Baltimore Orioles Review May 5, 2008
Posted by misterbaseball in Baltimore Orioles.1 comment so far
Coming off a 69-93 season that saw their manager ousted before the all-star break and a third consecutive fourth place finish in the A.L. east, Baltimore Orioles’ fans might contend that the off-season was even more disappointing than what occurred between the lines. That’s because big name shortstop Miguel Tejada and ace lefty Erik Bedard were traded to Houston and Seattle, respectively. Add to that the lengthy trade talks that took place with the Cubs involving star 2B and leadoff man Brian Roberts, and O’s fans had to wonder if over-involved owner Peter Angelos had finally lost his mind. However, those talks fizzled out, Roberts stayed (for the time being), and has largely contributed to one of the most surprising starts of any team in MLB as the O’s sat in first place for much of the young season before recently sliding to third at 16-15.
Aside from Roberts, there are basically two players for O’s fans to look forward to watching this season and they are RF Nick Markakis and RHP Jeremy Guthrie. Markakis is coming off a fine sophomore season in which he batted .300 with 23 HR and 112 RBI. He also stole 18 bases (already 6 this season)
and scored 97 runs while keeping opposing base runners in check with one of the best OF arms in the A.L. He may find opposing teams increasingly willing to pitch around him with a lack of protection in the lineup, but do not be surprised if he makes a run at becoming the 32nd player in MLB history to have a 30 HR – 30 SB season in 2008. Guthrie, a 29 year-old righthander, went 7-5 a year ago while compiling a very respectable 3.70 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP in 175.1 innings. Despite only 12 decisions, a mark of two games over .500 is impressive considering the team was 24 games under .500 for the season.
Former bullpen coach Dave Trembley took over as manager when Sam Perlozzo was fired last June and his lineup looks like this:
2B – Brian Roberts
RF – Nick Markakis
3B – Melvin Mora
DH – Aubrey Huff
1B – Kevin Millar
C – Ramon Hernandez
CF – Adam Jones
LF – Luke Scott/Jay Payton
SS – Luis Hernandez
Eider Torres provides infield depth and Guillermo Quiroz is the backup catcher. Markakis was recently shifted from the third spot in the order to alleviate some pressure from the youngster. Jones, the centerpiece to the Bedard trade, is a gifted athlete and will show flashes of what is to come but is just 22 must endure some growing pains. Scott was acquired in the Tejada trade.
Aside from Guthrie, the pitching staff leaves much to be desired. The unpredictable Daniel Cabrera can be dominant but now in his fifth season does not seem to be any closer to becoming the consistent top of the 
rotation pitcher that he was supposed to be. If highly regarded pitching coach Leo Mazzone (fired in October 2007) couldn’t help him, maybe nobody can. The 2002 first round draft pick Adam Loewen was recently placed on the DL with elbow soreness and has been replaced in the rotation by Garrett Olson. The young Brian Burress and journeyman Steve Trachsel round out the starting staff. RHP Matt Albers (acquired from Houston) has made two starts on the season and could become a permanent part of the rotation.
Closer Chris Ray saw his ERA balloon to 4.43 last season after a strong 33 save, 2.73 ERA campaign in 2006 before undergoing Tommy John surgery that will likely force him to miss all of 2008. Lefty George Sherrill, also acquired in
the Bedard deal, has 11 saves so far despite a 4.97 ERA. Righties Jim Johnson, Chad Bradford, Dennis Sarfate, Greg Aquino and Randor Bierdand, along with lefty specialist Jamie Walker make up the bullpen.
Despite the early success, expect the 2008 Orioles to finish in the cellar of the A.L east. Roberts will probably be dealt (most likely to the Cubs) by the trading deadline. Best-case scenario is that he stays, Markakis gets his 30/30, Jones emerges earlier than expected and the O’s stay within range of .500.
Sometimes the best trades are the ones not made. April 12, 2008
Posted by misterbaseball in ..Trade Rumors, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers.add a comment
For most baseball fans the "Hot Stove League" is a very exciting time of year. This past off-season we saw several big name players that were dealt. But what about those players who were rumored to be dealt but were not. Among those who were supposed to be traded were Joe Crede, Brandon Inge, Brian Roberts, and Coco Crisp just to name a few. As fans, we are often times eager to pull the trigger on these deals when we see a younger, cheaper option present itself. Or in the case of Inge, whose position was taken away from him due to a trade. In a 162 game season it is hard to predict what will happen or who will get hurt. In an era where players will not play hurt or management won’t let them, depth is becoming a key to a successful season.
In spring training Tigers center-fielder Curtis Granderson suffered a broken bone in his hand, leaving Detroit 
looking for a replacement. Here’s where Brandon Inge comes into play. Inge, who is probably one of the best all around athletes in the game, fits nicely into center-field to replace Granderson. Inge can also play a gold glove third base and is slated to be Pudge’s back up at catcher. With the acquisition of all-star Miguel Cabrera it was pretty much assumed that the Tigers would deal Inge. But with the way that this season has started Inge could turn out to be their MVP in 2008.
White Sox third baseman, Joe Crede has been slated to be traded since he went down last season because of back surgery. Josh Fields came up from the minors and filled in for Crede the rest of the season. Fields hit .244 with 23 home runs and 67 RBI’s in 373 at bats in 2007. Even though Josh didn’t hit for a high average his power numbers were off-the-chart for his number of plate appearances. White Sox GM Ken Williams was aggressively shopping Crede until opening day, although he may change his mind after a hot start from Crede. Joe has opened the season hitting .408 with 3 home runs and 11 RBI’s. Until last season
, Crede was viewed as a top tier third baseman. When injuries rob a player of almost a whole season it seems like fans and management forget what that player has done in the past. Just ask Jorge Cantu. Cantu was an up and coming star for the Tampa Bay Rays until he fouled a pitch off his left foot and was out for the better part of 2006 and wasn’t given a chance to play much in 2007. He is now getting a chance to start at third base for the Florida Marlins. Unlike Cantu, Crede has retained his starting job with Chicago. When healthy, Crede will produce; and after a horrible 2007 season the Sox could use all the offense they can get.
The Baltimore Orioles were supposed to trade Brian Roberts to the Chicago Cubs for a host of young players. For some reason both sides couldn’t come together on a deal. With the direction that the O’s are going, one would figure that Robert’s and his salary would become expendable. Brian is the heart and soul of the Baltimore team and his leadership will prove to be invaluable for the younger players if they 
decide not to trade him. Even though it is early in the season the O’s are the first place team in the AL East at 6-4. Most experts are predicting the O’s to finish last in the East and they may, but a player like Roberts is the type of player that any manager would love to have around.
The Boston Red Sox have a problem that every team would love to have, an abundance of depth. Case in point, Mike Lowell was recently put on the 15 day disabled list. An injury like this would leave most teams scrambling to find a replacement. Not Boston, they simply moved Kevin Youkilis to third base and brought Sean Casey off the bench to play first. On a lot of teams Casey would be a starter but he decided to take a lesser role to be a Red Sox. That is the same position Coco Crisp is in. Crisp is a talented player who could be a starter on almost any other team. Right now he is sharing time with
Jacoby Ellsbury. Crisp would like to be an everyday player and the Sox have entertained offers to move him, but the depth that he adds is what separates good teams from championship teams. Plus the Red Sox are not hurting for money so there is no reason to trade him unless the right deal is presented.
The major league season is a long one, filled with ups and downs. It is hard to predict who will stay in the lineup for the entire season. That is why it is so important to have depth within an organization. There are two ways teams can have depth. One way is to trade high priced talent such as the Twins did with Johan Santana. Minnesota got three younger, cheaper players in return for Santana. The other way involves keeping home grown talent in the organization. Almost every team in the majors can afford to take on the salary of an Alex Rodriguez. Therefore teams can afford to keep their higher priced talent, if so desired. It isn’t as important for a team to cut salaries like it was ten years ago. Obviously there are situations where a trade is the best solution for both teams. Even so, the smaller market teams get millions of dollars each year in revenue sharing from the bigger market teams. So there is plenty of money to go around and that is why sometimes the best trades are the ones not made.
The Future of the Cubbies-Part 2 of 4 Top Ten Buyer Candidates March 2, 2008
Posted by misterbaseball in Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners.2 comments
If Sam Zell follows through on this commitment to sell the Cubs, which is a 99% possibility at this point, how does that decision impact the Cubs, and their ability to win a World Series Championship?
There are many factors that go into who will acquire the Cubs. Primarily, it will come down to approval of three-fourths of MLB owners, and a sign off by Bud Selig. Except for the sale of his own Milwaukee Brewers in 2005, I doubt Selig has ever been more interested in a franchise sale. He quickly points out that it was in Wrigley Field in 1944 “I saw my first major league game, so I’ve been going there for 63 years.” Selig has also been quoted saying a local owner is preferred and that he will pay very strict attention to the sale. (Hal Brody, USA Today, 2007).
So here they are, Big League Chatter’s:
Top Ten Potential Buyers of the Chicago Cubs
Peter Angelos: Trial lawyer (http://www.angeloslaw.com) and the current owner of the Baltimore
Orioles. He led a group of investors that purchased the team in 1993 for $173 million from Eli Jacobs. Reported as recently engaged in prolonged discussions with Cal Ripken, Jr. about selling the Orioles to the former shortstop and other financial backers.
Notes: 15 years of MLB ownership experience, but going into the 2008 season, the Orioles have had ten consecutive sub-.500 seasons.
Bill Murray: Award winning actor. Gained national exposure on
Saturday Night Live, following that with roles in films such as Stripes, Groundhog Day, Space Jam, Caddyshack, Ghostbusters and Rushmore. Known as being the Cubs #1 fan.
Notes: Murray doesn’t appear to be a serious buyer for the Cubs. He has reportedly shrugged off the prospect of becoming a part owner of the team. Tribune Co. announced plans in April 2007 to sell the Cubs, and Murray said he has been approached about becoming part of a group that would make a bid. "I heard from a couple of people," he said, "but I’m not that organized." (USA Today, 2007).
Jerry Colangelo: Former majority owner of the Phoenix Suns of the NBA, the Phoenix Mercury
of the WNBA, the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Colangelo has been named the NBA’s Executive of the Year four times (1976, 1981, 1989, 1993).
Notes: Colangelo brought the Diamondbacks into existence and from 1998-2004, amassed a record of 575-559, with three first place finishes in the National League, and one World Series title against the Yankees in 2001.
Jeff Smulyan: Founder and Chairman of the Board of Emmis Communications Corporation, an
Indianapolis-based radio, TV and magazine publishing company with operations in 10 U.S. markets, as well as Hungary, Belgium, Bulgaria (Emmis.com, 2007). As principal shareholder, he led a group that purchased the Seattle Mariners baseball team in 1989, selling the club three years later. During that time, Smulyan served on the Major League Baseball owner’s Ownership and Television committees. (Wikipedia, 2007).
Notes: Under Smulyan ownership, Mariners were 233-253. Should fit Selig’s “local” criteria.
Andy McKenna: Chairman of McDonald’s Corporation. Mr. McKenna is also the Chairman of
Schwarz Supply Source. He is a director of Aon Corporation, Chicago Bears Football Club, Inc., McDonald’s Corporation and Skyline Corporation. He acted as Chairman of the Chicago White Sox during his group’s ownership of that organization from 1975-1981. He also served as Chairman of the Board of the Chicago Cubs, upon purchase of that entity by Tribune Company, from August 1981 through December of 1984. He also owns a portion of the Bears.
Notes: Former Cubs Chairman is "mentioned as capable of putting together an investor group," (Tribune 2007).
Ricketts Family: Joe Ricketts, was the founder and chairman of TD Ameritrade, the largest
online discount brokerage in the world, based in Omaha, Nebraska. In 2007, Ricketts and his family ranked #161, according to Forbes Magazine, of the 400 wealthiest americans, with a net worth of $2.6 billion. Though he grew up in Omaha, Tom Ricketts received a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from the University of Chicago and worked as a pit trader at the Chicago Board Options Exchange before forming Incapital with several partners. Tom’s younger sister Laura, who started a Web firm called Ecotravel.com, also lives in Chicago, as does younger brother Todd, who has worked in the financial-services industry. Pete Ricketts told a reporter during his Senate campaign that at one time he lived across the street from Wrigley Field and is a longtime Cubs fan (Wikipedia, 2007).
Notes: The Ricketts have apparently kept a low profile up to this point. It appears they recognize Selig’s "local" criteria and are pressing to emphasize Tom Ricketts’ ties to Chicago and the family’s interest in being long-term owners of the Cubs.
Tom Begel: Chairman and Principal of TMB Industries, a private investment firm formed by him in
1989, specializing in the acquisition and operation of industrial and manufacturing companies. He is Chairman of DynAmerica LLC and Grand Craft, Inc., as well as a Director of NutraMax, Inc., Weber Manufacturing and Miller Products. Mr. Begel was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Transportation Technologies, and Chairman of Fuel Systems LLC and Phillips & Temro LLC. In addition, he was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Pullman Company until its acquisition in 1988 and was Senior Vice President of the Engineered Products Group of the Signal Companies, Inc., and Senior Vice President of Wheelabrator-Frye, Inc. from 1981 to 1983. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri at Columbia (TMBIndustries.com, 2007).
Notes: Begel has been reported as assembling a group of 15 investors to purchase the Cubs, of which include William Marovitz, a restaurant owner, and Ernie Banks, who has contacted John Canning Jr. as well for a possible partnership.
Mark Cuban: Entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks NBA basketball team. With an
estimated net worth of $2.6 billion, he was ranked 161st on the 2007 Forbes 400 list of richest Americans. Cuban has quite the portfolio of companies such as HDNet, Landmark Theaters and others ventures.
Notes: Cuban’s Mavericks have been to the playoff’s every year since his purchase in 2000, taking a loss to the Miami Heat in the finals of 2005-2006 season. The team has racked up an amazing 446 wins, compared to only 187 losses during Cuban’s tenure. That’s a winning percentage well over .700. “My goal has always been to make the league better, better as a business and better as a product for the fans.” (Portfolio.com, 2007). Speculation is that Cuban would not get approval from the three-quarter vote of current MLB owners. “The commissioner wants no renegades who will break ranks on labor matters or break the bank on player salaries” (John Helyar, ESPN.com, 2007).
Don Levin: Founded D.R.L. Enterprises in 1969, according to his biography on the Wolves’ web
site. The Chicago-based company has holdings in industries including tobacco processing, aircraft and medical-equipment leasing.
Notes: Levin is ready to buy the Cubs, He’s a local guy, fits the bill as a pro sports owner, and has been successful in business and with the minor-league Chicago Wolves hockey team. "I have been in contact with the people at Tribune and with bankers," Levin said after returning from a business trip to Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. "I’m putting together the necessary things to bid on the team." Levin’s Wolves have won three championships since their inception in 1994, and he remains a passionate Cubs fan (Chicagotribune.com, 2007).
John Canning Jr.: CEO of Madison Dearborn Partners, (MDP) LLC, which specializes in
management buyout and special equity investing. MDP manages over $10 billion of committed capital and portfolio investments. Prior to founding MDP in 1993, Mr. Canning spent 24 years with First Chicago Corporation, most recently as Executive Vice President of The First National Bank of Chicago and President of First Chicago Venture Capital. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors of The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Economic Club of Chicago, Jefferson Smurfit Group plc, Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and Children’s Inner City Educational Fund. He also serves on the Boards of Trustees of the Big Shoulders Fund, The Chicago Community Trust, Dublin City University Educational Trust, The Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, and Northwestern University (Wikipedia, 2007).
Notes: Local Chicago native should get approval from Selig and MLB owners. Considered the favorite by John Helyar at ESPN.com. Gregory Meyer of ChicagoBusiness.com also favors Canning stating “Mr. Canning’s appears to have the upper hand, partly because of his track record as a part-owner of the Milwaukee Brewers and his friendship with Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig.”
So there they are. The top ten potential buyers of Chicago’s beloved Cubbies. While it’s apparent that many fans are rooting for Mark Cuban to buy the Cubs, as are most of the analysts here at Big League Chatter, John Canning Jr. appears to have everything in place to solidify a deal on the Cubs.
