Phaith

Was that we didn’t mortgage the future. Its painful to delay benefits, but we may have to do so one more time.

This really is a significant issue, much more than whether or not the Orioles should’ve offered Koji arbitration, bid on Nishioka or protected Pelzer.

I think for a mid market team like the Orioles to succeed, they need to have long term alternatives on the farm, and when some of those inevitably fail, utilize the free agent market. Overpaying for one or two positions isn’t the end of the world. However, when you have to overpay around the diamond due a dysfunctional farm system, well you end up with Jay Payton, Kevin Millar and Ramon Hernadez getting paid $15M to not even be league average (collectively).

I think what frustrates me with MacPhail is that fact that the 2011 1B and SS have lacked a viable alternative in system for the last 3 years. I don’t feel like MacPhail has worked hard enough on addressing these problems…Garrett Atkins’ dismal 2010 campaign was entirely predictable. On one level, who cares? Suffering through Garrett Atkins while having a Freddie Freeman waiting in the wings is different than having Garrett Atkins while Michael Aubrey is the guy waiting in the wings. The problem is that there are still no viable solutions at those positions in a year where it was reasonable to start thinking the Orioles would be competing for relevancy. And yet, here we are, having to overpay for what are various unattractive options.

The Orioles have also had a black hole at 3B. However, AM was able to deal Sherrill for Josh Bell. Now Josh Bell may or may not be the answer, but at the very least a reasonable effort to solve that problem was made. If the team needs to acquire someone like Mark Reynolds, it is entirely understandable.

I also don’t think MacPhail has done enough internationally. The Orioles farm system is the weakest in the division, and on some level it’s due a lack of trying (i.e., not spending enough throughout Latin America). (I don’t really begrudge Jordan for a lot of reasons, one being that he’s spent a reasonable amount and he has gone overslot throughout the draft, and two because I don’t half as much about baseball as Jordan does.)

In the end, do I have faith that MacPhail can figure out how to be outwit other GMs in the division? I haven’t seen enough over his tenure to warrant that faith.

You and James are NOT mind mates.

The development of the farm system had been pushed to the back burner in favor of major league development

I feel this is almost necessary at this point. All those young guys gave us a strong minor league system. However, since they all graduated to the majors, I do agree that they need to work on their continued development.

The minor league system is now depleted except for a few prospects. While the Gonzalez signing did cost us a second round pick, that signing alone is not the reason the minors are weak now. It was the years of incompetence in the front office. While Gonzalez did leave a bad taste in our mouths by lying about an injury, he was pretty darn effective once he came back. Although, he is overpaid as a reliever.

Getting a system like the Rays, where we can replace free agents with prospects at will, is going to take several years of quality drafting. As long as MacPhail doesn’t continuously make free agent signings that cost draft picks the farm will be replenished in time. Assuming good picks are made.

One thing though: Brian Matusz is only signed through 2012. Is it right to refer to a Matusz-era? Seems like an awfully short window to me.

literally valued Adam Dunn the same as Brian Roberts, and less than Victor Martinez, does not do much for my faith. It is definitely shaken.

“I have too often wondered what it will be like when the Orioles win again.”

Win what? More games than they lose? The World Series? Or something in between?

I believe that MacPhail and Showalter can eventually get the O’s to win 81 wins. The playoffs? I have a lot more difficulty believing that. The World Series? When pigs fly. At least as the O’s and baseball are structured. The O’s will not be spenders under MacPhail, and it is not clear they’ll ever build a decent farm system. MacPhail has said he wants to follow the Rays and Twins, and that means build a strong scouting and minor league system. They’ll have to be top notch, like the Rays, to compete in the AL East. Frankly, I don’t lay all the blame on MacPhail. He’s still surrounded by the Angelos front office. A few chairs have been shuffled (namely the Stockstills) and some minor league coaches canned, but the same people are running it all. They just now report to MacPhail, and MacPhail himself is not the greatest judge of talent. Just as the O’s have trouble attracting free agents, I don’t see them attracting top level front office talent, nor do I believe MacPhail could make changes at that level of the organization.

It’s not my lack of faith in MacPhail as it is lack of faith in the O’s up and down the Angelos management chain. MacPhail is only one person.

I was hoping Andy would hire him to help bring his thinking into the 21st century.

nearly have me in tears. We can’t say that it’s not true, and that a lot of the negative attention thrown at Andy isn’t justified. It seems like our young talent which has come up through the minors, and is now in the majors are set for good careers and maybe one or two will be stars. The rest of the farm system is far below average and when we’re ready to trade for a big name bat, we won’t have enough to acquire one.