A couple of players around the league today were designated for assignment by their respective ballclubs. As per Ken Daley at MLB.com, the Texas Rangers designated OF/DH prospect Jason Botts for assignment. Botts, listed at 6′5″, 250 pounds, was hitting just .158 with the Rangers in 15 games. He also struck out a silly 18 times. In […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers | 1 Comment »
We’re only 25 games or so into the 2008 season, but there are a number of teams who may have already begun shopping some of their higher priced veterans, according to Ken Rosenthal of Foxsports. Here is a brief breakdown of some of the players’ names we may be hearing all summer in regards to trade rumors:
Cincinnati Reds: […]
Filed under: Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers | No Comments »
UPDATE: (April 17th, 11:06pm EST) - It turns out that Tejada is a little less innocent in this story than one might have initially thought. On ESPN’s Sportscenter tonight, a clip was released of an “E:60″ interview scheduled to air next week in which Tejada is asked point blank when he was born. The shortstop replies “1976″ with […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Oakland Athletics, _Off-Field Fleeces | 4 Comments »
The 2008 payrolls were released earlier this month by Major League Baseball, and there were a few surprises. What isn’t much of a surprise is that the New York Yankees were once again #1 on that list, topping $209 million (yet another payroll record).
Of interest though is that both the Detroit Tigers and New York Mets have leap-froged the […]
Filed under: Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals | No Comments »
UPDATE: (April 6th, 12:40pm) - Nick Cafardo reports that “it appears Snyder could get claimed off waivers. Don’t be surprised if Snyder received interest from a few teams. Baltimore is one to keep in mind.”
April 6th, 11:00am: In order to make room on the roster for Josh Beckett when he returns from the DL today, […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals | 1 Comment »
According to mlb.com, Erik Bedard has been scratched from Sunday’s start against the Baltimore Orioles due to a “little inflammation in his left hip”. It was supposed to be his first start against his former club. Instead, Felix Hernandez will get the call to make Sunday’s start. Erik Bedard will be pushed back to Tuesday, assuming his […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners | No Comments »
UPDATE: (4/3) 3:10pm (EST) - Who knew Marcus Giles could generate so many stories? Well, it looks like Giles really did spurn the Dodgers’ minor league offer. Brian Giles, Marcus’ brother, had said Giles had changed his mind and would play with L.A. in AAA to attempt to make it back to “the bigs”. Marcus’ agent, […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers | No Comments »
As per Spencer Fordin at MLB.com, the Batimore Orioles made another addition to their horrendous middle infield, signing Alex Cintron to a minor-league deal. Cintron was assigned to AAA, and might actually be the organization’s best bet at shortstop for 2008. He will apparently serve as insurance if Brandon Fahey or Luis Hernandez can’t hold […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs | 1 Comment »
As per Spencer Fordin at MLB.com, the Baltimore Orioles made a pretty surprising roster move by cutting outfielder/designated hitter Jay Gibbons outright, just one day before the regular season begins. Gibbons was implicated in the Mitchell Report for the purchase of performance-enhancing drugs, and faces a possible 15-game suspension from MLB for this infraction. But he […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles | No Comments »
Some news and notes brought to you today by Jon Heyman over at Sports Illustrated:
The Indians are the latest team to inquire about right-hander Freddy Garcia, who will be out until at least June. Several teams had shown prior interest, including the Red Sox.
A member of the Orioles ballclub said this about Brian Roberts, “He can’t […]
Filed under: Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, Texas Rangers | 3 Comments »
According to Paul Sullivan at the Chicago Tribune, Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail told reporters that the expected trade of second baseman Brian Roberts to the Chicago Cubs is now off the table. Said MacPhail on the subject, “We worked at it this long and we don’t have deal. There’s other sides characterizing it as […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs | No Comments »
According to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Chicago Cubs will no longer trade for Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts before Opening Day. This trade has seemed imminent for at least 2 months now, but nothing ever got finalized. In fact, we had reported here at Fleece Factor several days ago that the Orioles had […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs | No Comments »
Because March Madness shouldn’t just be for college hoops fans…
MLB Fleece Factor introduces the Sweet Sixteen of Offseason MLB Fleeces!
We’ve set up the brackets, and we’re leaving it up to you to determine the winner of this honor…let’s call it the 2008 Offseason Golden Fleece Award!
Here’s a complete set of brackets for you:
Click Here For Your “2008 Sweet […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, _Polls | 14 Comments »
ESPN.com’s Buster Olney checks in today with some more of his usual great rumors from around baseball:
The Chicago Cubs have a scout possibly watching the Nationals Felipe Lopez. Lopez seems to have lost the team’s second base competition, and could be trade bait. The Cubs, frustrated in their quest for the Orioles’ Brian Roberts, may turn to Lopez […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals | No Comments »
It looks like Felipe Lopez may be the odd man out in the Nationals middle infield crunch, as Christian Guzman has not played himself out of the shortstop position this spring and Ronnie Belliard has a grasp on the second base job. (Although, that could change with a trade of Belliard). Earlier this week, Lopez […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals | No Comments »
Jayson Stark, of ESPN.com “fame,” brings us all some more juicy rumors as Opening Day rapidly approaches:
The Chicago Cubs are getting really frustrated with the whole Brian Roberts saga, as are we! After seemingly 3 months of negoitations, and with the regular season less than 2 weeks away, the Orioles supposedly have still not even told […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays | 1 Comment »
ESPN.com’s Buster Olney dishes out some dirt from the major-league landscape today:
Barry Lamar Bonds says that he is not going to retire. I could definitely see a team sign him after the season has begun, when it would be *slightly* less of a distraction. I think the Mariners remain a great fit, and the Angels seem […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays | 3 Comments »
MLB Fleece Factor has now finished team outlooks of all thirty MLB teams!
And to be fair to the A.L. East, let’s vote on the champion of that division like we have with the others. I’ve linked the individual team outlooks below for those teams, alphabetically. Check them out, and then vote in the poll below for the team you think […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, _Polls, _Team Outlooks (2008) | 3 Comments »
According to the Baltimore Sun, Orioles’ manager Dave Trembley has officially named George Sherrill the team’s closer in 2008. Sherrill, 30, was acquired as a part of the trade that shipped Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners.
Sherrill appeared in 73 games in 2007, pitching 43 2/3 innings. He posted a 2-0 record and 2.36 ERA. He […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles | No Comments »
Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post has the following minor tidbits out in his column today regarding Colorado Rockies trade rumors:
Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd tells Saunders that “he has no plans to trade infielder Clint Barmes.” Barmes had been rumored to be possibly heading to the Angels or Orioles. I’m not sure why O’Dowd would close […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels | 1 Comment »
In a story that seems to have no end… there appears to now be true light at the end of the tunnel. According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Cubs have now added pitching prospect Jose Ceda to their package for Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts. That would put the number of players being […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs | No Comments »
Despite the presence of an incredibly loyal fanbase, a beautiful ballpark in an emerging city and a regional sports network, the Baltimore Orioles have been wallowing in mediocrity for years. They haven’t been to the playoffs since 1997 and have failed to reach 80 wins during that span. Yes, 10 straight years of losing seasons. Last year, the […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, _Polls, _Team Outlooks (2008) | 10 Comments »
UPDATE: (3/11) 10:07am (EST) - Troy Renck is back again on Barmes, and adds the Orioles as another suitor for his services. But unlike with the Angels, Barmes might be the starting SS for the O’s.
Mar 9, 12:56pm (EST) - According to Troy E. Renck at The Denver Post, the Los Angeles are looking around […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels | 1 Comment »
SI.com’s Jon Heyman gives us the scoop on some juicy rumors from around the league:
It seems the San Francisco Giants clubhouse is much more calm without Barry Bonds around any longer. No real surprise there, since Bonds had a media-circus following his every move. But OF Dave Roberts was outspkoen on the topic, saying, “It’s […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers | No Comments »
The Baltimore Orioles have expressed interest in Houston Astros utility man Mark Loretta, according to The Baltimore Sun. Acquiring Loretta would provide the Orioles with insurance in the event that the Brian Roberts trade rumors become reality.
Loretta fleeced himself immensely this offseason by first accepting arbitration from the Astros, then watching the ‘Stros get fleeced by Kaz Matsui, then […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros | No Comments »
Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal dishes out the latest goods:
The Milwaukee Brewers seem serious about hitting catcher Jason Kendall 9th, after the pitcher. They feel it could help the club score 25-30 more runs this season.
The Dodgers interest in trading for third basemen Joe Crede or Brandon Inge is “all about the budget and whether (owner […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals | No Comments »
Just wanted to get out some stories (mostly injury updates) from around the major leagues today. Here goes:
Hideki Matsui (knee) is expected to make his spring debut this Sunday as the Yankees DH.
Nationals pitcher Shawn Hill has lingering soreness in his forearm, and may be “shut down” for quite some time.
Rockies relief pitcher Luis Vizcaino […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals | No Comments »
Roch Kubatko of the Baltimore Sun reports today that, “the Orioles have had several discussions with Scott Boras, the agent for free-agent pitcher Kyle Lohse” in an attempt to possibly bolster the back-end of their rotation.
I guess if they wanted to bolster the level of mediocrity of their staff, siging Lohse would be a good […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles | 1 Comment »
Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun is reporting that there still have not been any recent talks between the Orioles and Cubs regarding a trade for O’s second baseman Brian Roberts, making a deal before Opening Day unlikely.
Zrebiec writes that, “according to two baseball sources, the Cubs have offered infielder Ronny Cedeno, pitching prospects Sean Gallagher and […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs | 3 Comments »
Baltimore left-hander Troy Patton will miss the entire 2008 season after the Orioles have now decided that Patton will have surgery to repair a small tear in his left labrum, as per MLB.com.
This is devastating news for the Orioles, as Patton - once a top pitching prospect in the game - was a key piece […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros | 1 Comment »
Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal has delivered a new column with some solid rumors. Let’s break ‘em down:
Mets officials remain unconcerned with the rash of injuries the team has experienced this spring. With Opening Day roughly a month away, they feel they’ll be ready. As for the Tigers’ Marcus Thames, he is apparently not being moved. […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates | No Comments »
As per Gordon Wittenmyer at the Chicago Sun-Times, “multiple high-ranking team officials shot down Internet and radio reports this week that trade talks with the Baltimore Orioles regarding second baseman Brian Roberts have resumed in recent days.”
According to Wittenmyer, a team source went so far as to say that the two clubs haven’t even spoken […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs | No Comments »
According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles have chosen to renew the contract of outfielder Nick Markakis, a star in the making. As noted in the piece, it is well within the team’s right to do so, as Markakis has less then 3 years of service time.
Markakis will make $455,000 in 2008, […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles | 2 Comments »
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated is reporting that discussions between the Cubs and Orioles involving 2nd baseman Brian Roberts “were starting to get serious.”
Heyman writes that one of the trade proposals being debated includes Orioles outfielder Jay Payton along with Roberts. Throwing Payton in the trade would presumably act as a salary dump by the O’s as Payton is owed $5 […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs | 4 Comments »
According to Foxsports, some people inside the Mets’ organization is still kicking around the idea of signing free agent starter Kyle Lohse. This, of course, due in large part to the fragile nature of their current 5th starter Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez. Mike Pelfrey is currently slated at the team’s 6th starter behind El Duque, […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals | 8 Comments »
