Baltimore Orioles Update

and we still have luke scott who will become even more of a fan favorite.

I didn't know other optimistic Orioles fans existed.

This is pretty exciting. What kind of deals are these news guys on though? Are we considering ourselves contenders solely for 2011, or is there a chance we'll be competing the next two or three years?

But ya, this is the best we've looked in awhile. And about the playoffs? "Hey, it could happen."

JJ Hardy has one year left on his contract. Koji got a 1 year 3 million deal. And Mark Reynolds, who is a talented power hitting third baseman that we picked up a few days ago, has 2 years on his contract left.

We have our franchise players locked in already for the most part.

I don't necessarily believe we need to get guys with long term deals. Just having these guys on the team next year will be tremendous. After next year we can see how they are working out.

If we can acquire an ace pitcher to go along with our homegrown young guys, then playoffs definitely becomes a talking point for me.

so my last post was within 30seconds of hearing that we'd acquired Hardy and sign Koji. I have since fallen off my overly optimistic high.

I'm excited, but over .500 is a good goal. Playoffs if the evil empire and b-town flop. they have to meet us half-way.

Yes Luke Scott is an outspoken Birther.

He doesn't think Obama has produced a birth certificate.

I am sure he never iquired to see Bush or Clinton's birth certificate.

His opinions on President Obama have nothing to do with baseball. So that's irrelevant.

Are any of you serious? The Orioles won't be the best team in the area. The Nationals will be better. Better luck next year...

Well nevermind. That won't happen either. Better luck in 20 years. HAHAHAHAHA

Thats right. He is rich and worried about his taxes!!!!

this is the wrong thread! the bash on Luke Scott thread is separate.And really, the Nationals are the best team in the area? no way. The O's finished playing winning ball with Showalter. Double our infield talent, and maybe we can hold onto that streak a bit longer than the last couple months of the season.

X-Runner wrote:

Yes Luke Scott is an outspoken Birther.

He doesn't think Obama has produced a birth certificate.

I am sure he never iquired to see Bush or Clinton's birth certificate.

As the O's are starting to improve it seems the Nat's are morphing into a team that looks like the O's of the past decade.

Overpaying mediocre players and dropping their stars. E.g. paying Jayson Werth a 7 year 126 million dollar deal. And dropping Adam Dunn who is easily their best power hitter. What are they thinking?

This is the exact same question I've been asking every season for at least 7 years about the O's. This year I am not asking it though, instead I'm saying "Thank God its about time." As for the Nat's, sorry but you guys are looking at 90-100 losses.

Potentially a decent lineup if healthy.

Roberts 2B

Jones CF

Markakis RF

LaRoche 1B

Reynolds 3B

Scott DH

Wieters C

Hardy SS

Pie LF

As a Twins fan, I think my team should have sent along a Xmas present along with Hardy and Harris. Thanks for taking on Harris' contract. Hope that JJ stays healthy enough to be of benefit to you.

We definitely need pitching, even raw/"potential" arms. Only thing I don't like about the trade from our end is that it thinned the Twins' infield depth. Having a lot of adequate players that could shuffle in at 2nd-short-3rd kept us afloat through a lot of the season.

Improve enough to keep the Yankees out of the playoffs (since my team isn't pulling its weight in that regard). And if you feel the need to leave that East Coast rat race, I recommend a road trip to see your birds at Target Field. I think you'll like the Twins' new digs.

O's will be much better than the Nats. Nats will have no Strasbourg in 2011. Dunn was a leader and beloved in that clubhouse. Werth will not get that kind of love.

Buck has a nice presence and the players really respond to him. Is the ghost of Earl Weaver still around?

This is classic stuff, just happened to get catch an umpire who was miked up for the night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl-4FSRYagc

Harmon, my dad and I are actually planning on getting out there this summer. I've never been there so it should be fun.

Enjoy your trip here if you make it.

Keep in mind the glow of a good season last year and honeymoon with the new ballpark have driven up ticket demand, so get single-game tix ASAP from the Twins, or play the game of chicken to see if the Twins drop out of contention, so you could get tickets for a later-season series.

StubHub, local brokers/scalpers (legal in MN), and craigslist wannabee scalpers still have too big a role in the Twins ticket market, but the Twins have been the hottest Minneapolis-St. Paul sports ticket. You might do well by coming here without tickets and getting them by either checking craigslist within 36 hr of your game or by getting them outside the ballpark... if you don't already have a source. Again, a down year for the Twins translates into more available tickets because novelty and band-wagoning have lessened.

Tripadvisor thread discussing Target Field (in inaugural season)

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g43323-i372-k3615222-Has_anyone_been_to_Target_Field-Minneapolis_Minnesota.html

I want you guys to do well because I feel your pain but I'm afraid it will be at our expense. Good luck anyway.

Adding Reynolds and LaRoche...way to steal the all time team strikeout record from Arizona.