Base Hits: 1/23/2008

There is some concern about the Orioles and their lack of progress in trading Erik Bedard and Brian Roberts and many see the deals as dead. Not I.

Why? MacPhail has made no forays into the free agent market as of yet. If the deals were truly dead, he would certainly be looking for a centerfielder. I just can't believe he's going into this season with Tike Redman manning anything more than a fouth outfielder role.

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The Oriole signed RHP Lance Cormier to a minor league deal this week. I watched plenty of Cormier when he pitched for Atlanta last year and I was less than impressed. A long reliever or a AAAA type guy at best. Of course, I said the same thing about Jeremy Guthrie at this time last year.

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Daniel Cabrera is asking for $3.3 million in arbitration. Quite frankly, in today's market that is not an unreasonable request even with Cabrera's poor season. Bedard is asking for $8 million and would be worth every penny.

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I can't find it right now but Roch reported in his blog that recently acquired 3B Mike Costanzo is to report to Spring Training with the catchers to presumably work out at that position. Very intriguing if true. That would certainly provide Costanzo a quicker route to the majors if he can be even passable defensively as a catcher.