2012-2013 Orioles Offseason Thread

[Moderator 3]

What do we need to get over the top?

[Moderator 3]

I think we need another bad to solidify the batting order. We leave far too many men on base. It's like we have enough fire power to get in position, but then run out of ammo.

[Cville-Raven]

Josh Hamilton?....... sorry had to be that guy.

[JO_75]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1350086853' post='1186261']
What do we need to get over the top?
[/quote]

I have to ask, did it feel a little weird making this post so much later than usual lol.

[cursona pirate]

What Wieters contract?

[Bravens292]

i love offseason threads.

I think we should let go of Reynolds despite his great first base play. He strikes out often, is too streaky, and his price tag may be too high this season ($11 million i've heard). Chris Davis is capable of playing first base as well.

Need a quality 2nd baseman. Robert Andino and Ryan Flaherty aern't very flashy at the position nor do they have scary good batting. look for the ones with a hot bat.

Find a starting ace. We have an above average starting rotation from 1-5, but none of them really wow you. i love where our rotation is going though especially if Bundy can live up to his talents when given the opportunity next season but i'm not expecting him to be verlander from the beginning. we need someone to rely on to get to the 15 win mark and control the AL east like Gonzalez did this year. Hammel, Gonzalez, Chen, Saunders, and Bundy (in no particular order) will do if they can't find someone in FA though.

What to do at LF? Reimold will be coming back from injury but McClouth has been shining bright since he got here. Will McClouth keep it up or will they choose someone new. Tough call.

[Gordo52]

Can't wait till this stupid playoffs end. I'm gonna be following the O's offseason more than I've ever had.

A big FA pick up would be awesome but I doubt that happens, .... well maybe. Never know after a season like this.

Top FA I want: Hamilton,Grienke,Wright,Youkilis.

The first 3 we would have to overpay, which most likely won't be worth it, but this offseason we really have to upgrade at 2nd base, Since theres no good FA 2nd baseman this year I don't know what to do. Rid eit out with Andino & Flaherty? I don't know.

I just can't wait for this season to end.

[codizzle]

Without knowin who the FA's are yet I'd say these are our biggest needs..

-A legit lead off man if he is also a everyday 2nd baseman that would perfect
- a solid contact hitter. We have too many hit or miss guys..
Honestly pitching wise I'd say we're good... Soo much young talent.. Instead of trading some off for a number one, I'd rather develop what we have..

Pitching definitely didn't lose us the series overall even though JJ had a few rough innings

[theblackdog]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1350086853' post='1186261']
What do we need to get over the top?
[/quote]

Fire Peter Angelos.

[Alexir]

We need to sign the guys we have. I want to keep guys like McClouth and Saunders. We will be bringing schoop and Bundy up. It's going to be great

[ravensdfan]

Honestly I think part of our issue is with how we run our pitching. Pulling starters who are doing well too early. Leaving guys in who are obviously not doing well too long.

We definitely need some bats. We left so many runs on base in this series.

I'm proud of these Orioles though. I think we'll come out stronger next year.

[cursona pirate]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1350122915' post='1186390']
We need to sign the guys we have. I want to keep guys like McClouth and Saunders. We will be bringing schoop and Bundy up. It's going to be great
[/quote]
Wieters too. Matusz will be doing even better next year as well. Where is Arrieta?

[Cville-Raven]

It could be worse, we could have been the nationals.

[bauer77]

Like many have said, i wanna bring back our guys first. McClouth, Saunders, Wieters are the 3 guys that come to mind. Not sure who else we have who is about to be a FA.

[ravens__]

[quote name='bauer77' timestamp='1350165871' post='1186611']
Like many have said, i wanna bring back our guys first. McClouth, Saunders, Wieters are the 3 guys that come to mind. Not sure who else we have who is about to be a FA.
[/quote]

Wieters is arbitration eligible, he'll never hit the market.

[Pino]

[quote name='theblackdog' timestamp='1350109841' post='1186378']
Fire Peter Angelos.
[/quote]

it's strange really, these day 1 offseason feelings are all coming back to me now. it's been more than 10 years since i've last cared so much, but old issues are resurfacing. mainly:

we need better bigger and more consistent bats.

and how do we get those? buy them? that's led us to so many Free Agent failures that just made us look silly. and Peter Angelos has been public enemy #1. these season, from my understanding, peter has been hands-off as far as his approach to the team.

i think we have the right players. what we really need is development to the next level through greater coaching and talent scouting.
and FOR GODS SAKE, SWING THE BAT!

[Bravens292]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1350096843' post='1186338']
Can't wait till this stupid playoffs end. I'm gonna be following the O's offseason more than I've ever had.

A big FA pick up would be awesome but I doubt that happens, .... well maybe. Never know after a season like this.

Top FA I want: Hamilton,Grienke,Wright,Youkilis.

The first 3 we would have to overpay, which most likely won't be worth it, but this offseason we really have to upgrade at 2nd base, Since theres no good FA 2nd baseman this year I don't know what to do. Rid eit out with Andino & Flaherty? I don't know.

I just can't wait for this season to end.
[/quote]

i just can't stand the swing motion from Youkilis. I never want him in our lineup. just torture to watch. Hamilton doesn't make much sense. All our outfielders are good and DH is likely Chris Davis after Markakis comes back. He costs too much and is a headcase. I'll pass.

My FA targets: Kyle Losche, Zach Greinke, Jeff Keppinger (plays 2B, only consistent Rays batter all year)

[JO_75]

I don't follow Baseball's off-season like I do the NFL's off-season but the Orioles are such a great young team. We have many key players who are young and will be able to only help the Orioles grow as a team in the coming years. The maturation of the guys we brought up from the minor leagues late in the year will only make them better players and honestly I think we could be a much better team next year. I know we could sign a starting pitcher or two, a second baseman but it seems after so many years the farm system is working for us and I like to continue developing players and staying away from big free agent signings.

[FerrariFan87]

I wouldn't mind seeing the Orioles bring back McLouth and Saunders... I'd also love to see us make a run at Josh Hamilton; he'd thrive at Camden Yards (as we've witnessed over the years).

We also need to figure out who's going to play 2B because we all know that, sadly, B-Rob is done.

[Cville-Raven]

Watching this masterful performance by Detroit ruining the Yanks post season, brings a tear to my eye.

[bpytnjr58]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1350224780' post='1186862']
I wouldn't mind seeing the Orioles bring back McLouth and Saunders... I'd also love to see us make a run at Josh Hamilton; he'd thrive at Camden Yards (as we've witnessed over the years).

We also need to figure out who's going to play 2B because we all know that, sadly, B-Rob is done.
[/quote] I think Saunders has earned a shot in the rotation for next season and with Reimold coming back there may not be room for McLouth and as far as Hamilton is concerned...The O's may not want that baggage and probably could not afford him anyway.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='bpytnjr58' timestamp='1350326913' post='1191270']
I think Saunders has earned a shot in the rotation for next season and with Reimold coming back there may not be room for McLouth and as far as Hamilton is concerned...The O's may not want that baggage and probably could not afford him anyway.
[/quote]

Yeah, just wishful thinking re: Hamilton, but McLouth is >>>>>>>> Reimold by leaps and bounds. For one, he isn't injury-prone, and two, he's been money ever since getting to Baltimore. Reimold had his shot and failed to deliver.

[Gordo52]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1350327339' post='1191275']
Yeah, just wishful thinking re: Hamilton, but McLouth is >>>>>>>> Reimold by leaps and bounds. For one, he isn't injury-prone, and two, he's been money ever since getting to Baltimore. Reimold had his shot and failed to deliver.
[/quote]
Last two years, when healthy. [i]When healthy,[/i] Reimold looked amazing! His fielding wasn't as good as McLouths but McLouths was nothing special.

I think Nolan comes back and plays LF & DH. Alternate at DH when Davis gets into some of his slumps or needs a break.

I'd like Nate to come back as well but I have a sick feeling in my stomach that NY signs him. But in a year or two I don't think Nate will be relevant anymore, he's not worth a huge contract even though he just carried us in the playoffs.

Of course I rather have Hamilton in LF but I have zero confidence that happens.

[cobrajet]

With the recent losses we faced on the football field, I decided to take a peek at what the Orioles were doing. Seems like they have been really quiet, they did not resign Mark Reynolds, who went to the Indians for one year six million deal.
Anyone have any thoughts on that?
Do you think we will sign any free agents soon?
What do you think our biggest need is?
Do you think we will be just as good in 2013?

[Gordo52]

Depressed about this. Do we really plan on playing Davis on first all next year? I mean c'mon, we finally having a winning season (which was very lucky) we should be adding more pieces to get us over the top.

As much as Reynolds would strike out, I think his defense at 1st base is irreplaceable for this team. Plus the ability to hit a HR at any at bat, which is pretty much what we need. It's a love/hate thing for me. Reynolds is a team player and loves the game, the strikeouts made me mad but him being a yankee and redsox killer made it up for me. Maybe he's not worth the 6.4 million he'll be paid, but for us I think he is.

Sad sports day is Baltimore yesterday

[bauer77]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1355150198' post='1255012']
With the recent losses we faced on the football field, I decided to take a peek at what the Orioles were doing. Seems like they have been really quiet, they did not resign Mark Reynolds, who went to the Indians for one year six million deal.
Anyone have any thoughts on that?
Do you think we will sign any free agents soon?
What do you think our biggest need is?
Do you think we will be just as good in 2013?
[/quote]

The only reason i honestly would've rather have Reynolds instead of Davis at first base is for defense. I think offensively, Davis will continue to improve, as I'm sure he will defensively.

I honestly don't know if we will sign any free agents to be honest. Maybe another reliever, maybe someone like Brett Myers. And supposedly (as always) we are interested in Billy Butler for DH and Gavin Floyd. I still hope we bring back Saunders too.

[flaccopoe]

Should be interesting to see if the Orioles can maintain their momentum from last season or if they have a one-hit-wonder-esque slide. The AL North is getting weaker and weaker, what with the Yankees' aging and the Red Sox completely gutting their team. This will work in the Orioles' favor.

[cobrajet]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1355207065' post='1257553']
Should be interesting to see if the Orioles can maintain their momentum from last season or if they have a one-hit-wonder-esque slide. The AL North is getting weaker and weaker, what with the Yankees' aging and the Red Sox completely gutting their team. This will work in the Orioles' favor.
[/quote]
Yeah, I agree and I think the Rays just lost a good player. I think the Blue Jays have been aggressive though with some trades. I hope that we pick up right where we left off last year, because I think our team has some talent and Buck is a very good manager.

[H8R]

Well, Reynolds is now in Cleveland... for only 6 million on a 1 year deal. I feel like we should have offered that. Thats cheap for 40hrs and what seems to be a budding first baseman.

[Gordo52]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1355239654' post='1257817']
Well, Reynolds is now in Cleveland... for only 6 million on a 1 year deal. I feel like we should have offered that. Thats cheap for 40hrs and what seems to be a budding first baseman.
[/quote]
I'm pissed about it. I don't know why we're not trying to improve this offseason. Maybe Buck thinks he's got a answer for 1st but we don't have another Machado in the minors who can pop in and make a difference defensibly.