were all bad decisions that were made year after year to cover the fact that a true GM with control hadnt been here since Gillick/Wren. The farm system was bare and then soon the seats.

Adam Dunn would be the same kind of contract if we go that way. Until the pitching is at least near the major league level in terms of quantity, quality and arrival why load these contracts? These players are available every year because other teams are afraid to sign them long term and the odds are always against these signings working out. Even if the player is productive, the O’s are going to lose close to 90 games or more until the pitching is here. So its just not worth the risk even when it gives you that short term gratification that the O’s “did something.”

So unless its that one decade player like Tex lets play it smart and safe. Keep trying for prospects, put a competent but cheap (Izturis) or young upside player in (Pie) and keep trying to add organizational talent.

Then just hope that our Fantastic Four doesnt have any flameouts (unintentional bad pun) and that someone else joins the fast track from Olsen or Liz or Patton, Hernandez, Erbe or others. I think these guys can help us form that pitching depth like Tampa has but its time for Hernandez and Erbe to translate to real minor league dominance and of course Patton needs health.