Roberts deal off the table...

Cubs-de.html">Roberts-Cubs Deal off the table

I think we can finally put this one to rest, at least for a few months.  Andy MacPhail told reporters that "a Brian Roberts deal with the Cubs is off the table," according to Paul Sullivan.  You can argue the semantics - dead, impasse, off the table - but it doesn't look like anything's happening anytime soon.  Sullivan doesn't see it reviving before July.

Since the Orioles couldn't match up with the Cubs, it might make sense for MacPhail to start engaging other teams about Roberts.

Glad to see Brian Roberts staying, at least for now.  Bummer is I traded for him in one of my fantasy leagues thinking he would be hitting in front of Derek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Alphonso Soriano. 

Wish I knew Sess.  Can't even get the smiley's to to load.  :-)

Anyway, hopefully B-Rob will have a good year.  Or at least a half-a-year with the O's and the other half with ?????????

Here's the article from the O's website:  Hopefully you can rate this one  :-)

Months of speculation appeared to die on the vine Wednesday, when Baltimore executive Andy MacPhail said that he doesn't expect to complete a Brian Roberts trade by Opening Day. MacPhail, the team's president of baseball operations, said that the Orioles have had lengthy discussions with the Cubs, but haven't found a middle ground.

"We continue to talk," he said. "I think with each passing hour at this point, it's less and less likely. I just think it's less likely the further we get this close into it, the greater likelihood that we're going to start with what we have."

Roberts, a two-time All-Star, is regarded as one of Baltimore's best trade chips. The Orioles see him as one of their most productive position players and one of the prime candidates to bring back prospects in their rebuilding movement, and rumors have surrounded his status since December's Winter Meetings.

Chicago has been hot in pursuit of Roberts, and published reports have indicated that they'd be willing to part with prospects like Sean Gallagher, Eric Patterson and Ronny Cedeno.

MacPhail, who has already traded veterans Miguel Tejada and Erik Bedard, said that he'd hoped to have any trade done by Opening Day and that things become problematic once the regular season starts.

"I don't really like to characterize our discussions with other clubs. I'll leave that to someone else," he said. "I've mentioned to Brian that I think it's unlikely that something happens as well."

Baltimore manager Dave Trembley has consistently said that he can't imagine his batting order without Roberts, a switch-hitting fixture at the top of the lineup. However, he's also said that he'll do whatever he needs to do.

The thing is, for the Orioles, Brian Roberts may not become more valuable.  As the remaining time on his deal lessens, so may his trade value.  Now, if MacPhail felt he was not getting value, he maybe is doing the correct thing.  But, what if there is no market at the trade deadline for Roberts?  Now you are looking at a waiver deal or an off season deal with 1 year remaining.  It can go either way, but MacPhail is gambling that he can beat the Cubs offer.  Add that to the fact that Roberts is not particularly happy to be on a team that is rebuilding as he nears the end of his prime and MacPhail's gamble increases. 

The fact that Roberts is a 2 time all-star is not what he is trading, at least not with the Cubs.  What he is trading is one of a handful of true leadoff hitters.  That was where Roberts value lied for the Cubs.  DeRosa is fine at 2B, but now the Cubs have to bat Theriot and perhaps Reed Johnson (when he subs for Pie) at leadoff.

As far as what the Cubs were offering, it was all rumors.  Hendry reveals he was not sure what the O's wanted.  Ceda may have or may not have been added.  Gallagher or Marshall or both?  Colvin?  Cedeno?  Murton?  Pie?  The rumors have been all ove