Here is the list of Free Agents at the positions the Orioles may have needs at this offseason. This list is pulled directly from the outstanding site MLBTradeRumors.com……
First basemen
Rich Aurilia (38)
Russell Branyan (34)
Miguel Cairo (36)
Frank Catalanotto (36) – $5MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Tony Clark (38)
Carlos Delgado (38)
Nomar Garciaparra (36)
Ross Gload (34) – $2.6MM club option
Eric Hinske (32)
Nick Johnson (31)
Adam LaRoche (30)
Doug Mientkiewicz (36)
Kevin Millar (38)
Chad Tracy (30) – $7MM option with a $1MM buyout
Daryle Ward (35)
Dmitri Young (36) -$6MM option vests with 500 PAs in ’09
Third basemen
Rich Aurilia (38)
Adrian Beltre (31)
Geoff Blum (37)
Aaron Boone (37)
Craig Counsell (39)
Joe Crede (32)
Pedro Feliz (35) – $5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Chone Figgins (32)
Nomar Garciaparra (36)
Troy Glaus (33)
Mike Lamb (34)
Melvin Mora (38) – $8MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Pablo Ozuna (35)
Robb Quinlan (33)
Juan Uribe (31)
Designated hitters
Hank Blalock (29)
Jason Giambi (39) – $6.5MM club option with a $1.25MM buyout
Ken Griffey Jr. (40)
Aubrey Huff (33)
Hideki Matsui (36)
Gary Sheffield (41)
Matt Stairs (42)
Mike Sweeney (36)
Jim Thome (39)
Any names jump out at you? Jim Thome, Nick Johnson, Joe Crede, Adam LaRoche and Hank Blalock are the names Drew and I have discussed as some combination of “players we’d be interested in” or “players we think the Orioles might be willing to consider given the money”
Let’s see what everyone else has to say……
Best of Wednesday’s WNST Blogs:
Luke Jones says Ravens added DT Nader Abdallah to roster
Chris Pika says NFL concerned about how Ravens players, rest of league uses Twitter
Luke Jones says Lardarius Webb ‘lock’ to make team, Frank Walker on ‘bubble’
Glenn Clark says Joe Smith vs. Georgetown best ‘debut’
ORIOLES:
The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says solid start from Jeremy Guthrie not enough as Birds fell to Tigers
The Official Site provides numerical evidence of loss
The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says ‘devastating changeup’ part of Matusz’s impressive debut
The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says David Hernandez takes ball for Birds this afternoon vs. Porcello for finale in Detroit
The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says Chris Ray ‘gaining confidence’ back in bullpen
Tigers Official Site’s Jason Beck says Edwin Jackson dominant as Tigers topped O’s
The Sun’s Dan Connolly says Trembley thought Guthrie pitched like he’s ‘expected to pitch’ in loss
The Sun’s Dan Connolly says Berken will definitely make Friday start vs. Blue Jays
The Sun says former Oriole Hoiles stepped down as manager of York Revolution
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Fernando Rodney struck out Gregg Zaun to end win for Tigers
The AP says Adam Jones hit late homer for Birds’ only runs in loss
Washington Post’s CJ Holley says Matusz’s debut gives Orioles fans ‘tangible hopes’ for future
Detroit Free Press’ George Sipple says Leyland admitted to making ‘mistake’ in sending Jackson back out for 9th in win
Detroit News’ Tom Gage says Magglio Ordonez homered for Tigers in win
AOL Sports’ Matt Snyder has Birds 21st in power rankings
ORIOLES MINOR LEAGUES:
Norfolk Tides Official Site says Chris Waters earned win in relief as Tides topped Pawtucket
Bowie Baysox Official Site says Beato lost first AA start as Baysox shut out by New Hampshire
Frederick Keys Official Site says Gleason overcame early struggles to get win for Keys over Potomac
Delmarva Shorebirds Official Site says Moreau winner as Shorebirds topped Hagerstown
Aberdeen Ironbirds Official Site says Haughian winner as Ironbirds topped State College
Bluefield Orioles Official Site says Helmick had 2B, 3B for Bluefield in win over Greeneville
Frederick News-Post’s Stan Goldberg says Keys players were watching former teammate Matusz’s big league debut closely
Virginian-Pilot says Pinckney went 4-5 with 2 doubles for Tides in win over Red Sox
RAVENS:
The Official Site’s Kevin Byrne says Harbaugh rooming with father Jack at Training Camp
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says McGahee, Rice ‘pushing each other’ in RB competition
The Official Site says Harbaugh thinks Rolle will be back ‘real soon’
The Sun’s Ken Murray says additions of Foxworth, Carr make Ravens believe cornerbacks ‘strength’ of roster
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Rolle expected to wear red ‘no contact’ jersey after being de-PUP’ed
The Sun’s Kevin Cowherd says staff needs preseason games to determine whether Hauschka, Gano will replace Stover as kicker
The Sun’s Edward Lee says defense ruled practice Wednesday despite 52, Reed, Pryce, Gregg having day off with “over 30 club”
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Cam Cameron thinks Ravens could use McGahee, Rice, McClain on field at same time
The Sun’s Mike Preston says rookie Kruger helping to give D-Line ‘depth’
The Sun’s Edward Lee says McGahee, Figurs battling over who’s ‘faster’
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Rosburg will run Friday’s practice while Harbaugh attends Jim Johnson’s memorial service
Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson says Gaither ‘expected to excel on weekly basis’
Carroll County Times’ Daniel Henderson says Jayson Foster trying to ‘beat odds’, make team
Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson says Oglesby missed practice after suffering concussion
Frederick News-Post’s Stan Goldberg says Suggs traded in Yankees hat for Orioles hat after Ravens invested in him long term
NBC Sports’ Mike Florio says Titans will honor McNair with helmet decal (in fact, that’s EXACTLY what he said. I probably should have put it in quotes. Sorry Mike.)
ESPN.com’s James Walker says Rod Woodson believes Ed Reed ‘more aggressive’ than he was
TERRAPINS FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says punter Baltz named to Ray Guy Award watch list
The Official Site says Terps deep at WR with Torrey Smith, Ronnie Tyler, Adrian Cannon, Quintin McCree, Tony Logan, Kevin Dorsey, Kerry Boykins, Emani Lee-Odai and LaQuan Williams
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Terps have sold 40 of 64 luxury suites at Byrd Stadium
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Terps allowing no more than 96 beer bottles in Tyser Tower suites
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Yow called rumors of Big East courting Maryland, Boston College ‘silliness’
The Diamondback’s Aaron Kraut says inexperienced LB’s like Ben Pooler, Demetrius Hartsfield need to step up next to Wujciak
The Diamondback’s Michael Lemaire says Jared Harrell was star of show in speaking to Boys and Girls Club in Washington
Washington Post’s Steve Yanda says Yow claimed Big East made ‘no contact’ with Terps about switching conferences
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says West Virginia players excited to revive rivalry with Terps
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Justin Lewis may be ‘answer’ for Terps at RG
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Baltz ‘probably Maryland’s most realistic awards candidate’
ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich says Goree, Mackall only Terps missing from summer session (both going to prep school)
Terrapin Times’ Mark Clem says Bishop McNamara WR prospect Brandon Coleman ‘shut down’ recruitment until after senior season concludes (must subscribe)
TERRAPINS BASKETBALL:
Terrapin Times’ Dan Painter says Wisconsin prospect Josh Gasser ‘surprised’ by offer from Terps (must subscribe)
TERRAPINS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:
Terrapin Times’ Dan Painter says Frese, assistant David Atkins watched country’s best underclassman talent at USJN Championships in College Park (must subscribe)
HOPKINS FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says Jays picked to finish first in Centennial preseason poll
The Sun’s Sandra McKee says Jays picked ahead of Dickinson, Muhlenberg in poll
TOWSON FOOTBALL:
Washington Post’s Josh Barr says Tigers have offered Wise DE-TE prospect Rashaan Moore
COPPIN BASKETBALL:
The Sun’s Matt Bracken says Fang Mitchell must replace one of school’s greatest players in Tywain McKee
NAVY FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says Niumatalolo knows Dobbs will get hit, but wants him to be hit ‘up high’
Annapolis Capital’s Bill Wagner says Mids’ tough schedule includes 8 opponents that played in Bowl games last year
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says facing Big Ten foe Ohio State personal thrill for Pospisil
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says OL Osei Asante “man who would be prince”
Go Mids’ Adam Nettina says Niumatalolo’s ‘goal’ is again Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy (must subscribe)
NAVY BASKETBALL:
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Seton Hall toughest opponent on Mids’ schedule
MT. ST. MARY’S BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says Milan Brown wants this year’s Mountaineers to again be ‘good defensive team’
SWIMMING:
Washington Post’s Ishita Singh says Phelps’ star power bringing best young swimmers to NBAC meet
SOME QUICK THOUGHTS:
-Drew and I talked about Cornerback depth this morning; and I really buy into it. There is NO ONE on the team who is NEARLY as good as Chris McAlister. But instead of having 1 great corner, 1 good corner, and 3 guys who are about as talented as you and I (as they had 2 seasons ago); they instead have a group of 5 or so guys who can ALL play. There won’t be a Corey Ivy-David Pittman secondary at any point. This group can work.
-There would be no reason for Maryland to move to the Big East. The Big East is on the same level as the ACC in both football and basketball, and Maryland would lose key money-making games. That particular rumor is insane.
Talk to you tomorrow.
-G
Comments on Facebook