SB Nation User Blog: Dr Orpheus

Dan Uggla at 3B/DH

Dr Orpheus — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:04:51 -0000

Rumors abound that our beloved Orioles are one of two teams, the Giants being the other, expressly interested in trading for slugging second baseman Dan Uggla. In the immortal words of Kent Brockman, "I for one think it's about f-ing time."

After multiple fanposts pondering the hole in our hearts and at third left by Sir Buntsalot, this kind of a trade might actually be too on-the-nose. I mean, the Orioles are looking for a right-handed power bat to slot in behind Nick Markakis AND a third baseman to take over until Josh Bell, power-hitting prospect, tears Triple-A apart. At which point Bell would take over at third and Uggla would be moved over to first or a DH role where his defense wouldn't be a downfall.

This would also quell complaints about Ty Wigginton's own defensive inabilities (although I wonder who would be worse Uggla or Wigginton) and bat and would free up Luke Scott as a trade deadline candidate given the hole at first is filled by one of three candidates.

A blog post from Roch reports that the Marlins would only want a second-tier pitcher, maybe not necessarily someone in the majors, for Uggla. I could shower the names of pitchers that might be included in such a trade but "second-tier pitcher' seems vague. We know that Jake Arrieta, Zack Britton, and Brandon Erbe would not be included in that their ceiling is that of a #3 or higher starter, but who else could be included?

Let's get the ball rolling on some armchair GMing. Who would you trade for Dan Uggla? Would you trade for Uggla at all or stay with in-house candidates for 3rd, 1st, and DH? Commence pipedreaming!

Closing Time

Dr Orpheus — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:19:01 -0000

Jim Johnson has struggled in the closers role, but then again, he hasn't been as solid this season as last and this could all be simply a down year.

Flat Breezy is with the Dodgers now and flourishing as their LOOGY/occasional closer.

Danys Baez is a free agent and will not be resigned by the Os.

Koji Uehara was a both a starter and closer in Japan so he's an option, but he's been hurt so often it makes one wonder if he might be better as a set-up or middle reliever than a closer.

Kam Mickolio looks like he has closer potential but might need a year or two of major league playing time before jumping into that role.

David Hernandez has been mentioned several times as a closer candidate, and after the year he's had, it might make sense.

So, I ask you, who closes?

The 2010 Orioles will be vastly improved from the 2007-09 Os. With the emergence of Wieters, Jones, Reimold, and Pie on the offensive side and Bergesen, Matusz, Tillman as mainstays in the rotation the future looks bright. However, as we've seen over this 11 game skid, the bullpen has been sorely vexed. They've given up runs at an alarming rate and, as Roch has pointed out several times, most won't make it passed Spring Training; some, not even that far.

Thus, the question becomes, who locks down the closer role next season and beyond?

As mentioned above, the Os have a few options, but none of them have looked like a solid bullpen, let alone anchor. With such a young rotation the important things become defense and bullpen to maintain a lead and not destroy the young kid's belief that they can win. After all, an argument is always made that a starter is only as good as the guys behind him, that is, unless that starter goes 9 strong (unless your Zack Grienke).

What options are looking best? Does McPhail give the ball back to Johnson? Is Uehara the man even after a injury-rittled season? Has Mickolio become a man so early?

My suggestion would be free agency, focusing on Rafael Soriano. As Atlanta's closer bi-sect, Soriano has put together another solid season with an ERA of 3.00, a low homerun rate (0.74), 11.89 K/9, and an 87% save rate. Those are the kinds of numbers a young starer can have confidence in.

If your interested, Tim Dierkes of mlbtraderumors just posted this offseason's closers. It's worth a read if you, as I do, think free agency is the right way to go.

Sherrill or Baez to Colorado?

Dr Orpheus — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:36:48 -0000

These rumors are getting out of control.

Jhoulys Chacin, #1 prospect in the Rockies system, has been pulled from his start at Double-A, and it is now speculated that he is part of a trade. Tim Dierkes of mlbtraderumors tells us the Rockies have announced he was pulled "as a precaution for possible, future organizational moves" and tries to connect the dots to a Jon Heyman article about how the Rockies were interested in a slew of relievers, including George Sherrill.

Could Andy MacPhail have pulled off another steal by getting Chacin for Sherrill straight up? Did we have to sweeten the deal in order to get the much covetted Ian Stewart?

Find out soon! A Sherrill trade is going to happen. Its just a matter of time now.

California wants Sherrill

Dr Orpheus — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:54:11 -0000

Bill Shaikin of the LA Times is reporting that the Angels are also interested in George Sherrill. mlbtraderumors's Ben Nicholson-Smith points out that Andy MacPhail is looking for two top prospects in return, although its more likely that he'll get one B+ prospect for Sherrill. However, with reports that the Dodgers, Marlins, and now the Angels are interested in Sherrill it becomes imperative that MacPhail begin using bids against each other and strongly consider not only trading Sherrill but packaging him with other veterans to maximize return. Meaning we could see a trade including Baez and/or Huff for at least one top level prospect and a spare part or two (in the case of Baez, much more for Huff).

The article also mentions that Os scouts were in attendance for the Angels/A's game last night and will probably swing by their Triple- and Double-A affiliates to see what they can get in a trade. But if logic is any indication, MacPhail will focus any trade with the Angels on Brandon Wood and/or Mark Trumbo. They are, after all, aside from Hank Conger (C) and Peter Bourjos (OF), the Angels only position prospects on most lists.

So, Os fans. What say ye of a trade to the Angels? Or do the Dodgers/Marlins make more sense based on the bounty?

Wigginton as tradebait?

Dr Orpheus — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:19:17 -0000

Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports is talking about ways in which the Cinncinati Reds could improve their club with a right-handed hitter and has mentioned Ty Wigginton as a target since they lost out on DeRosa to St. Louis. Morosi says Wigginton can slot in at third or second base or first when Votto needs a spell, and can break up their lefties at the middle of their line-up. This seems to make a lot of sense for them if they're interested in making a push, and they seem to be, for first in a wobbly NL Central, given Wigginton's experience in that division and normal second-half surge.

So, the question is, does it make sense to trade Wigginton to the Reds or Giants or other contention team if the price is right?

Keep in mind that Huff and Mora will be gone next season unless offered arbitration, resigned, or Mora's option picked up (unlikely).

And, for funsies, who mans first and third base next season without Wigginton? Outside of Brandon Snyder, the newly acquired Michael Aubrey (12 AB for the Tides, .250/.250/.333/.583) who will be used as organizational depth in the minors and doesn't seem to be in consideration for the majors at this moment, and Oscar Salazar.

Trade Candidates

Dr Orpheus — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:19:54 -0000

The youth of tomorrow are here! ...Today!

As it stands, the Orioles have some solid veteran pieces to be traded sooner-than-later. The rotation is eight guys deep and could use some thinning out (Guthrie and Hendrickson, first and foremost), the bullpen (Baez and Ray) is overcrowded, and Mora, Huff, and Scott are at their peak. Its time to suggest some trades.

As for fill-ins:

Dorta could be brought up to fill-in at third if Mora's traded, even though Dorta was promoted to Triple-A recently and might not be ready. So, with third there's a bit of a problem unless the Os can get a major league ready third baseman in a trade somewhere.
Oscar Salazar can be brought up to play first if Huff's traded. Defense would be sorely lacking, but, again, they could get a major league ready guy in trade to take over.

What options are there?

Reading Between the Lines: Freel Wants Out

Dr Orpheus — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:45:00 -0000

MASN's Steve Melewski is reporting that Ryan Freel isn't happy with his situation.

Freel went on the DL April 21st after getting beaned on a throw to second and was hospitalized with a mild concussion.

Since then, he was supposed to go on a rehab assignment at Delmarva but that was called off for precautionary reasons.

I'm sorry Freel feels this way. I really am. But he needs to get over it. He's had several concussions in his career and for the Orioles Front Office to be concerned with this most recent one makes perfect sense. Andy seems to be treating Freel as if he were an investment, protecting him to maximize his time with the team once he's back from the DL, instead of simply as a player.

Freel, unfortunately, doesn't get that. His comments are dripping with inuendo that he wants to be traded, that he doesn't feel appreciated, and that, perhaps, the Orioles are conspiring against his career.

For a guy who has been referred to as a team first player, with less personal motivation, these comments seem entirely selfish. He's more concerned with his career playing time and numbers than the possibilty that he could get hurt again later in the season and hurt the team.

Seriously, calm your britches. You'll be back when you're healthy. You were hit in the head by a baseball! It's not like the team is holding you back after a back spazm.

A reporter asked Freel if he was not happy here, did he think MacPhail would attempt to move him somewhere where he can be happy.

"Yes, I think so. I think Andy and I are on the same page. I wasn't very happy with the situation but what can you do."

Melewski says.

All right, bye. Hope we can get some pieces for you and you don't suffer any perminanent brain damage after your next concussion.

P.S. - What team is looking for a guy like Freel? The Yankees will undoubtably have some injuries in the near future with Matsui and Damon, and with Nady out it seems like a possibilty. Then again, what's Freel worth?

Penn to the Marlins

Dr Orpheus — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:02:55 -0000

According to Roch and mlbtraderumors.com, the Os are on the verge of trading Hayden Penn to the Marlins for infielder Robert Andino.

This isn't the kind of trade most of us were hoping for. There have been a lot of fans who have openly complained about how the team should have traded Penn a long time ago, back when he was tearing through the minors, for help. Hoping MacPhail would get a second base or shortstop prospect in return. Then, there were those that believed Penn might "figure it out" this spring. Sadly, those days are long gone.

It is, nevertheless, a realistic trade. One that bolsters this team's bench and allows for Trembley to focus on 12 pitchers instead of 13. Andino played second, short, third, and center in his four years in the majors and was out of options. As a solid defensive-minded guy with a career line of .201/.299/.250 in 144 ABs in 79 games this trade makes sense for the Os who really did need back-up up the middle with some speed. And they got just that.

P.S. - When you search for Andino on mlb.com you'll notice that they have him marked as an Oriole.

Blocked Prospect - Kyle Blanks

Dr Orpheus — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 04:37:56 -0000

Kyle Blanks seems to be the odd man out as Adrian Gonzalez isn't going anywhere, so what should the Padres do?

There's already been some rumblings that the Padres are looking to trade Blanks for pitching, presumably to be used this season, as they're nearly vacuous in that department. Tim Dierkes of mlbtraderumors has compiled a good list in reference to the Tom Krasovic article including several out of option players.

But I guess this all comes down to what Blanks is worth. So, what is he worth? Juan Gutierrez? Hayden Penn and David Pauley?

Out of Option Trade Chips

Dr Orpheus — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 18:52:34 -0000

I'm aware that I and others have posted and talked about this before, but I felt that since Spring Training is fully underway we'd look at it again.

At this point the Os have an overwhelming amount of pitchers at camp that are out of options/might "benefit from a change of scenery"/should just be traded to clear space on the pay roll. Yeah, I'm talking about Pauley, Penn, Brian Bass, Danys Baez, and others. So, the question is which pitchers (or position players) can/should be traded or packaged together and what kind of opportunities are out there.

My #1 target is Kyle Blanks, a blocked 1B prospect in the Padres system that Sickels has at a B+ prospect that "I don’t know where he fits except as trade bait, but I’m convinced that the bat is real. Considered Grade B, but that’s what I gave him last year and he improved in ’08." Here's my thinking:

There's no way the Padres are going to trade Adrian Gonzalez. He's a hometown guy who hits the ball like a mad man, and doesn't cost much. So, it stands to reason that Towers would ship Blanks off for some help with fielding a reasonable team this season. Because, at this point they look like an affiliate with four major leaguers rehabbing. They need pitching, and maybe some help in the outfield (Justin Christian?)
The Orioles need more young options at corner infield spots. At this point it's down to Brandon Synder, Scott Moore, and Billy Rowell, and Synder and Rowell are, for all intents and purposes, DHs. In Blanks the Orioles would have a power hitting first baseman with decent defense.
I can't think of any other teams with blocked prospects at first or third.

MacPhail has continued to trade away or release dead wood and focus on both "failed" and current prospects, helping the team get younger, cheaper, and better. So, what other possibilities are there?