Man, I just don't get this one at all.
I can imagine two reasons for paying a player $8 million.
1. That $8 million might get you a shot at the World Series, and/or
2. That $8 million is going to put a lot of fannies in the stands.
Otherwise it's a great way to blow $8 million.
Does Vladimir Guerrero fit into either of those categories?
I do not believe that he does.
Everyone loves what the Orioles have been doing, especially with Buck Showalter in the dugout. But is anyone going to figure them for anything better than fourth place?
Guerrero's got a name, obviously. But can you really imagine the good people of Charm City getting excited about the chance to see Vladimir Guerrero bat four times? The truth is that there have been very, very, very few players who baseball fans would specifically pay to see. And while there might have been a year or two when Guerrero was one of those players, sort of, he's not anymore.
But wait, this gets worse. Guerrero's presence actually shoves a younger, cheaper, and decent-enough player to the bench (or the minors) and weakens the defense.
Luke Scott was the DH, and should be; now he's the Orioles' left fielder. Meanwhile, there's nowhere in the lineup at all for Felix Pie or Nolan Reimold, both of whom have their problems but do still have some upside.
And finally, let me address my all-time least favorite argument in favor of moves like this: "Hey, they have to spend the money somewhere, don't they?"
Yes, they do. Or rather, they should. But they don't have to spend it here. Every year, teams don't sign draft picks because they don't want to spend the money. Or don't even draft someone because the asking price will be too high. But that's just the stuff we know about. Do you have any idea how many teen-aged Dominicans and Venezuelans you can sign for $8 million?
I don't know, either. A lot.
If you were making a list of the things that a team like the Orioles should not do, spending $8 million on a player like Vladimir Guerrero is really close to the top.
Hey, I might be wrong. Probably not, though.
56 comments
56
Comments
Comp Pick(s) and Midseason Trade Bait
Baltimore should at least get one of the two out of it, and at least make it look like they are trying to put a winner on the field to appease some fans.
Not a good move, though.
RotoHardball, SBN's Fantasy Baseball Blog / @zvsanders
by Zach Sanders on Feb 4, 2011 8:22 PM EST reply actions
Can't get comp picks...
If the player accepts arbitration. And since it’s very unlikely Vlad will find a suitor to pay more than $8M next year, he’d probably be smart to accept arbitration and be guaranteed that payday from Baltimore.
Mid-season trade bait… maybe. Still, can’t imagine him having a ton of trade value.
by doron on Feb 4, 2011 8:29 PM EST up reply actions
not with 8 million dollars hanging around his neck
If you saw two guys named Hambone and Flippy, which one would you think liked dolphins the most? I'd say Flippy, wouldn't you? You'd be wrong, though. It's Hambone.
by Andrew_G on Feb 4, 2011 8:30 PM EST up reply actions
plus that injury history
by Jimmy Hascup on Feb 4, 2011 8:37 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t think that would have much of an impact on a 7 week rental.
I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8
by O'sFan21 on Feb 5, 2011 8:19 PM EST up reply actions
eat the salary
it’s a sunk cost from this point forward so get something for it.
I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8
by O'sFan21 on Feb 5, 2011 8:18 PM EST up reply actions
Because Vlad >>> Reimold?
I never understand the hate when it comes to a non-contender spending money, isn’t the goal still to try and get better? They added a good player, and didn’t pay him an obscene amount of money to do so. (And by the way, they’ve quietly assembled one heck of a lineup this offseason). Good for them.
And as mentioned, he’d still make for either good trade bait, or potentially return a comp pick or two.
by adropofvenom on Feb 4, 2011 8:27 PM EST reply actions
The goal is to win a championship.
Vlad Guerrero does not put them any closer to winning a championship. In fact, I’d argue it takes them further from it. If they win two more games because of Vlad, that’s possibly one draft pick lower. And, of course, Rob summed up the possible better uses for the cash.
Over the Monster -- SB Nation's Resident Red Sox Site
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Feb 4, 2011 8:30 PM EST up reply actions
I agree and disagree with that...
I agree that it likely puts them further away from a championship, but for a different reason.
It puts them further away because of the playing time it takes away from Reimold and/or Pie, who, as Rob mentioned, do have some good upside left, and could develop into important pieces on that World Series competing team.
I disagree though about the draft pick side of it. Baseball draft picks are so unpredictable, that I don’t think the idea of sacrificing current wins for one better draft pick or so is all that important.
by doron on Feb 4, 2011 8:39 PM EST up reply actions
…or on the other side of the coin, those 2 games can keep them in contention for another couple weeks, and sell more tickets, merchandise, ect, which improves their revanue streams for future seasons.
I could understand such a mindset about this 8 million causing them to go cheap with the draft if they had a history of such, but the Orioles have spent the 5th most amount of money on the draft over the past 3 years (Granted, that’s partially the result of having a lot of early picks, but still).
by adropofvenom on Feb 4, 2011 8:51 PM EST up reply actions
In those two games, will they make $8 million more than they would have made without Guerrero? Because if not, then it’s a net loss.
by tomemos on Feb 5, 2011 2:22 AM EST up reply actions
It's not just two games
It’s months worth of games. If they stay relevant. If people care they could sell draw a lot more fans. I think Orioles fans are excited about the team they’ve put together and will come out and support it. And if they can stay above .500 and keep it interesting they will continue to draw more. Now it’s not Vlad in particular that will draw them. But people like to see their team make the effort to upgrade and compete.
by Pflood83 on Feb 5, 2011 2:03 PM EST up reply actions
It's shortsighted.
Pro Ball NW | @JonPBNW
by JonBBT on Feb 4, 2011 8:31 PM EST up reply actions
Vlad will break down like he did for the Rangers last year.
His final line was good, but you break that down his second half was miserable.
It goes deeper. People take out their frustrations with Josey on their real-life acquaintances, which propagates forward, and before you know it you’ve got more marriages in an easily-smashable state. by Closure GT on Dec 14, 2010 9:48 AM
by RangersSD on Feb 4, 2011 8:37 PM EST reply actions
One thing...
This is probably less of a problem with the Orioles than a team with corporate ownership, but if you cut the payroll there’s a tendency for the owners to say that “okay, that’s your new payroll cap.” You spend the $8 million so you’ll have it in the future.
by Mac T on Feb 4, 2011 8:48 PM EST reply actions
You all obviously do not understand how disenchanted the Baltimore fanbase is. Reimold is nothing and Pie is always hurt. If you can better your team you do so. Angelos has plenty of money with the MASN tv contract so 8 million is nothing. So what if he breaks down? He will help and had a better line than anyone on the Orioles last year.
Pie and Reimold can earn there way in the lineup by forcing Showalter’s hand if either are so special. If you can get a better player for your team you do it. This is a good move for the Orioles. And even if Vlad bombs – so what? There is no salary cap.
by Angelos is Satan on Feb 4, 2011 9:12 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Why is Reimold nothing?
He had one good season and one horrendous season (including AAA). We don’t know how good he really is, but he’s probably better than his atrocious production last year. Reimold might still be a good player, but we’ll never know if we don’t give him a chance.
by ahoque24 on Feb 4, 2011 9:15 PM EST up reply actions
this isn't exactly the common sentiment
while I agree that the ultimate goal is to get better here, this is ultimately a short-sighted move that doesn’t set the team up well in the future and takes key PA’s away from two important pieces of the O’s 2012 team.
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 4, 2011 11:40 PM EST up reply actions
I’m reccing this not necessarily because I agree with it but because an Orioles fan perspective needed to be added to the discussion. The Orioles to me seem to have zero credibility in their market at this time, and I think Angelos may be legitimately worried not about competition from the rest of the AL East but potential market shrinkage to the Nationals. Nats sign Werth and have Harper and Strasburg coming next year. I don’t think he wants to make sure that his team is farther along in the development curve than the Nats and possibly the Blue Jays and Rays.
Orioles seem to have zero credibility in the DC marketplace. He’s getting killed on radio in DC where I imagine his ratings on WTEM are sinking like a stone. He’s got to be tired of BoSox and Yankees invasions when they come to town.
I’m not saying I agree with this signing but I don’t think it’s irrational for the Orioles to see a potential to move up in the division and get enough credibility to possibly attract more fans and more free agents going forward.
John Carlson: A real American hero taking names and settling scores.
Souldrummer: A regular guy trying to join Adam Dunn, Jordan Zimmermann, and Garrett Mock as one of RobBobS' guys.
by souldrummer on Feb 7, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
Posted at CamdenChat.com, the SBN O's blog....
It’s the downside that we’re just stalling the future for 12 months. We could have bitten the bullet and given Pie or Reimold (probably Pie, since Reimold still has an option) a chance to play LF and find out, once and for all, if he can cut it in MLB.
If he failed this year, we cut bait, wished him a fond farewell and knew, without a doubt,just knew it’s time for Plan B. If Reimold improves over his 2010 numbers in AAA, then he gets his shot. But we would know, dammit. We would KNOW whether Pie can play or not by the end of 2011. There’s certainty going forward on what to do with him. He either shows he’s a regular or he shows he’s not.
Now? Now we’ve bought a sorely needed bat for one year. But unlike Derek Lee, where we’re buying ourselves time to get into a 1B market with options next year, we’re buying uncertainty for post-2011 in a corner outfield spot.
Vlad may have a great 2011. He may tear the cover off the ball. Luke Scott may play passable defense at age 31 in LF. And what does it get us going forward? A hole in LF, and question marks for answers. Unless you think Luke Scott is the long-term answer in LF. And I don’t.
I hope Vlad has a great year. A fantastic year. A career year.
But unfortunately, it’s not going to help the O’s one bit after 2011, and makes answering the question of "Who IS the left fielder of the Orioles?" even harder to answer for 2012 and beyond.
http://www.camdenchat.com/2011/2/4/1975661/vladimir-guerrero-agrees-with-orioles#comments
"I find you to be ... disturbingly great." - Steven Tyler
by duck on Feb 4, 2011 9:18 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Disagree
First, Scott is an above average LF, so the defense is only taking a slight hit. Second, Pie will be the 4th OF and will get plenty of ABs. Depth is a good thing. Third, Reimold was horrendous last year, and will benefit from playing full time in AAA. If he rakes, the Orioles will find a place for him. That’s a good problem to have.
More broadly, the “success cycle” type analysis
- i.e., teams should only spend money on FAs when they have an excellent shot at the playoffs- is deeply flawed. The orioles need to have a winning season for a host of reasons, and Vlad helps them achieve that goal. THey’re not in a pure rebuilding mode at this point and need to have some success on the field for the sake of both the young players and the fans. I don’t think they needed Vlad, but I certainly don’t think this is a bad move in any sense.by rp0806 on Feb 4, 2011 9:20 PM EST reply actions
Agree
I agree. Maybe this and Duchscherer will put the Orioles over 500 and make closer parity among Toronto, the Rays, Yankees and Orioles, making the Wild Card come from the Central or West divisions.
Also this means the Rangers cant/wont sign Vlad this season.
Both are good news for the Rangers. Go Orioles!
by goodasgoldyesmaam on Feb 4, 2011 10:38 PM EST up reply actions
Not a fan of this
After last season, its hard for me to get optimistic about the O’s. I really thought they’d make some positive steps foward but instead bombed (I know the last 2 months were great, but I’m not confident they can keep that up a whole season). I thought MacPhail did about the best he could this offseason, but I’m still proceeding with caution this season. I don’t want to be let down again. This move however makes very little sense to me.
At best Vlad gets us a couple more wins, pointless in a season we probably aren’t going to be competing anyway. At worst Vlad is Sammy Sosa part 2. We are paying him too much and have to draft another Matt Hobgood, setting the franchise back. Given the Orioles history/luck I think it will tend to lean toward the worst case scenario.
I liked the idea of signing Vlad for $4 million. No one else would have really wanted him, so he would have fallen into our laps for pretty cheap. Or at least on par with what similar aging DHs got this offseason. Instead we bid against ourselves and payed him twice what Ramirez and Thome got. It would make sense to “overpay” for a true cleanup hitter when there is competition. But what the O’s did was “overpay” for a former cleanup hitter in decline when no one else was interested.
Pardon my pessimism, but I can’t look on the brightside for the O’s anymore. I guess a decade plus of losing will do that to you.
by edsachs1 on Feb 4, 2011 9:30 PM EST reply actions
is it your money?
why should you care if the O’s spend 4 or 8 million on Vlad. It isn’t your money. It isn’t like they were going to sign someone else at this point and there is NO question that Vlad makes the O’s lineup more potent. He will protect Nick and he is a bona fide 4 hole hitter. How much of King Peter’s money is spent frankly is immaterial and it is only for one year so it doesn’t impede us in terms of next years budget. I love this move. Peter and McFail have finally acquiesced and spent some money to buy some bats. Hopefully the pitching continues to mature. You have to crawl before you walk. Getting a handful of second tier free agents and then coming thru with a season where we maybe win 85 games and have a September where the games are close to being meaningful will help this team in the long run if they actually decide to pony up and go after the upper tier FA’s like Prince Feilder. This is a great move on a number of levels.
by ppdoc on Feb 7, 2011 4:12 PM EST up reply actions
Fans
I understand that the fans are disenchanted, and that it’s a problem. I’m just not convinced that Guerrero really changes that equation much. Not $8 million worth, anyway. Frankly, if it was $8 million I probably wouldn’t say anything. But $8 million seems like a lot.
by Rob Neyer on Feb 4, 2011 9:37 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
This seems to be the Birdland consensus (on SBN, anyway)
$8 million is just too much for the reasons that it might have been good to sign Vlad Guerrero.
I was starting to wonder if we were stuck in an alternate universe or something, because elsewhere people seem to be excited. I just don’t understand how you can be excited when it seems like the O’s bid against themselves to the tune of about $3 million extra dollars.
Nice to have a respected opinion weighing in on our side!
"One way to lower a flag to half-mast is just to lower the flag. There's another way, though. You can raise the pole to twice its original height." - Infinite Jest
by Eat More Esskay on Feb 4, 2011 9:50 PM EST up reply actions
I think the fan IQ on SBN is significantly higher than elsewhere.
John Carlson: A real American hero taking names and settling scores.
Souldrummer: A regular guy trying to join Adam Dunn, Jordan Zimmermann, and Garrett Mock as one of RobBobS' guys.
by souldrummer on Feb 7, 2011 12:00 PM EST up reply actions
You have to understand what's going on in Baltimore
Rob, I have to disagree with you and strongly. This goes beyond a disenchanted fan base. This city is almost 100 percent behind this move, they are dying for the Orioles to show that they will do anything to break the 13 year losing streak and by signing Vlad, even after MacPhail said he wouldn’t go above the original offer of 3-5 million. This move has bought a ton of good will for the franchise, and the hope here is, that they can build on whatever positive feelings arise out of this season.
What’s more, the Orioles are as far removed from competing as everyone wants to think. The Yankees seriously flawed, the Rays and Jays have made almost no improvements and the Red Sox still have to hope that their big four of Pedroia, Youklis, and Elsbury, and Becket can return to form.
The Orioles, likewise, have issues, but no more serious than their rivals. This division is shaping up to be a true dog fight, don’t let the Yankees past cloud your view of their future and the same can be said of the Orioles past.
It’s gonna be a fun summer and any of the five teams can finish in the top two.
lookouts400
by lookouts400 on Feb 4, 2011 11:35 PM EST up reply actions
I should say they are NOT as far removed as everyone wants to think.
lookouts400
by lookouts400 on Feb 4, 2011 11:36 PM EST up reply actions
not true. we’ve got some seriously pissed off editors at CC right now because of this move. they’re some of the most knowledgeable folks I know when it comes to baseball in general and I believe them when they say that this is a lousy baseball move.
it’s a move to appease the casual fans which, as one of our members pointed out, a recipe for disaster.
all bitching aside, I really am looking forward to this lineup barring serious injury and I’l going to try and enjoy it the best I can.
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 4, 2011 11:44 PM EST up reply actions
CC
So the editors of CC are representative of Orioles fans a whole? Please.
I’m somewhat neutral on the signing, but it’s a huge stretch to say that this is a bad move. If the editors are “pissed off” about it, I question their sanity.
by rp0806 on Feb 6, 2011 8:49 AM EST up reply actions
And this is why
Your post is the exact reason teams make deals for players like Vlad. Fans need a reason to believe to come out to the park, pay for their tickets, pay for merchandise, etc.
When the Yankees signed Soriano and Cashman disagreed, I thought Cashman had a good response. He charged with running baseball operations, not the NY Yankees organization, and as such he’s flying at 3,500 feet while Hal Steinbrenner is overseeing the entire operation and is flying at 10,000, seeing and reacting to things that Cashman is not. It’s also Steinbrenner’s money. It’s the same here. I don’t really believe that Pie being turned into the 4th OF, but still getting plenty of playng time, and Reimold doing time in AAA is really going to hurt the Orioles one bit. It also might give them the flexibility to package some players in a trade.
Last, the idea that teams will spend more money on player development if they don’t sign a free agents has been never been proven.
by LordD99 on Feb 5, 2011 2:38 AM EST up reply actions
Almost 100 percent behind the move?
Uh, no. The idiots who call talk radio are 100% behind this move. There’s varying shades of enthusiasm to be found just about everywhere else.
"I find you to be ... disturbingly great." - Steven Tyler
by duck on Feb 5, 2011 10:21 AM EST up reply actions
I don't know what you're talking about 100% of the city.
Take a gander over at Camden Chat and see how many O’s fans are happy about it.
I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8
by O'sFan21 on Feb 5, 2011 8:23 PM EST up reply actions
CC simply isn’t indicative of general 0’s fans. The “idiots” who call sportsradio are much closer to the actual fan base of the city.
by 718CapsFan on Feb 9, 2011 11:59 AM EST up reply actions
again... why does tne amount matter
I usually agree with you Rob and loved it when you were on NST but here I think you are totally wrong. The O’s HAVE to do something to generate excitement and get the fans back to the park. They MUST show upper tier FA’s that they are serious about improving otherwise why should anyone come here. It goes without saying that in order to get better players they need to overpay because they have sucked for so long. What Vlad does for the O’s is as much psychological as it is practical. It will make Markakis a better hitter because it will be the first time in his career he is protected. It will take the pressure off of Matt Weiters and allow him to hit 7th or 8th and concentrate on catching and allow his hitting to progress. It allows Pie to be the 4th outfielder which given his injury history probably is his most effective spot. But most importantly it tells the people of Baltimore that maybe JUST MAYBE King Peter is serious about trying to compete and that is the most important part of the puzzle and the only way we will see people start coming back to the park.
by ppdoc on Feb 7, 2011 4:18 PM EST up reply actions
$8 million
We also don’t know the exact terms of the deal. You’re throwing around $8 million on the assumption that it’s guaranteed. My guess is that it’s more like $5 with incentives that can take it to $8.
by rp0806 on Feb 4, 2011 9:53 PM EST reply actions
Good move
$8 million may a bit much, but the O’s front office needed to send a message to fans. As a long-suffering O’s fan, I really like this move. It makes me more excited about the season, and I think many other fans will agree. The Orioles desperately need to show the few fans left that they are making serious efforts to improve.
As for Pie and Reimold, neither of them has shown they are everyday players in the majors. And it’s not like we’re talking about a couple of 23-year-olds. Reimold is 27 and hit his weight in AAA last year. That doesn’t engender a lot of confidence.
by GrantG on Feb 4, 2011 10:14 PM EST reply actions
"but the O’s front office needed to send a message to fans."
No, they need to build a sustainable contending ball club, which this move does not help in the least accomplish.
"I find you to be ... disturbingly great." - Steven Tyler
by duck on Feb 5, 2011 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
In baseball more than any other sport
sometimes you need to throw the casual fans a bone, because that is where the teams money comes from.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
by Doncosmic on Feb 7, 2011 3:57 PM EST up reply actions
Winning
That’s what attracts the casual fan. Signing Vlad doesn’t help with that.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
by Llewdor on Feb 8, 2011 1:11 PM EST up reply actions
neither does Felix or Nolan really. Pie makes the team as 4 OF, fine. But Nolan, please, the reality, he was absolutely terrible in LF at every level of the organization last year. If he lights up AAA, great, move him or Pie or Vladdy, but banking on him or Felix for the future or even to get through May healthy is just plain foolish
by 718CapsFan on Feb 9, 2011 12:01 PM EST up reply actions
If their draft budget isn't affected
It makes sense to sign a player like this just for the purpose of flipping him at the deadline, a la Matt Capps for Wilson Ramos last year. It’s a strategy that should be employed by losing teams, especially if the return includes highly regarded players. Inevitably, a contending team will need a bat at the deadline.
Trying to believe is my full-time occupation.
by Preach19 on Feb 4, 2011 10:36 PM EST reply actions
I believe the Nats got an unusually high return for Capps
I think that was a unique situation with the Twins urgency to compete and the blocked prospect in Ramos. Also, they may know more than the Nats do about Ramos. They may be thinking he’s at best a backup catcher.
John Carlson: A real American hero taking names and settling scores.
Souldrummer: A regular guy trying to join Adam Dunn, Jordan Zimmermann, and Garrett Mock as one of RobBobS' guys.
by souldrummer on Feb 7, 2011 12:03 PM EST up reply actions
Were the Angels ever in on Vlad?
Was there any evidence that the Angels even pursued him?
Just curious…………..
by Greyson Peltier on Feb 5, 2011 12:38 AM EST reply actions
Yes
But the Angels wouldn’t pay more than $7,999,0000, so he signed with the Orioles.
Seriously, I don’t know, but I’ll be we hear more in the coming days.
by LordD99 on Feb 5, 2011 2:41 AM EST up reply actions
No, the Angels were never interested in bringing back Vlad.
"It's our money," owner Arte Moreno said.
by 44FAN on Feb 5, 2011 3:43 AM EST up reply actions
Yes.
There’s no doubt of that.
by Mike E on Feb 5, 2011 3:51 AM EST up reply actions
Wrong in almost every way
You predict there is no way the Orioles can be anything except fourth or fifth, which is fine. But I am sure you had the Giants and Rangers in the World Series this time last year too. And I am sure that you thought that Vlad was done after his season with the Angels. No, Vlad is one of those few rare players who is a freak of nature. His hand eye coordination is the best in baseball and his bat speed is insane.
That isn’t going away in 2011…though people badmouth some of his 2010 season, the fact is he hit over three hundred in September with 4 homers and without Hamilton in the lineup…
The Orioles moves provide them with a chance to catch lightning in a bottle (just like Tampa Bay did in going from last to first). All the young pitchers would need to blossom and the pieces would need to include stellar years from Vlad, Lee, Hardy, Reynolds as well as breakout years from Wieters and Markakis…but, hey, stranger things have happened.
It also hurts them not at all in terms of development….Vlad or Lee or Hardy or Reynolds….any of them could return draft picks if they leave in free agency.
It also puts less pressure on development questions yet to be answered…like Reimold getting his head back on straight at Triple AAA where I think he will likely be switched to first base fulltime, is Pie going to be able to be more than a 4th outfielder, it gives prospects like Brandon Snyder and Joe Mahoney further development time
And it enables us to put some further damage in the AL East mixup….maybe some of those Red Sox and Yankees fans coming to Camden Yards so regularly might not go home quite as happy as in past years…
The Orioles are NOT a small market team…Angelos has more money than God….this was necessary and likely Buck pushing for it.
by tntoriole on Feb 5, 2011 12:54 PM EST reply actions
the AL East is nothing like the AL West or NL West
the O’s would instantly be contenders in any other division. I just have a hard time seeing them being better than Boston, Yankees, or even the Rays.
To Infinity. And BEYOND!!!
by YunelTheLazyLatino on Feb 5, 2011 7:23 PM EST up reply actions
What is the issue with trying to compete
Nolan Reimold is 27 and hit .207/.282/.328 in limited time in the majors last year (he wasn’t exactly tearing the cover off the ball in AAA either).
Felix Pie will soon be 26 and his paltry .305 OBP in 2010 exactly matches his career number.
Both players provided below average defense in LF
Which one of these players development is Vlad Guerrero stunting?
If Mark Reynolds, Adam Jones and Matt Wieters can live up to their potential, If Brian Roberts and JJ Hardy can stay healthy. If Vlad Geurrero and Derek Lee can be even a fraction of what they’ve been. This could be an offense that goes from one of the worst to one of the best.
The pitching will need some luck. But if Brian Matusz can turn the corner and be a number one and Jeremy Guthrie and Justin Duscherer are above average this team could be a playoff team. And once that happens anything is possible.
by Pflood83 on Feb 5, 2011 2:21 PM EST reply actions
The problem is that
vlad is basically a 1 year rental and most certainly won’t be staying in Baltimore in the future. Scott probably will have to move back to DH, and there’s a hole in LF. There’s nothing wrong with “trying” to compete, but it doesn’t seem like the O’s have much of a plan for the future.
To Infinity. And BEYOND!!!
by YunelTheLazyLatino on Feb 5, 2011 7:28 PM EST up reply actions
Should have moved earlier?
TB got Damon and Manny for LESS than $8 million. Were they not involved at all on those guys?
by Chris Castonguay on Feb 5, 2011 5:50 PM EST reply actions
the reason
They obviously got him for clubhouse leadership! :)
by Moooooose on Feb 7, 2011 2:51 PM EST reply actions
way off base here...
This move definitely did not make them worse. Sure Vlad’s better years are behind him. WHO CARES!?!? When you’ve been in the cellar for this long, something, ANYTHING, that shows the front office is at least TRYING to improve is a plus. Did they need Vlad? Probably not. The fact that they got him probably wont win them a championship. But what it DID do, is allow the O’s some flexiblity. Case in point – years past.. Garret Atkins? Ty Wiggington? A washed up Miggy? Kevin Millar? These were the middle of the lineup guys for the last 4-5 years. Vlad at 35, between some younger, solid players, will at least give the birds some flexibility, so that when someone goes down with an injury, they’re not completely void in talent. If in case the birds ARENT in contention mid year, and lets say Vlad is having a good year, then trade him. Who cares?!? Once you lose sooo many years in a row, at one point or another you’re going to have to over-pay, to get ANYONE. Even on a one year rental, if the Orioles show significant improvement in the division, it could at least entice a larger free agent to somehow consider signing in Baltimore in the future! To me there are wayyy more positives than negatives. If you think the O’s overpaid for Vlad, you’re dead wrong. Its a sniffle of what the Yankees or Red Sox would’ve paid, had they had openings for a DH type player. The O’s signing someone (maybe a has-been), tells at least the rest of the baseball world, that they might be willing to improve their club even more in the future!
Mike Rose
jalenaxle@gmail.com
by jalenaxle on Feb 7, 2011 3:09 PM EST reply actions
totally agreed
you hit the nail right on the head. i don’t care what King Peter spends. He has been making buckets of money off of MASN. It is time to plow some of it back into the club. And if Vlad only stays one year but the O’s have a 15 game improvement, it will be that much easier to attract upper tier free agents because the club has shown the willingness to compete.
by ppdoc on Feb 7, 2011 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
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