A quick glance at the new team

by Scott Christ on Jan 3, 2007 2:09 PM EST in News & Rumors

Sorry about my lack of updatery, but I've been SUPER busy. Total lie -- I've had nothing to talk about, really.

Anyway, considering I've pissed and moaned to some degree about almost every roster move, here's my take on the new team.

Starters, ideally (assumedly?)
C: Razor Ramon
1B: Kevbo/Huffnstuf/Gibby
2B: Brian Bob
3B: Melly Mel
SS: Miggy
LF: Pay Jayton/Huffnstuf
CF: Corey/Pay Jayton
RF: Markickass
DH: Gibby/Kevbo/Huffnstuf

Rotation
Erik B
Bunsen
Jaret Wrong
Adam Loewen
Danny Cabs

Bullpen
C-Ray
Chad Brad
Jamie Skywalker
Joan Baez
Williamson
THE TODD??
someone else

Let's look at this.

Catcher, second base, shortstop and third remain the same.

Payton, despite his mediocrity, is a big upgrade in left field and gives Corey a nice platoon partner for center. Markickass is solid in right. Aubrey Huff is an offensive upgrade, too, sadly.

The rotation is, of course, a crapshoot that will hopefully be good, but chances aren't so great in that regard. The bullpen is markedly more reliable, even losing Britton.

So is this team better than last year's, on paper? Yes. And by a fair amount. But I don't see this as likely to change our fortune very much. We could have a far stronger team and still lose 90 games. The '06 Indians were pretty good and lost 84 playing in a tough division. The Yankees, Red Sox and Jays all made upgrades to solid-or-better teams. It'll be tough to make any real progress with the team we've got, even if it's notably superior to the '06 squad.

They should at least be more enjoyable to watch.

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the more i think about it

-I like our bullpen
-I really like the signing of Huff

by exitfare on Jan 3, 2007 2:27 PM EST reply actions

The more I think about it........

-I really like our bullpen (unless Rodrigo's in it)

-I'm ok with the signing of Huff

Why don't you go back to your home on whore island! -Ron Burgundy

by O face on Jan 5, 2007 8:45 AM EST up reply actions

I hate to bring this up...

but if we aren't going to get anything more than a mid-level prospect for Rodrigo why not stick him in the pen. Maybe (I know it isn't very likely) he pitches well and we actually get something of value for him later in the year.

"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." Mike Royko.

by BPinOK on Jan 3, 2007 2:38 PM EST reply actions

re:

I've been thinking the same. Stick him in the pen, hope they get a dead cat bounce on his stock, and then sell.

Or, he takes Wright's place after he goes on the DL in July. Not that he's a thrilling alternative.

by drj on Jan 3, 2007 3:51 PM EST up reply actions

because...

even a middling positional prospect would be good for the system. lopez is good for nothin.

by jq higgins on Jan 3, 2007 5:48 PM EST up reply actions

i take solace in the fact...

that every team in the division has a bunch of question marks in the pitching departments.

by jq higgins on Jan 3, 2007 5:52 PM EST reply actions

Yes but,

Our question marks are bigger than the other teams.

Why don't you go back to your home on whore island! -Ron Burgundy

by O face on Jan 5, 2007 8:47 AM EST up reply actions

Only Reason I like the Huff Signing...

Is that it moves Payton from LF to CF in platoon with Patterson. Patterson is horrible against lefties, and Payton doesn't hit righties that well so it could actually work.

And hopefully moving to DH will keep Gibbons healthy enough to put up a decent year.

momma take a look now at what your boy has done; he's walking around like he's number one; he went downtown and bought him a gun.

by BirdFanInPhilly on Jan 3, 2007 8:14 PM EST reply actions

well maybe

It's relying on three things:

Patterson doesn't turn into a pumpkin.
Millar hits.
Gibbons stays healthy.

1 is 50/50 I think, 2 is a decent bet but Millar might get shelved because he's the one that'll take it the best, and 3 is not likely. I like that we have major league depth for once so that Angelos can maybe not blame an entire season's failures on the fact that baseball players get hurt, surely you jest.

"I don't want any credit. I'm not looking for credit. You know what? I don't want any blame if we're horse shit, either." -- Jim Leyland

by Scott Christ on Jan 3, 2007 8:46 PM EST up reply actions

So, breaking it down

we're saying this, for example?

vs RH:
2b B Rob
3b Mora
RF Markickass
ss Miggy
LF Huff
C Hernandez
DH Gibby
1B Millar
CF Patterson

Which is pretty decent looking, you know?

vs LH:
2b B Rob
3b Mora
RF Markickass
ss Miggy
LF Huff
C Hernandez
1B Millar
DH Gibby
CF Payton

That's not bad, either.

Would you let Gomez spell Gibbons against certain tough lefties? Does Patterson ever hit against any lefties? If he does, then Payton could spell Gibby or Huff in this lineup.

by Ven6 on Jan 3, 2007 9:26 PM EST reply actions

Again with Gomez...

I know Gomez hit well off of the bench last year. Get over it. He is a bench guy and the best place for bench guys is on the bench. I had almost forgotten he was on the team if it hadn't been for the 4 million posts about how great of signing he was.

I'll take fries with that Gomez. And make it quick.

"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." Mike Royko.

by BPinOK on Jan 4, 2007 9:55 AM EST up reply actions

Great coaches

use the whole bench. regularly. See Weaver.

by Ven6 on Jan 5, 2007 12:17 AM EST up reply actions

Get Craig Wilson

He'll provide real depth and flexibility on the team and he hits the hell out of lefties. He won't be all that expensive either. With these guys plus House and Knott waiting in the wings we'll have enough legit options kicking around to have a slight bit of optimism about the offense.

by Jonnypops on Jan 4, 2007 10:32 AM EST up reply actions

nice quote from Huff

he's happy to be here:

Meanwhile, Huff, a 30-year-old who plays first and third base and both corner outfield spots, was all smiles after being introduced to the local media in a late afternoon news conference.

"It's a great park, great fans," said Huff, a .285 hitter with 141 home runs over his seven-year big league career, which he spent entirely with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays until he was traded to the Houston Astros last July. "Every time I've come here, the fans have been great. Playing the Devil Rays on a Monday night and you have 30,000 people here. Honestly, with the history Baltimore has, it's something that I've never been a part of."

Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun
But mama, that's where the fun is...

by zknower on Jan 3, 2007 11:20 PM EST reply actions

I'm not sure that's true

But I guess 15,000 people at Camden Yards might seem like 30,000 compared to the crowds they get at Monday night Devil Rays home games. Still, I saw his press conference on the Orioles website and he seemed like a decent guy.

by Stacey on Jan 4, 2007 7:46 AM EST up reply actions

re:

Who doesn't in their first press conference for a new team?

"I don't want any credit. I'm not looking for credit. You know what? I don't want any blame if we're horse shit, either." -- Jim Leyland

by Scott Christ on Jan 4, 2007 8:44 PM EST up reply actions

What I don't care for...

...is the noise being made in the press by the FO that Huff will be the everyday LF. The line being circulated is that he's "a career .276 hitter vs. LHP". That's real nice and all, but when you look at his stats from the past two seasons he's got a line of .233/.303/.383 vs. lefties in 2006 and .256/.300/.401 vs. lefties in 2005. That sucks shit and will add to our already formidable woes vs. LHP. The FO needs to knock it off with the unearned loyalty routine and go sign Craig Wilson. Pronto.

by Jonnypops on Jan 4, 2007 2:38 PM EST up reply actions

what i don't care for...

was the white suit and pale blue tie he sported at the press conference. seems like he's having fla separation anxiety.

by jq higgins on Jan 4, 2007 7:13 PM EST up reply actions

Uh-oh

Have we heard anything from Payton about his more-than-likely downgrading to 4th outfielder? We all know he came here talking about starting and Roch mentioned earlier in his blog that Sammy is eyeing Huff for LF.

Roddy's pissing and moaning in the pen is all we need this season. I hope Payton takes this like a man.

Remember, fans, Tuesday is Die Hard Night. Free admission for anyone who was actually alive the last time the Indians won the pennant. --"Major League"

by The Sicilian on Jan 4, 2007 7:21 PM EST reply actions

Payton

He wont take it like a man. 2 years ago in Boston he was crying like a little baby because he couldn't get playing time over Trot Nixon, Manny and Johnny Damon. If he whined over being benched for those 3, who knows what he'll say over the likes of Corey Patterson and Aubrey Huff.

He bitched and moaned and basically forced his way out of Boston. Too bad we signed him to a two year deal that no one will ever take.

by dtran2k3 @ Camden Chat on Jan 4, 2007 9:37 PM EST up reply actions

I heard Perlozzo

on MASN today...some radio show that's also on tv? Anyway, he said Huff will mostly be playing 1st base. Sammy is one big contradiction.

by Stacey on Jan 4, 2007 11:07 PM EST up reply actions

Perlozzo...

This season is going to be a good test for Perlozzo.

The only players who should be locked into positions with everyday spots are Tejada, Roberts, Hernandez, and Markakis. I guess I can give Mora that distinction as well. It is stil important for Perlozzo get these guys (besides Tejada I guess) proper rest so they stay fresh during the season.

Patterson against most righties and Payton against most lefties is pretty easy.

However, he shouldn't have a strictly lefty/righty line-up. There are lefties that Huff and Gibbons do hit well. There are righties who Payton does hit well. Millar doesn't have much of a split either way, and in fact has hit righties better than lefties for a couple of years now.

Perlozzo needs to base his line-ups on how a certain player matches up with an individual pitcher if he can and of course go with the lefty/right match-ups as well if he doesn't have enough information to go on. He needs to achieve a proper balance of who plays and where they play. He has a guy in Huff who play a number of positions...even Gibbons can play both LF spots and a little 1b. Payton can play all 3 OF spots, and Knott (assuming he makes the team) can play 1b, LF, and RF as well.

This team could do real well if players are put in the best situation to succeed, and its Perlozzo's job to do that. Making one consistent, everday line-up will not work with this team.

by sportsman885 @ Camden Chat on Jan 4, 2007 10:11 PM EST reply actions

on the money

That's the thing. It's not a straight lefty/righty decision. Sammy needs to base it on specific pitchers against specifici batters (and even in specific ballparks.) That's where Huff, Gibby, Patterson, Payton, Millar and yes, Gomez can be shuffled around to provide the best possible lineup on any given day. No standard "starting lineup."

by Ven6 on Jan 5, 2007 12:21 AM EST up reply actions

Payroll

That roster above is going clock in at well over $90 million...

by dtran2k3 @ Camden Chat on Jan 5, 2007 1:13 PM EST reply actions

RE:

Which may not even put the Orioles in the top ten in payroll next year.

momma take a look now at what your boy has done; he's walking around like he's number one; he went downtown and bought him a gun.

by BirdFanInPhilly on Jan 5, 2007 1:51 PM EST up reply actions

re:

yeah I know, im just saying though. For a franchise that has seen its attendance drop like a rock the past 5 years its suprising to see the payroll jump 20 million.

by dtran2k3 @ Camden Chat on Jan 5, 2007 2:14 PM EST up reply actions

RE:

We got MASN money now.

momma take a look now at what your boy has done; he's walking around like he's number one; he went downtown and bought him a gun.

by BirdFanInPhilly on Jan 5, 2007 2:30 PM EST up reply actions

I priced..

22 players, granted I didn't have all of this year's numbers, but I came up to 75 mil with as many players as I could be sure would be up with the big club to break camp.
I had to use last year's numbers () for some players and estimate one or two (*). Maybe someone else can help

Hernandez *4.00
Millar 2.75
Huff 6.67
Gibbons *4.20
Roberts *3.075
Mora *4.333
Tejada *11.811
Payton 4.75
Patterson *2.80
Markakis *.327
Gomez *.850
Bako .900

Bedard *1.40
Benson *8.33
Wright 3.00 (of 7mil total)
Loewen **3.50
Cabrera *.385

Ray *.335
Bradford 3.50
Walker 4.00
Baez 6.33
Williamson .900

For a grand total of 75mil.

"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." Mike Royko.

by BPinOK on Jan 5, 2007 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

hmmm lets see

Yeah this is basically last year's payroll. Mora, Hernandez, Gibbons, Patterson, Roberts and Bedard are all due pretty sizable raises.

by dtran2k3 @ Camden Chat on Jan 5, 2007 5:00 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah,

I just didn't see anything that showed the amount of the raises. Oh, well, just trying to pass the days until spring training.

"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." Mike Royko.

by BPinOK on Jan 5, 2007 5:58 PM EST up reply actions

yeah...

i believe gibby is now in the 6-8 mill range, mora (i believe) is 8 mill, cabrera is 1.25...

by jq higgins on Jan 5, 2007 9:09 PM EST up reply actions

cabrera...

is 1.825

Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun
But mama, that's where the fun is...

by zknower on Jan 6, 2007 12:19 PM EST up reply actions

I found a decent site for contracts

It's incomplete, but surprisingly up-to-date. For example, it has the Cabrera re-up, which is less than a week old at this time.

Here's the site: mlb4u.com

It has the occasional typo (Like, it says Huff for four years, but then in the breakdown of the contract shows it's only three), but seems generally accurate. Here's what they say about the above players for 2007:

Hernandez 6.50
Millar 2.75
Huff 4.00
Gibbons 5.00
Roberts 3.075*
Mora 8.33**
Tejada 12.00
Payton 4.50
Patterson 2.80*
Markakis 0.327***
Gomez 0.850
Bako 0.900

Bedard 1.40*
Benson 8.33
Wright 3.00 (+4.00 paid by NYY)
Loewen 0.50
Cabrera 1.83

Ray 0.335***
Bradford 3.50**
Walker 3.00
Baez 4.00****
Williamson 0.900

*player has filed for arbitration and will likely see a raise one way or the other

**amount shown is the average based on length and amount of overall contract--actual 2007 salary unknown

***Player is not yet under contract for 2007, but is also not arbitration eligible

****Baez has a large ($5M) signing bonus which is payable between 6/07 and 9/09. It's not reflected here, but should add about $2.5M to the payroll each year.

Total payroll: $77M. Does not include three other players who'd be on the 25-man roster, one of whom might be RoLo, who is arbitration eligible, and made $3.75M last year.

My guess is we'll wind up in the mid-80s after Bedard and Roberts are brought into the fold.

Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun
But mama, that's where the fun is...

by zknower on Jan 6, 2007 1:20 PM EST up reply actions