Roberts deal dead?

After all the talk about Brian Roberts being traded to the Chicago Cubs over the last few months, it's not being reported that the deal is dead.

Baltimore Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, "we worked at it this long, and we don't have a deal."

Cubs fans were looking forward to this deal going down, bringing a legit 2nd baseman and leadoff threat to their lineup would have made their offense that much better. Now that the deal seems to be dead, the question becomes, are the Cubs now looking elsewhere or are they content to go with what they have for the time being?

Orioles interested in Mark Loretta

According to the Baltimore Sun, the Baltimore Orioles apparently have interest in veteran 2nd baseman Mark Loretta, so much so that the 2 teams could be talking about a trade. The Astros sent a scout to watch the Orioles during their spring training game this afternoon.

The reason this is significant is, it could mean that the Orioles could be close to a deal to send their 2nd baseman, Brian Roberts, packing and it could be to the Chicago Cubs, who have coveted Roberts for the past few months.

Will Roberts follow Bedard, Tejada out the door?

With Erik Bedard, seemingly, a Seattle Mariner pending him taking a physical in Seattle and with Tejada now in Houston as an Astro, will Brian Roberts be the next one to go?

According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles should try to get the best deal possible for the 2nd baseman. Only one problem, owner Peter Angelos has been reluctant to approve any deal involving Roberts. There was a rumored deal, last month, that was vetoed by Angelos that would have sent both Roberts and Erik Bedard to the Chicago Cubs.

Ken Rosenthal had a tid-bit about a Roberts deal yesterday afternoon, saying the Cubs and Orioles have had talks, though infrequently, over the last month but that the Orioles are asking for Felix Pie who the Cubs will not entertain moving.

Padres have interest in Cubs' Murton

According to Ken Rosenthal, the San Diego Padres apparently have interest in Cubs' outfielder Matt Murton.

The Cubs, however, may be reluctant to deal Murton to San Diego, especially if they use him to land Orioles' 2nd baseman Brian Roberts.

Angelos killed Roberts/Bedard deal?

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Orioles' owner Peter Angelos killed a deal between the Cubs and Orioles, a reported 7-for-2 deal.

The trade would have sent 2nd baseman Brian Roberts and left-hander Erik Bedard to Chicago for 7 minor league prospects.

Another source says that there was no such deal and says there were no serious discussions between the two teams. It's well known that Roberts is a favorite of Angelos' and has been reluctant to trade him.

Orioles' Roberts admits HGH use

Orioles 2nd baseman, Brian Roberts after having his name show up in the Mitchell Report, admitted to using HGH during the 2003 season, but says he only used it once.

In a statement, made by Roberts himself, he said "In 2003, when I took one shot of steroids, I immediately realized that this was not what I stood for or anything that I wanted to continue doing. I never used steroids, human growth hormone or any other performance-enhancing drugs prior to or since that single incident."

He finished by saying "I know that by being a professional athlete, I am held to a very high standard. I never have and never will take that for granted. However, I am also human and I have made mistakes."

Brian Roberts Update

12.5.07 7:50pm PST

According to Amy Nelson of ESPN, the Cubs will not include Rich Hill in any deal for 2nd baseman Brian Roberts. However, Sean Marshall, Sean Gallagher, Felix Pie and Donnie Veal could be names the Cubs may include.

12.5.07 6:57pm PST

According to ESPN's Steve Phillips, there's a rumor floating that the Cubs could be sending Rich Hill and Sean Marshall to Baltimore for 2nd baseman Brian Roberts.

Cubs, Orioles discussing Brian Roberts

According to ESPN's Steve Phillips, there's a rumor floating that the Cubs could be sending Rich Hill and Sean Marshall to Baltimore for 2nd baseman Brian Roberts.