Baltimore Orioles Off-Season

[H8R]

I dont really want to sound like I'm a Weiters H8R... I'm not, my main point is he needs to produce more at the plate this year. His command of the pitching staff has been very good and he improved defensivley and he needs to continue that. I was VERY disaapointed early on with hiw lack of finish on attempting to throw guys out.

I think they need to shorten Weiters swing even more, he's loopy and slow through the strike zone, that allows him to cover the outside of the plate but when pitchers attack him on the inner half, he gets over-matched far to much. He needs a more compact stroke, IMO.

[ZIBBY28]

plenty of rumors surrounding a trade for Mark Reynolds... honestly, I'd rather see him here than Konerko as long as they keep the 2110 in Baltimore for years to come.. we'll just have to wait and see how it all plays out

Hopefully we make a splash, but in reality, as of right now, who wants to come to Baltimore? If the O's can be competitive this year and keep giving the young guns opportunities, we'll have a better chance of seeing an all-star here after this year

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1291411371' post='558580']
I dont really want to sound like I'm a Weiters H8R... I'm not, my main point is he needs to produce more at the plate this year. His command of the pitching staff has been very good and he improved defensivley and he needs to continue that. I was VERY disaapointed early on with hiw lack of finish on attempting to throw guys out.

I think they need to shorten Weiters swing even more, he's loopy and slow through the strike zone, that allows him to cover the outside of the plate but when pitchers attack him on the inner half, he gets over-matched far to much. He needs a more compact stroke, IMO.
[/quote]

Agreed. Hopefully, he's been working on shortening his swing in the off-season.

[bauer77]

this offseason wasnt even looking good to begin with, not much talent on the free agent market besides maybe carl crawford, the stikeout king himself adam dunn, and cliff lee.


im not giving up on this season yet or anything, but i believe next year there should be a better selection of bats with possible free agents in Prince Fielder, Adrian Gonzalez, Albert Pujols and possibly some pitching in Mark Buehrle, Edwin Jackson, Gil Meche, Scott Kazmir, etc.

[Ed_Reed20]

I just read Yahoo's [url="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AnAZrjUg4puawPm4AYj5_6I5nYcB?slug=sh-alwintermeetingsprimer120310"]"Winter meeting primer" for AL teams[/url] and here's what they had to say about the O's:
[i]
"[b]Needs[/b]: A public relations makeover is necessary, and maybe the presence of the credible Buck Showalter in the dugout is a start. Top free agents won’t sign with the Orioles because they’d be sentencing themselves to last place. Not to mention facing top AL East competition day in and day out. So good luck landing that big bat in the middle of the lineup. Victor Martinez and Dunn turned down the Orioles, and Konerko likely will be the next to spurn them.

[b]Eye on[/b]: Koji Uehara(notes) wasn’t tendered a contract, but the Orioles want him back as their closer at a reduced price. They need to backfill their bullpen as well, and are looking at veteran free-agent relievers. A trade for Mark Reynolds(notes) is a possibility to fill the power role, but the Orioles would need to give up value in return.

[b]Wherewithal[/b]: The money is there. The Orioles are open for business. Now they just need to become cool again."[/i]

[Jabara]

If you look at what some FA's have signed for, that we went after, you'll see that we never offer enough money.
We're cheap.
I don't know what's up with Crawford of the Rays, but if he's still available we should go for him.
How would he fit in the outfield?
Get rid of Jones (sorry I know some are gonna hate that idea) and move Pie to center.
When Jones gets his head in the game, and starts to mature as a person, he'll be good.
Maybe he just doesn't like playing for the O's, or doesn't like Baltimore, or the fact we've been a losing club, but I don't think he mature enough to be an amazing baseball player, as he is said to be.
He did not deserve the gold glove, Palmer even said that, and I agree.
Markakis should have won it.
If B-Rob can get healthy and perform at a high level this season than we should keep him, otherwise, if we get another bad season from him, I'd be fine with letting him go.
I like him a lot, he's currently one of my favorite O's, but if he can't play, or perform like he should, he, like Jones, could be valuable chips in a trade.
I also like Wieters a lot, but he needs to develop that bat.
He has the power, and he's a great catcher, but that bat needs to be developed.

One of the glaring questions from last year was are our players getting the true development they need, and are the coaches not doing a good job with these guys.

[bauer77]

[quote name='Jabara' timestamp='1291430149' post='558944']
If you look at what some FA's have signed for, that we went after, you'll see that we never offer enough money.
We're cheap.
I don't know what's up with Crawford of the Rays, but if he's still available we should go for him.
How would he fit in the outfield?
Get rid of Jones (sorry I know some are gonna hate that idea) and move Pie to center.
When Jones gets his head in the game, and starts to mature as a person, he'll be good.
Maybe he just doesn't like playing for the O's, or doesn't like Baltimore, or the fact we've been a losing club, but I don't think he mature enough to be an amazing baseball player, as he is said to be.
He did not deserve the gold glove, Palmer even said that, and I agree.
Markakis should have won it.
If B-Rob can get healthy and perform at a high level this season than we should keep him, otherwise, if we get another bad season from him, I'd be fine with letting him go.
I like him a lot, he's currently one of my favorite O's, but if he can't play, or perform like he should, he, like Jones, could be valuable chips in a trade.
I also like Wieters a lot, but he needs to develop that bat.
He has the power, and he's a great catcher, but that bat needs to be developed.

One of the glaring questions from last year was are our players getting the true development they need, and are the coaches not doing a good job with these guys.
[/quote]


if jones didnt deserve the gold glove, he wouldnt have got it. and he did so he obviously "deserved" it. and how do you know he isnt mature and "doesnt have his head in the game"? not meaning this rude, but do you know him personally? gettin rid of him and moving Pie to center would be a terrible idea. Pie hasnt and IMO will ever develop into the player everyone thought he would be. the cubs gave up on him, and most the fans here have given up on him.


and i dont think its right that basically we are rebuilding as it is, and you wanna get rid of players that are helping us rebuild and the few chips we have (B-Rob, Jones). and im guessing if Wieters bat doesnt develop this year we should dump him next offseason too?


And Buck did a great job with his guys when he took over late last season, and over this offseason so far, hes brought in some guys that he believes can help him out (Willie Randolph, Mark Conner, etc.) and there is rumors he wants to bring in guys that have been on this franchise and could help significantly in coaching, Mike Bordick and Billy Ripkin.

[Jabara]

[quote name='bauer77' timestamp='1291435771' post='559001']
if jones didnt deserve the gold glove, he wouldnt have got it. and he did so he obviously "deserved" it. and how do you know he isnt mature and "doesnt have his head in the game"? not meaning this rude, but do you know him personally? gettin rid of him and moving Pie to center would be a terrible idea. Pie hasnt and IMO will ever develop into the player everyone thought he would be. the cubs gave up on him, and most the fans here have given up on him.


and i dont think its right that basically we are rebuilding as it is, and you wanna get rid of players that are helping us rebuild and the few chips we have (B-Rob, Jones). and im guessing if Wieters bat doesnt develop this year we should dump him next offseason too?


And Buck did a great job with his guys when he took over late last season, and over this offseason so far, hes brought in some guys that he believes can help him out (Willie Randolph, Mark Conner, etc.) and there is rumors he wants to bring in guys that have been on this franchise and could help significantly in coaching, Mike Bordick and Billy Ripkin.
[/quote]
First of all, saying Jones deserved the Gold Glove because he got it, is crazy.
I said that Roberts could be good trade bait if he shows the O's he can't perform at the level expected from him due to his injury.
As I said about Wieters, I like him a lot, he's one of my favorites.
But I want players that help us win.
I think Wieters has that in him, but it's not yet there, when we need help [b]NOW[/b].
If you weren't impressed by Pie this season, you didn't watch the games.
Pie has freakish athletic ability like Ed Reed, and other with a similar build.
If the O's actually get some talent to develop the players, Pie will shine, no question.
And I started out loving Jones and hating Pie, now I prefer Pie.

As far as you asking me if I know Jones personally, no I don't, but I do follow him on Twitter, and after constantly seeing him tweet about girls or hanging out at 3 or 4 in the morning when he has a game the next day, doesn't rub me the right way.
Not to mention he's a bad speller.
Maybe Buck will give him the kick in the pants he needs, but I would simply ask you to follow him on twitter and then tell me his head or heart is in the game.
Maybe someone from the organization has stepped in and told him to chill out on Twitter, but otherwise, he clearly isn't interested in playing up to his potential.

Buck already has ex-O's helping out, but that doesn't mean a winning team.
I think Buck will help turn the team around, but it doesn't mean he's the one with the money bringing new players that we need to win.

[H8R]

Another thing that burns me up.... The O's have zero buying power.. They aren't in the position, players opinion-wise, to low ball and disrespect guys with these Crap offers. They overpay for the wrong player(Atkins) and undervalue a true premier talent.(Dunn as a hitter, Martinez the complete player). They must NOT treat the negotiations like they have the leverage, the players do. We NEED THEM. They're at the point where the first offer needs to ne their best.

[Jabara]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1291438078' post='559016']
Another thing that burns me up.... The O's have zero buying power.. They aren't in the position, players opinion-wise, to low ball and disrespect guys with these Crap offers. They overpay for the wrong player(Atkins) and undervalue a true premier talent.(Dunn as a hitter, Martinez the complete player). They must NOT treat the negotiations like they have the leverage, the players do. We NEED THEM. They're at the point where the first offer needs to ne their best.
[/quote]
That's the thing.
Most players I would assume, do care where they are going, but it doesn't hurt to throw money at them.
This is baseball, the money is insane.
It's obvious we need a new owner, but we also need to actually throw money at the talent we need, because we sure aren't going to grow the talent, since young prospects are now so highly valued, and a talented vet isn't coming over for a low offer.
We offered Dunn I think, 40 mil for 4 years, well I'm pretty sure he signed for 4 years yet like 16 mil more.
Is that the best we can do?
It's like saying, hey we're in the market for you, but we're a losing team that isn't willing to spend the big bucks to bring you or others in here.
How can we turn this team around with no budget?
Dunn would have brought me to the stadium more than just a handful of times.
If the O's don't throw money at the people they need, they will never get them, nor keep them.

[i]This thread makes me say thank goodness for the Ravens.[/i]

[bauer77]

[quote name='Jabara' timestamp='1291437808' post='559013']
First of all, saying Jones deserved the Gold Glove because he got it, is crazy.
I said that Roberts could be good trade bait if he shows the O's he can't perform at the level expected from him due to his injury.
As I said about Wieters, I like him a lot, he's one of my favorites.
But I want players that help us win.
I think Wieters has that in him, but it's not yet there, when we need help [b]NOW[/b].
If you weren't impressed by Pie this season, you didn't watch the games.
Pie has freakish athletic ability like Ed Reed, and other with a similar build.
If the O's actually get some talent to develop the players, Pie will shine, no question.
And I started out loving Jones and hating Pie, now I prefer Pie.

As far as you asking me if I know Jones personally, no I don't, but I do follow him on Twitter, and after constantly seeing him tweet about girls or hanging out at 3 or 4 in the morning when he has a game the next day, doesn't rub me the right way.
Not to mention he's a bad speller.
Maybe Buck will give him the kick in the pants he needs, but I would simply ask you to follow him on twitter and then tell me his head or heart is in the game.
Maybe someone from the organization has stepped in and told him to chill out on Twitter, but otherwise, he clearly isn't interested in playing up to his potential.

Buck already has ex-O's helping out, but that doesn't mean a winning team.
I think Buck will help turn the team around, but it doesn't mean he's the one with the money bringing new players that we need to win.
[/quote]

ok so MLB just gave out gold gloves to players for no reason then? because thats what your basically saying. the reason he won it was because he had the most "homerun saving catches" and in 2009 had the best outfield throwing arm. so yes he "deserved" it.

well players take years to develop most of the time and if your an O's fan you know we are not gonna win NOW. we have no buying power (as H8R said). Wieters is only goin into his 3rd year. there isnt much more to say about him, its like our pitching i guess you could say except its with his power. It takes TIME to develop.

so wait, because you follow Jones on twitter, you think he's immature?.....LMAO! enough said. i wont even fight you on that one LOL.

and as for Pie's "freakish athletic ability", he cant stay healthy enough to be a starter. he may have athletic ability, but if you wanna win we need a bat and Pie isnt the answer. not saying we should get rid of him, as he could still develop. i just don't think we should replace Jones with him.

[1/28/01]

Man, I hate when the board is slow and I end of reading a thread about the Orioles.....ugh (played Lacrosse at UMBC, so by law Im not allowed to like baseball).

[Jabara]

[quote name='bauer77' timestamp='1291439192' post='559022']
ok so MLB just gave out gold gloves to players for no reason then? because thats what your basically saying. the reason he won it was because he had the most "homerun saving catches" and in 2009 had the best outfield throwing arm. so yes he "deserved" it.

well players take years to develop most of the time and if your an O's fan you know we are not gonna win NOW. we have no buying power (as H8R said). Wieters is only goin into his 3rd year. there isnt much more to say about him, its like our pitching i guess you could say except its with his power. It takes TIME to develop.

so wait, because you follow Jones on twitter, you think he's immature?.....LMAO! enough said. i wont even fight you on that one LOL.

and as for Pie's "freakish athletic ability", he cant stay healthy enough to be a starter. he may have athletic ability, but if you wanna win we need a bat and Pie isnt the answer. not saying we should get rid of him, as he could still develop. i just don't think we should replace Jones with him.
[/quote]
I knew the you know him just because you follow him on Twitter thing would come up. So I ask you to follow him, and if he's anything like last year, you'll quickly realize why I said that.
As far as you saying Pie can't stay healthy, you are only assuming that.
Jones didn't play every game either, he has his injuries too.
If you even begin to think Pie doesn't have the bat we need, you missed the entire last half of the season when Pie was hot nearly every game.
Out hitting Jones for sure, especially in the clutch.
Jones is a sucker for that outside low slider, or whatever it's called, he swings at that all the time and strikes out.

Hey, I'd love to have Jones and see him improve and grow up but at this point it isn't happening, and we need players now that can help us win.
Jones will take awhile, and he's good for trade bait.

I never said anything bad about Wieters, in fact I said I really like him, but if he can't improve on his hitting he is also trade bait.
I'd hate to lose him, but if he can't learn to hit, he's not helping us, since we clearly need some big bats.

[bauer77]

[quote name='Jabara' timestamp='1291440354' post='559031']
I knew the you know him just because you follow him on Twitter thing would come up. So I ask you to follow him, and if he's anything like last year, you'll quickly realize why I said that.
As far as you saying Pie can't stay healthy, you are only assuming that.
Jones didn't play every game either, he has his injuries too.
If you even begin to think Pie doesn't have the bat we need, you missed the entire last half of the season when Pie was hot nearly every game.
Out hitting Jones for sure, especially in the clutch.
Jones is a sucker for that outside low slider, or whatever it's called, he swings at that all the time and strikes out.

Hey, I'd love to have Jones and see him improve and grow up but at this point it isn't happening, and we need players now that can help us win. Jones will take awhile, and he's good for trade bait.

I never said anything bad about Wieters, in fact I said I really like him, but if he can't improve on his hitting he is also trade bait.
I'd hate to lose him, but if he can't learn to hit, he's not helping us, since we clearly need some big bats.
[/quote]

uh cause Pie didnt start out the season on the 15 day disabled list and eventually got put on the 60 day disabled list and stay there till mid-july? looks like im not "assuming" anything. whereas Adam jones played in 149 games and never went on this past year. so yes, felix pie does need to get healthy.

sigh. well im not gonna fight you on the Matt Wieters thing anymore. Like i said, hes only goin into his 3rd year, and if your giving up on him after this year, and your already giving up on Adam Jones who batted .284 with 19 HRs and 69 RBI last year, and was our second leading hitter BTW, then im glad your not in the orioles front office. cause you'd be dumping guys after a year or two here cause they dont perform up to your expectations.

[Jabara]

[quote name='bauer77' timestamp='1291441822' post='559047']
uh cause Pie didnt start out the season on the 15 day disabled list and eventually got put on the 60 day disabled list and stay there till mid-july? looks like im not "assuming" anything. whereas Adam jones played in 149 games and never went on this past year. so yes, felix pie does need to get healthy.

sigh. well im not gonna fight you on the Matt Wieters thing anymore. Like i said, hes only goin into his 3rd year, and if your giving up on him after this year, and your already giving up on Adam Jones who batted .284 with 19 HRs and 69 RBI last year, and was our second leading hitter BTW, then im glad your not in the orioles front office. cause you'd be dumping guys after a year or two here cause they dont perform up to your expectations.
[/quote]
I'm not disagreeing with you, but the O's need to bring in the players now, and need to win now.
There is no question about that.
When Pie came into the game, he was more clutch at the plate than Jones, you can't question that.
Jones slept on a few balls in the out field, his mind isn't in the game as it should be.
You can prove that by following him on Twitter, unless of course as I said, he was asked to clean it up.
Otherwise, you'll see him talking about girls and going out at like 3 or 4 in the morning, even later yet has a game the next day, enjoy that.

[bauer77]

[quote name='Jabara' timestamp='1291442841' post='559056']
I'm not disagreeing with you, but the O's need to bring in the players now, and need to win now.
There is no question about that.
When Pie came into the game, he was more clutch at the plate than Jones, you can't question that.
Jones slept on a few balls in the out field, his mind isn't in the game as it should be.
You can prove that by following him on Twitter, unless of course as I said, he was asked to clean it up.
Otherwise, you'll see him talking about girls and going out at like 3 or 4 in the morning, even later yet has a game the next day, enjoy that.
[/quote]


yeah i agree i guess. i didnt see anything from Pie when i watched games that like blew me away. thats the only reason i say stay with Jones. Pie in left and obviously Markakis in right. i just dont think we will be winning now, or even be able to bring in the players now. i was thinking next offseason when there are bigger name Free Agents out there. not saying im giving up on this season, cause who knows whats in store.

[Jabara]

[quote name='bauer77' timestamp='1291443154' post='559061']
yeah i agree i guess. i didnt see anything from Pie when i watched games that like blew me away. thats the only reason i say stay with Jones. Pie in left and obviously Markakis in right. i just dont think we will be winning now, or even be able to bring in the players now. i was thinking next offseason when there are bigger name Free Agents out there. not saying im giving up on this season, cause who knows whats in store.
[/quote]
Yeah, but you know Buck won't stick around unless he knows he can get the players he needs.

[bauer77]

[quote name='Jabara' timestamp='1291444147' post='559064']
Yeah, but you know Buck won't stick around unless he knows he can get the players he needs.
[/quote]



yes but when Buck came in and replaced Trembley, you know we were the best team down the stretch? i believe we went 34-24 and had the best record in the AL east from when Buck took over to the end of the season. we have the potential, and we have the prospects. we need a bat or two and a veteran pitcher/ace to help tutor these young guys. i think we could seriously compete in 2012

[Jabara]

[quote name='bauer77' timestamp='1291444556' post='559066']
yes but when Buck came in and replaced Trembley, you know we were the best team down the stretch? i believe we went 34-24 and had the best record in the AL east from when Buck took over to the end of the season. we have the potential, and we have the prospects. we need a bat or two and a veteran pitcher/ace to help tutor these young guys. i think we could seriously compete in 2012
[/quote]
But not 2011?
The fans don't want to wait another year, it's been way too long. We need to make some big off season moves to make a splash this season.
The club can't afford another season like last year when only 8,000 show up to a game, if that.

[H8R]

Adrian Gonzalez can be taken off the board it seems. http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/mlb/news/story?id=5882356

[bauer77]

[quote name='Jabara' timestamp='1291445601' post='559070']
But not 2011?
The fans don't want to wait another year, it's been way too long. We need to make some big off season moves to make a splash this season.
The club can't afford another season like last year when only 8,000 show up to a game, if that.
[/quote]


i honestly dont think we can do much during the offseason when we have Angelos as the owner.

[Twoo]

[quote name='bauer77' timestamp='1291504665' post='559333']
i honestly dont think we can do much during the offseason when we have Angelos as the owner.
[/quote]

So true it's sad.

This will be a typical off season.

Step 1) The O's offer "competitive" deals to big name players who sign to other clubs for more money (and teams who actually win).
Step 2) O's sign a bunch of no-names or players who are WAY past their prime.
Step 3) None of our previous draft picks pan out.
Step 4) We hear a bunch of crap about how we're doing amazingly well in training camp and looking spot on.
Step 5) We lose 100 games and embarrass the O's name.

Rinse and repeat.

[FerrariFan87]

So much for getting a big bat... here's to a 14th straight losing season. Prince Fielder is the last viable option at first. MacPhail needs to go; he's worn out his welcome.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1291519484' post='559483']
So much for getting a big bat... here's to a 14th straight losing season. Prince Fielder is the last viable option at first. [b]MacPhail needs to go; he's worn out his welcome.[/b]
[/quote]

In three years? Uh....no. The team had zero young pitchers with the potential to be starters in the majors before he got here. Now, they has four and another hasn't even made his debut yet. MacPhail is doing a better job than people give him credit for.

[FerrariFan87]

Sorry, he's missed on every potential free agent that would have made a difference in the lineup. He promised to grow the arms and buy the bats. Well we have a few potential arms and the best he can do is Garrett Atkins??? Give me a break, man. It's absolutely pathetic. Take off your orange and black goggles and see the sad reality of this situation.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1291521188' post='559506']
Sorry, he's missed on every potential free agent that would have made a difference in the lineup. He promised to grow the arms and buy the bats. Well we have a few potential arms and the best he can do is Garrett Atkins??? Give me a break, man. It's absolutely pathetic. Take off your orange and black goggles and see the sad reality of this situation.
[/quote]

Are you serious? What difference-making FA is going to sign with a perrenial loser that plays in the AL East? Do you even see teams that play in less competetive divisions like the Pirates or Indiands attracting big-time FAs? I don't.

Yes, MacPhail said he'd buy the bats but did you expect that to happen in three years? The team was flirting with all-time records of futility last year and was pretty horrible in the two seasons before but you expect MacPhail to magically lure big bats here?

Stop deluding yourself. This team has to show progress with its own players before the good FAs come.

[FerrariFan87]

It's a catch-22. Big-time free agents won't come to a non-competitive team, but you can't be competitive in this division without some big bats and free agents... and since our farm system stinks and has zero position players of real value besides Machado, we wont compete. Period. Who are these four arms you're talking about? Matusz is the only one who looks really promising. Anyone else is only a giant maybe. I'll believe it when I see it. Until then, macphail isn't doing his job, and I don't see how you can be ok with this.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1291528413' post='559571']
It's a catch-22. Big-time free agents won't come to a non-competitive team, but you can't be competitive in this division without some big bats and free agents... and since our farm system stinks and has zero position players of real value besides Machado, we wont compete. Period. Who are these four arms you're talking about? Matusz is the only one who looks really promising. Anyone else is only a giant maybe. I'll believe it when I see it. Until then, macphail isn't doing his job, and I don't see how you can be ok with this.
[/quote]

Again, MacPhail took over in '07. To expect him to develop a farm system full of numerous blue-chip batters and pitchers with value in three years is just unreasonable.

I disagree that Matusz is the only promising pitcher. Arrieta strung together quality outings late in the year when the staff turned around for the most part. Bergesen has the potential to be a solid 4th or 5th guy in a rotation and Tillman has potential too. On top of that, you have Zach Britton who a lot of scouts really like.

Just because a big bat hasn't been signed with this team doesn't mean MacPhail isn't doing his job. Despite their struggles, three draft picks making impact in the majors since he took over is proof alone he's doing something right.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1291529737' post='559583']
Again, MacPhail took over in '07. To expect him to develop a farm system full of numerous blue-chip batters and pitchers with value in three years is just unreasonable.

I disagree that Matusz is the only promising pitcher. Arrieta strung together quality outings late in the year when the staff turned around for the most part. Bergesen has the potential to be a solid 4th or 5th guy in a rotation and Tillman has potential too. On top of that, you have Zach Britton who a lot of scouts really like.

Just because a big bat hasn't been signed with this team doesn't mean MacPhail isn't doing his job. Despite their struggles, three draft picks making impact in the majors since he took over is proof alone he's doing something right.
[/quote]

Again, all those guys you've mentioned are still just prospects and are anything but sure things. How many more years of misery do we have to deal with before we start spending money and at least try to compete? The game has changed. I'm not blaming macphail for the farm system but he should have used Hernandez and other prospects to go after a serious need at first base which Gonzalez would have filled. Instead we get nothing. Again.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1291530218' post='559586']
Again, all those guys you've mentioned are still just prospects and are anything but sure things. How many more years of misery do we have to deal with before we start spending money and at least try to compete? The game has changed. I'm not blaming macphail for the farm system but he should have used Hernandez and other prospects to go after a serious need at first base which Gonzalez would have filled. Instead we get nothing. Again.
[/quote]

I never said they were "sure things" but to me, what they've shown at the ML level is evidence that the first part of MacPhail's plan is working.

The years of losing are obviously frustrating but you can't spend money on difference-makers when nobody wants to play for you.

What sense would there be in giving up Hernandez and other prospects of value for one first baseman? You fill that need but lose a strong-armed reliever(assuming the Padres would even want him) and more of your farm system, which you need to build for the future.

Teams like the Yankees, Sox and others can give up their best prospects because they're already stacked everywhere. Not only do the O's not have a first baseman, there's no clear future at shortstop or third base and would could easily argue left field is a question mark too.

Last year, MacPhail attempted to address third base by trading away an average closer in George Sherrill for Josh Bell(and Steve Johnson). Bell flashed power at the plate last season but looked over-matched at times in addition to having an erratic glove. Still, he's got talent and may just develop into a long-term option at 3B or 1B.