Some dude at Fox Sports: Look for O's to start moving veterans

by dfa on Jun 14, 2009 7:53 PM EDT Comment 21 comments

I haven't the first clue who Jon Paul Morosi is, but he wrote an article over at Fox Sports stating that certain Oriole veterans are on the trading block. Selected highlights:

Several teams have already inquired about left-handed hitters Aubrey Huff and Luke Scott, an industry executive said Saturday.

Huff will probably be moved before the July 31 non-waiver deadline, because he's in the final year of a contract that pays him $8 million this year. (He doesn't have a no-trade provision, either.) Scott is a less obvious trade candidate, because he's not scheduled to be a free agent until after the 2012 season.

The Reds, Giants, Tigers and Braves — each of whom would like to add power at one corner position or another — are among the teams that could match up well in trade talks with the Orioles.

I suppose the Orioles have real options this time. Huff is a good arbitration candidate because even if he accepts it he's on a year to year basis. His declining OPS really isn't all that shocking as 2008 was an outlier. Nonetheless, perhaps we can get something useful for him.

Scott's another matter, really. Scott does have value, though in an ideal world he could play first to add some versatility to his game...I'd like LF to be occupied by Reimold and Pie going forward, so Scott's value to us is more as a DH.

Not listed in the article but someone who should definitely be traded is Danys Baez. Hopefully we can deal him before he turns into a pumpkin, as is his destiny.

The Orioles are desperate for young corner IF prospects to join Snyder.

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

1 recs | Comment 21 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I think

this is one of those years that i’ll be happy no matter what happens. If they stand pat, well, we could do worse than resigning Huff for a year or 2 at first and holding onto the beast of a hitter Luuuuuuuke has become. If we trade them, well, I trust Andy to not give anything up for less than it’s worth. As long as we aren’t talking salary dumps (which we really aren’t as far as I know) i’m pretty cool with it. Go to it Mr. MacPhail!

"I’m sure glad he didn’t try to bunt." - DD on Melmo's game winning double, 6/17

by daveh873 on Jun 14, 2009 10:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Trade Huff, keep Luke.

At least that’s what my gut says. Keep Luke at DH, move Snyder into 1B next year; keeps costs nice and low so we can sign people we want to keep.

"Might as well just win this game." - Adam Jones, 4/17/2008

Adam Jones is the tits.

by KenDixonFanClub on Jun 14, 2009 10:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Allows for rotation in the OF as well.

Although I’m not down with Pie yet, you could do worse for a backup CF.

From the Land of Pleasant Living...

by OEutaw on Jun 16, 2009 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grow arms, buy bats

The more I think about the MacPhail mentality the more I realize that a trade of Huff and Scott isn’t very likely. They’ve both established their veteran presence in the line up and in the locker room and they continue to produce. The most recent trades MacPhail has made from the offensive side has been Freel, Hernandez, and Tejada and all of them were traded out of necessity.
He’s said before that he’ll use his pitching depth to buy bats which is why I’ll continue to say that Guthrie should be traded. Sure, it would be a sell low situation right now but he’ll bring back a lot more than Huff and Scott combined. After he’s traded, David Hernandez moves to the pen and Chris Tillman takes Guthrie’s spot with Hill and Uehara becoming the one and two pitchers.
I’m not sure if Huff will be resigned but it would make some sense, although Salazar is starting to hit and can play first and DH from time to time and they’ll still have Wiggy, so it might be best to offer arbitration in the hopes that he moves on and signs with someone where he’ll be an everyday player. Not to mention that he’d more than likely represent a Type-B, possibly Type-A free agent and will bring back draft compensation.

by Dr Orpheus on Jun 14, 2009 10:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree with Dave.

Actually, I agree with all three of you.

If nothing happens, I’m good. If McPhail makes a couple of moves involving Huff, Luke or Guts, I can live with as well.

I would disagree slightly with the Dr and pick Mr Bergstrom as my top pitcher, rather than Hill. Hill, Hernandez, Bergstrom & Berkin seem like an ok rotation.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Jun 15, 2009 3:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not to be that guy...

but dude, at least come close when spelling our pitchers’ names.

Brad Bergesen and Jason Berken.

Just sayin’.

"I don't have a hit-and-run sign, and I believe it's the worst play in baseball." - Earl Weaver

by duck on Jun 15, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm 3000 miles away.

Sometimes things get a little scrambled.

Besides I don’t have the luxury of watching the team all the time or even reading about them. A few minutes a day at this site is about the extent of my exposure.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Jun 15, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Glad to have you as an O's fan

And for reading the site. It’s a pet peeve, nothing more.

"I don't have a hit-and-run sign, and I believe it's the worst play in baseball." - Earl Weaver

by duck on Jun 15, 2009 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's a peeve I can understand.

I was fairly sure I had one wrong and possibly both. But I was on my lunch break and decided not to take the time to check.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Jun 16, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right now, sure. Later, not so much.

The reality is that Bergesen is a bottom of the rotation guy on a good team. On this team, with Hill scuffling and Uehara on the DL, he becomes the most talented looking pitcher. As the season wears on he’ll be moved down the rotation and by next year he’ll be the 5th starter.

That’s not to say he hasn’t been pitching well. The guy has been a champ the last four games; he’s just not an ace.

by Dr Orpheus on Jun 16, 2009 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll have to disagree with you...

Bergesen is better than that…in two or three years I can see a rotation of Tillman, Matusz, Bergesen, Arrieta, and Hobgood….With Bergesen as the third starter.
Bergesen may not be as flashy as say Arrieta, but he’ll be more consistent and with Wieters catching he’ll be lights out.

Man that seems light a nice bunch : )

by Tetris on Jun 16, 2009 3:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ohh...

Can’t see where Guthrie fits in (I still love you Guts) and from what I saw of David Hernandez He’ll be in the bullpen.

by Tetris on Jun 16, 2009 3:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve been real impressed with Bergesen. He’s definitely exceeded my expectations so far. But I think the league will eventually catch up with him. He’s at best a 4/5 starter, but I’ve always thought he’d be best in the bullpen.

Also Hobgood won’t be up here that fast. He’s a high school pitcher and should take at least 4 years to make it up. I expect him to see a full year at Delmarva, Fredrick, and Bowie at the very least.

by edsachs1 on Jun 16, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I sort of disagree as well.

I watched him pitch against Seattle and I like what I saw. He doesn’t blow guys away, but he throws strikes, keeps the ball down and isn’t afraid of the hitters making contact.

Greg Maddox never had lights out stuff. And he kind of turned out ok. I’m not claiming Bergesen is the next Maddox, but he looks like a smart pitcher and I’ll take a smart pitcher over a guy with great stuff but not what it takes upstairs any day of the week.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Jun 16, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm pretty sure Bergesen could be a solid No. 3

But not much more if he doesn’t pick up some Ks.

"Do they have people that tall in Mexico?"

by NHZ on Jun 16, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know you’re NOT comparing Bergesen to Maddux really, but people always say this “Well Greg Maddux” stuff when they talk about finesse righties. I like Bergesen — in fact, right now I REALLY like him — but Greg Maddux was some sort of freak and also had a better arm than he’s often given credit for. His stuff was really good, he just didn’t have a blazing fastball.

On the larger point (smarts > dumb fastballs), yes, totally agree.

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

by SC on Jun 16, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Bergesen has been all gravy thus far. There are indicators that there might be something more to him than that – and he has been our best starter this year – but I’m still not ready to start counting on him continuing this success. He’s my favorite pitcher in ‘09 for sure, but I still feel like every time he goes out & does well it’s a surprise in my Cracker Jacks.

From the Land of Pleasant Living...

by OEutaw on Jun 16, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

maddux and moyer and randy johnson

Well, comparisons to those 3 pitchers drive me absolutely bonkers, though in fairness it’s not a far drive.

And fwiw, I like Bergeson too. He could be a serviceable #4 guy.

Librarians are hiding something

by dfa on Jun 16, 2009 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The staff I'm envisioning ...

… doesn’t have #1 , 2 or 3 guys. They are good top to bottom (or at least the first four guys are).

They will have differing styles and strengths, but all of them will be capable of going out every fifth game and turning in a quality start, giving their team the opportunity to win. If Bergesen keeps pitching like he has – which I acknowledge is certainly a big if – I don’t care what number you label him with, he will be a quality starter.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Jun 17, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree with you regarding Bergensen

This kid is a strike throwing and focused on the task. He will give you strong starts each night out. He does not have overpowering stuff but like a Maddox, McGregor or Jenkins he will fight you at each at bat. He can fis also strong enough to finish games too. A number 3 for sure with some experiance down the line.

Brandon Snyder, 1B. Remember that name.

by Baysox39 on Jun 18, 2009 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs