On Wednesday, Dan Connelly of the Baltimore Sun reported that the Baltimore Orioles were trying to work out a multi-year extension with second baseman Brian Roberts at roughly $10 million per season. Roberts was reluctant to sign, with just one year left on his current contract.
Roberts has been linked to countless trade scenarios involving the Chicago Cubs, and the White Sox have also reportedly shown interest in Roberts.
Could Roberts' inclination to test the market finally force Baltimore to deal with the reality that their All Star second baseman will likely walk after 2009? And might this reality finally force Orioles GM Andy MacPhail to trade the leadoff man?
Both the Cubs and White Sox have made moves this winter to bolster the options they have to make a deal happen. The Cubs acquired three young pitchers from Cleveland for Mark DeRosa and have previously discussed deals involving prospects Felix Pie, Ronny Cedeno, and Sean Marshall with the Orioles.
Meanwhile, the White Sox have an overload of infielders as well. AL Rookie of the Year runner-up Alexei Ramirez would seem to be untouchable, but the Sox have other depth in the middle of the infield that might interest Baltimore. The deal of Javier Vazquez to Atlanta brought in prospect Brent Lillibridge, and the Nick Swisher trade to the Yankees saw Wilson Betemit come to the South Side. Young outfielders Jerry Owens and Brian Anderson might also be available in a deal.
Roberts, 31, batted .296 in 2008 with 40 stolen bases in 50 attempts. He boasted a .378 on-base percentage and is considered one of few traditional leadoff men in baseball. The switch-hitting second baseman will make $8 million in 2009.
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