Will/Should the Orioles Make A Legitament Run At The Prince?

A few days ago, the Orioles signed Derrek Lee to a 1 year contract. People wondered why the Birds would get Lee on a one year deal, instead of signing Adam LaRoche to a 2 or 3 year deal. Then, speculation came up that it may very well be because the Orioles have plans to make a push for Prince Fielder next offseason. We've seen that the O's are not afraid to spend cash, when they offered Mark Texiera a 7 year, $165 million contract. They were outbid by the Nationals, Yankees, and Red Sox, and Texiera ultimately signed with the Yankees, but the fact that the Orioles made that big a push gives fans hope that they will continue to pursue these top-tier free agents. So, why not Prince?

Derrek Lee is out after this season. So, unless the Orioles see very big potential from Brandon Snyder, or more likely, from Josh Bell or Nolan Reimold, the Orioles will likely pursue another free agent first baseman. To compete in the AL East, they will need all the pop they can get in their offense. So, they need to pursue Prince to compete with the Yankees, and the reguvenated Red Sox. Adding Prince to an offense with Brian Roberts, Matt Weiters, Mark Reynolds, and Adam Jones will make for as good an offense as the Rays have, about as strong as the current Yankees, and atleast closer to the Red Sox offense than they are now. Also, with young pitchers like Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta, Zach Britton, and Chris Tillman on the rise, they will have a strong pitching staff coming with the offense. So, Prince is the missing piece to the puzzle that is the new, competing Orioles in 2012 and beyond.

Orioles Agree to Sign Kevin Gregg

The Orioles have added to their bullpen by signing Kevin Gregg to a two-year, 10 million dollar contract with an option. Gregg saved 37 games for the Toronto Blue Jays last year, and will battle with Koji Uehara for the closer role for next year. Gregg joins Jeremy Accardo as two former Blue Jays who will likely contribute to the Baltimore Bullpen this coming year. Although Gregg has Type-A status, the Orioles will not lose their draft pick, as it is protected. The Blue Jays will instead get a supplemental first round pick.

Alfredo Simon Primary Suspect in Shooting

Orioles relief pitcher Alfredo Simon is a primary suspect in the fatal shooting of 25-year-old man Michael Castillo Almonte. Castillo Almonte's half-brother, Starlin Castillo Hernandez, was also injured in the incident and remains hospitalized. This incident occured in the Dominican Republic, and today, Simon surrendered himself to the Dominican Police. Simon, his lawyer, Carlos Olivares, and former Orioles utility-man, Julio Lugo, met with the police chief, Jose Polanco today in Santo Domingo. Simon is being charged with manslaughter, and if he is found guilty, he could serve up to 2 years in prison. Victor Mueses, a Dominican public prosecutor, told the Associated Press that he'll request that Simon remain in detention for three months while the case is investigated further.

Information from the NY Daily News and the Associated Press was used in this report.

Why the Orioles Should Sign Jim Thome

Jim Thome is one of the best free agents available, and I think he is the best DH-type player available on the free-agent market. The Orioles could use another bat to compete with the solid pitching rotations of the AL East, and I think that Thome could be the perfect fit.

Yesterday, the Orioles inked Derrek Lee to a 1-year deal, which could be worth up to $10M, and, provided he doesn't get injured in Spring Training, he will be the first baseman in 2011. But, the Orioles could insert Thome into the DH role. Luke Scott is the primary candidate to be the primary DH next year, allowing Nolan Reimold and Felix Pie to battle for the starting left field job. But, Scott could take over the left field job if Thome was signed.
              Also, the Orioles have a very small fan base. These fans need something to be happy about. The O's have made a big splash this year, bringing in J.J. Hardy, and much more notably, Mark Reynolds, but even that hasn't brought many fans to Baltimore. Adding a man who is chasing history, 600 home runs, could at least bring in some ticket sales, if not some actual fans, because people will want to A) watch a an improved offense, and B) try to catch the game that Thome hits his 600th bomb. Thome is also a smart move financially. The Orioles still want to make some more moves this year. They sit in the middle of the financial game. Thome will likely come cheaper than Vladimir Guerrero or Manny Ramirez, the other top outfield/DH-type players available. Guerrero had a phenomenal season last year, and will likely seek a large contract. Also, he has the Cliff Lee-less Texas Rangers chasing after him, so they will be aggresive and will likely drive up his price. Manny brings a troubled player and always seeks a large deal, so he doesn't seem to make much sense for a young club seeking leadership.
               Now, if there are any possible concerns, here is the biggest one.  On December 21, 1998, the Orioles signed Albert Belle, who was on the back end of his career, to a 5 year, $65 million deal. At that time, that was the largest contract in Orioles history. Belle was a bust, and because of his outbursts of anger at the media, he brought negative attention to a club that was trying to get on track to win. So, Owner Peter Angelos may be hesitant to handing over an expensive contract to another player on the decline, such as Thome.

However, Thome is asking for roughly $8 million for one year, so it is a much less risky contract. Althought it would be an expensive investment, it will only be for one season, and Thome will provide the Orioles with a true leader, and a solid bat. He also has a great work ethic, and never has problems with the media.  I think that all of this makes the $8 million completely worth it. Thome provides the Orioles with the final piece they need to have a potent offense.

This signing could be quite attractive to Thome as well. The future Hall of Famer is sitting at 589 home runs, 8th on the all-time list, and hitting in Camden Yards, a hitter's park, would create a very good opportunity for him to reach the 600 home run milestone. Also, the Orioles have one of, if the greatest manager in baseball, Buck Showalter. Showalter is known for winning, and for getting the most out of his players.  Thome would benefit because it would help prevent him from suffering a serious drop in production, as he turned 41 this offseason, and most players start declining around age 35. He’s not getting any younger, and this could very well be his last season, so why not spend it in Baltimore?

Orioles Sign Derrek Lee

BREAKING NEWS:

The Orioles have reached an agreement with first baseman Derrek Lee. Lee hit 19 homers and 80 RBIs with the Cubs and Braves last year.

Orioles Don't Sign Nick Green

The Orioles announced that Nick Green did not accept his contract. That means that there will likely be a battle for a roster spot between Brendan Harris and Robert Andino.

George Sherrill Signs with the Braves

The Orioles were rumored to be a potential landing place for relief pitcher George Sherrill, but the chances of that happening have been crushed. Sherrill has inked a deal with the Braves today on a 1-year deal worth $1.2 million. The deal can be worth up to $1.4 million if he reaches certain incentives. Sherill was non-tendered by the Dodgers this fall, after posting a 6.69 ERA in 36.1 innings for the Dodgers last year. The Dodgers acquired Sherrill from Baltimore for third base prospect Josh Bell. Bell is currently on the Orioles' active roster, and as of now, is likely going to play first base for the O's next season.