10 replies to this topic

[JeffLong]

I take a look at how the new economics of baseball have split teams into two distinct groups, and how one might move from being a Have Not to one of the lucky teams that will be a perennial contender.

http://baltimorespor...ball-economics/

[Mackus]

The Orioles are not a Have Not, IMO. They are a Will Not.

As in, Angelos does Have the money but Will Not spend it on the team. So we're stuck trying to act as if we're a small market team despite having a cash cow revenue stream that should allow us to spend in the upper third of baseball if not more. And the problem with acting like we are a small market team is that the team isn't really run in that way, spending medium-to-fairly-large-sized salaries on good but not great players while also not doing a great job at developing our own talent. It's gonna be tough to continue to compete on a short-term basis with Angelos continuing to keep the payroll artificially weighted down. Maybe if the developmental team makes more strides forward we can develop a more consistent stream of young talent and compete more consistently over the long haul, but even then it'll be frustrating if Angelos continues to dam up the revenue streams rather than let them flow to the team.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Interesting read Jeff, thanks.

OT: Certainly would be interesting to see a parallel universe where the O's hired Jerry Dipoto - comparing how he would have acted as the O's GM as opposed to his actions in LA.

[JeffLong]

Interesting read Jeff, thanks.

OT: Certainly would be interesting to see a parallel universe where the O's hired Jerry Dipoto - comparing how he would have acted as the O's GM as opposed to his actions in LA.

I think about this every single time I see the Angels make a move.

I have my opinions but would love to hear your (and everyone else's) thoughts on this.

[You Play to Win the Game]

I think there's reason to believe he'd make smart, shrewd trades and moves for the O's, with less salary... but he's got resources and mandates to spend in LAA, I believe... I liken him to a Cashman. He's got the dough to spend, but it doesn't automatically mean he's a bad GM (like some want to believe). He'd probably be better at Cashman on the Player Development/Scouting side though, IMO.

I'm curious as to what people think about TLC a year later, too. Duq's "go for it" by leaving no stone unturned philosophy netted us our first playoff appearance in 15 years, but he also seems to be incredibly risk averse (not willing to deal any talent unless he wins the deal, it appears). I have my doubts that TLC would have gotten us in the playoffs this year, as many folks questioned every little, "meaningless" move Duq made last year. But would folks still have TLC over Duq moving forward?

[SportsGuy]

The Orioles are not a Have Not, IMO. They are a Will Not.

As in, Angelos does Have the money but Will Not spend it on the team. So we're stuck trying to act as if we're a small market team despite having a cash cow revenue stream that should allow us to spend in the upper third of baseball if not more. And the problem with acting like we are a small market team is that the team isn't really run in that way, spending medium-to-fairly-large-sized salaries on good but not great players while also not doing a great job at developing our own talent. It's gonna be tough to continue to compete on a short-term basis with Angelos continuing to keep the payroll artificially weighted down. Maybe if the developmental team makes more strides forward we can develop a more consistent stream of young talent and compete more consistently over the long haul, but even then it'll be frustrating if Angelos continues to dam up the revenue streams rather than let them flow to the team.

Yep...This team CHOOSES not to spend...Its not that they can't.

The Orioles should be able to go all out in the draft and in international talent, spend on scouting, etc...and still have a 110-120M payroll.

[BSLChrisStoner]

I think about this every single time I see the Angels make a move.
I have my opinions but would love to hear your (and everyone else's) thoughts on this.

I think it is possible that Dipoto would have been more aggressive with Fielder, and Cespedes last year.
I think it is possible that the contract Hamilton signed with LA, could have been offered by him here.

Obviously Dipoto would have surrounded himself with a different cast of characters (Front Office, Player Development, Scouting staff) than Duquette has.

Would Dipoto have signed some of the 'depth' signings that Duquette has? Would have used the 40 man, and 25 man rosters like Duquette did this past year?

Would Dipoto have been as willing to let 2012 begin with much of the roster that had existed in '11? Allowing time for further evaluation, or would have been more tempted to make some larger trades?

Would have signed Jones to that extension?

Would he have traded for Hammel? Signed Chen?

How would he have handled the non-waiver deadline last year?

It would be unfair to say that Dipoto could not have adjusted to the differing financial realities (at-least reality in terms of willingness) of the O's position vs. LA... you just don't know either way with any real certainty.

Since the job varies from from team-to-team, my evaluation of Executives would tend to skew to whom they surround themselves with.




Getting back to the focus of your article, I think it is interesting to think about how all of the factors leading to the off-season we have seen from Toronto so far. (Potential vulnerability of both NY, and Boston. Toronto needing to produce results to get their fan-base back... thus spending money to make money... etc. etc.)

[Mackus]

I think about this every single time I see the Angels make a move.

I have my opinions but would love to hear your (and everyone else's) thoughts on this.

Unless DiPoto could concoct some sort of devious coup to overthrow Peter Angelos and replace him with an owner that will allow the Orioles to use some of the MASN money, there wouldn't be much difference. We'd probably be worse, honestly. Not many people would have made exactly the same set of moves Duquette made, and they almost all worked out great. So we wouldn't have signed any bigger FAs since Angelos wouldn't have allowed it and I don't think it's practical to think that anyone else could have pulled off a similar insanely productive series of minor moves like Duquette did and get us into the playoffs.

Angelos. Angelos is the problem. It's Angelos. People need to realize that and scream it from the rooftops. The next great day in Orioles history will be the day he's no longer the owner. Even if it's only a small chance that the next owner will actually spend the massive revenues that MASN is capable of earning on the team, that's a far greater chance than Angelos ever allowing it.

[JeremyStrain]

I think about this every single time I see the Angels make a move.

I have my opinions but would love to hear your (and everyone else's) thoughts on this.

Word is that DiPoto was against Hamilton, and Moreno made the move himself.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Word is that DiPoto was against Hamilton, and Moreno made the move himself.

Interesting, but not at all surprising. That's what I meant in my earlier post when I said that DiPoto was under mandates to spend. Must be nice.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Hardball Times: The myth of going for broke
http://www.hardballt...oing-for-broke/

Good article from HBT. Seemed like a fit here.