What people are forgetting about this offseason
by tonydstyle on Feb 11, 2011 11:22 AM EST
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PrintEveryone has joined the debate about whether this offseason was a step forward or a step backward. Whether the orioles are closer to competing now, and if blocking our young players will hurt us in the long run. I want to talk about the real reason why we are bringing in these Free Agents, and making these trades.
What people seem to forget, especially at places like CC where we are all die-hard fans, is that the orioles are a franchise. Just like a McDonalds or Wendy’s, they are a franchise owned by someone who wants to make money off of them. In the orioles’ case, this is especially true. It seems that almost everyone in Baltimore, including my senile grandmother, hates Angelos, and for good reason. I am too young to remember all of his screw-ups, but I vividly remember reading that Mike Mussina was leaving Baltimore, and that it was because we didn’t offer him enough money. It was something a ten year old should never have to go throughL.
Over the last decade and a half since angelos has owned the team, baseball has become wildly more popular, and involves a lot more money. So in other words, angelos has done well for himself. Last year however, the teams estimated value according to Forbes fell 6%, the first time it had fallen since 2004. Does anyone really think that the lack of offseason moves last year, coupled with angelos losing money didn’t have anything to do with our spending spree this offseason? From all accounts, it seemed as though AM was content to wait for Vlad to come down to our 3-5mil offer, but at the last minute I think angelos decided that this was too good of an investment opportunity to let pass and gave up the 8 mil.
This leads me to my overall point; Angelos wants the orioles to win, obviously, but he wants the o’s to win so that he can make money not so that they can bring home a world series like we all desire. If the orioles manage to go 500 this year, does anyone really think that that won’t significantly raise attendance and tv ratings? Does anyone really think we won’t see fans walking around OPACY wearing vlad shirts and jerseys? Angelos is worried about losing money, and he saw a chance this offseason to get the o’s to back around 500 and took it. Whether or not these moves will lead to a championship sooner or later I don’t think he cares about as much. He saw a chance to get out of the red and took it.
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The solid point here is that this is a business
Whether or not we like it. Getting playoff appearances is all Angelos is concerned with. Sure winning a WS would be nice and make him some extra cash, but contention is all he needs. Why do you think a player like Carmello is so valuable in basketball, or a Jay Cutler in football. You dont have to be the best, just very good in order to get more fans.
If Angelos can squeeze another winning season by these signings, that makes these moves worth it for him probably.
"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law
by Reddrummer9187 on Feb 11, 2011 11:33 AM EST reply actions
I'm not forgetting it
In point of fact, not least among my objections to this offseason is that it is a giant waste of money with no realistic expectation of a present payoff and a probability of a diminished payoff in the future.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
i dont begrudge any owner for wanting to maximize profit for their team. It's kind of the point of being an owner.
Also, i’m pretty sure most owners are aware that winning a world series is the best way to earn a profit. Angelos is not a stupid business person.
Do you think Angelos vetoed the Bobby Bonilla trade because he was happy being just a “competitive” team and not a championship team? No…. he wanted to win it all, even if it meant not being as competitive down the road.
Sorry… I just dont buy your premise at all.
confused
so you are upset that I allegedly begrudge angelos for wanting to maximize profit for his team, and at the same time you are saying that this is not what angelos is doing.
first, i am by no means saying that if i was angelos i wouldn’t want to maximize profit. i probably would. two, you are seriously telling me that signing vlad makes us more likely to win the world series this year or in the near future??? because that is clearly not the case. again, he did this to make money this year
"Puttin' clams on ice," dmoney
No
Does anyone really think that the lack of offseason moves last year, coupled with angelos losing money didn’t have anything to do with our spending spree this offseason?
No, I really don’t. If the Orioles really wanted to make more money, they could. They didn’t have to spend over 90 million in 2007. They could still hide behind the ‘we don’t draft Boras clients’ idea. Angelos has never been cheap, he’s just been grossly incompetent in evaluating front office types.
If you look at those UZR ratings or whatever
do you think the MacPhail deal was a bad one?
I know it’s the trendy thing to do to hate on MacPhail (or MacFAIL amirite?) right now and I certainly see where the hate is coming from, but I still think that he’s got a chance to make this work.
Get 'em.
"it ain't no sin in goin to da scrip club."
Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010
by danielreese05 on Feb 13, 2011 11:17 PM EST up reply actions
I don't think MacPhail's contract should be renewed
He simply hasn’t done enough. While the vast majority of his trades have ranged from good to great, he hasn’t improved the club enough in the long term IMO. The presence in Latin America doesn’t appear that strong. There are still significant long term problems on the club.
Plus as good as this off-season was, last off-season was absolutely horrific. Not only in execution, but more importantly, in the planning stage. He’s still the 5th best GM in the division and that sucks for fans of his team.
In fairness to MacPhail, not all of this is his fault. Building a successful franchise is a long effort, and I don’t think it can be done in 3 years. However, you can start to look for signs, and frankly they are not encouraging. The weak farm system is hard to forgive IMO. But, MacPhail is way better than his predecessors. And MacPhail has done somethings very well. So essentially he is an average GM, and that’s not going to cut it given revenue disparities.
If you look at those UZR ratings or whatever
the barren farm system
wasn’t so barren just two years ago, everyone’s been brought up. that being said, it sure didn’t stop the Rays from reloading on young talent, but still, how much could you realistically expect after having brought up Wieters, Matusz, Arietta, Tillman, etc.? I think he inherited a pretty shitty situation though, not many folks could have done much better.
Get 'em.
"it ain't no sin in goin to da scrip club."
Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010
by danielreese05 on Feb 14, 2011 11:55 PM EST up reply actions
It can be done
I look at what the Rays and Jays have been able to do and I think it can be done. Doing things like wasting a second round pick for a reliever doesn’t help. Not spending enough internationally doesn’t help.
If you look at those UZR ratings or whatever
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