Baltimore Orioles: 2013-2014 Off-Season Discussion

[bpytnjr58]

Can you even bandwagon on the Orioles?

They hooked me again like a Bass and again I probably will be disappointed come August once more.

[Gordo52]

I like your enthusiasm. I really hope this is our year. I really love it when the O's are competitive with the high dollar teams like the Yankees and Red Sox.

I remember last year everyone including myself had the Redsox finishing 4th or 5th. I'm feeling a magical year approaching similar to theirs.

[BirdWatcher]

I just hope they're as much fun to watch as last year. Win or lose, they generally kept it interesting through the whole game.

[cobrajet]

I just hope they're as much fun to watch as last year. Win or lose, they generally kept it interesting through the whole game.

True, I just hope we find a good closer. It hurt losing all those games last year when Johnson came in.

[gabefergy]

True, I just hope we find a good closer. It hurt losing all those games last year when Johnson came in.

That was so frustrating! Every close game was a nailbiter.

[BirdWatcher]

True, I just hope we find a good closer. It hurt losing all those games last year when Johnson came in.

His collapse single-handedly cost us a shot at the playoffs.

[HockeyAndRavens]

I remember last year everyone including myself had the Redsox finishing 4th or 5th. I'm feeling a magical year approaching similar to theirs.

I hope so, I want some decent pitching next to our decent hitting.

[Gordo52]

I hope so, I want some decent pitching next to our decent hitting.

We have one of the most dangerous line ups in the game. Decent' an understatement.

Manny,Davis,Jones,Hardy,Cruz,Markakis,Wieters

That's dangerous right ther'

[Gordo52]

According to the hangout...

Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Chris Davis, Matt Wieters, J.J. Hardy, Manny Machado, Darren O'Day, and Tommy Hunter attended the Cruz press conference in person.

How awesome is that?!

Edit: not as awesome as initally thought. Turns out it was like 30 feet down where their locker room is lol

[JEEPercreepermd]

According to the hangout...

Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Chris Davis, Matt Wieters, J.J. Hardy, Manny Machado, Darren O'Day, and Tommy Hunter attended the Cruz press conference in person.

How awesome is that?!

Edit: not as awesome as initally thought. Turns out it was like 30 feet down where their locker room is lol

It's still a very strong show of support from his teammates.

[Cville-Raven]

According to the hangout...

Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Chris Davis, Matt Wieters, J.J. Hardy, Manny Machado, Darren O'Day, and Tommy Hunter attended the Cruz press conference in person.

How awesome is that?!

Edit: not as awesome as initally thought. Turns out it was like 30 feet down where their locker room is lol

lol

[JO_75]

You guys hear about Showalter making 19-year old prospect Josh Hart do a report on on Frank Robinson?

 

Poor kid lol.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/buck-showalter-demands-one-page-report-orioles-prospect-144320963--mlb.html

[Cville-Raven]

You guys hear about Showalter making 19-year old prospect Josh Hart do a report on on Frank Robinson?

Poor kid lol.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/buck-showalter-demands-one-page-report-orioles-prospect-144320963--mlb.html

Good for Showalter

[RLewis52]

We have one of the most dangerous line ups in the game. Decent' an understatement.

Manny,Davis,Jones,Hardy,Cruz,Markakis,Wieters

That's dangerous right ther'

     Definitely dangerous...but the offence was good last year too, lead the league in homeruns if I can remember...question is pitching and always will be. But with the signing of Yoon and Ubaldo it could turn their rotation around maybe....maybe 

[Gordo52]

Definitely dangerous...but the offence was good last year too, lead the league in homeruns if I can remember...question is pitching and always will be. But with the signing of Yoon and Ubaldo it could turn their rotation around maybe....maybe

It looks like the best SP we've had since we started winning again.

Tillman,Jimenez,Gonzo,Chen,Norris = solid.

Another year of developing for Chen & Gonzo. Norris finally getting acclimated and will be fully heathy. The back end looks really promising IMO.

Having one of the best defenses in baseball helps also.

My biggest and really, only concern is closer. Not that comfortable with Tommy closing.

[bpytnjr58]

If the pitching staff can cut way back on giving up the long balls and stay around the middle of the pack in runs allowed along with repeat success on offense and defense this will be a playoff team come October.

[Cville-Raven]

It looks like the best SP we've had since we started winning again.

Tillman,Jimenez,Gonzo,Chen,Norris = solid.

Another year of developing for Chen & Gonzo. Norris finally getting acclimated and will be fully heathy. The back end looks really promising IMO.

Having one of the best defenses in baseball helps also.

My biggest and really, only concern is closer. Not that comfortable with Tommy closing.

Yeah Tommy is guaranteed to give up a couple 9th inning homers

[H8R]

You know what would be cool? if Hunter actually got to come into a closing situation ... And the team had MORE than a 1 run lead... too many times last year, we kept teams close. we didn't really close the door! let's get some solid leads going INTO the 9th.

[Guest I-70WestRaven]

It's almost time to "play ball!" With all the cold and snow around I'm ready for some  baseball. Even if it is exhibition, I'm ready to see how the team shakes out. Let's go O's!!

[Cville-Raven]

You know what would be cool? if Hunter actually got to come into a closing situation ... And the team had MORE than a 1 run lead... too many times last year, we kept teams close. we didn't really close the door! let's get some solid leads going INTO the 9th.

fair point

[HockeyAndRavens]

Did we get rid of Hammel?

[Guest I-70WestRaven]

Did we get rid of Hammel?

He signed with the Cubs.

[Gordo52]

Still don't like our closer being known for giving up the long ball

[cobrajet]

Yeah Tommy is guaranteed to give up a couple 9th inning homers

I wish we would have kept Balfour. I am still worried about not having a proven closer.

[JEEPercreepermd]

I wish we would have kept Balfour. I am still worried about not having a proven closer.

I really think that Hunter is going to be fine. He's been very solid since he's gone to the bullpen and has a ton more velocity as well. IMO I think they weighed out the production they'd get from a Johnson or Balfour and the money that they'd have to spend vs saving it and getting the same production out of Hunter..and putting that saved money into grabbing a starter and another bat..which they did.

I have a feeling that Hunter is going to have plenty of 2 and 3 run leads to work with.

[cobrajet]

I really think that Hunter is going to be fine. He's been very solid since he's gone to the bullpen and has a ton more velocity as well. IMO I think they weighed out the production they'd get from a Johnson or Balfour and the money that they'd have to spend vs saving it and getting the same production out of Hunter..and putting that saved money into grabbing a starter and another bat..which they did.

I have a feeling that Hunter is going to have plenty of 2 and 3 run leads to work with.

I certainly agree that having Jimenez and Cruz signed is super exciting. I think you may be right about Hunter, and in my book Johnson had to go, but I think Balfour still had something to prove and I did believe he was healed. I would be more comfortable having him to close, but I won't complain if Hunter can do the job and we save a little money in the process. I am hoping that our treatment of Balfour did not give the O's too much of a black eye, but I think that storm is starting to blow over. I also hope that Yoon was a gem pickup, but I am not certain that being a star in Korea equates to being a star in MLB, however I am keeping my fingers crossed.

[H8R]

Still don't like our closer being known for giving up the long ball

 

I think Tommy will be pretty good, honestly. If he keeps the ball down, his stuff is better then 99% of MLB closers. When he gets ontop the ball, hes almost unhittable. I like a closer to be a power arm, a strikeout guy...  Thats what Tommy is.

[HockeyAndRavens]

He signed with the Cubs.

Good, good.

 

[BirdWatcher]

Was nice to start off with a win today, even if it is otherwise a sad day for the Os.

[cobrajet]

Was nice to start off with a win today, even if it is otherwise a sad day for the Os.

I saw that we won and heard Tillman looked great but what happened to make it a sad day? I pray there was no major injury!!!!!!!!!!!!!