I am liking Tejada very much

[jbooma]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13283-2003Dec18.html

"The last time the team signed a star this big was December 1998, and Albert Belle most certainly did not wear a permanent grin and surround himself with family at his news conference, or make an impromptu appearance at the staff Christmas party the night before, or ask that his contract contain provisions for charitable contributions and community involvement, or express genuine humility at the size of the contract -- in this case, six years, $72 million -- that he had just signed. "

[AJWatson3]

just ready for a couple more superstars....
i want to see PUDGE and VLAD, or PUDGE and MAGGLIO (via trade). no JAVY.

[a_good_brotha]

Somebody tell me I'm dreaming. The Orioles signed a player that's worth something? Usually they get rid of their players.

[a_good_brotha]

Originally posted by AJWatson3
just ready for a couple more superstars....
i want to see PUDGE and VLAD, or PUDGE and MAGGLIO (via trade). no JAVY.

By the way, I don't really know much about baseball. What's wrong with Javier Lopez? I thought he was good.

[The Evil Genius]

Originally posted by a_good_brotha


By the way, I don't really know much about baseball. What's wrong with Javier Lopez? I thought he was good.

I am guessing that, like Tejada, Lopez is actually 3-5 years older than he claims.

[BG]

I am sorry, but tejada and Lopez aren't going to help the O's all that much....(whoops hit return too fast--edit)

Javy had a good bat last year but really doesn't have that great of an arm and his decision making is suspect. That is why Greg Maddox wouldn't pitch to him. Tejada will be decent on d but bith these guys were in contract years and I think the O's messed up by missing out on Schilling and Pettit.

[BG]

Javy is signed right? orioles out of contention for Vlad?

[AJWatson3]

javy is signed, we are the front-runners for vlad.

my issue with javy is that he waited until his contract year to put up great numbers. the dude signed a contract extension with the braves either during the '98 season or after it. he responded by putting up numbers that decreased each of the next four years until this past season.... average from .317 to .287 to .267 to .233; power from 11hr/45rbi's (injured) to 24/89 to 17/66 to 11/52



he strikes out 20% of the time, his defense and game-calling is average. so, i hope i am wrong, but we might have to wait three seasons to see this guy put up good numbers...

[bulldog]

well, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.

Schilling was never in play for the Orioles. At 37, Curt wanted to go to a team that had a chance of winning right away and had a firm no-trade clause to boot.

I agree that the pitching staff is hollow right now, younger arms that are unproven and a couple of vets with checkered 2003 seasons behind them.

Pettite was from the Houston area and wanted to return home if he didn't resign in NY.

Again, tough to see what leverage the Orioles would have had with him.

Pettite took $8 million LESS than the Yankees were offering to sign with Houston.

I disagree that Lopez and Tejada merely had career years in their contract year.

Tejada had a better season in 2002 than he had last year.

Lopez did hit highs in HRs in 2003, but his career numbers for a catcher are more than respectable over ten plus years of MLB experience.

Regarding how Lopez calls a game, I would have to defer to Mike Flanagan here and assume he knows best what the team can expect from him behind the plate given the youth of this staff.

[SAMB0]

Well guys put it this way, Who would you rather have Gil/ Foredyce or Lopez?

[AJWatson3]

well, if it came down to gil/fordyce or lopez... i take lopez. if we didn't sign IRod, i was hoping that he'd go to LAD, who then reportedly would have been interested in trading LoDuca.