This whole fanpost is a little spammy to me anyway.

Anyone who is confused why the Orioles weren’t more aggressive either doesn’t follow them closely or doesn’t have their priorities in order. This year’s FA class was weak, weak, weak, and the Orioles are gunning for 2011. Why would they overspend for a "long-term piece" now? Instead of speaking in generalities, why not name the corner infielder you think they should have emptied their pockets to sign in a non-contending year.

I’d like to rebut, if I may(I wrote the comment). First off, let me say thanks for your interest in our site. We don’t mind at all if you disagree with our comments.

I said I agreed with the popular sentiment to some degree. I’m certainly open to arguments they shouldn’t be spending yet.

I do have to disagree that this year’s FA class was especially weak. It wasn’t that bad, in my opinion. Nor do I think its typically regarded as having been that bad. Next year’s could be excellent – I’ll give you that. This year had good depth at a lot of spots, especially corner IF (even though you might dispute this the O’s did sign two corner IFs – more below).

I wouldn’t necessarily overspend on a long term piece now. I do feel there were a few spots they could have picked that would have made sense (and that aren’t blocked by young players). I look at what the Mariners did. I think they started this offseason as a worse team than Baltimore. They still arent all that much better, talent wise IMO. The O’s could have made a run at lackey or Figgins, for instance. Their ages are a concern, sure (both on the wrong side of 30), but they’re premium players who would have really fit nicely. Figgins could have played 3B in ‘10 and then moved to the OF going forward, for example. I would have liked to have seen them spend on a guy like Harden or Sheets, perhaps instead of trading for Millwood, too. Chapman would have been a good fit. There were no ideal fits, no, but all I’m saying is there were a few spots they could have been more aggressive with. They seemed to have closed up shop on those early.

Point was if they had made moves like Seattle did this could perhaps have been a contending year. I think the O’s are pretty damn good. Great defense. Good offense. Pitching is coming along. Let’s say the added Lackey – that’s a damn good team. Lackey-Millwood-Guthrie-Tillman-Matusz? You can dream on a rotation like that. Considering the price the Phils got for Cliff Lee that would have made plenty of sense (for every team in baseball at that price, actually). A package headlined by Britton or Arrieta could beat one headed by Aumont IMO. The O’s system is far better than the Mariners… Even if you can’t re-sign Lee you could offer him arb and if he declines you get two firsts.

As for the corner IFs, I’m just not an Atkins fan. He’s likely going to be one of the worst starting 1B in baseball. He just doesnt hit enough. I would have rather seen LaRoche, sure. Branyan, definitely. They could have even grabbed Jermain Dye or Carlos Delgado (pushing other players to 1B like Scott). Troy Glaus. Nick Johnson. Ryan Garko. Hank Blalock. Maybe Nomar even. Sheffield? Not to mention the decent in house options of Luke Scott, Reimold and even Wigginton. Players like Casey Kotchman were available cheaply. 1B who can outhit Garrett Atkins are always available cheaply (ie. Kila Ka’aihue – AAA is full of guys like this). I just don’t see what the appeal of Atkins was. Maybe you like him better than those other options… many of those signed for less than $4.5mm guaranteed. Branyan got $2mm for instance and a $5mm option compared to Atkins’$8.5mm option with a $0.5mm buy out. In a market like this I would have wait until January or February.

Again, though… my overall tone was quite positive… its not like I’m trashing the O’s offseason here.

YMMV. I’m very interested to hear your thoughts.

Thanks again.
Al Skorupa