Quick Hits: O's News and MLB

Sporting News Article

The Sporting News has an article up at their website that names the Orioles as one of the worst franchises in the sport of baseball. The author of the article, Matt Crossman does not go into analysis about the problem, but rather gives dates of infamy for the organization.

I can’t really disagree with him at all. The dates given and the incidents speak for themselves. The fans have stayed away and angry, the media has just ripped apart the team, the owner is not liked in his hometown at all, and we had changes upon changes umpteen times throughout the organization both on the field and in the front office.

Have the Orange and Black really been that bad? Sadly, yes.

Orioles Arbitration

The Baltimore Orioles have 3 players now scheduled to go to arbitration. The AP has more on the deal:

“The Baltimore Orioles swapped salary arbitration figures Tuesday with pitcher Erik Bedard, second baseman Brian Roberts and outfielder Corey Patterson.

Bedard asked for $4 million and the Orioles offered $2.7 million. The left-hander went 15-11 with a 3.76 ERA in 33 starts last season, when he earned $1,625,000.

Roberts batted .286 with 10 home runs, 55 RBIs and 36 stolen bases. He asked for $4.6 million and was offered $3.8 million after making $3.1 million last year.

Patterson hit .276 with 16 homers, 53 RBIs and 45 steals. He requested $4.6 million and the Orioles submitted $4 million after his salary was $2.8 million in 2006.

Hearings run from Feb. 1-21.”

The Orioles first and foremost may wind up giving Erik Bedard more money than what they are offering him in arbitration. Based on the numbers he had in 2006 versus some of the contracts handed out to his peers, whom some had vastly worse numbers than Bedard, I don’t see how the Orioles can only get away with only paying $2.7 million.

I’m sure Roberts and Patterson will settle fairly soon.

However, I think this is the best time to sign Roberts to an extension if the team is interested.

Around MLB

* Mike Gonzalez has been traded to the Braves for Adam LaRoche and another player. Both Adam LaRoche and Mike Gonzalez have had their names in the trade wire, and the deal got gone because Pittsburgh was desperate for power, and Atlanta needed a better bullpen.
Well, the Orioles were interested in Adam LaRoche earlier in the winter, but a deal never got done because the Orioles were not interested in giving up Brian Roberts at all in any deal.

* J.J. Putz and the Mariners have agreed on a 3 year, $13.1 million contract. He was able to parlay a wonderful 2006 into a long term deal.

* Left-hander Chris Capuano and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed to a $3.25 million, one-year deal Wednesday, thus avoiding salary arbitration.

Has Japan Become America's Farm Team? From Time.com

Link: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1569776,00.html

The article looks at if Japan can be a furtile training ground for Major League talent. Much of the focus of the short article centers around Daisuke Matsuzaka and what his impact leaving Japanese baseball will leave on fans and the business aspect of the game there.

Most do believe that the elite level Japanese players can indeed play in the majors, but however, the question remains what happens to the sport in Japan, once the big money guys have moved on.

Some are afraid, but for most to see a player like Matsuzaka is a source of pride and strength.

I think if a player can play in the major leagues, by all means do it and hope he helps a team win. Look at the Latin influence in baseball, now. Japan, through Ichiro and Mastui have helped to show they can on this level, and even though both players are more workman-like, their play and efficiency have helped both the Mariners and Yankees win.