Thursday Bird Droppings
by duck on Jul 22, 2010 8:35 AM EDT
in Open Threads
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Recaps of yesterday's loss can be found at St. Petersburg Times, orioles.com, MASNsports.com, and baltimoresun.com.
Orioles Insider: Samuel and Tejada disagree on key decision
"It was a great decision," Tejada said. "You know why it’s a great decision? They’ve been killing us because we haven’t been turning double plays from second. They’ve been killing everybody because we haven’t been turning the double play. Now they said we lose the game because I didn’t throw to second? Who said it was going to be a double play? It doesn’t really matter. I’m the one that made the decision. I’m the one out there. I have to have confidence in my pitchers." Miggy's unhappy and now opening questioning his manager's authority. This is going to end well.
Orioles Insider: Roberts drops by the Yards; activation pending?
Brian Roberts dropped off a shipment of bats at OPaCY yesterday, signaling he may be back sooner rather than later. Seems to me you either activate him for this weekend or you wait until after the Toronto series. It would be beyond stupid to have his first game action on that God-awful turf.
Kevin Cowherd: Complaints about Oriole Adam Jones' bubbles are blown out of proportion
"Complaints about Adam Jones' bubbles are blown out of proportion. Orioles center fielder has improved this season, all while blowing bubbles."
The Schmuck Stops Here: Maddon's advice to O's: Be patient
"I see some good arms (in the rotation) and a lot of potential,'' Maddon said, "and I think the bullpen is chock full of power arms -- with Hernandez and Simon and Berken. They just need to gain confidence. Overall, it's about fastball command. As they become more efficient, they are going to get better. They've got high-end stuff. I don't know them, so I don't know their makeup, but if the makeup is good, they are going to have some good pitchers." Coming from Joe Maddon, that sounds encouraging. If these same words came from Joe Girardi or Terry Fancona, I'd want to tear their eyes out. Funny how that works.
Jason Berken’s Recent Struggles - 2131 And Beyond
So, what's up with my favorite pitcher? There's more to know than there was 2 weeks ago...
Virtual Vensanity: Invisible Oriole: bullpen catcher Ronnie Deck
"Ronnie Deck pulls an Orioles jersey over his head and straps on his shin guards every afternoon." Read more about our bullpen catcher!
Despite incident, Tampa Bay Rays' Carl Crawford won't wear protective cup - St. Petersburg Times
"I'm just not going to wear a cup," Crawford said. "I just don't think that's going to happen again. It never happened in eight years, so I'm not going to worry about letting that one little incident make me change the way I do things. … If it happens again, then it just happens again." There's simply nothing I can add to this.
IN THE MINORS
The Canadian Press: Rays, Orioles pitchers in Dominican league receive 50-game suspensions
"Saulo Alcantara of the Baltimore Orioles organization tested positive for performance-enhancing substances."
Bell hops up and down | delmarvanow.com | The Daily Times
"As we continue with this stinker of a season, one of the guys I feel bad for right now is rookie third baseman Josh Bell." Honestly, I only clipped this for the headline.
MINOR LEAGUE RESULTS
Norfolk won 10-7 as Michael Aubrey clubbed two home runs (including a grand slam) and drove in six as the Tides held off a late Syracuse rally.
Bowie won to complete a sweep over the Binghamton Mets with a 6-5 victory Wednesday morning. Brandon Waring went 3-for-3 with three doubles and a walk.
Frederick won 10-7 after trailing by two runs into the top of the ninth inning, as three Keys walked to open the ninth to start a seven-run rally.
Delmarva won 10-6 as the Shorebirds plated ten unanswered runs between the third and the sixth innings to cruise past Hickory.
Aberdeen lost 6-2 as Tri-City scored in the first, second and fourth innings to chase starter Tyler Sexton.
Bluefield lost 7-6 as Bluefield starter Zachary Petersime lasted just 3.0 IP, giving up three runs and six hits.
and the GCL Orioles won 9-5 as four Orioles had multi-hit games.
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Oof
Cut Miggi. Send him packing.
Oh and now we’re warming up Uehara. He’ll die. He will actually DIE if he pitches in this heat. -KenDixonFanClub
At least there will be some Miggi drama to keep us entertained in the second half
I’ll go make the popcorn.
Be sure to get better on it.
"[The] dictionary is the only place that success comes before work." - Vince Lombardi
by BaltimoreSportsFan on Jul 22, 2010 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Meh
Y’all are blowing a single game – a single play, really – out of proportion.
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
To be fair...
…I’ve been saying we should dump Miggi since long before this. I don’t care about this at all. Cut him because he sucks and is a cancer on the clubhouse, not because he blew a play.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
I don't see how he's a cancer
but yeah, of course, cut him because he sucks. But then who plays third? Josh Bell, who isn’t ready and might be worse? Does Scott Moore like to play more than Josh Bell?
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
Does he have an attitude problem?
Always has, since Oakland. Does he loaf on routine grounders? Always has. Does he refuse to be a good situational hitter? Always has, and the results bear it out again this year (although with the Crow coaching, he probably isn’t even asked to). Does he place himself above the team and undermine the manager? Obviously, once again, yes.
Scott Morre is plenty adequate to play third the rest of the way, and Fox can platoon there with him. We have no business having any veteran who isn’t a positive example to our younger players on this team.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
Eh, the mentor stuff never really caught on with me
loafing on routine grounders just doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t raise my blood pressure. I just don’t really care about it. But this one play, this one time he disputes what the “manager” says, and everyone blows up, like they’ve been waiting for Miggi to make one misstep so they can pounce on him.
Like I said, go nuts. Tejada’s not a very good ballplayer anymore, and I don’t want older, increasingly useless guys on my team. I think a lack of talent affects the clubhouse A LOT more than “undermining the manager”. But that’s just me – it’s pretty clear that that’s the minority opinion.
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
Also, Scott Moore is terrible
he’s probably worse than Tejada. And anyway, they’d just call Bell back up to play third, and I don’t support that position.
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
Meh
Again, it is hard to say that I’m pouncing on Miggi now – I’ve hated him for essentially the entire season.
I don’t argue that lack of talent is worse than a bad attitude. On the other hand, we have a lot of young, talented guys who to a man are failing to play up to their talent. There is a reason for that, even if we don’t know exactly what it is. And working in a consequence-free environment is part of it.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
I've been saying we should have never signed him!!!
Don't mess with the bull, young man. You'll get the horns.
heh. you were not the first.
i have been very clear on this point from Day One.
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
take it easy, homeslice.
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
I said sign him and I say it was still a sound decision
We knew the power wasn’t there, but dude DID hit 199 hits last year. Did anyone expect this big a dropoff in hits? Of all the criticisms, I don’t remember that being one of them. Hitting him fourth, however, was just beyond stupid.
"Overdrive the sound and make it sound pretty rude." - Jimmy Page
He still has over 100 hits so far.
Second on the team only to Markakis as of earlier in the week.
Insert something witty here.
by Knubles and Bits on Jul 22, 2010 2:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Assuming he continues at this pace...
He winds up with 179, which I will be happy with. His best “position” is really DH, I imagine his WAR would look a lot better if his was playing the field as often as Luke has been.
by TerroristFistJab on Jul 22, 2010 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
you clearly don't understand WAR
Luke Scott has been 13 Batting Runs Above Average. Miggy is -7.2 Batting Runs Above Average. That’s not a typo, he is 7 runs below average. Sp please don’t compare luke and miggy again.
ZiPS
297/336/433 (769 OPS, 688 actual OPS) projection for Mggi. So, in fairness to Duck, he’s done worse that expected. But that wasn’t my objection of him at the time. I thought he was unnecessary at his price tag and I would still say that even if he was hitting .769 OPS.
Don't mess with the bull, young man. You'll get the horns.
It's not the play
The manager says he should have gone to second, so Miggi says he didn’t go to second because his teammates are incapable of turning double plays. That’s nice.
Oh and now we’re warming up Uehara. He’ll die. He will actually DIE if he pitches in this heat. -KenDixonFanClub
So, to clarify
Markakis calls out his teammates for having a terrible offensive approach, and going over everyone’s head to talk to the owner directly about what needs to be done, and he’s a hero (and he IS a hero, I’m not disputing that).
Tejada calls out his teammates for having a terrible defensive approach, and he’s needs to get out his fucking shine box. OK.
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
I think it's different
Nick Markakis puts his money where his mouth is. It’s pretty, “Hi Pot, this is Kettle,” for Miggi to say he didn’t make a specific play on purpose because he knows his teammates suck.
Oh and now we’re warming up Uehara. He’ll die. He will actually DIE if he pitches in this heat. -KenDixonFanClub
I'm really just playing Devil's Advocate
because they are obviously different situations, and really anytime you read about this kind of disruption from the everyday clubhouse norm, it’s not a good thing.
But the essence of what Tejada said, hypocrisy or no, is correct: the Orioles suck on defense, and that makes everyone’s individual job on defense that much harder. If this is his way of calling out his teammates to do better, then why is that such a bad thing, even if it hypocritical?
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
First of all...
..it’s in public. Big no-no in any organization to step out and call out your co-workers in public. Even worse in the press.
Second, he’s the worst on defense on the entire team. Hands down. It’s called projection and he’s prick for doing it at all, especially in public.
Big no-no in any organization to step out and call out your co-workers in public. Even worse in the press.
Markakis did the same thing…
Second, he’s the worst on defense on the entire team. Hands down. It’s called projection and he’s prick for doing it at all, especially in public.
Shrek begs to differ.
Don't mess with the bull, young man. You'll get the horns.
he's really not even close to the worst defender on the team
Wiggy is far, far worse
Wiggy doesn't play defense...
…he hangs around on first base catching balls – sporadically jumping up awkwardly to try to catch whatever Tejada lobs his way. Ballet it ain’t.
Tejada's arm is one of the best in the league.
You can knock on his fielding abilities all you want, but in no way can you tell me he doesn’t throw well. Unless of course that isn’t what you meant by “whatever Tejada lobs his way” and, in that case, I apologize.
Insert something witty here.
by Knubles and Bits on Jul 22, 2010 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Adam Jones is also worse, at least this year.
Jones: -7.8 UZR/150 and -4 DRS
Tejada: -5.7 UZR/150 and 0 DRS
Yes, it makes me want to cry.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all." -- Earl Weaver
yeah, i didnt want to say it out loud
it was too sad
Markakis actually is, too, according to UZR (-6.3 / 150),
but DRS has him at +1. I dunno what to think about Nick’s defense, honestly.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all." -- Earl Weaver
A comment about UZR has stood for almost half an hour without OsFan21 commenting/ranting?
Must be away from the computer
I've planted the idea in his head that UZR is good.
It was very cathartic for him.
Don't mess with the bull, young man. You'll get the horns.
well, VORP and WARP are offensive stats
UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating) and DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) are defensive stats
you're aware
females can bear both males and females, correct? or are you still subscribing to the stork theory?
wait, was the stork theory disproven?
I demand a link to a serious scientific paper!
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
Have you ever had someone incompetent try and call you out at work?
It wouldn’t motivate me to do better, it would make me want to punch that guy in the face and tell him to get himself in order before he starts in on me.
What’s the Bible verse about not pointing out the speck in someone’s eye when you have a log in yours? Miggi needs to cram it.
Oh and now we’re warming up Uehara. He’ll die. He will actually DIE if he pitches in this heat. -KenDixonFanClub
GLAD YOU ASKED!!!
Matthew 7:3-4 (NLT) And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye[a] when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend,[b] ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?
by Wieters Wieners on Jul 22, 2010 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Nothing like a dude with Wieners in his name quoting scripture.
Oh and now we’re warming up Uehara. He’ll die. He will actually DIE if he pitches in this heat. -KenDixonFanClub
YOU ASKED FOR IT STACEY!!!!!
“What’s the Bible verse about not pointing out the speck in someone’s eye when you have a log in yours?”
by Wieters Wieners on Jul 22, 2010 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I always preferred this version:
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
You found his mote; the king your mote did see;
But I a beam do find in each of three.
"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott
you always knew what would come to what?
by thewaywardO on Jul 22, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Miggi being openly defiant of the club and our talking about cutting him
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
Guess Miggi really doesn't want to get traded if he's going to spout off some stupid bs like that
‘cause ain’t too many teams looking to add an over-the-hill malcontent in order to make a run at the playoffs
"Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man." ~ The Dude
But...he likes to play!
Juan Samuel said so!
"The United States is the New York Yankees of countries...powerful and respected until the year 2000." - Homer J. Simpson
I will never understand
why some athletes simply refuse to wear cups. Is avoiding the very minor daily discomfort really worth risking something like what happened to Crawford the other day? Especially when permanent damage is (I believe) quite possible? Ridiculous.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all." -- Earl Weaver
If that discomfort is enough to affect your performance?
I think its perfectly understandable, especially for outfielders where this sort of thing is fairly rare.
I guess...
I didn’t read the article before that first comment. I dunno, I still don’t think it’s worth it… I would imagine they’d get used to it if they tried (did they never wear one before going pro?). Just does not seem worth the risk to me.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all." -- Earl Weaver
I've played some pretty serious sports my whole life
and never worn a cup. Maybe it’s because I can’t find one big enough or maybe its because i just find them extremely uncomfortable. But I played Soccer, Basketball and baseball in high school and could never stand wearing one. Everyone knew it too, so I would get my share of “cup checks”, lol.
by Wieters Wieners on Jul 22, 2010 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions
same here, and all the sports teams I played on,
the only people i knew to wear a cup were catchers.
I had a few guys on my soccer team that wore one....
I was even the goalie my junior and senior year and still refused.
I gotta free ball it man…. FREEEEEEEEDOMMMMMM!!!!!!
by Wieters Wieners on Jul 22, 2010 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
I play shortstop for my baseball team and I never wear a cup.
If I suck enough to let a ground ball hit me in the junk then I probably deserve it. Cups are the most uncomfortable thing on earth.
2632
Most guys I played with didn't wear them
and their reasoning (which makes a little sense actually) was that the cup was extremely uncomfortable (it is) and interfered with their agility and they would rather risk the incredibly small chance that they get hit in the nuts than make even the smallest sacrifice in athleticism. They also usually said they trusted their hands and instincts enough to keep their balls safe. Once I was only a pitcher and athleticism stopped mattering as much I always wore one, but I also didn’t trust my hands or instincts enough to protect them.
Rub some $100 bills on it, you sell-out. -duck
Fair enough.
Thinking about it, I guess I only played baseball and wore one through freshman year of high school, which might have a lot to do with it, lol.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all." -- Earl Weaver
In high school I wore one when I pitched and played infield, but not when I played outfield. When I switched to just pitching in college I wore one all the time – every practice and every game.
Rub some $100 bills on it, you sell-out. -duck
Where did you pitch at college?
is it Division-I?
"[The] dictionary is the only place that success comes before work." - Vince Lombardi
by BaltimoreSportsFan on Jul 22, 2010 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
100 greatest movie insults
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSEYXWmEse8&feature=player_embedded
Not at all safe for work.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
"getting called every name in the book by classy fans in certain cities"
I like Ronnie Deck…I can only imagine he means the always classy NY fans…..
"Real Orioles don't pout. Real Orioles don't gloat. Real Orioles just win."
can I gey
At all hazards, a man must keep up appearances. Dignity, I say. Dignity above all, Governor. Hear, hear!
-Det. William "Bunk" Moreland
by j.q. higgins on Jul 22, 2010 2:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Reply fail...
anywho, just pleased to have a guy in the system named ronnie deck.
At all hazards, a man must keep up appearances. Dignity, I say. Dignity above all, Governor. Hear, hear!
-Det. William "Bunk" Moreland
by j.q. higgins on Jul 22, 2010 2:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
is miggi over the hill? yeah.
but miggi made an OK call going home
and why is samuel yapping about it anyway?
that alone gives miggi the right to defend himself
Agreed
It’s a split second decision… the infield was in.
I mean, maybe it was or wasn’t perfect, but its not worth critiquing.
by Wieters Wieners on Jul 22, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
wasn’t the runner heading to first a speedy fella?
by thewaywardO on Jul 22, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
I just don't know why Miggi couldn't have said
what you guys just did. It was a split second decision, he believed it was the right thing to do to save the run, etc. My issue is with him saying the reasoning was based on the failures of the middle infield. Has he seen himself play defense? It’s a freak show.
Oh and now we’re warming up Uehara. He’ll die. He will actually DIE if he pitches in this heat. -KenDixonFanClub
because he’s miguel effing tejada, not robert byrd
by thewaywardO on Jul 22, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Exact-u-mundo
"Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man." ~ The Dude
by PBR me ASAP! on Jul 22, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
I think going to home is the right decision there.
You prevent a run from scoring, why would Samuel critizie that?
"[The] dictionary is the only place that success comes before work." - Vince Lombardi
by BaltimoreSportsFan on Jul 22, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Critizie?
Wow, I can’t spell.
"[The] dictionary is the only place that success comes before work." - Vince Lombardi
by BaltimoreSportsFan on Jul 22, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Actually Miguel...
…they (and everyone else) have been killing us because seemingly every hitter on the team not named Nick Markakis or Luke Scott (minor clemency be granted to Wiggy and – I can’t believe I’m writing this – Corey Patterson) has a Little League approach to ABs and no conception of what Outs are worth – and you’re their Patron Saint. Nice defense by the way too. 1 out of 5 plays you look like a break dancer dodging balls in a batting cage out there.
I'm lovin' everyone finally coming around on Luke.
by Wieters Wieners on Jul 22, 2010 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm jumping on the bandwagon
and hoping he’s gone in about a week.
Rub some $100 bills on it, you sell-out. -duck
I am not coming around on Luke.
He just happens to have a decent OBP right now, unlike most everyone else on the team. Luke is super streaky and not the kinda player I want on the team. He’s our Part-Time Slugger. They should take away his health and dental benefits and not let him work more than 40 hours a week.
every slugger is super streaky
luke isn’t gonna win any mvp’s but he is definitely a useful player who i love having on the team. Not that I would be upset if we traded him as long as we got back something useful.
I'd rather just keep him
I mean, look at the amount of shit in our system that never pans out.
Why not just stick with a guy who has a decent bat (streaky or not).
I can live with the streaks, and I think he’s a decent clubhouse presence.
by Wieters Wieners on Jul 22, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
cause he's already 32 years old,
and he can’t have too many good years left in him
He's 32
and going to be a free agent soon. He has zero role on this team in the long term. If we can get a real prospect for him we should absolutely jump at it.
Rub some $100 bills on it, you sell-out. -duck
Meh
I could see having him for 3-4 more seasons….
But you know me, I’m the guy that rocks my Luke Scott autographed jersey to the game.
by Wieters Wieners on Jul 22, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Sure, why not?
If the price is right…..
by Wieters Wieners on Jul 22, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought we were done
signing mediocre 34 year old free agents…
Rub some $100 bills on it, you sell-out. -duck
Yeah
Well, when no one else will sign with you… wtf else do you do?
by Wieters Wieners on Jul 22, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
There's a reason..
…those are the ones we sign. They’re the only ones who’ll lower their standards enough to play here.
Thats what I'm sayin...
I mean, he turned 32 a month ago. There’s no reason to think he doesnt have 3 good years left in him. And again, when you look around at what we have and what we can go out and get… I dont think its crazy talk to give him a 3 year, 10M deal.
by Wieters Wieners on Jul 22, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I mean
We took a “risk” on Atkins and gave him more than that. Now I’m really talking myself into it. BRING LUKE BACK BABY!!! 4 MORE YEARS!! 4 MORE YEARS!!!
by Wieters Wieners on Jul 22, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I like Luke and all,
but I don’t think he’s gonna re-sign here for 3 years and $10M. Unless you mean $10M per year, because I’m pretty sure he could pull something like that in free agency.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all." -- Earl Weaver
He ain't gettin' 10M a year anywhere...
Thats ridiculous.
Thats Markakis money..
by Wieters Wieners on Jul 22, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok, ill admit Im a complete tool
When it comes to contractual issues. But Im a fast learner. Apparently he is arbitration eligible in 2011 and 2012 but then he’s a free agent in 2013. When would we need to resign him if we wanted to?
by Wieters Wieners on Jul 22, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not an expert
but he’s going to get a serious raise in 2011 and most likely another serious raise in 2012 and then after that season he’d be a free agent. So really there’s no rush to trade him right now – we could just as easily do it any time between now and 2012, but the same reasons that make him attractive to hold onto make him a more attractive trade piece right now (his age, his affordability and contractual control, etc).
Rub some $100 bills on it, you sell-out. -duck
But what the heck would we realistically get for him
That would be worth the loss of his stick?
by Wieters Wieners on Jul 22, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
well
I would argue that his stick is worth very little to us – we are going to suck shit regardless – even if he’s the best player in the league the rest of the season. But if other people think his stick is worth something and are willing to give up a prospect then it’s worth quite a lot to us.
Rub some $100 bills on it, you sell-out. -duck
That is the question.
The trick is finding somebody we could actually fleece, which is why a deadline trade seems ideal. I know the folks over at DRaysBay keep gushing over Luke, for example, but their front office is too smart… I don’t know if we’d get more than a straight-up swap for, say, Reid Brignac.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all." -- Earl Weaver
SOLD
Oh and now we’re warming up Uehara. He’ll die. He will actually DIE if he pitches in this heat. -KenDixonFanClub
Haha, wow.
Oookay, apparently I’m totally undervaluing Brignac. Thought the view was that his bat had declined enough that he’s more of a glove guy now. Guess many still think he’ll hit?
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all." -- Earl Weaver
He'll outhit Izzy...
….and pretty much any other potential 2011 SS option for the O’s.
But what the heck makes us think that a young, cheap, plus defensive shortstop isn’t worth more than a DH no matter how he hits?
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
His hitting is really coming on this season, too
He’s just getting better.
Oh and now we’re warming up Uehara. He’ll die. He will actually DIE if he pitches in this heat. -KenDixonFanClub
Fair point.
I tend to think that since the Rays seem to have plenty of middle infield depth, they’d be more willing to give some away, but you’re right strictly value-wise. Though I’m not sure I’d call Luke a DH to the point where it hurts his value — he can play corner OF at an average level or slightly better. Not that TB doesn’t have better defensive corner OF options, of course.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all." -- Earl Weaver
Not that TB doesn’t have better defensive corner OF options, of course.
Aren’t the Jays running Matty Joyce and Gabe Kapler in RF lately? I’m sure they would love Luke. They would appreciate his above average defensive metrics and they have the choice to keep him next year.
Don't mess with the bull, young man. You'll get the horns.
If you could get Brignac for Luke...
…you’d make that deal twice every day and a dozen times on Sunday.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
Can you make a deal more than once a day?
by Wieters Wieners on Jul 22, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah.
He’s making about $4M now. Assuming he continues to put up comparable numbers, arbitration after this year will probably bump that to around $6M, and $8M the year after. Considering he can also play the corner OF spots adequately, I can’t see him getting less than 3 years, $24M in FA, unless he falls off a cliff while we still have him.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all." -- Earl Weaver
Agreed...
after looking at his value in WAR dollars compared to his actual salary, I’d imagine he’s likely to command a steeper price than most would imagine.
I assume Luke is also not stupid enough to think that his value lies in the field, as his good WAR numbers are buoyed by the fact that of his 69 games played, only 22 have involved him playing in the field(!) – he needs to stay in the AL and DH.
by TerroristFistJab on Jul 22, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Hm?
If he’s an adequate defender (which he is), playing in the field could only increase his WAR…
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all." -- Earl Weaver
Egads!
I had Tejada’s FG page up. Strike that part about his defense.
Wait – why isn’t Luke getting time in LF? I know they want Pie to “get comfortable” out there, but wouldn’t it at least help Luke’s TV for other teams to see he’s no Adam Dunn out there?
by TerroristFistJab on Jul 22, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah,
I figure Pie’s growth > a small boost to Luke’s trade value, basically. Though that doesn’t answer why Luke couldn’t have been playing LF instead of Corey…
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all." -- Earl Weaver
Shifting gears
I read …somewhere that MacPhail thought a strategy the club might be able to take was to pick up a big contract put on waivers ala Alex Rios to the White Sox last year. This got me thinking to go through Cot’s Contracts to look for potential pickups in August.
I was looking for guys in relatively high-money, low-performance (or low relative value to the team) situations under contract for at least another year. I ignored position and just how very bad (or good) some of these guys are, while ignoring the guys who obviously won’t just be given away:
Scott Kazmir
Brandon Lyon
Vernon Wells?
Derek Lowe?
Kenshin Kawakami?
LaTroy Hawkins
Carlos Zambrano
Aramis Ramirez?
Alfonso Soriano?
Kosuke Fukudome
Travis Hafner
Milton Bradley
Oliver Perez
Jeff Franceour
Raul Ibanez
Danys Baez
Dioner Navarro
Daisuke Matsuzaka?
Brian Bannister?
It’s an incomplete and flawed list, but it’s a start. It of course requires the other team to a) put the player on waivers, and b) let the Orioles just inherit the contract, and I’m not sure how likely that is in a couple of cases. It also looks like slim pickins (of course it does), so if this is MacPhail’s big secret weapon, we’re in for a whole lot of nohing. But it’s some food for thought.
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
Vernon Wells looks interesting.
"[The] dictionary is the only place that success comes before work." - Vince Lombardi
by BaltimoreSportsFan on Jul 22, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
I doubt it on him
he’s having a career rejuvenating year…but if I’m Toronto and I can move that contract, I dunno…
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
have you seen his splits?
He had a hot April, warm May, decent June, and he’s been well-below replacement in July. Career rejuvenating? He had a hot 3 months and still has one of the top-5 most untradeable contracts in baseball.
to be honest
I did not. And it looks like its the case where if he’s too good, the BJs’ll keep him, and if he’s too bad, there’s no way the Orioles pick him up (ignoring his position).
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
his contract is horrible, and he's turning back into a pumpkin
stay the fuck away
I can't see any real possibilities besides Ramirez and Ibanez
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
Ramirez could have a little upside, although he is 32.
He’s had a BABIP about 60 points below his career average and he still has some power in his bat, so he could be a decent bounce-back candidate. Ibanez is 38, and below replacement level. No way should we go after him, that would be beyond stupid.
Meh
Even if we did get Ramirez and even if he was good, he’d be a free agent either after this season or next.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
i wasn't saying i wanted him i was saying he's at least semi-defensible
Ibanez and Wells are not
I think that it's obvious that striped stirrups won the series for Tampa
The stock market will never recover, our armies will never again be #1, and our children will drink filthy water for the rest of their lives - HST
were you wearing yours during the games?
You gotta counterbalance that sort of stuff. YOU HAVE THE POWER
On Monday, I did not.
On June 26, the throwback game against the Nats, I was with like a whole row of people that I provided stirrups for. Like 7 people total.
The stock market will never recover, our armies will never again be #1, and our children will drink filthy water for the rest of their lives - HST
by the fix is in on Jul 22, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm conivnced you're Paul Lucas (form Uni watch) in disguise.
"[The] dictionary is the only place that success comes before work." - Vince Lombardi
by BaltimoreSportsFan on Jul 22, 2010 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Rough start for Zach Britton today.
30 pitches and 3 R (1 earned) through the first inning. Two errors, one each by Hughes and Andino.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all." -- Earl Weaver
I see our Baby Birds have been closely observing, and taking meticulous notes on the ML club
"Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man." ~ The Dude
by PBR me ASAP! on Jul 22, 2010 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Joey Gathright released
Buster Olney tweets: Buck Showalter remains the first choice of the Orioles, but the deal is not done and there are potential hurdles to an agreement
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
Miggy’s unhappy and now opening questioning his manager’s authority. This is going to end well.
Buck and Miggi are going to make a wonderful couple.
Don't mess with the bull, young man. You'll get the horns.
I don't think we're ever getting Buck
Buck and the Orioles are like when you keep making plans to make plans to go out with a girl. If the two of you aren’t interested enough to get your acts together and go out already, you probably aren’t going to end up together.
Way it goes.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
Lots of people talking about our "roster crunch" today
It seems pretty fucking obvious to me that this “problem” is easily enough solved by making some of the fucking trades we plan on making over the next week already.
I mean, the Padres want Tejada for some reason, Wiggy will be gone… do we really need to do something stupid like DFA Moore so we can get a few extra days of B-Rob?
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
Oh, now this would be entertaining:
From MLB Trade Rumors:
The Padres, who are interested in Miguel Tejada, believe he could potentially play some outfield once David Eckstein returns, according to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all." -- Earl Weaver
Let me get some of what they been smokin!
"Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man." ~ The Dude
by PBR me ASAP! on Jul 22, 2010 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Do you think
Miggi would make the same face he made when asked about Josh Bell at his introductory press conference when the Padres approached him about that?
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
How the fuck did the Nats just sweep the Reds?
Although the same question was probably asked when the O’s swept the Rangers and Red Sucks…
Rub some $100 bills on it, you sell-out. -duck
So good minor league news:
Waring has been absolutely crushing the ball in July, his walks are up and his K’s are down. He’s a 24 yr old in AA, but hopefully he’s coming around a bit.
A few negative thoughts for the team I hate to love
Matusz, Tillman, and Arrieta need to finish the year in AAA. None of them have any consistency and it hurts me to watch them flounder around in the bigs.
Nick Markakis has reached his potential and I am semi-disappointed.
Adam Jones is a terrible center fielder and should sell his gold glove to the cash-for-gold folks.
Matt Wieters’ swing actually has more holes than did Jay Gibbons’…and that is saying something.
shit, pressed enter instead of tab
but about Matusz, see here: http://camdencrazies.com/2010/07/20/should-matusz-be-sent-to-the-minors/
Interesting
and I will say that Brian is the most polished of our youngsters. If we could go back I think maybe he should not have skipped AAA altogether like he did. Working on your command in Norfolk is a much better idea than trying to do it in the AL East.
I watch him fly open in his delivery and the ball goes sailing in the the lefty batter’s box way too much. He has no consistent release point and his fastball is entirely too straight (i.e.-no 2-seam action whatsoever).
You sure about that? I think Matusz has a very compact delivery and stays closed all the way through release. What you do after release doesn’t matter at all. I don’t recall seeing very many pitches flying up and in on lefties/up and away on righties.
Rub some $100 bills on it, you sell-out. -duck
It just seems that when
he is trying to work away to righties he is missing outside an awful lot rather than actually hitting the corner. I don’t know if this is just me making things worse than they are or if its true, but something isn’t clicking for him right now.
I don't know.
Depending on the count I’d rather have him miss outside than down the middle. He’s definitely nibbling more than I would like, but I don’t think it’s a mechanical flaw. I think he’s in his head a little bit since he’s been getting hurt with the long ball the last couple starts.
Rub some $100 bills on it, you sell-out. -duck
Say you send them down
Who on earth is going to start for the Orioles for the rest of the season? I know you may say it doesn’t matter, but it is something you have to think about.
I’m sorry you’re disappointed in Nick Markakis. I can understand how it’s upsetting to have a .400 OBP guy who leads the league in doubles and is capable of walking almost 100 times in a year on your team.
On Adam, agreed.
On Wieters, I haven’t seen him play in a couple weeks, but for the few weeks leading up to his injury he actually started to look a lot better. He did look godawful before that, though. He never hits home runs, which makes me sad.
Oh and now we’re warming up Uehara. He’ll die. He will actually DIE if he pitches in this heat. -KenDixonFanClub
Leading internal candidates would be Hendrickson and Gabino
Also Patton deserves a shot as much as anyone else.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
No thanks.
Oh and now we’re warming up Uehara. He’ll die. He will actually DIE if he pitches in this heat. -KenDixonFanClub
Britt's latest post...
…pretty much comes out and says that the Orioles will be DFAing Moore when Roberts comes back, and that when Wieters comes back, it will be either Tatum or Fox being placed on waivers.
Which is absolutely fucking retarded. We’re going to carry five outfielders to keep Scorey, but we’re going to lose one of Tatum or Fox (and no way either guy clears), according to her talk with Juan. You’ve really got to be shitting me.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
Oh, and now she tweets that Pie looks "uncomfortable" in the leadoff spot.
Yeah, it just fits Scorey like a condom.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
What does that even mean?
Even if he looks uncomfortable, whatever, Felix has barely been in the leadoff spot and he was injured for months. I didn’t realize this team needed a 31 year old shitty outfielder with his smoke and mirrors at the top of the lineup more than they needed to discover if Felix Pie is going to become a viable option for the future.
Oh and now we’re warming up Uehara. He’ll die. He will actually DIE if he pitches in this heat. -KenDixonFanClub
If Juan Samuel told me it was raining out...
…I’d leave my umbrella at home.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
Also
if Pie is uncomfortable in that spot…why? Why don’t you coach him and tell him it’s a fucking batting spot, just go hit like normal. Why is he uncomfortable? Why? Why? Why are you bad at managing?
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
Seriously!
If Pie is uncomfortable, give him a pep talk and a smack on the fanny and send him out there to conquer his fears.
Won’t someone please send the Orioles the URL to Walk Off Walk?
http://www.walkoffwalk.com/2009/09/corey-patterson-watch-ken-mach.html
Oh and now we’re warming up Uehara. He’ll die. He will actually DIE if he pitches in this heat. -KenDixonFanClub
also an ecto coller juice box and some orange slices, right?
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
Felix prefers Yoohoo
Oh and now we’re warming up Uehara. He’ll die. He will actually DIE if he pitches in this heat. -KenDixonFanClub
not Nesquik?
I love that chocolate bunny, and greatly prefer him to the mascotless yoohoo.
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
Why on Earth does what Samuel thinks matter, frankly?
He’s our interim manager. If this stuff happens, MacPhail is either stupid or letting Samuel make too many roster decisions (i.e., stupid).
This kind of mismanagement is going to make me give up on the team for another ten years.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all." -- Earl Weaver
So much for thinking Roberts back = Lugo gone.
The one thing we’ve been looking forward to since early in the season and they can’t even give us that satisfaction.
Baltimore is Baltimore. That's kind of what I know. - Manny Machado, 6/7/10
by Eat More Esskay on Jul 22, 2010 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
This team apparently still thinks it's built to win
and not rebuild. Lugo is producing more than Moore. I am beginning to think McPhail doesn’t know what the fuck he is doing.
Insert something witty here.
by Knubles and Bits on Jul 22, 2010 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions
ha...hahaha....hahahahaha...
wait, this is a joke right?…RIGHT?
I really don't
That being said, if the choice is Over the Hill Veteran Who Is a Free Agent or 26 Year Old Former First Round Pick Who We Can Keep For the Minimum, I think the choice is such an absolute no-brainer even Samuel should understand it.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
Technically we have Lugo for the minimum
Oh and now we’re warming up Uehara. He’ll die. He will actually DIE if he pitches in this heat. -KenDixonFanClub
Not next year
Lugo is gone after this year. So whatever we’re paying him now, he’s not part of any Orioles team that doesn’t lose 100 games.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
On his way out of town
I’m gonna slam Lugo’s face into the hood of a car.
Oh and now we’re warming up Uehara. He’ll die. He will actually DIE if he pitches in this heat. -KenDixonFanClub
Make sure the intern is there to take a picture...
….I think we’ll all want it for our desktop backgrounds.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
The way I see it
option A: Old, Ugly, back up second baseman and shortstop, no power whatsoever, .320ish OBP, free agent after season, basically free, no real pinch-running abilities.
option B: Young(er), back up second baseman and corner infielder, some pop, .310ish OBP, basically free, no pinch-running abilities at all, but we get to keep him for a while if we want to!
That’s a toss-up to me. Now, picking Scorey over Jake Fox is something to be pissed about.
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
The thing is, Moore could improve
You know how the Rays found Carlos Pena? They PLAYED him. Same with the Pirates and Garrett Jones.
There is just no excuse for this team not to be starting Moore against every right-handed starter down the stretch. Maybe he doesn’t get any better, so we DFA him at the end of the year.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
I wholeheartedly agree with the principle
but…it’s Scott Moore. The guy might as well walk around with “Replacement Level” stitched on his uniform. I mean, we should be playing as many young guys as possible just to see what sticks…but, it’s Scott Moore. And we’d still need a backup shortstop. Not that I want to see Lugo backing up short. But does anybody else even have shortstop experience (besides Tejada, and that aint happening)?
I mean, hopefully a trade goes down before Brian Bob gets activated so we can keep Moore around some more. That’s I think the ideal situation.
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
Why isn't it happening?
If we actually need a shortstop in the nine days before the trading deadline when Wiggy, Tejada, and Ohlman are gone and free up a couple roster spots, why can’t we ask Mr. Loves to Play to fill in at shortstop for an inning or two? Besides the part where we are a team of wimps who can’t manage to get Tejada to do a damn thing other than exactly what he wants?
And if not, both Moore and Wiggy have played shortstop, Wiggy as recently as last season for us. Either could get us through a game if Izzy gets hurt in the next week and a half.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
well thats pretty smart
when the dust clears theyd need to bring up Robert Andino, though, right? I doubt that they’d be down for that.
There’s like seven or eight different levels of stupid going on here. It’s an Orioles Nesting Doll of Stupid.
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
And this is where I just lose all understanding
Why not bring up Andino? Or for that matter, if you fucking must, bring back Lugo, who isn’t going to be claimed by anyone anyways.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
you don't think
the Yankees might need a b2b for the stretch run?
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
I think they have land mines around their clubhouse...
…triggered to go off if he comes near it.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
That is beyond ridiculous
BEYOND. Even if, for some ridiculous reason you needed to justify keeping five outfielders, let me be the first to point out that Jake Fox has played some outfield. Not a lot, but you know what? I WATCHED COREY PATTERSON SPIN AROUND LOOKING FOR A BALL AND THEN FALL FLAT ON HIS FACE. Surely Fox can do that out there. The problem is that Corey is actually kind of hitting. Not a lot, but enough to fool people.
Oh, and if they DFA Tater, I will flip.
Oh and now we’re warming up Uehara. He’ll die. He will actually DIE if he pitches in this heat. -KenDixonFanClub
You know this season's hit rock bottom when we're all worried about the backup catcher.
Baltimore is Baltimore. That's kind of what I know. - Manny Machado, 6/7/10
by Eat More Esskay on Jul 22, 2010 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Me too!
Tater for President
Oh and now we’re warming up Uehara. He’ll die. He will actually DIE if he pitches in this heat. -KenDixonFanClub
Anything but that
I’m utterly unable to like the President, but I like Tater Nuts and want him to stay on my good side.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
You'd like the president
If the president were Tater.
Oh and now we’re warming up Uehara. He’ll die. He will actually DIE if he pitches in this heat. -KenDixonFanClub
That's stupid.
Yes, I’m aware I’m stating the obvious.
"[The] dictionary is the only place that success comes before work." - Vince Lombardi
by BaltimoreSportsFan on Jul 22, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
That makes it so much harder for me to believe...
…we were unable to sign him.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
why? IIRC he was more comfortable rehabbing with that training staff
or do you just mean because we’d throw millions of dollars down a wishing well if it’d sign with us?
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
I saw that the other day, it made me kinda sad.
Oh and now we’re warming up Uehara. He’ll die. He will actually DIE if he pitches in this heat. -KenDixonFanClub
The fact that Tillman and Jones have both been able to contribute to the team makes this trade a steal.
"[The] dictionary is the only place that success comes before work." - Vince Lombardi
by BaltimoreSportsFan on Jul 22, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Roch echoing Britt
Here:
Scott Moore is a prime candidate to come off the roster once Roberts is activated. Julio Lugo is viewed as the only backup shortstop – I asked again to make sure – so his spot is safe.
Miguel Tejada isn’t moving to shortstop. Still no discussions about using him as the backup. According to Samuel, Tejada hasn’t taken a ground ball at short in spring training or during the season. He’s the third baseman and nothing else (except occasional DH, which he would rather avoid.)
The pending roster move won’t come from the bullpen.
Felix Pie is batting leadoff again tonight, but Samuel believes the left fielder is more comfortable hitting lower in the order – another reason he’s eager to have Roberts back in the lineup.
Once Matt Wieters is activated on Sunday, the Orioles will have to decide whether to remove Craig Tatum or Jake Fox. The club doesn’t have the luxury of carrying three catchers, according to Samuel.
Fox is more versatile. The Orioles like the job Tatum has done as the backup. Tough call.
Tatum has an option left. That’s worth noting.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
I'll add, by the way...
…that we totally had the option of carrying three catchers when we traded for Fox, and all the time he was with us until Wieters got hurt.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
we can't afford luxuries!
we need to win some fucking games!
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
The best part
is that you just KNOW that they’re going to judge their decision at least in part on how Moore, Fox, and Tatum play this weekend. Whoever gets the fewest hits (none of that walking shit, this isn’t tee-ball) gets fucking cut. Except Scorey and Lugo, they like to play too much to be subjected to stupid contests like this.
Hang onto me, baby, and let's hope the roof stays on
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