@Buster_ESPN: OAK scouts saw Manny Ramirez work out recently and they are interested. Final decision whether to try to sign him will happen in next week.

While I said the other day that I didn’t like the signing for Baltimore, I feel differently about Oakland.

Baltimore is a fairly veteran team that has some young up and coming talent. They’re on the verge of being competitive so let the guys who’ve been there get their due. Why push them aside for someone who won’t be around for a good portion of the year.

With Oakland they’ve got a very young team that well sucks. Yep, there’s some talent but they’re light years away from being competitive in the American League West. In addition to that they have no power supply and I’m quite sure that’s the only reason they’re looking at Ramirez.

They need someone who can give them a long ball threat. They’re not going to care that he can’t run anymore, they’re not going to care that he can’t really hit for average anymore. They’re just going to want someone who could put the fear of a homerun into a pitchers head.

After the departure of Josh Willingham they have no hitter who hit more then 15 homers in 2011. That’s absolutely pitiful which tells you exactly why they want Manny Ramirez. They’ll be willing to wait out those 50 games just for that threat.

I’m thinking he’ll pretty much be a replacement for Hideki Matsui. Meaning he’ll mainly play designated hitter with an occasional appearance in the outfield.

The only concern I have is this.. Do you really want Manny Ramirez being the mentor for such a young team?

@Buster_ESPN: The Marlins could make an offer to Cespedes today. Meanwhile, the Orioles are assessing their level of interest.

Buster’s source is Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports – School of Roch. Kubatko is reporting that Fred Ferreira, the Orioles executive director of international scouting, will be taking a trip to the Dominican Republic within the next ten days to scout Cespedes. If he likes what he says one could presumably expect an offer to follow.

Ferreira will head to the Dominican Republic in about 10 days to watch Cespedes work out. This will be his first look at the 26-year-old Cuban defector since shortly after the Winter Meetings in December.

Ferreira has been reading reports provided by a few of his scouts during the Dominican Winter League. (MASN Sports – School of Roch)

Here’s my thoughts and get ready for a couple if statements. If the Marlins are unable to close the deal and if Ferreira likes what he sees then I think the Orioles have to pull the trigger here.

The only other free agent outfielder being mentioned with Baltimore right now is Manny Ramirez and one would have to assume Cespedes is the better option. Even if the guy winds up being a flop I’d rather give him a chance then someone who is going to have to sit out a third of the season.

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While in the Dominican, Ferreira is also going to take a look at another prospect, 19-year old Jorge Soler. He’s not going to cost the team who signs him much money at all as he’s far away from the big leagues. He’ll most likely have to start his career in Single-A so he’d be your normal pluck a kid from the Caribbean and hope he works out.

The Baltimore Orioles have had “exploratory talks” with free-agent slugger Manny Ramirez’s agent, club executive vice president Dan Duquette said Monday.

“We are still considering the composition of this club, and some of the challenges of integrating a player like Manny into our ball club and market,” Duquette said. (Philly.com)

If the Orioles were to sign Manny he’d have to serve a 50-game suspension for violating the leagues drug policy. That 50-game ban isn’t as bad as it seems since he would have had to sit 100 games if he didn’t retire last April.

I just don’t know why the Orioles or any team for that matter who would want to bring Manny in. Personally, I think it tells your team that you don’t think they’re good enough. You’re saying that you’d be willing to wait a third of the season for this former way past his prime star to come and replace them.

Oh wait I know why Orioles would do this…… It’s all about the dollar dollar bill y’all.

That’s right the Orioles are probably under the belief that Manny Ramirez would bring them additional income. They probably think he’ll help their dismal attendance figures. They probably think he’ll help jersey sales.

Well guess what? It’s not 2005 anymore, it’s 2012. Manny Ramirez isn’t bringing in any additional income. He may get the team some extra mentions on Sports Center and by the mainstream media but that’s it.

From a baseball perspective this move would hurt them more then anything. I could even see Manny pissing off Buck Showalter and spending most of the year on the bench.

Being a Yankees fan though all I think is go ahead Baltimore sign Manny and have fun, you’re organization is still a joke.

@JimBowdenESPNxm: There are four teams that are still playing on Johnny Damon to different degree’s: Baltimore, Seattle, Oakland & NYY…surprisingly not TB

I’m a little surprised with Seattle and Oakland showing interest. I don’t see how he would fit in with them especially with the size of their ballparks. He’s no longer the true speed guy he once was. A short porch like Yankees Stadium or a hitter’s park like Camden Yards would suit him best.

I don’t think he’ll sign anytime soon. All of those teams have interest but I doubt any of them are ready to sign they all probably consider him as a backup option. Time to start dropping that asking price Johnny boy.

“Same as he’s been for the past 15 years — as incredible as that may sound,” one veteran scout said. “He has a chance to pitch in the big leagues as a fifth starter and win 10 or 12 games. He’s throwing 81 to 83 miles an hour, but he still knows how to make you look like an idiot. He doesn’t need the money. But I think he has that fire burning in his belly.”

Another scout observed: “It was amazing. He looked as loose, limber and free as he ever has.”(Jon Paul Morosi, Ken Rosenthal – Fox Sports)

In 2010, he went 9-9 with a 4.84 ERA over 19 starts at the age of 47!! If he’s indeed healthy I don’t see how a team close to contention doesn’t take a chance on him.

Morosi and Rosenthal list a few potential suitors (aka teams who sent scouts) and like I said some are teams that are either close to contention or already competing. “Sources say the Mariners, Rangers, Royals, Rockies, Orioles, and Pirates are among the teams that have sent scouts to see Moyer.”

With him being a left-handed pitcher and a crafty veteran who knows how to get the best out of his limited arsenal then why not give him a chance.

Here’s another Phillies article that may interest you, the Phillies have resigned Jim Thome.

Toronto Blue Jays executive Tony LaCava was back in Baltimore on Monday to meet with owner Peter Angelos, according to team sources, but there has been no indication the club is about to announce a replacement for former president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, and club officials are not ruling out the possibility that more candidates will be interviewed later this week. (The Baltimore Sun)

What this tells me is that owner Peter Angelos knows this team has a lot of work to be done and he wants to make sure he’s on the same page with whomever he hires. He probably also wants to let them know that he is the boss and will hold override authority.

I know Angelos has always liked to show his authority but he needs to wake up and make a move fast. It doesn’t appear a decision will be made before Thursday’s start to free agency which is not a good thing.

Like I said the Orioles have a lot of moves that need to be made. The team was very competitive in 2011 but still needs a lot of help if it’s going to compete in the American League East. Times of the essence if they’re to be taken seriously in 2012.

While you’re here check out our three part series saying goodbye to HBO’s Entourage, including videos and photos.

Part 1 – Dana Gordon
Part 2 – Mrs. Ari
Part 3 – Sloane (Coming 9/11/11)

“He is going to get an opportunity. Obviously, we are playing him [Monday],” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “Andy [MacPhail, the club's president of baseball operations] and I have talked about some other adjustments we might make, but right now, that’s initially one. We’ll see if he has grown some. We’ve got good reports on him down there. He has swung the bat well, and I am going to run him out there and see how he does.” (The Baltimore Sun)

The Orioles did have to make a couple moves for this promotion to take place.

First, struggling third baseman Josh Bell was demoted to the minors. He’ll most likely be brought back up next week when the rosters expand but when you’re batting .174 over 46 at-bats with 18 strikeouts something has to happen. I think he’ll be used sparingly once he returns.

Second, current second baseman Robert Andino will be moved over the vacated spot at third. Andino hasn’t lit it up at the plate but with a .270 average and .338 on base percentage he’s held his own. His defense has been pretty solid at second base, only three errors in 295 tries. Unfortunately for him thou he’s 27 which means he gets bumped for the man of the future.

Finally, this isn’t a current roster move as it happened back in March, but Bryan Roberts is on the disabled list and won’t be coming off of it this year.

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Ryan Adams has a golden opportunity in front of him with Roberts out. Does he prove that he is the teams second baseman of the future or is it time for them to start looking?

@SI_JonHeyman: #yankees still in contact with millwood. does this mean they’re growing more worried about pettitte’s decision?

Heyman brings up a great point about this possibly meaning the Yankees are getting more worried about Andy Pettitte’s retirement decision. Me? I’m not so sure if it really shows that. It truly feels like every 20 minutes we hear something different about Andy’s mine set. No one really knows what he’s thinking; even Heyman himself said yesterday that the Yankees were hearing Andy would return.

@SI_JonHeyman: #yankees people keep hearing from friends of pettitte they think he will pitch this year. still no word from andy, tho.

So basically, no one knows anything, the Yankees included. What I think is that the Yankees are just covering their butts by keeping in contact with Kevin Millwood. There aren’t any prizes left on the free agent market, so what they’re doing is keeping in contact with them all, sign what they can cheap while hoping one of them surprises them.

Now would Millwood help them? I highly doubt it; I doubt they’ll get any surprise success from him, not after his 4-16 record and 5.10 ERA in 2010. Yea, that came with the Baltimore Orioles but he hasn’t been productive in many years.

Over the past five seasons, he’s only had one with a sub four era and that was in his contract year of 2009. So yea, I’d take that season and toss it. Outside of that he’s been a hit magnet, especially when it comes to the long ball. During that span, hitters have averaged 23 a season against him.

That number ballooned to 30 in 2010 while playing in the American League East. Looking deeper into that number you’ll see that 17 of those came against divisional opponents. That’s not a number you want to see if you’re a Yankees fan.

I can’t blame the Yankees for keeping in contact. They have to do what they can in case Pettitte doesn’t return. Personally thou I feel they have much better options for the fifth slot in the rotation then Millwood. Shit, I’d even got with Sergio Meatre over him. Let the bottom feeders like the Orioles, Kansas City Royals or Cleveland Indians take him, he’ll fit better.

(per Jason Beck of MLB.com) – “We’re making some progress on some trade talks at this point,” Dombrowski said. “Not quite sufficient to make any announcements, but I would think by the middle of next week we would be in a position where we would make a deal.”

Asked then if a trade is likely, Dombrowski said, “Yes, I think it’s likely.”

Many teams have rotation needs, they include the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals, Cleveland Indians and quite a few others. Surprisingly none of those teams are the ones pushing for Armando.

Cleveland Indians – Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com says that the Indians aren’t interested in Galarraga because of his price. Armando’s contract calls for him to make $2.5 million in 2011 and that would be too expensive for the Tribe. Hoynes tweet goes along with a recent post where I mentioned that the Indians would be bargain shopping this winter.

@hoynsie: Don’t look for #Indians to work a deal with Armando Galarraga. He’s making $2.3 million and that’s too rich for Tribe. Which is too bad.

Pittsburgh Pirates – Rob Biertempfel of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the Pirates do have interest in Galarraga but it’s not likely that a deal happens. He mentions that it shouldn’t be because of money so I wonder what that reasoning is.

@RobBiertempfel:#Pirates have some interest in rhp Armando Galarraga. Considering they made serious offer to Pavano, I’d say they have the $$ for Galaragga.

@RobBiertempfel: Regarding galarraga to #pirates, trusted source just told me, “I don’t see it happening”

Washington Nationals – Bill Ladson of MLB.com says that the Nationals aren’t interested in Galarraga as they don’t see him as an upgrade. That is somewhat surprising to me as they’ve been scouring the free agent market all winter for a pitcher. Personally, I’m not sure how he wouldn’t be an upgrade but whatever there loss, he should of came cheap.

@washingnats: I was informed that the #Nats are not interested in #Tigers RHP Armando Galarraga. The #Nats don’t consider Galarraga an upgrade to what they already have in their rotation.

Now time for the surprise team, at least in my opinion. The Arizona Diamondbacks. Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic says that the D-Backs are in this heavy and making a strong push to acquire Galarraga. So much so that the two sides have already started discussing names. If Arizona did make the deal he’d likely compete for the fifth spot in the rotation to start, I’m sure a switch to the National League would help his performance.

The clubs are said to be exchanging names in trade talks; minor league right-hander Kevin Eichhorn has been discussed. A source said a deal isn’t expected to occur until sometime next week. (per Arizona Republic)

With all the various tweets and reports today, I’d have to say things are looking promising for the Diamondbacks. They obviously look like as the favorite as they’re the only team that is known to have exchanged names. Although, I’d have to say watch out for a dark horse team. There’s always a chance another team could creep in with the Tigers waiting till next week to make it happen.