Bird Droppings: Gold Glove Fallout, Davey Johnson goes to the Nats, and ZAUN.
by Camden Chat on Nov 11, 2009 7:00 AM EST
in Open Threads
Email
Print
If I Were a Rich Man: On the Baltimore Orioles
FanGraphs' Carson Cistulli takes a look at the O's talent and low payroll and likes what he sees (just don't get your panties in a bunch when he mentions Luke being good at defense). -Stacey
Adam Jones speaks about his Gold Glove
Regardless of what you think of the award, it's always nice to read what Adam has to say. When asked about his sprained ankle he says, "I can do the James Brown, so everything feels good." -Stacey
ZAUN on the Market
Believe it or not, Gregg Zaun is the best FA option at catcher this year. I guess it's a good thing we have that covered. -Stacey
Davey Johnson hired by the Nationals
No, not as their manager. As a senior advisor to GM Mike Rizzo. The manager options have been narrowed down to Jim Riggleman and Bobby Valentine. -Stacey
Gold Gloves vs. UZR
Beyond The Boxscore examines the AL Gold Gloves in comparison to defensive stats. The biggest gaffes were with Torii Hunter and Derek Jeter, and by the stats Cesar Izturis should have taken home the hardware at SS. -Stacey
Bedard could be a bargain pick up for the Red Sox
NESN.com suggests Bedard as an option for the Red Sox in 2010. I don't think I'd like that. -Stacey
More Gold Gloves, more head-scratching
Rob Neyer joins the Gold Glove criticism parade. -Stacey
Yankees plotting to keep Damon, Pettitte, Matsui
Of course they are. -Stacey
Bay and Holliday too rich for Mets' blood
The Mets figure on getting priced out of the top to outfield FAs. That happens when the Yankees are in the running. -Stacey
I have two books at my bedside, Lieutenant: the Marine Corps Code of Conduct and the King James Bible. The only proper authorities I am aware of are my commanding officer, Colonel Nathan R. Jessep, and the Open Thread.
59 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
It’s Neyer’s annual dogmatic GG rant. Poz’s rant is a lot better.
Vizzini: Let me put it this way. Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?
Man in Black: Yes.
Vizzini: Morons.
Happy Veteran's Day
I’m off work. God Bless the federal government.
Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts
What agency?
My dad works for DOT. (Department of Transportation)
I now have a blog: http://justanotherbaltimoresportsblog.blogspot.com/
by BaltimoreSportsFan on Nov 11, 2009 5:36 PM EST up reply actions
It's like when my sister told her boyfriend I'd be easy to find at the Ozzy concert
because I’d be wearing a black Metallica t-shirt.
"I would approve signing a pitcher that ate kitten tacos if he won 20 games a year." -BPinOK
And the word "shit-ton" simply isn't used enough in casual conversation...
"I would approve signing a pitcher that ate kitten tacos if he won 20 games a year." -BPinOK
Another 1B trade possibility
The general sentiment seems to be that there is no way the Orioles would be players in any potential trade for Fielder or AGon. But according to an article at mlbtraderumors, the Reds may be interested in trading 1B Joey Votto. His numbers are impressive, he’s young, and he won’t be a FA until 2013. Seems like a great fit, but would his asking price be too much? General thoughts? I guess it should be noted that he’s a left handed bat.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/11/reds-to-cut-payroll-big-names-could-be-dealt.html
I can't imagine them trading Votto right now
that’s pure speculation on the part of MLBTR. Joey Votto is young and cheap and would have nothing to do with cutting payroll. Plus he’s awesome, the O’s would have to give up some really good stuff to get him.
I’d love if he were on the Orioles though. He did miss time last year with anxiety disorder though, so that could pop up again I’m sure.
Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts
It's a nice thing to imagine, though
Votto would fit in very nicely with our young core. Wieters, Votto, Markakis, Jones, Reimold is a hell of a start to a great lineup.
Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts
I don't want to play this game of speculation
I really don’t. But the article on mlbtraderumors implied that the Reds would use Votto as bait in order to get rid of Arroyo or Harang, like how the Fish got rid of Mike Lowell via Josh Beckett. The idea is that the Reds have Yonder Alonso waiting in the wings to replace Votto.
Yeah…I’m not buying it either.
"I like baseball, movies, good clothes, whiskey, fast cars ... and you. What else you need to know?"
Nothing against Alonso
I know he’s their top prospect, but he’s still just a prospect. I feel like the Reds would have to get a hell of a deal to let go of Votto who is young, under control for years, and awesome.
Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts
If the deal was available ...
… I’d take on either Arroyo or Harang if it meant Votto came along in the deal.
I’d offer Jake Arrieto and at least one other pitcher – say Berken or Hernandez.
hakkaa päälle !
"Oh God, no"
That would be the Reds’ GM re: trading Votto.
"I like baseball, movies, good clothes, whiskey, fast cars ... and you. What else you need to know?"
Bill Bavasi is an advisor to the Reds GM.
Just sayin’
"I hate making excuses. If I suck, then I suck. And I suck. That's the way I'm playing. If you suck, you suck. You have to take responsibility in this game. Right now, that's the way I feel. Yes, I suck." - Jose Guillen/quote of the year
Buster Olney said the same thing
about the Red tying valuable young guys to older guys in order to get payroll off the books. Didn’t mention any names, but maybe something will come of it….
Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts
Off topic, but the best part of that movie ...
… was Nickleson’s speech.
Of course the screenwriter and director meant it as a slam against the military, but as Col Jessup said, when it comes to serving one’s country, Hollywood can’t handle the truth.
hakkaa päälle !
Just saw a fun rumor from Robothal
The Orioles and Giants are in pursuit of Dan Uggla, and the Orioles apparently want to put him at first or third base (I assume first is their intention). I have no idea a) if the Marlins are serious about getting rid of him, b) what it would take, or c) who stands a better chance of getting Uggla…but his right-handed power would certainly give the O’s a strong offense for the next two seasons.
"I like baseball, movies, good clothes, whiskey, fast cars ... and you. What else you need to know?"
I don't know, he'd be ok I guess
His 30 HR in the lineup would be nice, his OBP is ok but not great. Has he ever played 1B or 3B? I don’t know that he’d be much of an upgrade over Luke Scott (streakiness aside).
I just checked his splits and he wouldn’t really help with the lefty pitchers problem.
vs RHP: .263/.347/.500
vs LHP: .241/.336/.425
Those are his career numbers. His ’09 numbers are pretty much in line with that.
Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts
Rats
I guess I just assumed “right-handed power hitter can hit lefties”.
And you are absolutely right that his OBP is nothing to go nuts for – especially as a corner infielder. As for defense, I couldn’t give less of a crap about first base defense, but he sure can’t play second worth a damn.
"I like baseball, movies, good clothes, whiskey, fast cars ... and you. What else you need to know?"
Still
As far as the lineup, if he’s playing 3rd and Luke’s playing first that’s a MUCH better 1st/3rd combo than this year offensively.
If he can play 3rd
From baseball reference it seems that he played 228 games at 3B over 4 seasons, the last one being 2005 when he played 11 games. His fielding % at 3B is a sparkling .929 and a range factor of 2.76. That doesn’t really inspire confidence.
Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts
I agree with Stacey's concerns...
…and I’ll add that I’m not sure that Uggla offers enough more than Beltre/Crede/Glaus to make him worth the prospects we’d have to surrender for him. It is possible that Florida moves him for peanuts, of course, since he’s expensive and doesn’t get along with Hanley. But more likely, we’re talking about having to give up someone good for him. Beltre/Crede/Glaus would cost only money.
I agree
if his numbers vs. LHP or his OBP were stronger, I’d be all in favor of grabbing him and sticking him at 1st or DH…but they aren’t. Still, Uggla’s bat had 91.6 runs created in it last year, compared to Huff’s 63.8, Mora’s 51.7, and Scott’s 74.5.
If the price were right, I could definitely live with Dan Uggla (but not at third base).
"I like baseball, movies, good clothes, whiskey, fast cars ... and you. What else you need to know?"
I believe there's a position where he can leave his glove at home.
"I hate making excuses. If I suck, then I suck. And I suck. That's the way I'm playing. If you suck, you suck. You have to take responsibility in this game. Right now, that's the way I feel. Yes, I suck." - Jose Guillen/quote of the year
In the NL East
I’m not fully persuaded that Uggla is as impressive an offensive player in the AL East either. And even so, his career OPS of .826 is lower than Casey Blake’s was in 2009. That plays well at 2b but not impressively at corner infield or DH.
That’s still a lot of value (that’s higher than Chone Figgins’ OPS), of course.
Why is it of any interest how Uggla’s CAREER OPS compared to Casey Blake’s single season OPS? Casey Blake’s career OPS is .788, so…
I don't know that it is of interest
I simply looked up Uggla’s career OPS and compared it to the leaderboard for third basemen last season. And Blake was the name which would have been the last above him.
But the point wasn’t to compare the two as players, but instead to give a frame of reference to what Uggla’s offense would look like at third. And more or less, it would look like Casey Blake did in 2009. Which doesn’t seem to me to be worth both the money and the high prospects it would take to add Uggla.
by James F on Nov 11, 2009 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah I guess.
But if he could replicate his 2008 season it would sure be nice. And his 30 hrs/90 RBI would sure be nice. It’s a gigantic upgrade over Mora and anything we have inhouse.
Obviously I’m not in favor of giving up huge prospects for him, but I think his bat would be nice to have in the lineup.
Curious
Where do you get your RC stat? B-R.com says Uggla was worth 97 and Scott 77. I think a lot of that is based on the fact that Uggla played about 30 more games than Luke. Uggla will probably usually play more than Luke, but Luke did miss probably 17-20 games with injury. And I know, Luke with the streakiness.
Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts
I just multiplied it out on a calculator
I maybe just did it wrong? But yeah, obviously I forgot to prorate everything.
Anyway, I think the feeling of liking Uggla has passed in me…like a fad. I don’t see how he actually helps fix what ails the Orioles.
"I like baseball, movies, good clothes, whiskey, fast cars ... and you. What else you need to know?"
Another rumor
Isn’t the hot stove fun? This one has the Orioles inquiring on Mark DeRosa…but since there are a ton of other teams after him, and one of them is the MFY, he ain’t coming to Baltimore.
But should he? You figure DeRosa would be the third bagger until Bell proves he’s ready – which is no sure thing – and then slide into a utility role. As a starter at third, DeRosa’s career wOBA of .330ish (which is about where he’s at right now) is basically middle of the pack in the majors, and dead last in the AL East. Oh, and his defensive ability at third is underwhelming, at least according to UZR.
Seeing as the other option for ulitity infielder/de facto third baseman is currently Ty Wigginton, who has a similar career wOBA and power output…I have a hard time getting behind Mark DeRosa, his reputation be damned.
DeRosa does, though, beat up the lefties. So there is that.
"I like baseball, movies, good clothes, whiskey, fast cars ... and you. What else you need to know?"
I feel like I don't want any of these stooges
Which is a shame. I’d like to be able to get behind the O’s signing someone.
Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts
We should make a run for Bedard and Tejada
wouldn’t that be a hoot?
Then when Bell is ready, we trade Tejada for a minor league bat.
"I feel like I learned more in eight major league starts than I did in three years of college," -- Brian Matusz
A little gem from Wordy McBabbleson's article
The real point is the current position of the team. It’s like something I figured out recently — that the best day of the weekend isn’t Saturday, and certainly isn’t Sunday, but Friday. On Friday you get to think about how great the weekend will be (even if you’re just gonna spend it watching Community again and again on the Hulus, like usual). The Baltimore Orioles right now are like the Friday night of baseball teams. And regardless of how the weekend turns out (this is the Orioles we’re talking about), the current iteration might be the most exciting.
I think Friday night is a little optimistic. I can’t decide if the O’s are Thursday night or Friday morning. We don’t know exactly what we’re going to do, but we do know that it’s time we made some plans.
"I feel like I learned more in eight major league starts than I did in three years of college," -- Brian Matusz
And we MIGHT not get stood up!
"I feel like I learned more in eight major league starts than I did in three years of college," -- Brian Matusz
I keep thinking of this tune...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kIZeVoRBuU
"I would approve signing a pitcher that ate kitten tacos if he won 20 games a year." -BPinOK
We're at Wednesday morning
This week has sucked for so long and it’s a while before it’s going to get better, but it will. Eventually.
maybe it's like groundhog day
"I like baseball, movies, good clothes, whiskey, fast cars ... and you. What else you need to know?"
Gold glove winner Adam Jones, son!, looks to be arbitration eligible as a super two this year.
Price just went way up.
"I feel like I learned more in eight major league starts than I did in three years of college," -- Brian Matusz
gotta lock that kid
After 2010 I’d imagine, just like they did with Nick.
Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts
erm, lock him up
I don’t know what lock that kid means.
Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts
Look what happened with Alex Rios
Instead of getting 400k, 2.5M, 5M, ?, he got 2.5M, 5M, and then this:
08:$0.735M (plus $5M+ with the extension), 09:$5.9M, 10:$9.7M, 11:$12M, 12:$12M, 13:$12.5M, 14:$12.5M, 15:$13.5M club option ($1M buyout). [Cots]
I say wait, Rios would still be under arb next year if the BJs hadn’t panicked and gave him an extension.
"I feel like I learned more in eight major league starts than I did in three years of college," -- Brian Matusz
maybe
I trust Andy to do the right thing.
Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts
It counts for a lot in my book
Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts
Do you think Rios can do the James Brown?
"I feel like I learned more in eight major league starts than I did in three years of college," -- Brian Matusz
That'll probably force Andy's hand
in working out a long-term deal with Dr. Jones
"I like baseball, movies, good clothes, whiskey, fast cars ... and you. What else you need to know?"
I’d happy if the O’s could get Everyday Eddie, I think that’d be a nice pick-up for us and should help the bullpen.
I now have a blog: http://justanotherbaltimoresportsblog.blogspot.com/
by BaltimoreSportsFan on Nov 11, 2009 7:23 PM EST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Official Sponsor of Camden Chat GameThreads
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
