94 replies to this topic

[BSLBobPhelan]

Roch Kubatko ‏@masnRoch

#orioles announce they claimed alexi casilla off waivers from twins

[FlavaDave10]

http://www.mlbtrader...xi-casilla.html

I like it. Cheap upgrade over Andino, he can steal bases, and from what I've seen (SSS), he's a very good fielder.

[ravens8589]

I personally don't know very much about Casilla. I love baseball but knowing the ins and outs of football is my thing. I do not he plays solid defense but I need someone to tell me more about him.

[ravens8589]

Okay, I read something on him and this is a prototypical DD move. Cheap and has something to prove coming over to Baltimore.I like it.

[FlavaDave10]

Okay, I read something on him and this is a prototypical DD move. Cheap and has something to prove coming over to Baltimore.I like it.

From MLB Trade Rumors:

Casilla had been a non-tender candidate in Minnesota since he projects to earn $1.8MM following a disappointing season. The 28-year-old hit .241/.282/.321 in 326 plate appearances in 2012.

[Tucker Blair]

I think he is a better fielder than Andino. If anything, it provides more competition for the position in Spring Training.
He is a player I have always liked, and I cannot give you a good reason why.

[BSLBobPhelan]

I like it. Hes a better option than Andino and hopefully he plays more like 2008, 2010, and 2011 than 2009 and 2012. Switch hitter with speed and defense, he can play second until Schoop is ready.

[Russ]

He's a backup 2B who may be marginally better defensively than Andino. Depth move. If he's starting, I'm disappointed.

[FlavaDave10]

I think he is a better fielder than Andino. If anything, it provides more competition for the position in Spring Training.
He is a player I have always liked, and I cannot give you a good reason why.

I think this means no more Andino in Baltimore. Robert Andino.... YOU'REEEEEEEEEEEEEE FIREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

E3MJYF6S4zQ

[SammyBirdland]

If Cesar Izturis could steal bases, he'd be Alexi Casilla.

[DJ MC]

He's Cesar Izturis, plus some speed, minus some defense. I'm not a fan.

[FlavaDave10]

He's a backup 2B who may be marginally better defensively than Andino. Depth move. If he's starting, I'm disappointed.

May be marginally better? Try "certainly remarkably better". Per @EddieInTheYard:

Alexi Casilla led the AL in range factor per nine innings for 2B (5.33).

[Russ]

May be marginally better? Try "certainly remarkably better". Per @EddieInTheYard:

The guy who invented range factor says range factor sucks.

[Tucker Blair]

I have watched quite a bit of Casilla since I randomly follow the twins closely.

He can be frustrating at times, but the defensive ability is legitimate and he makes some really beautiful plays.
The bat has much more pop than Cesar Izturis, but he is a gap to gap hitter.
I would rate him marginally better with the bat than what they already have, but the defense is definitely an upgrade.

again, it is hard for me to say anything negative about the claim, since it essentially was for free (besides paying his salary). He adds competition, and if he sucks...They can DFA him.

[FlavaDave10]

The guy who invented range factor says range factor sucks.

Would you care to show me anything that would suggest that Casilla isn't better defensively than Andino?

[Russ]

I have watched quite a bit of Casilla since I randomly follow the twins closely.

He can be frustrating at times, but the defensive ability is legitimate and he makes some really beautiful plays.
The bat has much more pop than Cesar Izturis, but he is a gap to gap hitter.
I would rate him marginally better with the bat than what they already have, but the defense is definitely an upgrade.

again, it is hard for me to say anything negative about the claim, since it essentially was for free (besides paying his salary). He adds competition, and if he sucks...They can DFA him.

Sure, they can DFA him and get stuck with paying his projected $1.8M salary. Also, it says in the link that DD is not going to pursue other 2B options now and that is bad unless it is lip service.

[Russ]

Would you care to show me anything that would suggest that Casilla isn't better defensively than Andino?

He's better. He isn't that much better to warrant his $1.8m salary and crap bat.

[Tucker Blair]

Sure, they can DFA him and get stuck with paying his projected $1.8M salary. Also, it says in the link that DD is not going to pursue other 2B options now and that is bad unless it is lip service.

That's not really a huge deal. They gave Endy Chavez $1.5M last year. Whats the difference?
I think it's relatively obvious that they are not pursuing anyone else since they clearly have proven over the past 2 years that they will wait out this Roberts contract. Unfortunately, it means they will not truly upgrade the position.

[Russ]

Casilla shouldn't be starting for a contender. I hate black holes in the lineup. If DD wants to make him the UIF that's fine but I don't want to see him penciled in the 9 spot every day. Rather see Flaherty and use Casilla as a late inning defensive replacement.

[JeremyStrain]

I think he is a better fielder than Andino. If anything, it provides more competition for the position in Spring Training.
He is a player I have always liked, and I cannot give you a good reason why.

Dead on. It's a battle between him and andino for utl guy and I bet you can guess who has the lead.