This week has ushered a flurry of activity in the sport of baseball with some signings of prominent and not so-well known names and a huge, huge trade. However, for the Orioles, they have not made any more waves since the winter meetings, but it looks like the front office is keeping their eyes open on the market. And yes, it’s great to not see Brian Roberts’ name bandied about in trade rumors this off-season.
I think we all want to see more happen out with the Orioles and see them as agressive as let’s the Red Sox or Phillies, but there’s a lot of time until Spring Training. The one area Baltimore needs help is in it’s bullpen and right now little has been done to improve on that front.
This evening, the Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec has a piece on free agents that may interest the Orioles and quite a few of them are of the closer variety. The names thrown out include Matt Capps, Fernando Rodney, Mike Gonzalez, Jose Valeverde, Kevin Gregg and Mike MacDougal.
As it is it looks like the Orioles really like Rodney, while having a strong interest in Capps. It looks like Gonzalez and Valverde will be expensive and plus cost two draft picks, so it’s safe to say that the Orioles may look for value with the names on the market.
I’m very much intrigued with Capps despite his poor 2008, as well as Gonzalez. The others don’t impress me all that much, although I know that Rodney throwd fairly hard, but his numbers are so-so the past few seasons.
Also, Oriole scouts were down in Texas today to watch Aroldis Chapman pitch in a workout that showcased him to teams. A number of teams were there to watch the young hurler and while the Orioles more than likely will not get him (Boston has made an initial offer), it’s good to see the organization being proactive.
Finally, the team, according to the Baltimore Sun met with the agents of Japanese pitcher Hisanori Takahashi in Indiana last week. Takahashi is a friend of Uehara, but it looks like Baltimore may be kicking the tires on him right now…
