Orioles Trade Rumors

"Glance at the important numbers -- the record (1-4), the ERA (7.43) and the age (37) -- and what to do with Orioles starter Steve Trachsel seems obvious. Dump him. Cut him and your losses and give his rotation spot to a young pitcher who might be part of this team's future. But it's just not that easy. In fact, it's a surprisingly tough call. Because a team such as the 2008 Orioles needs Trachsel -- or a guy like him -- to get through this season. The bullpen, which has been one of the Orioles' strengths so far, needs a consistent Trachsel so it can stay relatively fresh."

"The Juan Castro sweepstakes kicked into high gear Thursday as the veteran utility infielder with the commanding clubhouse presence officially became a free agent eight days after he was designated for assignment by Cincinnati. But while Castro was said to still be leaning toward the Dodgers, the fact Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki suffered a quadriceps injury earlier this week that is expected to sideline him for two to three months suddenly changed the landscape. The Rockies quickly joined a mix of clubs that included the Dodgers, San Diego and Baltimore. "

" Brian Roberts finally made it to Chicago, only it was to the South Side, not the North, and it was as Baltimore's second baseman, not the Cubs'."

"The Cubs still figure to pursue Roberts if the Orioles shop him before the July trade deadline, but their needs may change. And if Cedeno, Marshall and Gallagher continue to perform as they have, the Cubs could make them untouchables."

"During the monotony of spring training, Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts said he felt engulfed by rumors of a trade to the Chicago Cubs. But with the regular season underway, and with Roberts still wearing an Orioles uniform, he said he feels a sense of relief that talks regarding his future have cooled."

"The Cubs granted nonroster infielder Alex Cintron his unconditional release Wednesday, the same day Baltimore Orioles president Andy MacPhail declared the Brian Roberts trade talks all but dead. The two are somewhat related. Cubs manager Lou Piniella had told Cintron on Tuesday that he had been beaten out by infielders Ronny Cedeno and Mike Fontenot."

"Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts was scratched from yesterday's lineup before batting practice, but not because he had been traded. That theory was put to rest almost immediately."

"Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts will take a few days off with lower back soreness and stiffness, though he doesn't expect to miss Opening Day... Meantime, Roberts refused comment regarding his trade status."

"Will any of it lead to the long-awaited trade with Baltimore for leadoff hitter Brian Roberts? One of the Orioles' top scouts, Bruce Kison, continued to follow the Cubs on Tuesday, but indications were that things remained quiet on that front."

"He also knows his name has been mentioned in plenty of trade talks, and it remains possible that president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail will trade him before Opening Day. The Orioles had some talks with the Chicago Cubs about Payton in the Brian Roberts talks, but the Cubs signed Reed Johnson yesterday, so they no longer have a need for a right-handed-hitting outfielder."

"Second baseman Felipe Lopez said last week he would not accept a role on the bench, and the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs are among the teams who have expressed interest in acquiring the 2005 All-Star. Assuming the Nationals don't make a trade before they open the season Sunday, however, Lopez likely will sit while Ronnie Belliard starts at second base and Cristian Guzman starts at shortstop."

"A day after expressing some mild frustration that he still doesn't know where he'll play in 2008, Brian Roberts and his agent met with Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail yesterday at Fort Lauderdale Stadium."

"While the Cubs would like to get a deal for Baltimore's Brian Roberts done by the end of spring training, the Orioles have no deadline on moving their second baseman."

"Piniella feels he needs an outfielder such as the Red Sox' Coco Crisp. The Cubs continue to covet Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts. And a stockpile of Cubs pitching that Hendry planned to use to make trades to complete his roster plans remains like a logjam as decision time fast approaches."

"The expectation is that the Cubs will eventually ship off starter Jason Marquis to Boston for center fielder Coco Crisp. Chicago has clearly soured on Felix Pie. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Pie included in the Brian Roberts deal with Baltimore."

"The Orioles still owe Gibbons $11.9 million. That's a heavy sum to swallow if they decide to eat his contract."

"He was supposed to have been somewhere in Arizona yesterday, wearing a Chicago Cubs jersey, playing second base and batting leadoff for a team with legitimate World Series aspirations. Instead, Brian Roberts was at Roger Dean Stadium, wearing an Orioles jersey and wondering about his future with the only organization he has ever known."

"Opening Day is only nine days away, but Mark DeRosa still doesn't know if he will be in the starting lineup. It all depends on whether general manager Jim Hendry acquires Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts, who has been on the Cubs radar for nearly 3½ months."

"The Cubs' ideal lineup is expected to go on display today against the White Sox, when manager Lou Piniella puts Kosuke Fukudome back in the No. 2 spot and drops Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez to 3-4-5. The only potentially better Cubs lineup for Opening Day would involve a trade for the Baltimore Orioles' Brian Roberts to bat leadoff, or even a trade for Boston Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp to bat somewhere near the top of the order."

"Barring a trade -- and with General Manager Jim Bowden at the controls, that never is a good idea -- the Washington Nationals have three players for two positions in the middle infield. Two of those players -- would-be second basemen Ronnie Belliard and Felipe López -- have vastly different opinions about how they would handle losing the starting job."

"Trade talks continue regarding second baseman Brian Roberts, with the Chicago Cubs believed to be the most aggressive pursuers. The Orioles remain interested in the Houston Astros' Mark Loretta, either as an eventual replacement for Roberts or a utility infielder."

"Two weeks remain before Milwaukee visits Wrigley Field for real. Do you know where your Cubs are? Some may still be in Baltimore ( Brian Roberts) and some in Boston (Coco Crisp)."

" Carlos Zambrano's next start will be in minor-league camp, his final start a shortened five-, six-inning experience against big-leaguers. His next spot in a spring game is expected to be taken by prospect Sean Gallagher, who may be auditioning in front of Baltimore scouts. Gallagher has been mentioned in a possible trade for Baltimore's Brian Roberts."

"The ''other things'' likely center on the Cubs' hunt for Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts, though sources from both sides indicate a deal probably wouldn't be struck until the final days of camp. The Cubs also have interest in Boston Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp, a switch hitter, and the Texas Rangers' Marlon Byrd, a righty-swinging outfielder who could play center."

"One player looking for a roster spot, Ronny Cedeno, was still missing with a strained hamstring, which Piniella said was "not helping" his chances. Cedeno was one of those mentioned in trade talks with Baltimore for Brian Roberts. "

"Might the Orioles wind up sending Brian Roberts to the White Sox, not the Cubs? They reportedly are looking at veteran middle infielders, including Juan Uribe. Roberts would be a great addition in the attempt to build a contender on the fly, but it's not clear if the Sox have any high-level prospects with which to tempt Baltimore GM Andy MacPhail."

"That if the Cubs do complete their deal for Brian Roberts, it would take them out of the running for Coco Crisp. They're telling teams they can't add both players to their payroll... Teams looking for a left-handed reliever (Yankees, maybe?) will find that the Giants are looking to move veteran Steve Kline, who's set to make only $1.75 million this year."

"Sources continue to insist nothing is imminent on the trade front involving Brian Roberts, but that it could happen at any time or it could happen right before Opening Day."

"Sources confirmed Thursday that the Cubs have a four-player offer for Roberts on the table that includes the addition of hard-throwing pitching prospect Jose Ceda. Infielder Ronny Cedeno and pitchers Sean Gallagher and Donnie Veal also are in the package."

"It's a little easier for Ramirez to welcome a trade than, say, DeRosa, who will lose his starting job at second base if the Cubs finally get their top-priority deal done for Baltimore Orioles leadoff hitter Brian Roberts... Then there's Sean Marshall, Matt Murton, Felix Pie, Jason Marquis and -- in the latest rumors involving Boston Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp -- Sam Fuld, who would join Marquis in Boston if the Cubs' offer were accepted, according to the Boston Globe."

"Utility infielder Mark Loretta reportedly is drawing some trade interest from Baltimore. The Orioles sent a scout to Monday's exhibition game against Toronto in Kissimmee, Fla."

"Seeking to add infield depth and to find a potential replacement if they trade second baseman Brian Roberts, the Orioles have expressed interest in Houston Astros utility infielder Mark Loretta."

"Ultimately, the Cubs felt Pie deserved a chance to win the job in spring training, and they believed they could pick up a complementary player who could start against left-handers. Aside from Byrd and Crisp, other outfielders who can play center and may be available include Baltimore's Jay Payton, Cincinnati's Ryan Freel and the Los Angeles Angels' Reggie Willits. Payton, 35, has been rumored to be part of any Brian Roberts trade."

"With a crowded outfield and plenty of designated-hitter types on their roster, the Orioles don't appear to have a role for Gibbons. And the size of his contract, injury history and recent on- and off-the-field struggles have sapped his trade value, spurring questions about what the club will do when Gibbons' suspension ends."

"The big trade-in-waiting, of course, is the one for Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts. While some in the organization doubt a deal will get done, there's a strong school of thought in the front office that Hendry will make it happen, and by Opening Day in three weeks."

"It was a damaged finger that kept Alfonso Soriano out of the lineup the last week, but more than halfway through spring training, it's that old quadriceps injury that continues to haunt the Cubs' leadoff hitter -- and potentially the Cubs' leadoff spot... If he can't get over that quickly, it could raise the stakes significantly on the Cubs' efforts to acquire Orioles leadoff hitter Brian Roberts."

" Sean Gallagher turned in his best outing of the spring with two hitless innings against Arizona. Gallagher's name is being mentioned prominently in trade talks with Baltimore. There has been no known movement on a Brian Roberts deal for more than a week, but an Orioles scout was in attendance Saturday at HoHoKam Park."

"The Orioles and Chicago Cubs have not had any recent discussions about All-Star second baseman Brian Roberts, pushing the potential deal toward Opening Day or beyond."

"Still considering adding a veteran to the back end of their rotation, the Orioles have had several discussions with Scott Boras, the agent for free-agent pitcher Kyle Lohse, 29. Lohse, a right-hander who is 63-74 with a 4.82 ERA over seven big league seasons, was originally seeking a five-year deal for approximately $50 million."

"The Cubs still hope to acquire second baseman Brian Roberts and an outfielder before the end of spring training, but general manager Jim Hendry shot down Internet and radio rumors that a trade is imminent."

"The Cubs still want to add at least one hitter by Opening Day, but multiple high-ranking team officials shot down Internet and radio reports this week that trade talks with the Baltimore Orioles regarding second baseman Brian Roberts have resumed in recent days."

"After returning to Cubs camp Sunday after undergoing surgery to correct his irregular heartbeat, Mark DeRosa was pleased to discover his second base job hadn't been taken by Baltimore's Brian Roberts."

"As warm and fuzzy and hopeful as Mark Teixeira's return to Atlanta was last summer, a cold, hard truth remains: His agent is Scott Boras. A man at least as relentless and successful at the negotiating table as Teixeira has been in the batter's box."

"A Baltimore Orioles scout was eyeing the Cubs in Mesa, while the Cubs had two scouts in Florida watching the Orioles and trade target Brian Roberts."

"On a day when two Chicago Cubs scouts were on hand to watch him play, second baseman Brian Roberts stood out in the Orioles' otherwise dreary exhibition season debut yesterday. Roberts went 1-for-2 with a walk, an RBI double, a run scored and two stolen bases in the Orioles' 16-3 loss to the Florida Marlins at Fort Lauderdale Stadium."

"Baltimore possesses that hometown allure, but Atlanta is a close second. Teixeira attended Georgia Tech and married a Georgian. The question is whether the Braves would shell out so much for one player - perhaps $20 million-plus per season for six or more years."

"Roberts is scheduled to start at second base and bat leadoff for the Orioles today, a mild upset considering MacPhail has engaged in trade talks with the Chicago Cubs about the two-time All-Star for months. The Orioles will dispatch a scout to Mesa, Ariz., site of the Cubs' training facility, next week to get a closer look at some of the players the two teams have discussed."

"Don't expect Mark DeRosa's medical issues to have any bearing on the Cubs' pursuit of Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts or any other player."

"Orioles President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail said he expects all to be quiet on the Brian Roberts trade front until teams are well into their spring training game schedules. MacPhail has said Roberts has drawn interest from several clubs. Multiple reports have said the Chicago Cubs have shown particular interest."

"Brian Roberts wasn't completely comfortable discussing his potential trade to the Chicago Cubs and a departure from the only organization he has played for. But it beat fielding questions about the alternative - his inclusion in the Mitchell Report and his subsequent admission that he tried steroids once in 2003."