No love for the longball? (plus another Trumbo take)

There is a saying in baseball that "chicks dig the longball." It seems there are some Orioles fans who would say those women need to take a closer look at things.

When the Orioles' prolific home run numbers were mentioned in Thursday's blog, it touched off some comments that have become commonplace here. Such as:

"Yes, but they didn't get to the World Series."

"Why do people care so much about homers?"

"They still need to improve the on-base percentage."

I've read enough comments over many years here to last 10 lifetimes, probably, and it's clear that some fans are not impressed by home run totals. Not one bit. While those same fans seem to appreciate and take pride in the fact that the Orioles ranked No. 1 in the American League in bullpen ERA, for instance, being No. 1 in homers is met with a collective yawn.

The 2016 Orioles hit 253 homers. In the history of Major League Baseball, just four teams have ever hit more. The 1997 Seattle Mariners with 264, the 2005 Texas Rangers with 260, the 2010 Toronto Blue Jays with 257 and the 1996 Orioles also with 257.

That's it. The fifth most in major league history seems to get no love from some segments of the team's fan base.

OK, we clearly can understand there are reasons for that, expressed here countless times. For one, the frustration that a lot of strikeouts come with homers as well. Some of our readers seem to remember the strikeouts much more than the homers. The fact the club's offense is so reliant on homers leads to frustration when they don't come. And yes, because they haven't bashed their way to a World Series win. I don't need to challenge the readers here to come up with more reasons to dismiss homers. They are up to that challenge.

While you probably can't bash your way to a World Series with homers alone, you could take solid defense, a great bullpen, an average or better rotation (if they can get there) and a few players having standout years and sure make a nice run. Maybe one providing the World Series win that has eluded the team during a five-year run of mostly success.

The Orioles rely on homers too much and swing for the fences too much. It is safe to say we read this sentiment often here. Fair enough. But keep in mind they do hit them as well as any team in the game currently and the 2016 squad hit them as well as almost any team ever. Ever.

I've heard there is no defense against a homer, not even with a shift! When grouped with other strong aspects of a team, it might help a team win a few games. Say like, the Orioles, since 2012.

Who wouldn't like a near perfect offense - one where high OBP players set the table and create opportunities with speed? One where a club struck out less, advanced runners and then mashed homers to light up the scoreboard?

Since 2012, the Orioles have hit a major league-leading 1,107 homers, with Toronto second at 1,013 and New York third with 931. The O's are seventh in the major leagues in runs scored in that time (sixth in the AL), with Boston first and Toronto third.

AL East teams score runs and hit homers. For now, the Orioles are a power team and that at least mostly suits their home ballpark. The Orioles rely heavily on the longball and not everyone is okay with that.

Trumbo talk: Speaking of homers, Mark Trumbo remains unsigned. A FOX Sports report yesterday stated that Trumbo and his reps approached the Orioles seeking a three-year deal for around $50 million. This comes after he turned down an earlier O's offer reportedly for four years and $52 million. The report said since seeking $50 million for three years, Trumbo's side indicated a willingness to accept a lesser deal between $40 and $50 million for three seasons.

The price tag continues to fall for the player that led the majors with 47 home runs last season. If the O's were willing to offer him a four-year deal, it would seem they may be open to a three-year deal between $40 and 50 million. At the same time, Dan Duquette recently talked about taking the draft pick if Trumbo signs elsewhere and seeking players on shorter-term deals.

Will Trumbo's price fall to a point that the Orioles should re-sign him?