What has Tillman done in the majors?No, I would value Schoop over Hammel. (Age, years of control.)
Positive evaluations on these 4, all come after '09.
In '10, Matusz had a 4.30 era in 175ip. He was awesome down the stretch. After his lost year last year, there have been some positives this year (as disappointing as his last 5-6 ML starts were). Obviously fastball command is a huge issue, and I have doubts about him ever reaching the ceiling of being a #2 starter, that many thought he could be. I do think he can be a productive starter in Baltimore.
In '10, Arrieta was 6-2, with a 1.85 era at AAA. In '11, he won 10 games in the Majors, despite the bone-spur. His stuff improved this year, and I believe compares to just about anyone. His stuff is so good, that I believe he could be AJ Burnett. His fastball command (and willingness to attack hitters) is so poor, that I don't know if he ever makes it as a starter. I think as a reliever, pitching an inning or two at a time, he gets past the mental implosions that became typical this year. I would like to see him earn another chance as a starter, but don't want to give up on his arm regardless.
In '10, Tillman was 11-7, with a 3.34 era at AAA. In '11, he was back in the Majors, trying to get by with an 87 mph fastball. In '12, he was solid at AAA (while rebuilding his mechanics), and has looked good in 2 of his 3 ML starts. He has shown a return of his velocity, with better movement. Now 24, he has 39 Major League games under his belt.
In '10, Britton was the O's Minor League POY. In '11, he was 11-11, with a 4.61 era in 154.1 ML innings. After looking horrible in July, he rebounded with a competitive August and September. The shoulder injury was scary, but he is back in the rotation and apparently healthy.
The 'poor results, increasing age, an inability to stay consistent and adjust,' tells part of the story and has to be evaluated.... but that only tells part of the story.
Productive ML starter is easier to find than above average second baseman.
If you feel Arrieta is ultimately a reliever, you would rather have that vs a potential 4+ WAR second baseman?
We have very little positional talent and second base is becoming a huge need.