And the Orioles are not the Rays. They need to continue to acquire and develop young talent, but...

And the Orioles are not the Rays. They need to continue to acquire and develop young talent, but they also figure to spend some of that long-anticipated MASN money to upgrade the team's star power over the next couple of years.

When the season started, it didn't really matter how many games the Orioles would win this year. Now, with the club rumored to be interested in free-agent slugger Mark Teixeira, it matters a lot more.

The amazing success of the Rays only shows what is possible. It doesn't necessarily mean the Orioles have to take the same path and pull the plug on this year's team.

Peter Schmuck, on the ball as always -- you mean the Rays are GOOD? Wow!

about 1 year ago SC 17 comments 0 recs |

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The article could have used some more substance

but the central question is interesting. Because of our surprising number of wins this season, the Orioles front office actually has a decision to make. They can ship the older parts of the team off for a flood of prospects. Even half of Roberts, Huff, Sherrill, Ramon, Payton, Millar, Walker, Bradford would pretty much load up our system. However, doing this would shatter whatever positive mojo is happening in the clubhouse and cost us our credibility when it comes to signing free agents. If, however, they hold on to these guys, they could contend for not only Texiera, but perhaps CC Sabathia (although I realize starting pitchers are not necessarily smart signings) and others. If we stay at .500 and sign Tex, we’re probably going to be able to keep Roberts past 2009 as well, which could mean a 2010 1-2-3-4 of Roberts-Adam Jones-Nick Markakis-Mark Texiera. Don’t tell me that wouldn’t be interesting baseball.

Nevertheless, the smart thing to do for the long term future of the club would be to try to trade away and fill our prospect system, as there are still too many holes on our roster and in our AAA team to be competitive in this extremely tough division.

by math_geek on Jul 7, 2008 9:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

1-2-3-4-5 in 2010

You forgot, Wieters will be up by then. That’s more than 50% of a real, live MLB lineup.

"I wasn't here for the losing years. But it feels a little like the days with Earl in charge and John Lowenstein smashing birthday cakes in the middle of the clubhouse with a bat." - John "T-Bone" Shelby

by duck on Jul 7, 2008 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

probably even more

add in Luke Scott and anyone who can DH and we’ve pretty much got 7 out of 9. If only we could find a 3rd baseman and a shortstop.

by math_geek on Jul 7, 2008 9:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

meant to be a reply to duck

by math_geek on Jul 7, 2008 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Luke will be 32

do we really think he can duplicate this year for 27 more months?

by duck on Jul 7, 2008 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Roberts will be 32 as well.

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

Camden Chat
Bad Left Hook

by SC on Jul 7, 2008 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really don't think 32 is that old for a hitter

although I realize they will both be “on the decline” as it were. SC, what do you think of Roberts and Scott in 2 years?

by math_geek on Jul 7, 2008 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Roberts I like fine

Luke is a lot more questionable.

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

Camden Chat
Bad Left Hook

by SC on Jul 7, 2008 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Luke=DH/PH

If we keep him. He’s already iffy on defense.

Personally, I’d trade him while his value is up.

by fishoutawata on Jul 8, 2008 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

With a track record

Big difference. Odds on B-Rob producing near this level at 32 and Scott producing at his current level at 32 I would imagine are greatly different.

by duck on Jul 7, 2008 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I mean, time will tell

and I don’t expect Luke to be one of the best hitters on our team in two years, but, while I know fluke years exist, I’m not quick to suspect them.

So out of curiousity, if Luke is not likely to be a solid hitter in two years, should we trade him too?

by math_geek on Jul 7, 2008 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Two more good weeks

and it might be a case of gettin’ while the gettin’s good.

by duck on Jul 7, 2008 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Flipping him at the trade deadline...

...was pretty much the consensus for what we should do with him at the beginning of the season. It wouldn’t be a bad thing to stick the that plan. On the other hand, who knew he would be so much fun to watch?

"Whether your name is Gehrig or Ripken, DiMaggio or Robinson, or that of some youngster who picks up his bat or puts on his glove, you are challenged by the game of baseball to do your very best day in and day out. That's all I've ever tried to do."

by spike2131 on Jul 8, 2008 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tom Hagen: Your father wouldn’t want to hear this, Sonny. This is business not personal.
Sonny: They shoot my father and it’s business, my ass!
Tom Hagen: Even shooting your father was business not personal, Sonny!

Sorry, Luke. It’s business, not personal.

by duck on Jul 8, 2008 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kevin Millar basically pleads to keep the team together and perhaps sign a few guys:

Says so in this funny article he wrote.

MacPhail at one point stated that he will not pull the rug under these guys if they keep playing like this. I guess I believe it, barring any great trade offers he may get.

Question.. is Roberts going to be a class A FA? Any of our guys? I’m wondering if we would get any supplemental picks if we just let our FAs go next year. I actually trust our scouting enough that I’d be excited for a few more early round picks.

by Y Not on Jul 7, 2008 10:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Millar is such a little kid

I wanna muss up his hair

by fishoutawata on Jul 8, 2008 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We play for the flute.

We play for Orioles Magic every single night

It’s a little weird, but don’t sleep on Orioles Magic this year.

Aubrey Huff’s body is the funniest by far. Luke Scott, the funniest journal-writer around. Everybody wants to take the journal and mess with him. Jeremy Guthrie’s funny. Sneaky funny. Smart funny. Stanford funny.

"Chickens are hard to catch." Jennifer Scott (Luuuuuuuke's Mom)

by dayzd toe on Jul 8, 2008 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs