Free (agent) to choose
Just for grins, I'm going to give you a list of 10 Orioles free agents (six of them minor league free agents). You can only keep one of them. Please tell me who and why.
Greg Aquino
Ryan Bukvich
Freddie Bynum
Juan Castro
Alex Cintron
Luis Hernandez
Kevin Millar
Jay Payton
Omir Santos
Eider Torres
I'm going to eliminate Kevin Millar, though he probably has the best chance of returning if the Orioles can't land a first baseman. He wouldn't be happy as a part-time player, and if I'm forced to pick right now, he wouldn't be in my starting lineup on Nov. 17.
Check back with me in a few months, though.
Jay Payton doesn't want to be here, so he's gone. He'd rather swallow live goldfish and wash them down with aquarium water - rocks, castle and all.
Greg Aquino and Ryan Bukvich didn't make much of an impression during their time here, and I'd hope that the Orioles have enough pitching depth that they wouldn't need them, no matter how many injuries strike. The club seemed especially eager to show Aquino the door after he went on the disabled list. No tears are being shed.
Omir Santos and Eider Torres are organizational guys, useful in filling out a Triple-A roster, but not much help at the major league level. And I'm looking for a warm body for the 25-man roster.
Alex Cintron and Luis Hernandez would have to fill a utility role, the assumption being that the Orioles sign or trade for an everyday shortstop. Cintron can't field. Hernandez couldn't field or hit, making him a huge early disappointment, and a player who never resurfaced after being sent down (he batted .185 at Norfolk). Hernandez looked better after moving to second base, but not good enough to keep. Cintron has the better bat, but not good enough to keep. Nice knowing you.
Juan Castro impressed the Orioles with his fielding, but he didn't do much at the plate. He'd be a nice defensive replacement at shortstop, but I want someone who can play more than one position for my bench. Maybe I'm being greedy. I wouldn't balk if the Orioles kept him, but he's limited.
That leaves Freddie Bynum. Yes, Freddie Bynum. So it isn't much of a free agent list.
Bynum should have much more value, but his career is heading in the wrong direction. He can run. He's shown in the past that he can hit a little (he won't challenge for a batting title, but we're not asking him to do that). He flashes occasional power (he won't challenge for a home run title, but we're not asking him to do that). And he can move around the infield AND play the outfield.
Unfortunately, he played poorly when healthy this season, and he's rubbed a few people the wrong way in the organization. But can you see where he'd carry some value as a bench player if he gets back on track?
(And yes, that's a big "if.")
Left-hander Brian Matusz ended a three-start losing streak Saturday night, allowing two runs and striking out six over 4 2/3 innings for the Surprise Rafters of the Arizona Fall League.
Matusz (2-3, 4.37 ERA) allowed five hits, but didn't walk a batter. He threw 75 pitches, 52 for strikes.
West Oahu lost the Hawaii Winter League championship to Waikiki, 5-1, last night. Third baseman Tyler Henson had two of West Oahu's five hits, but he struck out to end the game.
hey roch...any news on Mcphail chatting it up with any big time agents?
Excuse me, I'm gonna go vomit all over the bathroom.
Freddie "boom boom" Bynum baby! C'mon did you see him hold back Daniel Cabrera in that big fight? Any little dude who can do that AND play infield AND outfield needs to have a spot. Who's gonna hold back Tex when we sign him? Not Juan Castro.
Also Roch, I forgot to mention in my earlier comment, what did boom boom do to rub those people the wrong way? I'm sure you won't devuldge into who, but I wonder if you would let us know what he did?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just a little too cocky for some tastes, considering he's a utility player and not an eight-time All Star. A few coaches have had issues with him in the past. - Roch
Millar. Team chemistry. He's good for the team and decent bat and good glove at first. That's my take.
I would choose Chris Gomez. Oh wait ... he's not on the list. The O's didn't re-sign him a couple years ago because the organization decided to retain Bynum instead?!!!
I'd much rather have Bynum who can't hit or field instead of Gomez who can do both. Are you kidding me???
Do we have to keep one?
I say Hernandez, if only for his youth and the potential (slim) of a turn around. If Roberts is traded then we may see Hernandex again at a position he seemed more comfortable with.
My grandmother has more accuracy than Bynum does...and she's dead.
I'd keep Millar or no one on that list - I also think that anyone on the bench basically needs to be able to play multiple positions if needed (besides backup catcher), so that an injury wont limit the club. Castro, Bynum, Hernandez, Cintron each had a golden opportunity and did not do anything with it...hopefully we can solidify short and get a bat or two so we dont have to rely on any of them.
I don't like this game. Do we HAVE to keep one?
In that case, I go with Bukvich as he has the most amusing name on the list. You can't put a value on Thorne and Hunter repeating amusing-sounding names when your team stinks. (I sure can't base my decision on Major League caliber talent, which none of these guys have.)
Millar! But you already knew I would choose him. Like Bill said... Team Chemistry. Last year would have been extremely painful if Millar had not been there. Remember the Orioles Magic video? I mean come on. The fans loved it and it made us feel good. Who do you think was behind all that? Millar was all for the Orioles Magic.
I hope to God he is back next season or I may drown myself in Vodka and become a Nationals fan. HAHAH!
Juan Castro
True, he cannot hit a curveball with an ironing board, but he can pick'it at short. Unless we acquire or sign a better option, he is fine until we do.
I can't come up with one on that list. Do we have to keep one of them?
Roch- this isnt funny. Only depressing. :)
Yanks have already got Swisher and locked up Marte for 3 years. And have offered Sababthis 6 -140.
We got Bob Murphy or whatever. Now you want to know which loser, off a list of losers we want to keep for the 25 man?
We are never gonna win.
From that uninspiring bunch, I keep Torres. I think I mentioned this once before, but of the plethora of middle infielders who cycled through the Tides last year (Fahey, Bynum, Hernandez, Cintron, etc.), Eider Torres stood out as the one who could hit. He finished with a .307 BA, 28 stolen bases, 69 runs scored and 46 RBIs. He played solid defense, too.
True, he hasn't proven that he can hit at the big league level yet, but most of those guys (e.g., Fahey) can't even hit in AAA. If the O's can't find a big-league ready SS, Eider looks like about the best internal candidate. And if they do sign or trade for a SS, I think he could make a pretty good back-up infielder.
Wait, you're saying I get to choose death by lethal injection OR firing squad? And I really get to choose which?
Seriously, Millar. He's a major league player, which I can't easily say about any of the others. Heck, if we don't sign Teixeira and can get good return for Huff in a trade then Millar could be our 1B again.
I would not keep any of them.
It looks like Andy MacPhail ignored my advice. Ah well. I suggested this before and I still think it is the right way to go. I would be interested in hearing other opinions.
First, I am assuming that IF we do not block any upcoming younger talent and IF we do not lose more than a couple of lower level draft picks, we would want to add a few players to the team.
Second, I am assuming that our payroll can be increased $45 million per year or so and still stay far below average in our division AND be more than offset by the increased ticket and advertising revenues.
Given that, I conclude that our target is not one or two key guys but three or four.
It is all but impossible to get that many key guys with a cautious one at a time, see how the market develops approach.
My idea was the following: Make simultaneous above-market offers to 4 of the top 5 or 6 pitchers and to Teix. Give them 72 hours to sign, but you are only taking at most the first 4 signees. Give them an option to to get out of the contract if they are the only one to sign within 72 hours. Let them keep $200,000 for their trouble. If only 2 sign, give them an option to get out of the contract (but keep nothing) OR take an additional $2 million per year on their deals. If three or more sign, then there is no opting out.
The idea is to 1) sort of gaurantee the new players that they will play for a winner (since 3 or 4 top players have just joined - at least 2 of them front-line pitchers) and also 2) create a little reverse auction action where the players feel they have the ability to "create" a winner if they act quickly enough.
I would not offer to CC - his $ are too high now.
The worst case is that you get nothing in three days. That is where we are right now. If only one player signs, you at least have begun earnest negotiations and, at worst, you lose the $200k. If 2 sign, you lose nothing and might sign one or both. If 3 sign, you have now *presto* created a contender. If 4 or even 5 sign, you have lost a couple of lower round draft picks, but not blocked anybody (since some of the pitchers would get 3 yr deals, and you never never have enough pitching). You don't have to take the 5th guy that signs, so you have a bit of flexibility.
Can 4 top free agents sign without blowing the $45 million/year budget? Sure. Because you get to drop Millar, Payton, Cabrerra, Ramon, etc. and because Bradford already left.
I think this would work. How much more eager to play here would Burnett and Teix be if they knew there was one or two more pitchers coming along? And how much fun would our team be if we added 1 very good, 1 good, 1 decent pitcher and Teix?
None. Play the Young Guns! And those with perspective. It will pay off. Hopefully ...
I vote Omir Santos. He is a decent catcher and can swing the bat if given the chance. There was no room in the Yankees organization to keep him so the o's snatched him up. His stats through the minors should tell you he's a keeper! At least he can fill in until Wieters can get here.
Do we have to pick one? After all. we just signed Donnie Murphy and Julio Lugo could be on the way.
Seriously though, it's time to do one of two things. Go hard after Texiera with a big offer and go public with it or extend Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis. The message from either is the team is serious about being competitive. Unfortunately, I haven't heard anything that would indicate that either is about to happen.
I know Payton does not want to stay and that he had conflicts at some point with teammates, but does anyone on the team hustle like he does? If you could take away some of the potential attitude problems, he is a guy that I would like to see the young guys watch. He'd certainly be a nice balance for Ramon Hernandez when he lightly jogs to first on grounders and fly balls.
JUAN CASTRO - It was a relief to have solid defense at SS toward the end of the season. For the Orioles "hitting" was not the problem last season. I know that Juan is currently too old to be a long term solution at shortstop, but his presence at short at least gives the O's solid feilding. Keep him for another year or two while we fix the problems with the rotation and locking up some of our key players long term...then worry about looking for a younger, more long term solution at short.
Do we eventually need to find a good all-around shortstop? Yes, but it isn't something that we need to force into place this offseason.
Sorry, but they all stink. Eider Torres: because I know the least about him.
Lets see...
O's want to go younger so no one over the age of 35. So good bye to Payton, Millar and Castro.
Has to be able to play in the majors or AAA. So good bye to Bukvich, Bynum, Hernandez and Santos.
That leaves:
A.Cintron - He can hit ML pitching. He can play 2B, SS and 3B with better defense then Jeter.
.286/ .321/ .361 in MLB
.288/ .329/ .394 in AAA
G.Aquino - Really did not get much of a chance. He only pitched 9 Innings. He was also a bit over used in mid April.
12.54 ERA 2.79 WHIP 8.68 K/9 in MLB
2.45 ERA 1.13 WHIP 10.17 K/9 in AAA
E.Torres - Never really got a chance in the majors (9 ABs). He has shown solid contact in the minors and speed. But he seems more like a 2B then a utility guy.
.222/ .222/ .222 in MLB
.307/ .357/ .381 in AAA
In the end I'd go with Cintron. He can hit and plays a lot of different positions well enough as a backup.
Do I have to? Torres may have the most upside.
Well Roch, you said I can't keep Millar, so honestly, I wouldn't keep any others. None. I would however keep Millar, because even though he doesn't fit the mold of going young and improving the team, Millar is still a great character guy to have in the clubhouse, and I think he did a lot for last year's team, and would do a lot for a future team. Besides, he wants to stay in Baltimore.
And in a write-in-vote I cast my ballot for: Jim Traber.
I'd keep Santos, and only because I've never seen him play...I've seen enough of the others.
Mark C. must be hell on wheels in his roto league. All the agents/players would laugh in your face.
Seeing this list of departing players gives me hope for next season. Addition by subtraction, baby.
Roch, honesty I'd rather see you on the field next season than anyone from that group.
I'm going to be very disappointed if the Orioles re-sign Kevin Millar.
I'm keeping Bob Milacki.
Dosnt the answer to this question have to be Juan Castro? He is the only option we have that is a plus defender at Short. Unless we sign someone better, we had better keep him around.
As for team chemistry . . . this is not the Michael Irvin era Cowboys. Let's leave chemistry out of the discussion. After Raffy and Segui that topic should be dead and buried.
How can Aquino "not get much of a chance" AND be overused?
Given their lack of talent, let's decide this by the players' nicknames.
My finalists would be:
Greg "Aquaman" Aquino
Freddie "Boom Boom" Bynum (Brilliant false advertising!)
Juan "Fidel" Castro
Alex "The Arm" Cintron
Jay "The Scowl" Payton
Based on the audacity of its misinformation and the eternal false hope of undeveloped tools, I'd keep "Boom Boom".
Lucky Horse you might want to reread it. I said overused in MID-APRIL.
He pitched on back to back days on April 10th and 11th for a total of 1.2 Innings throwing 28 pitches to 8 Batters. Then on April 15th he pitched 3 innings (2 innings longer then any other game) and threw 65 pitches to 17 batters.
And someone please explain to me how being 8th out of 14 in the AL in Runs scored is a good offensive team? I just don't get it. So being in the bottom half is good? No point comparing us to the NL teams they play in a very different league. and do not get the production of a DH.
c'mon! you left off Tim "Yes, Ann Marie, I'm REALLY STILL PLAYING BASEBALL!" Spooneybarger. hands down, he's my pick.
This seems to be a minority opinion, so I'm throwing it out there for discussion. I didn't think Juan Castro's defense was anything special. I can recall a few nice, tough plays he made, but plenty of times he failed on easier ones. Looking up numbers, there is nothing that suggests he was a huge glove improvement. Fielding percentage: average. Zone rating: average. Range factor: average. Yes, all horribly flawed stats. I looked up fielding win shares on Hardball Times, and he wasn't anything there, either. He turned very few double plays (about the same number as each Fahey and Hernandez, who each had just over half the innings Castro got). Fielding is still such a tough one to evaluate, but I view him as an average fielding SS and a terrible hitter. Nothing better than any host of other options we had/have. You grab whatever is available through a waiver claim or minor league free agent deal, meaning there are lots of Juan Castro's available because only the desperate need them. We went through several of them last year as a perfect example of this principle. Thoughts?
Roch -
Like just about everyone posting, I'd give em all one way bus fare out of town. If I have to keep one though, it would be Hernandez. Still young, has shown solid glove work in the past, and if nothing else, adds some depth in the minors with the potential of adding a little "O" to perhaps fit as a utility player. That's it!
Mark C, your suggestion is not realistic. First no team will make such an offer, and second, the more sought after FA's are not going to sign under those conditions, unless they really want to play for that team. Actually the suggestion smacks of desperation, which I'll admit is where we already are at.
If Andy truly has the green light, then here's what I do. I convince Roberts to sign a 4 year deal. I tell him we will be a player in the FA market to try and compete, while still focusing on international scouting, drafting and player development. Then I immediately extend Markakis. Next I sell Tex on how his signing along with bringing in pitching help will make the team competitive in the division, and that Mark will represent the new face & future of Orioles baseball. Then I go get Jon Garland, Livan Hernandez, & consider giving a incentive laden contract to Mark Prior. Then I take a shot at Orlando Cabrera for SS, and if I don't get a quick strike, sign Adam Everett. The only contracts that really come in high would be Tex & Garland.
Roch,
Is it OK if I break the rules and say we bring none of them back? I can't see one single one of those players being of any use or impact by the time the Orioles do start winning.
Hi Roch -- Millar means so much to the overall morale of the team -- and to the fans. He's not a bad player -- and he wants to stay! I always felt comfortable knowing he was on first. If he's not possible, I would say Juan Castro -- liked his hustle -- arm finesse -- and defense -- a joy to watch!
Tx O's Fan,
You had me until you mentioned those 2 magic words...LIVAN HERNANDEZ!