use a 1B.

The Rockies.  Ian Stewart just isn't cutting it. Like the Dodgers, they could also use a 1B. 

The Tigers.  Can't see Brandon Inge hanging around.       

The White Sox.  I don't think they're too thrilled with Brett Morel.  Actually Reynolds for Carlos Quentin might make sense, if Q can stay healthy.    

Dan Duquette On Pitching, Reynolds, Extensions

By Ben Nicholson-Smith[November 15, 2011 at 8:52pm CST]

The success of the Orioles' offseason hinges, in large part, on their ability to add to the pitching staff. But at the General Manager Meetings in Milwaukee today, newly-appointed GM Dan Duquette suggested he'll let the market develop before obtaining pitching reinforcements.

"Everybody else is chasing it, too," Duquette told MLBTR. "We have to wait for the sharks to feed and then we'll wait to see what's left over."

In other words, it doesn’t appear that the Orioles will sign highly-coveted free agents such as C.J. Wilson and Mark Buehrle. Baltimore begins the offseason with internal rotation candidates such as Jeremy Guthrie, Tommy Hunter, Zach Britton, Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta, Brad Bergesen, Jo-Jo Reyes.

Duquette also noted that the defensive alignment for Mark Reynolds and Chris Davis remains undetermined, though manager Buck Showalter is leaning toward playing Reynolds at first with Davis at third. Duquette hasn't yet considered extensions for Adam Jones and Matt Wieters, but he wants to keep both players in place, so the topic may come up after December.

That quote. Where have I heard *that* before? Wait for the sharks to feed, then we'll get the scraps. Got it. Doesn't seem like they are talking about trading Reynolds, though.

Sess..........just because something our GM said made it into an article, doesn't make it true.  I know a lot of fans want to know exactly what is going on, but it is horrible business to tip your hat through the media.  Take care of business behind closed doors.........that is all that I am worried about.

And as far as the top pitching FA, Wilson.  I agree that the O's should stay away.  He is going to get paid too much money because he is by default the top FA.  Buehrle is a different story.

Again, dont believe everything you read.............at least give the offseason a chance to play out first.

At least he didnt say that he was gonna let the market play out. Oops yeah he did. Sigh. Im tired of hearing the give him a chance speach. I heard it when Ray Miller replaced Davey Johnson. I heard it when they said let the kids play and wasted 4 years with Mike Hargrove. We heard about the 3 yr plan with AM which was more like a 3 yr exit strategy for him.

 

 

Don't you mean "Don't believe anything you read?"

Im tired of hearing the give him a chance speach. I heard it when Ray Miller replaced Davey Johnson. I heard it when they said let the kids play and wasted 4 years with Mike Hargrove. We heard about the 3 yr plan with AM which was more like a 3 yr exit strategy for him.

Yeah, you are right....................ok - new mindset then.  Come on O's in 2016!!  WHOOO-WHO!!  Now that will work for me

does anybody know what we would have to offer to Vlad for arbitration?

Vlad isn't up for arbitration. The O's up for arbitration are Jo-Jo Reyes, Brad Bergesen, Robert Andino, Alfredo Simon, Adam Jones, Felix Pie, Jim Johnson, Jeremy Guthrie, Luke Scott and Jeremy Accardo.

Vlad isn't up for arbitration.

If the O's offer Vlad arbitration, and he turns it down, they will be able to gain a compensatory draft pick. 

So...........again................w
hat do the O's have to offer Vlad in order to be in line for a draft pick??

Since.......we're getting......smart, I've read the O's aren't even planning to offer Vlad anything. There is nothing on how much the O's would have to offer him, and I also think they won't offer anything. It's shame to see the shape his body is in, as there is no way he could play the field anymore. He might end up in the same situation as Jermaine Dye and Carlos Delgado.

Since.......we're getting......smart,

Who's getting smart?...........I asked a questions, you came back with semi-incorrect answer, and I had to restate my question.

I've read the O's aren't even planning to offer Vlad anything.

Yeah, I tend not to belive or worry about what journalist write..........most of it is hot air just so they can collect a paycheck.

I'm just wondering what the amount is that he would have to be offered.

Players that have fewer than six years experience have to accept arbitration while players with more do NOT. But anyone can be offered arbitration.

I believe that players with more than six years experience(as opposed to those with fewer than six years who can have their salaries cut by twenty-five percent at the most) can be offered anything in arbitration. However, don't forget that the way arbitration works is that the player offers one figure, the team offers another and the arbitrators pick one of the two. It would be highly unconventional for a player to get a pay cut in arbitration. If the team offered say two million and Vlad asked for ten, he'd probably end up getting ten million.

Bringing up a new topic, I've read from a couple of sites (just speculation of course) that Johnny Damon would be a good fit for Baltimore. As soon as I heard this, I thought it was a dumb idea and the O's shouldn't even try looking at him. But the more I think about it, the more I wouldn't mind having Damon in an O's uniform. Reimold will likely get a shot at starting next year, with the O's probably letting Luke Scott loose. Damon would be a good option to split time with Reimold and could see time at DH. He might cost a lot, but if the market was shallow for him, the O's could get him cheap, if the Rays don't want him back.

Any other possible options for the LF/DH spot you guys like? 

Johnny Damon is a good guy. But he has no arm anymore so your talking strictly DH. He would give the Os another leadoff man option if Brian Roberts continues to prove he cant stay healthy. BUT IMO the Orioles sights have to be set higher and younger. Im tired of this over 35 club that the Os overpay for  and than when they dont produce they wonder why.

Jason Kubel would be a guy if the Os are reserved to having a Lf/DH type that I think would fit.

Speed or lack there of coming off the bench or applying to the team, seems to be a rare commodity. Thats something that for me is of concern, until of course I read that the Os plan on addressing their bench first. I dont quite get or agree with that strategy shouldnt you be worried about your starting 8 and than your starting pitchers first?

Unfortunately I am getting a bad vibe from everything I have heard the GM say, that we are still not ready to spend on long term starting players until the pitching comes around and even then it will have to be done throught the draft and minor leagues. This sounds like Jazz and O dawg just might get their wish and we could be looking at blowing this up again. I am quite sure I will not go day by day with it if this happens. I am a little tired of the new guy not taking advantage of what we have and adding to it. We have more trading chips now than we did when AM got here I guess, so in theory they should bring back even more prospects that should be ready in a few....blah blah blah. If it happens, I am going to find something else to do after hockey season and before football next year.

Ryan Ludwick. Willingham depending on how the new CBA works out. I don't like Damon at this point of his career. It makes more sense to resign Vlad.

Frankly, even if the Os do another rebuild, they're still closer to being competitive than the Skins. Now, that's a hopeless situation.

You really think so? Cause I really don't. With 2 OL, one big play receiver and a QB the skins could win their division I think. The defense is more than adaquit and the offense just has no leadership or a true playmaker. The WR corp is ok if Hankerson comes back, but they need someone to stretch the field. Armstrong or Stallworth have the speed but not the hands, and Mpss no longer has the jets. The OL is still mostly backups they need a guard and true LT, but all those ills can be covered by a good field general and they simply must get one in the draft.

If the O's are closer it is only because there are less positions to fill in BB than FB. LOL

I guess you are right though because in BB one guy can make all the difference in a game as long as he is the starting pitcher. So a few of them and you can win without improving anything else. If they can't hit it they can't score and you can't lose.

In Football, though the QB is the single most important position of any team in any sport, he can only control how much his team scores and must depend on an entire other team to stop the other guys. So I guess the O's are closer. Just 4 pitchers and 4 firlders away from 500. LOL