Reds - Orioles Trade

by socalbob on Dec 9, 2008 2:58 PM CST

Interesting deal just announced on ESPN. The Reds sent Ryan Freel to the Orioles for Ramon Hernandez. This opens the door for Matt Weiters to take his place in Baltimore. He's the early favorite for 2009 AL ROY.

Related to the Cubs, does this give some hope or merit of a potential deal moving Roberts to the Cubs in the Peavy deal (Ivy Walls, I'm talking to you!)? Does this mean Freel may come to the Cubs instead of Roberts?

I've always liked Freel. He's a gritty player who'e best year's are probably behind him. He could take a walk and always seemed to be a tough out versus the Cubs. I think the floodgates of multiple deals and signings is about to happen.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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This doesn't really seem that important.

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Dec 9, 2008 3:06 PM CST reply actions

It isn't really...

but it does mean at least Baltimore is actually moving some pieces, and gives an insight into what the Orioles are looking to do this off season.

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Dec 9, 2008 3:10 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed.

It’s probably good for the Orioles, as Wieters is better than Hernandez. I guess the Reds get a decent catcher, but Hernandez had a pretty bad year.

It has absolutely nothing to do with Brian Roberts.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 9, 2008 3:10 PM CST up reply actions

Freel is a nice 20-25 interchangable player on a roster

You have roughly 19 players on a team that includes the pitching staff and then you have your position bench. Freel was a fan favorite because he hustled and got more out of his talent than others. He also could play a number of positions on the field where he peaked in 2006 playing 130 games, with 760 OPS. Last year he appeared in 48 games

He can play 2B, 3B, and all the OF without embarrassing himself, but he bats RH and unless there is something like the Orioles taking Marquis in the supposed Pie for Olson trade. I have to apologize for late last night. I got woken up by a colleague after 11 PM on the phone and I came here with insomnia.

The proposed rumored Peavy-DeRosa-Vitters-Pie-Olson and spare parts that Freel might be what the Aurilia thing be in backing up Ramirez while also being able to play the OF.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Dec 9, 2008 3:33 PM CST up reply actions

Doubt this opens any floodgates for trading/signing

although i wish it would…….

What to do, with Larry Hughe?

by Rudey on Dec 9, 2008 3:11 PM CST reply actions

Teams...

aren’t out there trading for the Cubs sake.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Dec 9, 2008 3:19 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 9, 2008 3:40 PM CST up reply actions

+1

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 9, 2008 4:13 PM CST up reply actions

Like I said it's Pavlovian

Fans here just see the word “Orioles” and immediately drool out, “Roberts to the Cubs!”

by Wreckard on Dec 9, 2008 3:31 PM CST reply actions

Sweet!

You think this means the Cubs are getting Roberts??

"I love when they play that Go Cubs Win song."

by BMoney79 on Dec 9, 2008 4:06 PM CST up reply actions

tough crowd today

I get a “doesn’t seem that important,” “doubt this opens any floodgates,” and “teams aren’t out there trading for the Cubs sake.”

I didn’t write any of those things. Never said this was important. Never said this trade would open floodgates. Never said this trade was made for the Cubs sake.

We need a trade or a signing around here. I guess everyone is tired of all the speculation. Given it was a division rival acquiring a full-time C and a team we are reported in negotiations with, I thought it was worth posting.

Okay let’s go back to 1000 more posts on Peavy only.

by socalbob on Dec 9, 2008 3:37 PM CST reply actions

"We need a trade or signing around here."

Really? Just for the sake of having one? That’s not how a good GM operates.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 9, 2008 3:41 PM CST up reply actions

No Al

I never said for the sake of having one. Did I?

Aren’t the Cubs in the midst of a large trade negotiations for a former Cy Young candidate only 27 years old?

Aren’t the Cubs negotiating to sign a players who is a LH-hitting RF?

That’s what I was referring to—let’s get on with the trade or the signing. I believe that is what this community is anxiously awaiting. I hope Hendry doesn’t operate that way. I’m actually impressed with his “slow playing” his hand right now. He is usually much more impulsive than that.

by socalbob on Dec 9, 2008 3:55 PM CST up reply actions

The bold words really

drive your points home

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 9, 2008 4:14 PM CST up reply actions

thank you

by socalbob on Dec 9, 2008 4:28 PM CST up reply actions

No, you said...

… “We need a trade or signing around here.”

Why? Because someone else made a deal? I agree with you, Hendry is taking his time to make the RIGHT deal, not just to make a deal. Maybe you didn’t mean it the way it sounded, but it sure sounded like you just wanted a deal for a deal’s sake.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 9, 2008 4:31 PM CST up reply actions

I think he means ...

we need a deal to end the boredom/anticipation. There’s probably some truth in that. But I don’t think he meant the Cubs need a deal because we (the fans) NEED one.

by elgato on Dec 9, 2008 4:56 PM CST up reply actions

That's how I read it...

We (ie BCB readers) need something to discuss besides endless rumors. I don’t think he was using “We” as in the Cubs organization.

Having a real deal for a rival gives us (BCB) something to discuss at least, so it’s was worth mentioning…

Things are getting a little punchy around here. I know at least I’m going a little batty from repeatedly hitting refresh in the hopes of having a blockbuster deal to argue about…

by CubsWin!Oregon on Dec 9, 2008 6:17 PM CST up reply actions

Well, yeah.

That’d be nice, to have an actual acquisition to discuss. But I’m ready for a deal… when a deal is made. Don’t rush to make a deal and make a bad one.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 9, 2008 7:12 PM CST up reply actions

Me saying this trade “doesn’t really seem that important” has nothing to do with you personally. You posted the information. I think it is a meaningless trade; I was not making any comment about you.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Dec 9, 2008 5:59 PM CST up reply actions

that's fine

no biggie

by socalbob on Dec 9, 2008 6:06 PM CST up reply actions

Personally, I'm excited to get a look at Matt Wieters.

I think the Orioles are finally going in the right directions as they’ve gone young and stopped signing plan B,C and D players just for the sake of signing someone.

The Rays proved this year that the AL East is winable even with the Yankees and Red Sox in it. It will be interesting to see this team develop over the next few years and see if it can be turned into a winner instead of the laughingstock it’s been for the last decade.

I know Oriole fans are disheartened and have pretty much given up hope of the “Oriole Way” returning. It would be good for baseball for this francise to get it’s act together and be competitive and (gasp), make the playoffs.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Dec 9, 2008 3:49 PM CST reply actions

I'm eagerly awaiting Weiters

He dominated 2 leagues last year and to give that type of offense at C with an absolute cannon for an arm will make him a very special palyer to watch.

by socalbob on Dec 9, 2008 4:27 PM CST up reply actions

I wish the Cubs had picked him.

Know why? Because the guy can hit, and maybe since we have a good catcher already, they could have converted him to the outfield. We’d have our right fielder.

He’s a switch-hitter, too.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 9, 2008 4:32 PM CST up reply actions

I'm with ya

I really was all over the Weiters band-wagon heading into the draft. He’s 6’5" or 6’6" depending on the report, so he could have even made a good 1B too. Obviously you stated the hitting potential, but the guy threw 96 closing out games after catching for 8 innings. If he flamed out as a hitter, he could have been an easy convert to the mound.

by socalbob on Dec 9, 2008 4:42 PM CST up reply actions