The trade talks between the Orioles and White Sox regarding excellent leadoff hitter Brian Roberts stalled over Baltimore's request for at least one player in addition to young starting pitcher Gavin Floyd. "They wanted Floyd plus,'' one person familiar with the talks said.
While the talks aren't necessarily considered dead, White Sox GM Ken Williams said to Chicago media outlets through a spokesman that he hasn't spoken to the Orioles since November. And one other person told SI.com that the chances for a deal were "pretty iffy,'' based on Baltimore's requests.
Roberts, who hit .296 with 107 runs scored and 40 stolen bases this past season, is liked by Williams, who seeks to improve the White Sox's team speed and would love a leadoff hitter. Roberts also has been a target of the Cubs for at least a year.
Roberts seemed pleased at the thought of a trade to the contending Cubs. However, he has long been a favorite of Orioles owner Peter Angelos, so the price tag has always been high. The young righthander Floyd showed promise last year, going 16-8 for Chicago.

Damaris Lewis
Brooklyn Decker

Comments (26) Add A Comment
The Orioles want more than Floyd? Are they nuts? No wonder they are so bad. Especially since Roberts would be a rent-a-player. Get real Baltimore!
jplmojo
Park Forest , IL
Total Comments (2)
The Orioles have NO CLUE.The GM probably had the deal done but their INSANE owner Peter Angelos. This organization will go NO where until he is gone.. From a Class organization to a Clown organization.... The Orioles are useless
Geeon
Patchogue , NY
Total Comments (126)
Roberts is going to the Yankees!
baseballbrain999
Total Comments (37)
Floyd can pitch! I'd think twice before trading him away, even for Roberts.
Beej
Minneapolis , MN
Total Comments (218)
Floyd can pitch! I'd think twice before trading him away...even for Roberts.
Beej
Minneapolis , MN
Total Comments (218)
There is absolutely no reason for the White Sox to make this deal and it doesn't fit Kenny Williams modus operandi. Why trade 4 years of Gavin Floyd for 1 year of Brian Roberts unless Roberts is going to make the difference between postseason success or not?
I suspect the real reason for the slowness of the deal is the lack of genuine interest by the White Sox who will probably be content with Lillibridge unless he's beaten out by Getz or Nix.
More likely, this is simply a rumor trying to see if the Cubs are still interested (by using the crosstown rivalry) or if they'll stick with Aaron Miles and/or Mike Fontenot at second base.
procrastinate…
Grayslake , IL
Total Comments (1)
Keep Floyd, young, talented pitching is more valuable than second basemen.
ChiSoxFan
Chicago , IL
Total Comments (2251)
Keep Floyd.
ChiSoxFan
Chicago , IL
Total Comments (2251)
darn site is messed up today.
ChiSoxFan
Chicago , IL
Total Comments (2251)
Who made up this rumor in the first place? Complete bull, the White Sox should be the one asking for more.
Javyha
Waukegan , IL
Total Comments (18)
Who made up this rumor anyways? It's the White Sox that should be asking for more.
Javyha
Waukegan , IL
Total Comments (18)
Brian Roberts is a proven All Star. Floyd had one good year and could go 5-15 next year. The Orioles need to trade Roberts if he will not sign and extension but they should get at least one proven pitcher and a prospect for him. They need to do this before July otherwise teams will know they can get him for less because the season is almost over and he will be a free agent. My thought is he will end up a cub by the end of the month.
5781cedonia
Pasadena , MD
Total Comments (1)
Andy spells his name McFail ... The Orioles can pound sand if they want more than Floyd.
stray human
Total Comments (1)
Floyd is much more valuable to any team unless you are loaded with pitching. The young man can pitch. Are the Orioles crazy?
Wheel
Newport , RI
Total Comments (81)
Gavin Floyd developed from a two pitch pitcher to a five pitch pitcher last year. Trading him away at this point would be foolish, especially for a rent a player when you have Floyd for four more years, without the risk of free agency because of time of service. Floyd showed that he was much more valuable to the White Sox than anything Philadelphia could have realized last year.
BallHawk
Crystal Lake , IL
Total Comments (2)
Gavin Floyd is a top of the rotation pitcher now that he has more than just a fastball and curveball. He also now has a splitter, slider and change-up. Brian Roberts for 1 year versus Gavin for 4 years is a no brainer. Williams would be an idiot for pulling this deal. Floyd has many years ahead of him(relatively inexpensive as well) and is only now coming into his arbitration eligible years. The young nucleus of the Sox rotation is really Floyd and Jon Danks. To make a move involving either you should be getting top of the line pitching as well as a quality fielder.
BallHawk
Crystal Lake , IL
Total Comments (2)
GM Andy McPhail is doing a wonderful job of rebuilding the O's flipping Tejado for Scott and pitching, Bedard for Jones and Tillman, etc....the problem is Angelos, he nixed a deal for Tejada two years ago that would have netted the O's Ervin Santana and Erik Aybar from the Angels! (idiot!) Regardless, McPhail knows what he is doing, it's Angelos holding onto his favorite player.
This deal would be huge for Baltimore with the opportunity it presents. Get a young, talented starter in Floyd for a player with one year left (though as Angelos has nixed deals for B-Rob, he would find a way to resign him, he is his favorite player.)
Plus if the O's trade the veteran for another great young arm, they could go out and sign Orlando Hudson to play 2nd base.
Gavin Floyd and Orlando Hudson or B-Rob?!?! Come on Angelos, allow McPhail to restore this franchise's respect, PLEASE!!!
blackL3DG3
Baltimore , MD
Total Comments (32)
GM Andy McPhail has done an amazing job or rebuilding the Orioles; Tejada (just before the Mitchell report) for Scott and pitching, Bedard for Jones, Sherril AND Tillman, etc....
For all of those pointing at McPhail, it's Angelos that is a problem, he nixed a deal for Tejada two years ago that would have got the Orioles Erik Aybar AND Ervin Santana and he is definitely the one holding back the Orioles from getting this deal done because B-Rob is his favorite player.
No, they don't need to trade Roberts because he's in a walk year, they need to trade him to get younger prospects and pithcing, this accomplishes both.
If the ChiSox indeed would give up Floyd for B-rob, straight up, the Orioles should have done this yesterday.
They would gain another talented young arm with top of rotation potential and could replace B-Rob adequately by signing free agent Orlando Hudson!
Floyd in the rotation and Hudson at 2nd over just B-Rob at 2nd, THIS IS A NO BRAINER IF THE DEAL TRULY EXISTS!
Angelos, please allow McPhail continue to work his magic, the city of Baltimore and the Orioles organization was once a proud franchise, even in the AL East! Let go of sentimental value and restore faith to this organization while the opportunity presents itself, PLEASE.
blackL3DG3
Baltimore , MD
Total Comments (32)
I hope it was McPhail that felt like they could do better than just Floyd for Roberts straight up and it isn't Angelos sticking his nose where it doesn't belong yet again. McPhail has worked wonders in the two trades he has put together so far so I trust him with the Roberts trade as well.
It's not like the Orioles are gonna compete this year, or likely even next year so is there that much difference between Floyd and the extra high draft pick we'll pick up in the offseason when Roberts inevitably signs elsewhere. Also keep in mind floyd has only had 1 good season, did most of his good work against the Twins, Indians, and Tigers, not exactly light it up offensive teams while struggling against the AL East.
micah211099
Chester , NY
Total Comments (497)
McPhail has worked wonders with his two trades so far so I have to say I trust him on this one, if its really McPhail who feels he can get more for Roberts. I really hope its not Angelos sticking his nose where it doesn't belong again.
That being said is there a ton of difference between a high comp draft pick should we sit on Roberts and he leaves during free agency and a young pitcher like Floyd? Floyd has only had 1 solid season, struggled against AL East teams, and had most of his real good starts against the Twins, Indians, and Tigers, not exactly light it up offenses. It's not like the O's need Floyd so they can compete this year or next year.
micah211099
Chester , NY
Total Comments (497)
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