75 replies to this topic

[dpsmith22]

It really appears to me that the O's and the Nats have a deal in place regarding Morse and Patton or Matsuz.

Reasons I believe this:

-I remember when the meetings started, DD said he had a deal in place, that he wouldn't sign yet.
-Rumor mill mentioning Morse being dealt IF Laroche re-signs.
-The O's doing basically nothing to fill their DH/1B gaping hole and offensive shortage.
-Nats needing a lefty out the pen and have let 3-4 FA lefties go by, Howell being the latest.
-DD's comments about only trading one pitcher from his group of potentials. One could look into that to think that is why he said only 1 starter could be dealt, because he knows Matsuz would already be gone.

I know its all speculation, but these are things we have seen, that point me to my theory.

[LanceRinker]

If that is the case, which I believe is very likely knowing the way that DD and Rizzo operate, then I'd be alright with that. Although I'd prefer Patton to be the player dealt in exchange for Morse.

[RichardZ]

I do think a case can be made that the O's are waiting for LaRoche to sign and are interested in Morse. I'm not as sure that they have a deal in place, but if they do, would much rather it be Patton than Matusz. I've changed my postion on not wanting Morse to thinking he would be a good pickup. BTW, you could also factor in the Rule 5 pickup of the LH T.J. McFarland into your theory.

[SammyBirdland]

I do think a case can be made that the O's are waiting for LaRoche to sign and are interested in Morse. I'm not as sure that they have a deal in place, but if they do, would much rather it be Patton than Matusz. I've changed my postion on not wanting Morse to thinking he would be a good pickup. BTW, you could also factor in the Rule 5 pickup of the LH T.J. McFarland into your theory.

I agree 100%. If we could get Morse for Patton, I think that's a steal.

[mweb08]

Morse can definitely hit and he fits the team needs well as a good righty bat who can mix in at DH and 1B. I am curious as to why he stopped taking walks last year, though. Only 3.6% walk rate which is awful.

[bmoreb]

I definitely like Morse, I don't necessarily see a gaping hole at first. Morse does seem willing to play several positions but needs to play nearly everyday somehow. If we could get him and Davis playing full time the middle of the line up would be set.

[JeffLong]

I'm not sold on Morse. He's pretty bad in the field, so he'd have to be a DH only. I'd rather work out a platoon with Betemit and someone not named Valencia.

Morse has to walk to have real value IMO.

[JTrea81]

I think the Morse thing is writers wanting to put a player on a certain team.

There's a reason the Nationals would want to trade Morse, as he doesn't walk much and hasn't for his entire career in the minors and majors, had a low P/PA last season and he strikes out a ton. His OBP is completely dependent on his BA.

Couple that with him not being good in the field and you have a one-dimensional DH, which is what we are trying to avoid.

[Mr. Oriole]

This really makes very little sense. It would be like trading Reynolds and Matusz/Patton for Mike Morse. How does that benefit the team? You would think that one of the statheads over the the warehouse would knock on DD's door and remind him that it isn't all about batting average.

[SportsGuy]

This really makes very little sense. It would be like trading Reynolds and Matusz/Patton for Mike Morse. How does that benefit the team? You would think that one of the statheads over the the warehouse would knock on DD's door and remind him that it isn't all about batting average.

Morse is pretty clearly a better offensive player than Reynolds.

I wouldn't deal Matusz for him but would deal Patton.

[dpsmith22]

This really makes very little sense. It would be like trading Reynolds and Matusz/Patton for Mike Morse. How does that benefit the team? You would think that one of the statheads over the the warehouse would knock on DD's door and remind him that it isn't all about batting average.

If the O's acquired Kubel I would agree with you. I clearly think Morse is better offensively than Reynolds and can play a little outfield.

[dpsmith22]

I do think a case can be made that the O's are waiting for LaRoche to sign and are interested in Morse. I'm not as sure that they have a deal in place, but if they do, would much rather it be Patton than Matusz. I've changed my postion on not wanting Morse to thinking he would be a good pickup. BTW, you could also factor in the Rule 5 pickup of the LH T.J. McFarland into your theory.

Good point.

I agree with many of you in my hope that it's for Patton.

I still have hope that Matusz could be a solid big league starter and really think it's a waste of a 1st rounder to be a specialist. But, if it is, it is I guess, but it will disappointing.

[tennOsfan]

I don't think he is worth Matusz, that awesome 2011 notwithstanding. Morse just passed 30 and has limited defensive worth so I just can't see giving up a talented yet flawed lefty.

I don't think Patton is near enough.

[Art Wing]

Morse is pretty clearly a better offensive player than Reynolds.

I wouldn't deal Matusz for him but would deal Patton.

Matusz has had almost no success getting righties out in the majors. I really think he's a MRP or LOOGY at best. I've given up on him as a starter.

Patton has pretty much equal value in my opinion and has been worth more rWAR (even with his injury) for the duration of his career than Matusz. I think a lot of people let his draft status outweigh who Matusz really is. I would gladly trade either one of them for Morse and never look back.

[Art Wing]

I think the Morse thing is writers wanting to put a player on a certain team.

There's a reason the Nationals would want to trade Morse, as he doesn't walk much and hasn't for his entire career in the minors and majors, had a low P/PA last season and he strikes out a ton. His OBP is completely dependent on his BA.

Couple that with him not being good in the field and you have a one-dimensional DH, which is what we are trying to avoid.

Glad to see you're still posting Trea.

[Tucker Blair]

Not drawing walks does not mean a guy isn't that valuable. Adam Jones didn't have 5.0% BB the last 3 years, and I am sure most would agree he is mighty valuable to the club. Morse had a higher BB% the past 2 years before last year anyways. Unless you expect him to significantly drop off in production, he would be a solid bat for the Orioles next season.

Depending on the price, Morse would be a fine pickup for me. Patton is absolutely expendable.
Obviously his defense does suck but there is still value to the club and he can play LF/1B if needed.

[bnickle]

Yeah, I wouldn't go as far as to say Wash and baltimore have a deal in place pending Laroche signing but I think the O's clearly have their eyes on Morse and probably have had preliminary talks with Washington. He makes a ton of sense and yes the Nats and O's match up pretty well. I still am convinvced the O's make a trade for a strong RH bat. I do believe Morse is the best fit. Now, obviously they have to have backup plans should Laroche not sign with Wash or they can't finalize a deal but I think the reason they have held off on some secondary options is they are waiting to see if they can get Morse.

[SportsGuy]

Matusz has had almost no success getting righties out in the majors. I really think he's a MRP or LOOGY at best. I've given up on him as a starter.

Patton has pretty much equal value in my opinion and has been worth more rWAR (even with his injury) for the duration of his career than Matusz. I think a lot of people let his draft status outweigh who Matusz really is. I would gladly trade either one of them for Morse and never look back.

I haven't given on BMat as a starter, which is why I wouldn't deal him for Morse.

But, I would deal him for Smoak if the Orioles have determined that he is a reliever and a reliever only.

[Mike B]

I want to see one more year of Matusz. In his case, I am okay with selling too late at the risk of selling too early.

Does Jake get us Smoak??

[Moose Milligan]

Not drawing walks does not mean a guy isn't that valuable. Adam Jones didn't have 5.0% BB the last 3 years, and I am sure most would agree he is mighty valuable to the club. Morse had a higher BB% the past 2 years before last year anyways. Unless you expect him to significantly drop off in production, he would be a solid bat for the Orioles next season.

Depending on the price, Morse would be a fine pickup for me. Patton is absolutely expendable.
Obviously his defense does suck but there is still value to the club and he can play LF/1B if needed.

Yeah, but at least Jones provides something with his glove. I know that'll spawn a ginormous debate about how good of a defender Jones REALLY is, but I think he's alright. I wouldn't call him poor.

I'd be very "meh" on Morse if he was our pickup. The dude has some power though, I was at Nats park last year when he hit one of the biggest homers I've ever seen, a blast that reached up under the bar area in left-center.

But if Morse is the guy you get, why not just bring back Reynolds? Reynolds showed good defense around the bag last year and should have just as much power. Probably would walk just as much, if not more.