Hammel vs. Danks (LHP)

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Reimold gonna get the start in his first game back?

Gotta think they keep Valencia around for this series, with all the lefty starters.  My guess is Dickerson gets DFA'd, but hopefully can pass through waivers and kept in the organization.

DFA'ng Dickerson for Reimold would be a mistake IMO.

What's the other option? You can't just leave him on the DL.

DFA'ng Dickerson for Reimold would be a mistake IMO.

Why?  Players like Dickerson are pretty readily available if/when Reimold gets hurt again.  I'm not even convinced that we'd lose him if we try to pass him through waivers.

We don't need a backup CF since Nate can slide over if Jones needs a day off for some reason.  We don't need Dickerson's LH bat (not that he's been hitting lately anyways) with Roberts and Reimold back and Betemit getting closer.

Valencia fills a much more vital and unique role on the team than Dickerson does right now.

Why?  Players like Dickerson are pretty readily available if/when Reimold gets hurt again.  I'm not even convinced that we'd lose him if we try to pass him through waivers.

 

We don't need a backup CF since Nate can slide over if Jones needs a day off for some reason.  We don't need Dickerson's LH bat (not that he's been hitting lately anyways) with Roberts and Reimold back and Betemit getting closer.

 

Valencia fills a much more vital and unique role on the team than Dickerson does right now.

I don't really disagree about your take on Dickerson, but I do disagree with the last line above.

While you are right that Nate could slide over into Center, Dickerson's ability to play CF is just as vital/unique as Valencia's ability to hit LH pitching (when you factor in Reimold would be used to do the same).

With Roberts on the roster, Flaherty is also available to back-up 3rd just like Valencia.

I'm fine with either one (Dickerson, Valencia) being the move for Reimold.

I think Valencia against LHP is a role that nobody else on the bench really excels at.  Theoretically Reimold should be adequate at it, but he's been awful this year, so not sure he can be counted on.  And even if he can, he'll likely be in LF against most LHP, with Valencia at DH and Roberts at 2B.  Dickerson isn't someone you'd expect to get a start in any circumstance right now aside from filling in for Markakis or Jones due to an injury or off-day.  Valencia still will get fairly regular starts as the DH against LHP.

Valencia is hitless in his last 10 at bats, though, so perhaps he's entering a bit of a slide.  That would be the one solid justification right now to decide to option Valencia instead of DFAing Dickerson, IMO.  Otherwise, I think that Dickerson is a far more redundant player on the roster than Valencia right now.

I don't really disagree about your take on Dickerson, but I do disagree with the last line above.

 

While you are right that Nate could slide over into Center, Dickerson's ability to play CF is just as vital/unique as Valencia's ability to hit LH pitching (when you factor in Reimold would be used to do the same).

 

With Roberts on the roster, Flaherty is also available to back-up 3rd just like Valencia.

 

I'm fine with either one (Dickerson, Valencia) being the move for Reimold.

How is Dickerson's ability to play CF as vital/unique? Adam Jones is very durable, has few off-days. Reimold has shown an unability to stay healthy. If Reimold stays healthy/produce, I think Valencia becomes more expendable.

What's the other option? You can't just leave him on the DL.

Send Valencia down, who has an option.

Why?  Players like Dickerson are pretty readily available if/when Reimold gets hurt again.  I'm not even convinced that we'd lose him if we try to pass him through waivers.

 

We don't need a backup CF since Nate can slide over if Jones needs a day off for some reason.  We don't need Dickerson's LH bat (not that he's been hitting lately anyways) with Roberts and Reimold back and Betemit getting closer.

 

Valencia fills a much more vital and unique role on the team than Dickerson does right now.

Dickerson is a 4th OF. Reimold is a DH platoon. I'd rather have Dickerson as 4th OF and Valencia as the DH vs LHP than have Reimold as the LF/DH vs LHP. Reimold is the Arrieta of O's position players, he just keeps getting chance after chance without earning it.

I hate to interrupt discusing the Strop/Arrieta for Feldman discussion but here's tonights lineup...

Orioles
Nick Markakis RF
Manny Machado 3B
J.J. Hardy SS
Adam Jones CF
Chris Davis 1B
Matt Wieters C
Danny Valencia DH
Nolan Reimold LF
Brian Roberts 2B

Jason Hammel RHP

White Sox
Alejandro De Aza CF
Alexei Ramirez SS
Alex Rios RF
Adam Dunn 1B
Paul Konerko DH
Conor Gillaspie 3B
Dayan Viciedo LF
Gordon Beckham 2B
Tyler Flowers C

John Danks LHP

Back to your regularly scheduled trade discussion already in progress...

How is Dickerson's ability to play CF as vital/unique? Adam Jones is very durable, has few off-days. Reimold has shown an unability to stay healthy. If Reimold stays healthy/produce, I think Valencia becomes more expendable.

Dickerson's ability to play CF is more unique among the O's reserves, vs Valencia's ability to be a RH bat. Valencia will be off the roster Thursday IMO.

Nolan & B Rob both in the lineup...

hope they hired an extra trainer or two.

Nolan & B Rob both in the lineup...
 
hope they hired an extra trainer or two.

Excited to see Roberts tonight.Haven't seen him since he got back.

Excited to see Roberts tonight.Haven't seen him since he got back.

Dickerson's ability to play CF is more unique among the O's reserves, vs Valencia's ability to be a RH bat. Valencia will be off the roster Thursday IMO.

I just don't see it that way. I mean sure if AJ gets injured. I don't want to take anything for granted, but I don't get worried about hishealth like I do with others. I think the need for a RH bat is much bigger.

I just don't see it that way. I mean sure if AJ gets injured. I don't want to take anything for granted, but I don't get worried about hishealth like I do with others. I think the need for a RH bat is much bigger.

I agree with this.

I also think people with Dickerson's skill set are easier to find than people with Valencia's skill set, though we're not exactly talking about rare gems either way.

I agree with this.

 

I also think people with Dickerson's skill set are easier to find than people with Valencia's skill set, though we're not exactly talking about rare gems either way.

Right, either way... not a bit deal... but where I disagree with you and Madison is that Reimold is now on the roster as another RH bat. Pearce is another option when he returns.

I don't see corresponding options to back up Jones, aside from moving Nate over (as he would be capable of short-term).

Again, either way... doesn't matter, so we will see what happens. I have to admit being glad to having Valencia available for at-least tonight and tomorrow.

But Reimold and Valencia both pencil in as at least part-time starters even with everyone back.  Dickerson wouldn't likely get to start in any matchup unless a regular needs a day off.  He's behind Roberts now as the left-handed DH option and certainly won't see the light of day there once Betemit is back.

Reimold is your LF against most LHP.  Valencia is your DH against LHP.  Flaherty is the 2B against RHP.  Roberts is the DH against RHP. 

Dickerson is more buried on the depth chart than Valencia, Reimold, or Flaherty.  I'd put him on par with Casilla.  That's why I'd like to see either Casilla or Dickerson be the one to go once Feldman is added (prefer Dickerson since I think we'll need Casilla if/when Roberts gets hurt again).