Baltimore Orioles Thread: Orioles Magic

[BazookaJoe5]

I think starting Saunders when he has such a terrible record in Texas is a terrible decision. Fully aware that Steve Johnson is a rookie who has started all of four games but I'd take the unknown over the known in this situation. Saunders is 3-7 with a 6.48 ERA all time against Texas, and as I mentioned earlier, actually worse, 0-6 with a 9.38 ERA in Arlington. For a guy who plays the numbers as much as Buck, this is an extremely puzzling decision.

I second guessed wasting Tillman last night, was pretty much on the money with that one, hopefully I'm wrong about this.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

I think starting Saunders when he has such a terrible record in Texas is a terrible decision. Fully aware that Steve Johnson is a rookie who has started all of four games but I'd take the unknown over the known in this situation. Saunders is 3-7 with a 6.48 ERA all time against Texas, and as I mentioned earlier, actually worse, 0-6 with a 9.38 ERA in Arlington. For a guy who plays the numbers as much as Buck, this is an extremely puzzling decision.

I second guessed wasting Tillman last night, was pretty much on the money with that one, hopefully I'm wrong about this.

Yeah, Tillman should have waited, though I can understand he would have plus rest. Like I said, it's a one-off game, so Buck can afford to use the bullpen as early as he wants to.

 

[Price]

At least the O's have a solid bullpen if help is needed. I think Joe will go 4 innings and give up a few runs.

 

[wingsfan77]

They woulda played a 1 game playoff anyway

Oh, for some reason I thought that they had the first wild card spot.

 

[BazookaJoe5]

Never been so happy to be wrong. I guess that is why Buck turned a perennial loser into a playoff team and I've just been sitting around bitching the past 15 years. Have to like how they are set up now.

 

[BazookaJoe5]

 

[Slateman]

Time to rock the Yankees

 

[NAHSTE]

Gentlemen ...

I AM SO. DAMN. PROUD.

Once more, lads. Congratulations, enjoy your two home games. Camden gonna rocking.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Weird to see Buck actually break his famous stare at the end of the game.

Also, did we really end Josh Hamilton's career with the Rangers on a strikeout by Brian Matusz? Tell me anyone would've thought of that one, either.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Were they serious? That is utterly embarrassing.

 

[EmpireWF]

 

[Villain]

I want to give Buck a :hugitout:

 

[BazookaJoe5]

So what do we need for next year?

I think the pitching is set, Bundy will be here permanently next year, and with Hammel, Gonzalez, Chen, Tillman, perhaps Saunders, etc, they aren't lacking quality SP candidates. The bullpen should continue to be strong.

Do they try to move Hardy and shift Machado over to SS? If they do that, who takes over at 3B?

I like a Mclouth, Jones, Markakis outfield. I really, really hope they keep Mclouth, that guy is the kind of player you want on your team.

Davis at DH, Wieters catching are givens.

Will they keep Reynolds?

What will they do at 2B, do they go into another year hoping that Roberts can stay healthy, or do they finally end the Roberts era at 2B? Andino and Flaherty played well, but obviously can not be looked at as the "everyday" 2B going into next year.

I'm not real impressed with the free agent market, based on lists I've looked at. Guessing the best chances to improve will come from within the organization, but not sure what kind of potential impact position players are left in the minors.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

So what do we need for next year?

I think the pitching is set, Bundy will be here permanently next year, and with Hammel, Gonzalez, Chen, Tillman, perhaps Saunders, etc, they aren't lacking quality SP candidates. The bullpen should continue to be strong.

Do they try to move Hardy and shift Machado over to SS? If they do that, who takes over at 3B?

I like a Mclouth, Jones, Markakis outfield. I really, really hope they keep Mclouth, that guy is the kind of player you want on your team.

Davis at DH, Wieters catching are givens.

Will they keep Reynolds?

What will they do at 2B, do they go into another year hoping that Roberts can stay healthy, or do they finally end the Roberts era at 2B? Andino and Flaherty played well, but obviously can not be looked at as the "everyday" 2B going into next year.

I'm not real impressed with the free agent market, based on lists I've looked at. Guessing the best chances to improve will come from within the organization, but not sure what kind of potential impact position players are left in the minors.

I don't think Bundy should be here to start the season. Let him continue to progress through the minors as a starter, especially if guys like O'Day and Ayala will be coming back. No need to have him as a reliever.

I would sign Saunders to a three year extension. The Orioles need an ace, but with the depth they have with Saunders there, having an ace isn't the worst thing. I think Greinke would get lit up coming to Baltimore, and the Orioles still don't have the pieces to pull off a trade for a pitcher. An interesting thought would be Tim Lincecum if they felt they could take a risk, but I'm not sure I would do it.

Keeping McLouth is a must. Guy has some talent and seemed like he was putting it together. We don't make it to Game 5 without him. An outfield with him, Jones and Markakis is one of the best in the league overall.

Second base has to be decided. Flaherty and Andino are good bench guys, but should not be starting. Second is also one of the hardest positions to fill, and I will be trying to follow Schoop in the Arizona Fall League to see how he progresses. It might have to be a hole for another season to be honest.

I would keep Reynolds as well. Moving him from first to third was a good move. Reynolds has a sure glove, but has below-average range at third. Moving him to first was the best decision they could do. I doubt we get more than the return we gave to the Diamondbacks, and I'm not liking the other options in the FA market as far as cost goes.

Rounding out the infield, I think Hardy has more value than his performance this season, and I'd hope for a rebound with him and keep Machado at third for another season.

 

[Leftwich]

So what do we need for next year?

I think the pitching is set, Bundy will be here permanently next year, and with Hammel, Gonzalez, Chen, Tillman, perhaps Saunders, etc, they aren't lacking quality SP candidates. The bullpen should continue to be strong.

Do they try to move Hardy and shift Machado over to SS? If they do that, who takes over at 3B?

I like a Mclouth, Jones, Markakis outfield. I really, really hope they keep Mclouth, that guy is the kind of player you want on your team.

Davis at DH, Wieters catching are givens.

Will they keep Reynolds?

What will they do at 2B, do they go into another year hoping that Roberts can stay healthy, or do they finally end the Roberts era at 2B? Andino and Flaherty played well, but obviously can not be looked at as the "everyday" 2B going into next year.

I'm not real impressed with the free agent market, based on lists I've looked at. Guessing the best chances to improve will come from within the organization, but not sure what kind of potential impact position players are left in the minors.

We need to go after a starter, i agree with thomas about letting Bundy stay down in the minors for a little while longer to really make sure he's ready. Also included in this i think that Kevin Gausman will speed through the minors. I'm not sure if we'll see him next year but i think he'll only spend next year in the minors.

I think we trade Hardy and try to get a nice return for him. His bat was down this past year but his defense was insane. I'm not sure what we could get in return for him, maybe a few prospects to build up the farm system.

I would really enjoy seeing Nate the Great back next year. Brought a good bat and played stellar defense. I think we can get him cheap too.

I'd like to see play some time at first next year. He really brought a great bat this season and i think he'll only get better. As of right now he is my favorite Oriole. Wieters is a no brainer at Catcher too.

I am neither for or against keeping Reynolds. Don't really care either way. He does have a great glove at first though.

I think we really need to do something about second. Roberts can't stay healthy. Jonathan Schoop will get a look in spring training. Although Schoop's bat was terrible last year but he does play good defense. Not sure if he'd be an upgrade over Andino or Flaherty for the 2013 season. So really i think we should definately look elsewhere via trade because the free agent class sucks.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Just read that Reynolds has an option for $11 million. That doesn't bode well for trading him, and I think the Orioles will either look to decline that option and hopefully negotiate some sort of extension at a lower annual amount (like the Carlos Quinten extension this summer) or just let him walk.

 

[BazookaJoe5]

I will comment on your guys posts in a little bit, but wanted to say that Buck was "Honorary Captain" at the Ravens game today, and he got the loudest cheer I've ever heard there...as a season ticket holder for ten years. It was a cool moment.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Luis Ayala's option was picked up, and I thought that was a good move. The Orioles also declined Mark Reynolds' $11 million option, but could bring him back at a lower amount, which I am OK with. The market for 1B will be thin, and I think putting him back there could be the best move the Orioles could make, all things considered.

Rick Peterson also has permission to interview with Boston for their pitching coach vacancy, but that was reported almost a week ago so I am pretty sure nothing has come of it yet. I really like the work he did along with Chris Correnti, and hope they are both working with the Orioles prospects for years to come.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

I like the addition of Alexei Casilla off waivers from the Twins. That gives us a good glove to put at second base, and while he's not that great of a hitter, he is much better than what was sent out there last season. Casilla also has flexibility to play elsewhere if needed, and is a good base-stealer, which is needed as well.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Hearing there is early interest in Jonny Gomes to fill a spot against left-handed hitting and to platoon at DH for that same reason. Could also play some in left and get time at first.

Given the Blue Jays trade that upped the ante in the AL East, what do you guys think our O's need to do to keep pace this off-season?