The O's better sign Vlad soon

[Hitman56]

Yankees and Red Sox are powering up. The O's need Vlad and that Japanese shortstop.

[Maxito]

I think they are going to wait until this Sunday. Thats when the winter meeting starts. If they sign him before the 7th the orioles will have to give the expos a draft pick. We as for Kaz Matsui, there is a little chance of him coming here. They already named four teames that he is willing to play for. Unfortunaly the orioles are not one of them. So they might go to try to get Tejada

[jaxskins]

Yea Matusi has agreed to a deal with the Mets. So mark him off the list. I think if we got 1 big bat in the lineup we would be fine after that we should get some pitching we need a good ace and a solid #2 and let the rest of the young arms battle for 3 thru 5. Then I feel we would be competitive enough t tease with the yanks and Sox. Then our young players will have more experience and I look for a return to the playoffs in 2005.

[AJWatson3]

we better put up a nice offer to Vlad soon, because Gary Sheffield's inflated ego has (and maybe his agent) now asked for MORE money from the Yanks. they are not interested in signing him for more than $13mil per season and would instead pursue VLAD. that might leave us with Sheff.... DOH!!!

[TD_washingtonredskins]

Man, that would be a kick in teh pants. I'd love to build around Vlad, not sign a guy like Shef...come on Flanny and Beattie, don't let the Yanks get him!

[jaxskins]

taking thier time to get great young free agents and losing them to other teams is just the Oriole Way. They did say they wanted to get back to the Oriole Way right?

[AJWatson3]

i was just reading in the ESPN Rumor Mill that we are seriously looking at Tejada, Vlad, Urbina, a possible trade for LoDuca (a great move IMO), Javy Lopez (screw him, he waited for his contract year to put it together-- stay away!), Pudge, a possible trade for Magglio Ordonez if Vlad falls through (this would be a great move), a trade for NOMAH!, and Raffy Palmiero. they are definitely talking to a lot of agents and i can't wait till we start signing some of these guys!

[Die Hard]

I'm a Yankees fan of about 14 years now. I was an Expos fan prior to that for about 8 years before giving up on that franchise the way they abandoned their own fans by trading away all of their talent for prospects every year.

Now I still follow the Expos out of curiousity. I've always wondered why they've NEVER been able to catch lightning in a bottle and at least make a run at the playoffs the way the Phillies and Marlins have the past few years.

But Vladimir Geurrero.... I've followed his career since the Ottawa Lynx.... why the heck aren't teams pursuing this guy HARD!!! He's one of the best young talents in the game. He has been for years now.

What have I missed? Why isn't he the premiere talent on the market?

I'm completely shocked the Yanks would consider Sheffield over a play like Vlad.

Vlad is perfect for the Yanks.

[AJWatson3]

i am wondering the same thing. a lot of teams are scared because he has a bad back (turf! duh!), he is also supposed to be pretty shy. still lives with his mom, and does not speak english. not exactly great for media relations, something a team wants from a $15MIL per year player.

i did read a week ago that the Orioles hired a Spanish-speaking media person to help the media communicate with our S-speaking players.... or future players.... that's a nice sign.