Sunday Bird Droppings
by duck on Dec 18, 2011 8:03 AM EST
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PrintOrioles Plan to Play Moneyball? | Baltimore Sports Report
I don't think one hire means we've hired Brad Pitt as our GM, but hey, maybe it does.
Kevin Cowherd: Orioles have been frugal this holiday season - Baltimore Sun
"As usual, it looks like the Orioles are celebrating this holiday season on the cheap." Because throwing around $100 million or so on free agents would have definitely made us a contender. Man, I hate the Baltimore media sometimes. OK, most of the time. OK, everyone except Amber, Brittany and Jeff Z. And the dude that covers UMd at The Sun. He ain't bad either. And Roch has his uses. Otherwise? Coal for Christmas for all of you!
School of Roch: Because you asked about Aoki...
"I was told by an industry source tonight that the Orioles "weren't believed" to have placed a bid on Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki. That's the closest I've come to a firm confirmation." See? Roch sometimes does have useful information.
Seattle Mariners Bring Back Pitcher George Sherrill: A Fan's Reaction - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
"Mariners fans will definitely remember Sherrill as one of the players that the team traded away to get Erik Bedard from the Baltimore Orioles a few years ago. Now he will come back to the team on a one-year deal that is worth $1.1 million plus incentives."
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someone gave cowherd some prune juice in his morning coffee
that was an unduly harsh rant about why the Orioles didn’t make stupid moves based solely on pleasing fair weather fans.
No big-name free agents under the tree to energize the fan base. No va-va-voom trades to get folks counting down the days until spring training.
No, if ever the Orioles needed to spend money and show the fans they’re serious about upgrading the team, it’s now.
“Here’s the best way for a mid-market team like the Orioles to win consistently these days: develop a core of talented young players, then spend money to fill in the holes in the lineup with quality free agents or trade acquisitions.
It’s no big secret. And the Orioles have a decent core group of everyday players in Matt Wieters, J.J. Hardy, Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Mark Reynolds and Brian Roberts, if he’s ever healthy again. Throw in a few pitchers like Jake Arrieta, Zach Britton and Jim Johnson, and you have something to build on."
Apparently there is a hoard of quality free agents clamoring to come here and teams are just throwing all of the MLB ready future super stars at us for our very strong core of players that got us to another sub 500 season. Let’s sign a guy who has a 31 WAR so that we can use his abilities to get back above 500.
Reynolds and B-Rob as core players is funny.
Also, he’s talking as if the O’s have a bunch of trade chips outside of our “decent core” that have enough value to acquire useful players to fill needs. Lots of dumb here.
Mother, did it need to be so high.
Did...
Did Kevin Cowherd honestly just use the term “va-va-voom” in an article about…baseball? Really?
"They're throwing bottles at your house...Come on, let's go break their arms." - Henry Fool
by Fahrenheit 451 on Dec 18, 2011 11:05 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
There is a decent chance that Cowherd himself is one of those fair weather fans, so...
Or maybe a fair weather columnist? I dunno.
"So I said, 'Looks like they've finally got Ogea in the pen. I wonder if the glove fits.' I thought I was going to get fired." - Mike Flanagan, RIP
by Eat More Esskay on Dec 18, 2011 11:13 AM EST up reply actions
He's not even a sports columnist, he's a "life" columnist
He’s not so bad when he sticks to “life”.
by perpetualstudent on Dec 18, 2011 7:03 PM EST up reply actions
Nah, the last big round of cutbacks they basically wiped out the section he wrote in.
Certain senior people were allowed to take other positions by union rules, meaning Cowherd got to go to sports and somebody else (basically Rick Maese or David Steele) got laid off instead.
"So I said, 'Looks like they've finally got Ogea in the pen. I wonder if the glove fits.' I thought I was going to get fired." - Mike Flanagan, RIP
by Eat More Esskay on Dec 18, 2011 9:55 PM EST up reply actions
aoki...
brewers probably deal hart or sell high on morgan presuming they get a decent deal. previously projected to be 3/15. he was making under 3 mill per year in the npb.
"Three thousand years of beautiful tradition,from Moses to Sandy Koufax,YOU'RE GODDAMN RIGHT I'M LIVING IN THE FUCKING PAST!"- Walter Sobchak
Maybe we can trade for him again.
I'd put it this way; if an offense is a sugar cookie, on base percentage is the pastry part of the cookie, power is the icing, and baserunning is like the jimmies that they sprinkle onto the icing. - Bill James
by J(O's)elskIL on Dec 18, 2011 10:38 AM EST up reply actions
I hope so.
But if he sucks at Safeco, he just plain sucks. Best case, he is marginal and we can get him for next to nothing. Worst case, he’s good and we give something of value.
Mother, did it need to be so high.
Ah, Flat Breezy. We had some good times.
Certainly better than Gonzo.
I'd put it this way; if an offense is a sugar cookie, on base percentage is the pastry part of the cookie, power is the icing, and baserunning is like the jimmies that they sprinkle onto the icing. - Bill James
by J(O's)elskIL on Dec 18, 2011 10:43 AM EST up reply actions
such is the reliever's lot...
we had good times until we didn’t.
"Three thousand years of beautiful tradition,from Moses to Sandy Koufax,YOU'RE GODDAMN RIGHT I'M LIVING IN THE FUCKING PAST!"- Walter Sobchak
by j.q. higgins on Dec 18, 2011 10:49 AM EST up reply actions
Yes, but when Gregg is gone will we remember the good times.
I think not.
I'd put it this way; if an offense is a sugar cookie, on base percentage is the pastry part of the cookie, power is the icing, and baserunning is like the jimmies that they sprinkle onto the icing. - Bill James
by J(O's)elskIL on Dec 18, 2011 10:51 AM EST up reply actions
It will be a very good time when he leaves.
I will definitely remember that.
Mother, did it need to be so high.
Padres acquisition of Alonso makes them an interesting possible trade target.
Alonso and Rizzo are both MLB-ready power-hitting 1Bs. They also have Blanks, who made occasional appearances at 1B. I haven’t really looked at what we have that they might need, though.
Mother, did it need to be so high.
Shoot Cowherd a tweet, he seems to have a good idea about our awesome trade chips
by Benhem612 on Dec 18, 2011 11:11 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Antonelli for Alonso.
The Padres drafted Antonelli in the first round in 2006. They must think he’s valuable.
Also, stat of the day: since swing rates have been recorded, AJ has the sixth highest rate in MLB of swinging at balls out of the zone (he swings at balls 39.1% of the time). To put that in context, Vlad is one slot ahead of him (40.3%). Biggest difference between Vlad and AJ in this respect: Vlad hit those same pitches 72% of the time, while AJ hit 58%.
Mother, did it need to be so high.
as much of a bust as vlad was this year
it was sometimes fun to watch some of the ridiculous pitches he was able to get to.
Yeah, but he got to them and grounded into a double play.
Although 5 years ago he got to them and was hitting homers, I guess.
"So I said, 'Looks like they've finally got Ogea in the pen. I wonder if the glove fits.' I thought I was going to get fired." - Mike Flanagan, RIP
by Eat More Esskay on Dec 18, 2011 11:37 AM EST up reply actions
Possible.
Vlad was sixth in the league in GIDP. He’s in company with some good players, though. Pujols led MLB, followed by Adrian Gonzalez and Miguel Cabrera. I’m sure if the O’s got guys on base as often as the StL, BOS, and DET, Vladdy could have taken those scrubs this year.
Mother, did it need to be so high.
I noticed that about the GDPs as the season went on.
More GDPs doesn’t necessarily seem to mean suckier team. Hell, the league-leader in GDPs was the Cardinals, with 169. Sure, the Cards fluked their way into another championship, but three of the AL playoff teams were in the top 6 (Tigers 3rd, Yankees 4th, Rangers 6th) and the Red Sox were in 5th.
In 2nd place, none other than our Baltimore Orioles. I guess all that karma didn’t rub off.
"So I said, 'Looks like they've finally got Ogea in the pen. I wonder if the glove fits.' I thought I was going to get fired." - Mike Flanagan, RIP
by Eat More Esskay on Dec 18, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
Having a lot of GIDPs generally just means your team was getting on base a lot.
Generally.
by Holymittens on Dec 18, 2011 11:57 AM EST up reply actions
The 5 non-Orioles teams I named were the top 5 teams in OBP, in fact.
Different order, but still – going from Rangers at .340 to Red Sox at .349.
Ah, and then the Orioles… at a whopping .316.
"So I said, 'Looks like they've finally got Ogea in the pen. I wonder if the glove fits.' I thought I was going to get fired." - Mike Flanagan, RIP
by Eat More Esskay on Dec 18, 2011 12:05 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah
The Orioles are just good at hitting the ball to the short stop.
by Holymittens on Dec 18, 2011 12:07 PM EST up reply actions
I'm not sure Rizzo is "major league ready"...
He really, really struggled in 153 plate appearances. He’d be served well starting at Norfolk in a pitchers’ park and then coming up to the O’s in June.
That being said, the O’s do not have enough to acquire him. The Padres would want something like Britton, Guthrie, and Jones for him.
by Tezcatlipoca on Dec 18, 2011 11:47 AM EST up reply actions
Rizzo really doesn't have much to prove in the minors.
He’s dominated at all levels and with a larger sample size. It’s pretty much sink or swim time. I agree that the Padres will ask for a significant package for Alonso or Rizzo and the O’s are unlikely to be able to meet their demands. I would trade AJ in that package but I don’t think I would trade Britton. Britton’s GB tendencies are not great for Petco anyway. Matusz is the guy most likely to be successful there. His career FB% is around 46%. Last year he got really unlucky with 20% of those leaving the yard (vs. league average rate of around 10%). Even if he really sucks again, a good chunk of those HRs aren’t leaving the yard in Petco and his numbers improve.
Mother, did it need to be so high.
Rizzo and Matusz
1) Rizzo hit well in a hitters’ league in the altitude and dry air. I’d like to see him put up those numbers in the International League before declaring him ready.
2) Matusz wasn’t unlucky. Yes, his homerun on flyball rate was twice the league average. But, when you throw 87 mph fastballs belt-high, that’s going to happen.
by Tezcatlipoca on Dec 18, 2011 12:06 PM EST up reply actions
I see what your saying buuuuuut
1) I assume you are talking about his time with the Tucson Padres in AAA. He was second in the PCL in SLG, 10th in OBP, second in OPS, 5th in BA, 8th in HRs. Even if his offensive numbers were inflated at Tucson, he was still dominant. Rizzo’s performance was one of the best the Tucson Padres ever had.
2) I agree that “unlucky” was probably too strong a statement. He is never going to succeed at a high level with the slop he was throwing last year. But, if he continues at a low level of performance, a pitchers’ park like Petco will help him much more than Camden, not that he’ll be an MLB pitcher for long if he keeps up this crap.
Mother, did it need to be so high.
Also, an overlooked part of the Latos for Alonso, Volquez, etc. trade
The Reds also acquired Dallas Latos, Mat Latos’ wife, as part of the trade. HM will not be impressed but for the rest of you:
No word yet on the wives/gfs coming to San Diego.
Mother, did it need to be so high.
This is an appropriate place to use the term
VA-VA-VOOM!
He praised my creativity, though he spoke sarcastically...
by PBR me ASAP! on Dec 18, 2011 1:52 PM EST up reply actions
duck, I'm adding Kevin Van Valkenburg to your "nice" list of Baltimore sportswriters.
Otherwise, pretty much in agreement. Although even the O’s writers you named as being decent should be ashamed of themselves for being scooped by Jen Royle for 4-8 hours on all that scouting department stuff.
"So I said, 'Looks like they've finally got Ogea in the pen. I wonder if the glove fits.' I thought I was going to get fired." - Mike Flanagan, RIP
by Eat More Esskay on Dec 18, 2011 11:18 AM EST reply actions
I don't read KVV's stuff, so I'll take your recommendation to add
"Complacency is your demise." - Kerry King
He quoted me in a story once, so he's obviously awesome
He’d be awesome even without that, though.
by Stacey on Dec 18, 2011 12:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
They give him the cool stories and he writes the heck out of them.
Like, the ones where sports intersect with human interest, but in an interesting way and not a hack way. The two that stand out to me are when he wrote about Johnny Unitas after he died, and when he wrote about life in the DR and how baseball was the escape after the O’s traded for Sammy Sosa.
"So I said, 'Looks like they've finally got Ogea in the pen. I wonder if the glove fits.' I thought I was going to get fired." - Mike Flanagan, RIP
by Eat More Esskay on Dec 18, 2011 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
RIP Vaclav Havel.
“Keep the company of those who seek the truth – run from those who have found it.”
"So I said, 'Looks like they've finally got Ogea in the pen. I wonder if the glove fits.' I thought I was going to get fired." - Mike Flanagan, RIP
by Eat More Esskay on Dec 18, 2011 11:47 AM EST reply actions
Baltimore media ought to write a primer on Duquette in Boston
They would then get some insight into what to expect here. Cowherd and fans may want big signings and all, but it’s pretty clear that’s not happening soon. Maybe later.
When DD came to Boston, he faced similar issues. The minors were not producing and the big league team was saddled with older players. He didn’t make big name signings to appease reporters or clamoring fans. There were no major FA signings. Actually, he cycled through lots of young talent and cast offs that he he gave a second chance in Boston. Lots of players cycled through. He revamped the minors when it didn’t produce as expected. The press tore him apart for jettisoning some favorites. Gammons was a very vocal critic after DD fired some media favorites. Gammons was also a vocal critic of pursuing Latin American talent. The press picked up where Gammons led them, and DD didn’t help his cause by being an awkward interview. Cutting this short, the minors did eventually produce talent and DD id eventually spring for the big FA signings, but not until the team was ready.
I’m going by a lot of memory (I moved to New England in 95). One of the Baltimore journalists ought to do the fans a favor and provide a bit more detailed roadmap of how DD turned around Boston. My memory says Baltimore is seeing the same sort of beginnings.
That would require both research and thought.
Its much easier to write a story about “Why u no sign expensive shiny thing?”
Mother, did it need to be so high.
I'd settle for them reading a primer on Duquette in Boston
Instead of writing the same few articles they always have
Yeah really
Zk and co could’ve been up to about 67 posts of Oooh, Aaaaah, we suck, and Fuck it I’m going deep by now ,
Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.
by Astronaut Mike Dexter on Dec 18, 2011 1:26 PM EST up reply actions
Nice catch there, Nicks.
No, your facemask is not capable of a reception.
Mother, did it need to be so high.
Kevin Cowherd
Starved for Os news, I actually read his piece in the Sun. What a waste of 15 seconds. Cowherd and the Sun deserve each other.
Here you go, Cowherd. Don't say the O's never gave ya nothing!
He praised my creativity, though he spoke sarcastically...
O's sign Endy Chavez
Nice glove, I could like this depending on the price.
Kevin Gregg-"You obviously haven't acquired my taste for pitching yet"
More, same link:
7:37pm: Chavez will earn $1.5MM and could make another $500K through performance bonuses, according to Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
"Your most precious possessions on offense are your twenty-seven outs." -- Earl Weaver
That's a good price
I'd put it this way; if an offense is a sugar cookie, on base percentage is the pastry part of the cookie, power is the icing, and baserunning is like the jimmies that they sprinkle onto the icing. - Bill James
by J(O's)elskIL on Dec 19, 2011 1:08 AM EST up reply actions
I'm gonna get the Christmas tree up sometimes this week, I swear.
"Complacency is your demise." - Kerry King
I won't give away any spoilers
but I thought the Homeland finale was terrific despite a lot of push back on their facebook page.
Kevin Gregg-"You obviously haven't acquired my taste for pitching yet"
Michael Cera sighting
in the next booth at my mexican restaurant tonight.
"End of season like this, to make Boston go home sad, crying, I’ll take it all day."—Robert Andino
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