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Post by mmmbeer on Jul 5, 2016 6:49:35 GMT -5
still in first. SP still stinks. Can they hold on for a WC spot? .500 in the second half would probably do it.
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Post by Evil Yoda on Jul 5, 2016 16:14:13 GMT -5
They have one reliable starter, one semi-reliable starter and garbage. My guess is they will not make the post season, but even if they do, they will be out fast.
Duquette chose not to address the starting pitching problem from last year, and so it still exists.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2016 23:19:55 GMT -5
They have one reliable starter, one semi-reliable starter and garbage. My guess is they will not make the post season, but even if they do, they will be out fast. Duquette chose not to address the starting pitching problem from last year, and so it still exists.There were few big-name pitching options available last offseason, and the Orioles certainly weren't going to sink $217 million into David Price. And if you're looking for pitchers seeking one-year deals, hitter-friendly Camden Yards isn't the best option for pitchers looking to re-establish their free agent bona fides. I think the key will be the bullpen. From June 1, the Orioles bullpen ERA has gone from 2.62 to 4.26, which is just about the same time O'Day went on the DL. There will probably be some affordable starting pitching available at the deadline, but likely no game-changers. I'd rather the Orioles hold on to what minor league talent they have than overpay for mediocrity. There have been a few names tossed around that could be intriguing, but that second wildcard has resulted in fewer teams throwing in the towel, which means much more of a seller's market.
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Post by mmmbeer on Jul 6, 2016 9:28:43 GMT -5
getting Worley and ODay back, staying healthy, and returning to form is definitely a key in light of the SP prospects!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2016 0:32:36 GMT -5
getting Worley and ODay back, staying healthy, and returning to form is definitely a key in light of the SP prospects! Dylan Bundy is starting to look like the pitcher everyone thought he would be when he was drafted for years ago. He was absolutely electric against the Dodgers on Wednesday, and seems to know how to pitch with runners on, something Gausman has yet to master. In fact, even though his Major League experience is extremely limited, I'd say that Bundy's command, particularly of his secondary pitches, is better than Gausman at this stage. O'Day is definitely a key to the second half. I don't think it's a coincidence that the bullpen ERA spiked upward right about the time O'Day hit the DL in early June. I'm still leery about stretching Bundy beyond his 75 inning limit this year, but he could factor heavily into the bullpen mix. I don't expect the Orioles to land any major deal by the deadline, but if they could get someone who could give them five or six innings, a Bundy, Brach, O'Day and Britton bullpen mix could shorten games considerably.
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Post by Evil Yoda on Jul 8, 2016 10:50:53 GMT -5
Any really good pitcher available is likely to be a rental from some team that has thrown in the towel. A team like that will be looking to its future. The Orioles' farm system is not so replete with talent that Duq can afford to trade them for a rental, IMO. There's a guy I've forgotten the name of who would have been Davis' successor at first, perhaps, whom teams seem to like. But by himself I doubt he'd command a pitcher you'd want to have.
They really need to figure out why they are hurting pitchers while training them, and why they can't either choose well at the draft, or if they are choosing well, develop that talent. Something's broken down there.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2016 22:55:02 GMT -5
Any really good pitcher available is likely to be a rental from some team that has thrown in the towel. A team like that will be looking to its future. The Orioles' farm system is not so replete with talent that Duq can afford to trade them for a rental, IMO. There's a guy I've forgotten the name of who would have been Davis' successor at first, perhaps, whom teams seem to like. But by himself I doubt he'd command a pitcher you'd want to have. They really need to figure out why they are hurting pitchers while training them, and why they can't either choose well at the draft, or if they are choosing well, develop that talent. Something's broken down there. I think you're referring to Christian Walker, who is also playing the outfield in the minors since he's blocked at first. I don't think other teams are that high on him, however. I'm not sure if the Orioles' injuries are unique. Texas currently has three starters on the DL, the Mets have lost Matt Harvey for the year, and Clayton Kershaw is down for the Dodgers. The problem for the Orioles is that they have few options in the minors to meet their major league shortcomings. The Orioles haven't done well recently in the draft, to be sure, but until the recent slotting system, picks weren't necessarily done by best player available, but rather, affordability. Top picks were often passed over if it appeared that their demands exceeded where a team was willing to go. Thus, a top five pick or top 10 pick wasn't necessarily taken that early due to ability, but based on how whether or not a team could get him to sign. This is the last year of the draft slotting system, since the current CBA expires after this season, so it will be interesting to see what shape the draft takes afterward. Unlike last year, there doesn't figure to be any top-shelf starter available for a two-month rental. I'd expect the Orioles to go after someone like Jeremy Hellickson of the Phillies, or perhaps Ervin Santana of the Twins.
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Post by Evil Yoda on Jul 9, 2016 10:55:29 GMT -5
Yes, that's him. I thought the team believed him tradeable; that's not true?
I think we might be talking about two different injury things. Look at how frequently Orioles minor league pitchers go down with serious injuries. It seems like it's frequent, to me. Of course, part of the problem is high school and college coaches overwork these guys, and they aren't in a position to tell the coach, "No, I'm trying to save my arm for the bigs" because at that point most probably don't know if they're on anyone's radar. What's needed, probably, are smarter coaches in college. The Catch-22 is that those coaches are not judged on how many players they send to the bigs, but on how well their team does, which means they have no motivation to protect the future of a player past simple decency, and that's in short supply these days.
I doubt they can get any kind of game changing starter now, not without trading away too much of the future. This was a problem that needed solving in the off-season. While Duquette's 15-16 offseason was much better than his previous disaster (during which he did not wish to make a team he expected to compete against better), it wasn't good as regards pitching. Gallardo wasn't really an upgrade.
If they can unf*k Wright's head and teach Gausman how to pitch (rather than throw) they will have something. All they really need is for one (or better, two) guys to be *adequate* innings eaters and they'll be in good shape.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2016 23:03:34 GMT -5
Yes, that's him. I thought the team believed him tradeable; that's not true?I think we might be talking about two different injury things. Look at how frequently Orioles minor league pitchers go down with serious injuries. It seems like it's frequent, to me. Of course, part of the problem is high school and college coaches overwork these guys, and they aren't in a position to tell the coach, "No, I'm trying to save my arm for the bigs" because at that point most probably don't know if they're on anyone's radar. What's needed, probably, are smarter coaches in college. The Catch-22 is that those coaches are not judged on how many players they send to the bigs, but on how well their team does, which means they have no motivation to protect the future of a player past simple decency, and that's in short supply these days. I doubt they can get any kind of game changing starter now, not without trading away too much of the future. This was a problem that needed solving in the off-season. While Duquette's 15-16 offseason was much better than his previous disaster (during which he did not wish to make a team he expected to compete against better), it wasn't good as regards pitching. Gallardo wasn't really an upgrade. If they can unf*k Wright's head and teach Gausman how to pitch (rather than throw) they will have something. All they really need is for one (or better, two) guys to be *adequate* innings eaters and they'll be in good shape. A number of teams were reportedly inquiring about Walker in the offseason, but he's already 25 years old, and while he had a hot spring, he's probably beginning to peak at Triple A. He's shown some power, but probably not enough for teams to project him as an everyday first baseman. If he can make a successful transition to the outfield, his stock will probably rise. Walker will likely draw interest if the Orioles make him available for trade, but I'm guessing it would have to be part of a package. By himself, Walker isn't going to fetch all that much.
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Post by mmmbeer on Jul 11, 2016 8:33:27 GMT -5
15 games over at the break. If they can somehow find enough pitching, maybe even adding another good LH BP arm, ala Miller, to go .500 in the 2nd half, that will get them to the playoffs. Status quo & the BP will be gassed before the end of the year.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2016 23:54:55 GMT -5
15 games over at the break. If they can somehow find enough pitching, maybe even adding another good LH BP arm, ala Miller, to go .500 in the 2nd half, that will get them to the playoffs. Status quo & the BP will be gassed before the end of the year. I agree but that guy might not be available this time around. The trouble facing the Orioles is their shallow farm system, which means teams like Boston, Toronto (although they emptied theirs out quite a bit last year), Texas and the Cubs, all of whom possess numerous prospects, will be able to make more attractive offers to get what they need. The very unproductive 2014 offseason is now coming back to haunt the Orioles. The got caught behind the eight ball when Markakis bolted for Atlanta, then had to overpay to acquire the absolutely hopeless Travis Snider from Pittsburgh. When he bombed, they were then forced to overpay again with Milwaukee for the very average Gerardo Parra. That cost them at least three young arms which could have been put to better use down the road. As I mentioned, I think the best the Orioles might do in terms of starters could be Ervin Santana of the Twins, not that he's any great shakes. He's also owed some $13 million for next season, so it remains to be seen if the Orioles are willing to add even more payroll. Will Smith of Milwaukee, a lefty reliever, is an intriguing possibility. He isn't making a ton of coin (not FA eligible until 2019), and he misses a lot of bats. Still, a rebuilding team like Milwaukee has little incentive to hold on to a back-of-the-bullpen guy like that, so he might be had without having to sell the farm. I'd almost rather see the Orioles go that route than overpay (again) for a No. 4 or No. 5 starter.
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Post by Evil Yoda on Jul 12, 2016 11:48:42 GMT -5
Well, they mostly drafted pitchers this year, so they can now put that crack team of minor league coaches, instructors and managers to work getting them ready for the bigs!
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Post by mmmbeer on Jul 12, 2016 12:49:48 GMT -5
Well, they mostly drafted pitchers this year, so they can now put that crack team of minor league coaches, instructors and managers to work getting them ready for the bigs! September call ups! lol
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