NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- For the second consecutive winter meetings, the Orioles are involved in serious trade talks involving second baseman Brian Roberts.
This time, it's the Chicago Cubs, a frequent trade partner of the Orioles and a team that needs a left-handed hitter, who are aggressively pursuing Roberts, according to several team sources. As of last night, no deal appeared imminent and one club source said he believed the winter meetings would end this morning without the Orioles having dealt any of their players, including Roberts, shortstop Miguel Tejada or ace left-hander Erik Bedard.
Although no specifics have been revealed, one baseball source said the Cubs have put a "significant" offer on the table that would include a starting pitcher for Roberts, the Orioles' lone All-Star in 2007.
One player in the proposal is believed to be right-handed pitcher Sean Gallagher, who entered last season as the Cubs' fifth-ranked prospect, according to Baseball America. Gallagher, 21, pitched primarily in Double-A during the 2007 season, going 7-2 with a 3.39 ERA in 11 starts. He made eight appearances in relief for the Cubs, allowing 14 earned runs in 14 2/3 innings.
It's likely the second player in the deal would be a position player, although the Cubs' top prospect, outfielder Felix Pie, is not being offered, according to a team source. One possibility is outfielder Matt Murton, 26, who hit .281 last year with eight home runs and 22 RBIs in 235 at-bats.
Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail wouldn't discuss specifics of the possible deal but reiterated he is willing to listen to offers for any of his players, including Roberts, generally viewed as the face of the club.
An admirer of Roberts' play on the field and his charitable work off it, owner Peter Angelos nixed a deal last year that would have sent Roberts and pitching prospect Hayden Penn to the Atlanta Braves for first baseman Adam LaRoche and second baseman Marcus Giles.
When asked about the possibility of moving Roberts, MacPhail said: "It's what we have said all along. We don't feel that we are in a position where we can rule anyone out. So if someone wants to talk, we listen. And we do what we feel is in the organization's best interests."
MacPhail said early last night that he felt significant trade conversations with different clubs had brought the Orioles closer to a couple of deals, but he didn't seem optimistic about announcing one before club officials depart Nashville after this morning's Rule 5 draft.
