58 replies to this topic

[Mackus]

We still don't have a second baseman. Brian Roberts can be a possible DH. Signing some one like Kelly Johnson, who at least hit 20 home runs in 2010-11 to start at second would sure up the infield.

I don't think it's really reasonable to expect that Roberts is healthy and effective enough to hit well enough to be the everyday DH but not capable of playing 2B well enough to be able to be trusted in the field.

He's either your everyday, or close to it, 2B or he's not on the roster. I don't really think there is an in-between option with Roberts. I also think that if he can't continue to play (which I think is the likely result), that they try a patchwork approach at 2B between Casilla and Flaherty rather than go out and bring in another guy for the position, at least before the season starts.

[bmoreb]

It's a shame to patchwork a position when there our other options. But I do believe your right.

[McNulty]

I think his problems are really overblown, although that remains to be seen I guess. Who knows if he has been humbled by the past problems or if they are still evident, but I highly doubt he is going to cost much.

http://www.nydailyne... ... -1.1070122

This isn't overblown. World class douche.

[SportsGuy]

http://www.mlbtrader... ... -help.html

Why are you thinking about relief help? You have nowhere to go with it.

They still must be thinking trades.

Really wish we would deal Johnson for Porcello...then, if you want, sign Lindstrom or Frasor. Then, you can trade another arm for an area of need.

[dpsmith22]

Saunders is going to get killed in the AL East. if you remember, he was hot in Arizona when we got him. When reality strikes, he will get bombed. I would prefer to see Arrieta get bombed, then pay Saunders.

I agree with Sports Guy, if we are going to upgrade, then upgrade, not just another place holder. I do not believe for a second, that Saunders will outpitch our front 4 and likely not Britton.

Marcum, although an injury risk, is a better option.

[SammyBirdland]

I definitely can't wait for Fan Fest. Hopefully they will give us some insight into what in the heck they are thinking. It seems like we're wasting any momentum we gained last season.

But, then again, I underestimated last season's team, so what do I know?

[SportsGuy]

Rosenthal sent out a tweet that Saunders wants 3 years.

Does this mean that he has already been offered 2 years? I would think so.

[clapdiddy]

Rosenthal sent out a tweet that Saunders wants 3 years.

Does this mean that he has already been offered 2 years? I would think so.

Wow...three years seems like a lot for a #4 starter. I don't think DD is going to go that far with him. I'm guessing he's got a 1-year deal with an option on the table to Saunders.

[Mackus]

Wow...three years seems like a lot for a #4 starter. I don't think DD is going to go that far with him. I'm guessing he's got a 1-year deal with an option on the table to Saunders.

I agree. The only way you can go to two years for Saunders is if literally every other acceptable mediocre FA SP is also getting two years. We already saw Brett Myers take a one-year deal, so that isn't the case. If you can get any other Saunders-esque starter on a one-year deal, you make that move over going to two years for Saunders.

Three years for Saunders is obviously right out of the question.

[bnickle]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/01/orioles-could-add-relief-help.html

Why are you thinking about relief help? You have nowhere to go with it.

They still must be thinking trades.

Really wish we would deal Johnson for Porcello...then, if you want, sign Lindstrom or Frasor. Then, you can trade another arm for an area of need.

I think it's Strop or Hunter they would be looking to move. In addition to anyone of the "calvary". I still stick by my belief that at least one of Arritea, Tillman, Britton, Matusz are moved before OD.

[bnickle]

I think Saunders will get a 2 year deal.

[mweb08]

I think 3 of this group is likely to be about as good or better than Saunders: Tillman, Gonzalez, Britton, Bundy, Matusz. Wada factors in too and provides extra depth.

I'd like to see them take a flier on a guy or two and I am interested in trades involving pitching, but otherwise I'm content with the rotation.

[Mackus]

I think 3 of this group is likely to be about as good or better than Saunders: Tillman, Gonzalez, Britton, Bundy, Matusz. Wada factors in too and provides extra depth.

Sure, everyone in that group (except Wada, who I don't think will be a factor) has higher upside than Saunders.

But none of them are as likely as he is to last an entire year in the rotation.

You're not buying good performance when signing Saunders. You're buying stability. You know he can go out there and throw 190-200 innings at a 95 or so ERA+. maybe even a tad better. He's unlikely to be a guy that you have to remove from the rotation. There is also enough uncertainty in the rest of the rotation - injury concerns for all, performance concerns for all except perhaps Hammel and even he is no true lock - that even if we sign Saunders, Matusz, Britton, Arrieta, and Bundy will likely all get their chances to make some starts. There is so much nearly guaranteed turmoil amongst our group of pitchers that the guys who are on the outside looking in on Opening Day will still have ample opportunity. The cream will have a chance to rise to the top, even if we sign Saunders. Signing him just makes it that much less likely that we end up with some sort of an abhorrence in the #4 and #5 spots. I want to compete this year, so I'm willing to place a premium on adding some stability even if it doesn't hand a spot or even an open competition for a spot to some of our young pitchers with godawful resumes thus far.

That said, Saunders is essentially indistinguishable from a small handful of other veteran free agent starting pitchers who were available this offseason, or through trade. So go out and get the one guy who can be had for the most reasonable deal. It's not Saunders we need, it's a reasonably priced, reliable, mediocre #4 starting pitcher.

[mweb08]

Yes, I understand that Saunders is more predictable, but since he is pretty much known to be mediocre, I'm happy to save the money (of course it would be nice to see it used elsewhere) and roll the dice a little. I don't think it's that risky of a roll of the dice either since Tillman and Gonzalez showed a lot last year, Bundy is the best pitching prospect in baseball and is major league ready or just about, I still really like Britton (I know you don't), Johnson can be solid (I forgot him) and Matusz still has strong ability.

For the start of the season, it would likely come down to Saunders vs Britton and considering cost, upside, age/club control, and likely performance, I'd take Britton. Especially considering Bundy, Johnson, and Matusz will be available if he falters.

[bnickle]

I'm fine with paying for for medioce stability for a year. I think we need a veteran starter that we can expect to take the ball every 5th day and pitch 170 innings. It doesn;t necessarily need to be Saunders but thats who the o's seem to be locking in on right now. Listen, Gonzo, Tillman, Chen could all fall apart. Would it urprise you if any of them really struggle in '13?? Matusz, Britton, Arriteta all need to prove themselves and earnt their big league roster spot. I look at '13 as a contending year. No rolling the dice, no free rides. If you haven't proven yourself at the big league level to some degree you have to earn it. As Mackus said, there is going to be available spots at some point in the season. They will all get their chance back with the O's at some point but make them earn it.

[SportsGuy]

Yes, I understand that Saunders is more predictable, but since he is pretty much known to be mediocre, I'm happy to save the money (of course it would be nice to see it used elsewhere) and roll the dice a little. I don't think it's that risky of a roll of the dice either since Tillman and Gonzalez showed a lot last year, Bundy is the best pitching prospect in baseball and is major league ready or just about, I still really like Britton (I know you don't), Johnson can be solid (I forgot him) and Matusz still has strong ability.

For the start of the season, it would likely come down to Saunders vs Britton and considering cost, upside, age/club control, and likely performance, I'd take Britton. Especially considering Bundy, Johnson, and Matusz will be available if he falters.

Thank you Mike..for whatever reason, I continue to forget about Bundy and Gausman in all of this.

All the more reason to say no to Saunders.

[bnickle]

Thank you Mike..for whatever reason, I continue to forget about Bundy and Gausman in all of this.

All the more reason to say no to Saunders.

Even if they are pitching really well in the minors, Bundy and Gausman won;t be factors at the big league level until June at the earliest.

[SportsGuy]

Even if they are pitching really well in the minors, Bundy and Gausman won;t be factors at the big league level until June at the earliest.

Don't agree with that, at least in terms of Bundy. Bundy will need to be down until they can obtain the extra year of service time. At that point, he could be up. Now, we are probably only talking 3-4 weeks, so they could decide to avoid super 2 status...but I think if they are winning and need him, they will bring him up earlier and ignore that.

[mweb08]

Don't agree with that, at least in terms of Bundy. Bundy will need to be down until they can obtain the extra year of service time. At that point, he could be up. Now, we are probably only talking 3-4 weeks, so they could decide to avoid super 2 status...but I think if they are winning and need him, they will bring him up earlier and ignore that.

I agree that he's likely to be ready once the extra year is gained. The 5th starter would likely only be used 3-4 times during that stretch. Gausman may be someone that can come up sometime in the second half, but he's more of a wildcard. Wada is also a wildcard, just one with a lesser ceiling.