Sheehan: B-Rob to SS?

by Brotz13 on Nov 3, 2008 1:34 PM EST Comment 30 comments

From Sports Illustrated, Joe Sheehan suggests five radical moves to shake up the offseason. It's a general list, so the only item related to the Orioles is this:

4. The Orioles move Brian Roberts from second to shortstop.

Roberts, playing his walk year in 2009, was Baseball America's National Defensive Player of the Year at shortstop in college. The O's didn't have a reliable shortstop in 2008, and given their farm system and the players on the market, they aren't likely to have one in '09. Roberts would be better than the available options and allow Baltimore -- which is closing in on respectability -- to sign one of many stopgap second basemen (such as Ray Durham and Mark Grudzielanek). If successful, the move would give Roberts even more trade value, something the team needs to maximize.

I'm not sure about this. What if re-learning another defensive position screws with his hitting? Is Roberts at SS and Durham or Grudzielanek at 2B any better than Roberts at 2B and Furcal/O. Cabrera/Izturis/whoever at SS?

It's an interesting hypothetical to kick around, at least.

Sheehan also thinks the Mets should build their bullpen like the Rays: inexpensive young relievers on the verge of a breakthrough. He mentions Scranton-New York Express rider Chris Britton and Dave Trembley's good friend Fernando Cabrera as possible targets. Heh.

FanPosts are user-created content and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors of Camden Chat or SB Nation. They might, though.

0 recs | Comment 30 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

If only it were that easy

The Orioles tried Roberts at shortstop many years ago and he didn’t have the arm for it. I can’t see why he’d be better now.

by dkdc on Nov 3, 2008 3:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

he's on the wrong side of 30 to be changing positions

can anyone think of an example of a player moving lower (ie harder) on the defensive spectrum this late in his career? I can’t even think of an example, much less a successful one.

I guess Craig Biggio moving back from left to 2B, but he was just hanging around to get to 3000 at that point.

by pipkin on Nov 3, 2008 3:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

hmmm

interesting thought, but pretty stupid. Hes a legit all star 2B and would probably want a trade (though he will never publicly demand it) and definitely won’t resign.

And the reporter, as the basis of his theory, references Brian’s defensive abilities he showed 10 years ago in college. He clearly had no idea that Brian was tried at SS before before the organization soured on him in that position. Granted I doubt anyone outside of Baltimore would know anything about the 2001 Orioles outside of Cal’s farewell tour, but he should have looked into it a bit more. Theres no way he would ever be moved back.

by UMterp08 on Nov 3, 2008 3:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think our best bet is.....

to keep BRob at 2B and try to get a Cabrera or Furcal to play SS. Like Brotz said, what if they try to move him to SS and his hitting production goes down? I really don’t think that’s worth the risk.

Geaux Eaux's

by NawlinsOriole on Nov 3, 2008 3:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I haven't looked at

the numbers, but I like Furcal. I know he was a hurt a bunch a last year. Is he going to command a pretty high salary? What’s the numbers look like (I’m lazy)? Would he be a decent stopgap for a few seasons?

Always trust your cape. -Guy Clark

by BPinOK on Nov 3, 2008 4:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Is he going to command a pretty high salary?

Yes.

What’s the numbers look like (I’m lazy)?

.357/.439/.573 this past season! In 36 games… He’s an OK player. Maybe overrated in some circles. Was absolutely overpaid by the Dodgers.

Would he be a decent stopgap for a few seasons?

Sure, probably.

"Yesterday I was lying, today I am telling the truth." -- Bob Arum

Camden Chat
Bad Left Hook

by SC on Nov 3, 2008 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

good but overpaid

Rafael Furcal inf
3 years/$39M (2006-08)

    * signed as a free agent 12/05
    * $5M signing bonus
    * 06:$4M, 07:$13M, 08:$13M

Curt never met a buttered roll he didn't like.

by CoachOfEarl on Nov 3, 2008 10:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not only

Does he lack the arm/range to play short, but there would be another gargantuan hole at 2B. We’re not contending this year, so why not wait and draft Grant Green, who would be ready by mid/late 2010 ish if we got him signed before the August deadline. If it becomes apparent that the Padres are going to draft Grant Green, they we could quite feasibly get Khalil Green fo’ free, or at least pretty cheap. Call me a pessimist, but if we’re patient, this team will be for real in 2011.

My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver

by Baltimo on Nov 3, 2008 4:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm

anti-Khalil Greene. I’d rather have Ozzie Smith come out of retirement and bat cleanup. I don’t even konw what it is about Khalil but he’s one of those guys that for not much reason at all I don’t like.

Always trust your cape. -Guy Clark

by BPinOK on Nov 3, 2008 4:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not a huge fan either

But if San Diego is going to draft Grant Green, who is a STUD shortstop out of USC, Greene will be pretty easy to nab. It’s hard to believe that Greene is already 29 (30?), but he would just be a stopgap as well. This organization needs to find a longterm solution at shortstop, and if Grant Green dropped to us, I’m pretty confident he’d be the answer. It’s fun to talk about Furcal and/or Cabrera, but you have to keep in mind that they would only be brought in to buy time.

My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver

by Baltimo on Nov 3, 2008 4:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

speaking of Padres shortstops

Matt Bush= biggest draft bust ever? All because they wanted to save a few million bucks…

by UMterp08 on Nov 3, 2008 5:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's what you get

When you draft high school position players first overall.

My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver

by Baltimo on Nov 3, 2008 5:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, that or

Chipper Jones, ARod, or Joe Mauer

by dkdc on Nov 3, 2008 5:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

High risk

High reward.

My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver

by Baltimo on Nov 3, 2008 5:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm mostly

Just against using top five/ten draft picks on high school pitchers. Although high schools positional players have a better chance than high school pitchers, their likelihood of making an impact is still pretty low.

My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver

by Baltimo on Nov 3, 2008 6:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

I hear you, but at the same time I think you have to go with the best talent on your board. I’m still trying to figure out how we ended up with Chris Smith some years ago…

But I like what Jordan has done so far. And hopefully that will mean that one day we won’t suck.

Librarians are hiding something

by dfa on Nov 3, 2008 8:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This is why I wanted Gordon Beckham last draft

But I’ll take Matusz instead.

Curt never met a buttered roll he didn't like.

by CoachOfEarl on Nov 3, 2008 11:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

4

Just seemed too early.

My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver

by Baltimo on Nov 4, 2008 12:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nah

Jason Donald FTW!

"Chicken Soup. The only way to fight a cold." ~ Batman

by Markickass on Nov 3, 2008 9:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

SS

Renteria seems to really be slipping an for whatever reason has done better in the NL. Furcal would be expensive but missed three months with a back injury and has become more injury prone. Cabrera is older and for some reason the White Sox dont want him back and I wonder why. The Angels didnt want him back and I wonder why. The Red Sox let him go to sign Lugo and I wonder why. Not a clubhouse guy is what I suspect.

Lugo could be had for probably a throw away prospect on a discount. For some reason, the O’s passed on Felipe Lopez when he was cut loose and I wonder why. Greene could probably hit 30 homers in Camden Yards and I really wouldnt mind if we sent a low grade prospect for him. SD is already trying to get back his salary for punching a wall and injuring himself and doesnt want to pay him 6mill next year. I dont see the option I want to commit to yet so I think we should try for Lopez or Greene.

No way do I move Roberts. Just say no, no, no.

by sanders833 on Nov 3, 2008 10:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

sheehan

Is he a nut or what?

Omar Minaya would be fired in a year, why would Minn trade Liriano for an extra catcher, banged up third baseman, SS who is still a year away, etc. and move the best second basemen to a position he would be borderline at.

Lowe in Cincy sounds ok until he wants 60 mil for four years. Then it doesnt.

I agree about Gary Mathews. I laughed out loud the day he signed for 50 million for five years just like I laughed when Carlos Silva got 48 mill for four years. Those may be the two worst signings in free agent history. I am not counting Pavano because he got hurt and many teams were willing to sign him. I think both Arod contracts were stupid. The first no one else was near the Ranger offer. The second because Arod will over 40 on that contract and how many rings has he got. Of course the Yankees can afford ridiculous contracts.

If LA picks up salary on Pierre I still think they might get something for him.

by sanders833 on Nov 3, 2008 10:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of SS

the NY Post has an article about Jeter and how he is statistically the least effective defensive player in baseball. Sorry I didn’t link…just read it on the “Truth’s and Rumors” on CNNSI.

Always trust your cape. -Guy Clark

by BPinOK on Nov 4, 2008 10:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

he's virtually incapable of going to his left

A-Rod has good range, so Jeter can cheat.

he should’ve been a CFer

by pipkin on Nov 4, 2008 11:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But he's the captain

by PhilR8 on Nov 4, 2008 11:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

of the worst defensive team

possibly ever in the majors.

Curt never met a buttered roll he didn't like.

by CoachOfEarl on Nov 4, 2008 11:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, they've got...um...Melky?

Wow, you may be right.

by Brotz13 on Nov 4, 2008 1:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Latest Roch

If you’re mulling over shortstop candidates for the Orioles, please disregard Lou Montanez, who has no interest in returning to the position – and the club has no interest in putting him back there. Left field is challenging enough for Montanez. He isn’t confident in his ability to make accurate throws from short. That ship has sailed. (And so would most balls that left his hand).

You also can forget Brian Roberts. He started out as a shortstop, didn’t have the arm for it and moved to second base, where he’s one of the best defensive players at his position. I haven’t heard a single person in the organization suggest that Roberts could return to short. If it happens, I’ll carry him onto the field before the anthem on Opening Day.

Although after Roch’s last “if that happens I’ll…” fiasco, it might happen.

Curt never met a buttered roll he didn't like.

by CoachOfEarl on Nov 4, 2008 2:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

let's try Millar

"Yesterday I was lying, today I am telling the truth." -- Bob Arum

Camden Chat
Bad Left Hook

by SC on Nov 5, 2008 5:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah!

With Millar at short, Baltimore will continue down the path of “closing in on respectability”. Anyone else catch that gem? Give the guy a new hip and put Millar at SS FTW!

by blawk359 on Nov 5, 2008 8:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i would buy a ticket to that game

Put Huff at second, Ramon in center, Luke at third, Cabrera at first, Jamie Walker in right (best arm, is it rite?) and Nicky at third and see what happens.

But we get a mulligan when they all get hurt.

Ok, new plan. I buy an XBox and MLB09 and do that myself.

by pipkin on Nov 6, 2008 7:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs