Baltimore Orioles Thread: Orioles Magic

[Leftwich]

Per the update i got via text:

Orioles have locked up Dan Duquette and Buck Showalter through 2018.

I hope we get that World Series somewhere in there.

[Guest]

Per the update i got via text:

Orioles have locked up Dan Duquette and Buck Showalter through 2018.

I hope we get that World Series somewhere in there.

I figured they would do the announcement now and have Fan Fest be the time to have the presser. Great news for the fans. I will finally be breaking my boycott and be back to attending games this coming season as well.

[Guest]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8851287/baltimore-orioles-extend-dan-duquette-buck-showalter-contracts

And it's official. Let the Magic continue.

[Guest]

The talk about the Orioles’ interest in Diamondbacks outfielder Jason Kubel is again gaining steam, and executive vice president Dan Duquette will always inquire about a power bat like Kubel, who hit 30 homers last season and averaged 25 homers his past four full seasons.

But the Orioles won’t trade away a significant piece and assume Kubel’s contract unless they’re sold that the 30-year-old slugger will make them dramatically better in 2013.

And they’re not convinced.

Kubel’s name previously came up during the winter meetings, but the teams couldn’t find a fit then. The Diamondbacks’ demands might have come down since they’re really looking to move either Kubel or outfielder Justin Upton, but the Orioles still feel that Kubel’s trade price is more than they’re willing to give up.

Once the Orioles re-signed former Gold Glove outfielder Nate McLouth at the winter meetings, the acquisition of Kubel – who isn’t known for his defense – would mean that he’d see most of his at-bats as a designated hitter.

The Orioles already have a DH who hits right-handed pitching well in Wilson Betemit. And while Kubel’s power numbers are better, Betemit and Kubel have identical .268 batting averages and .334 on-base percentages for their careers.

Last season, Betemit and Kubel had identical offensive WARs (1.3). And Betemit even has a better carer average and on-base percentage against right-handed pitching (.281/.349) than Kubel (. 279/.343).

In some ways, the Orioles would be better served to obtain a DH candidate who hits left-handed pitching well. Duquette has trumpeted Danny Valencia, a career .316 hitter against left-handers, for that role but by no means does he have that job.

The Orioles would also have to make at least an $8.5 million commitment to Kubel. He makes $7.5 million next season and has a $7.5 million club option for 2014 with a $1 million buyout. Also, keep in mind that Duquette never inquired about Kubel last offseason when he was a free agent.

More than likely, this has more to do with the Diamondbacks than the Orioles, Arizona is determined to move either Kubel or Upton, and the Diamondbacks are making strong moves to gauge the trade value of both before making a move.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/o...tory?track=rss

Please no. If they spend the prospect and cash for Kubel, it makes just as much sense to sign Michael Bourn for a season, or go with another FA.

[Leftwich]

Camden Yards got some snow.

[Goober]

[Guest]

Time to start this back up gentlemen......or maybe it's just Lefty since I haven't seen Matt recently.

Looks like Johnson's cured whatever was getting to him over the past two weeks or so, or at the very least it looks like he's not forcing anything. Also nice to see another solid start from Gonzalez.

[Leftwich]

Before this season is over, it's gonna be a 5 team race for the top spot in the AL East. I imagine both wildcards are gonna come from this division, leaving 2 teams quite pissed off.

[Guest]

Before this season is over, it's gonna be a 5 team race for the top spot in the AL East. I imagine both wildcards are gonna come from this division, leaving 2 teams quite pissed off.

I think you mean four.....I can't see Toronto getting back into the race.

[strahanfan92]

You guys like for Dickerson to continue to get more ABs? Got him in the AL only league and love his swing.

[Guest]

You guys like for Dickerson to continue to get more ABs? Got him in the AL only league and love his swing.

Oh yeah, I really want them to use him more at DH than anyone else, at least right now with the hot bat. I don't know why he hasn't gotten more. I was at the Yankees game where he knocked two homers and I was behind home plate, and they got off so fast it was hard to track.

[Leftwich]

I think you mean four.....I can't see Toronto getting back into the race.

No i think after the ASB the Blue Jays are gonna string together a few streaks and by mid September they'll sneak their way into the playoff hunt.

[Guest]

No i think after the ASB the Blue Jays are gonna string together a few streaks and by mid September they'll sneak their way into the playoff hunt.

Their starters have to pitch up to their potential. That was their weak link coming into the season I thought, and so far they've proved me right.

[Guest]

God damn, Strop is awful. Start giving his innings to even McFarland. Those were the most boos from a half-full stadium I've heard in forever.

It also can't be that hard to replace Teagarden with someone who can at least hit the Mendoza line. Same with Flaherty.

[Guest]

3 of 4 taken from the Sox, excellent work for this series. Another very good start from Gonzalez as well.