If the Orioles came out right now and said...

[Sports Guy]

...that they could sign Vlad but by doing it, it will take a big chunk out of their ability to sign amateur talent, would you be ok with the signing of Vlad?

(this is obviously hypothetical, the Orioles are obviously not going to come out and say this)

[Dipper9]

I would cry BS and say that the major league roster salary budget should be completely separate from their scouting and other budgets.

If they absolutely said it has to be one or the other, then I don't sign Vlad.

[Dipper9]

Aren't answers 1 and 3 the same thing?

[Sports Guy]

Aren't answers 1 and 3 the same thing?

Pretty much...The only reason I put #1 out there is just to see who was on the side of signing him to begin with and then see if they change their mind due to this caveat.

[CharmCityCrab]

I'd reject the premise of such a question if the Orioles posed it. If an owner isn't willing to maintain the sort of payroll it takes to field a consistent contender *and* pay what it takes to have a respectable scouting depart and sign draft picks/international talent, that owner needs to sell his or her team.

Sports franchises are public trusts, generally with stadiums built by state and local governments with taxpayer dollars, and with a sort of "captive audience" because of the culture surrounding sports and people's intrinsic loyalty to their hometown team or the team they grew up rooting for (perhaps because of a family history). They shouldn't be run with the idea of fielding non-contenders to squeeze every last dime of potential profit out of them at the expense of the fan base.

[Dipper9]

Pretty much...The only reason I put #1 out there is just to see who was on the side of signing him to begin with and then see if they change their mind due to this caveat.

I thought that was your idea, which is why I picked number one. I am surprised to see people picking number 3, ie, they don't want Vlad no matter what.

[Sports Guy]

I thought that was your idea, which is why I picked number one. I am surprised to see people picking number 3, ie, they don't want Vlad no matter what.

Yea, I could have made a better option than I did for #3 but really, I just didn't feel like it. :)

Personally, I am on the fence about the signing of Vlad, so #3 just applies to me more.

[srock]

I thought that was your idea, which is why I picked number one. I am surprised to see people picking number 3, ie, they don't want Vlad no matter what.

I didn't read it that way. Actually, I didn't pick up the meaning of option 1 at all so just picked 3.

[TonySoprano]

http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumblarge_292/1216855208ualaX5.jpg

enough said

[olehippi]

#3....nothing has changed. I'm completely against signing Guerrero.

[Camden_yardbird]

I really don't get the we can't afford him slant. If Vlad does well then one of two things happens. Either he does well the Orioles compete and his salary is compensated by increased ticket sales, or
Vlad does well, the Orioles don't compete, trade him and only pay half of what is probably a 2 million dollar salary. Plus they get compensation in prospects which may be better than a draft pick, or
Vlad bombs. But if he bombs he's probably injured and your getting insurance money. So your not signing him on the chance that he's just bad and not injured which is highly doubtful.

So to answer the OP I would sign him no matter what.

[Bradysburns]

Pretty much...The only reason I put #1 out there is just to see who was on the side of signing him to begin with and then see if they change their mind due to this caveat.

I think the results will skew incorrectly to make it look like most people are against signing Vlad period. I took 3 as meaning I never wanted him, and still don't, under any circumstances.

[Bradysburns]

I didn't read it that way. Actually, I didn't pick up the meaning of option 1 at all so just picked 3.

I had to read it a couple times. I think a lot of people thought what you did, Rock... but I took 3 as meaning I never wanted Vlad and still don't, regardless. That's why I voted with #1.

[SrMeowMeow]

Pretty much...The only reason I put #1 out there is just to see who was on the side of signing him to begin with and then see if they change their mind due to this caveat.

Well, I voted 3 before seeing this clarification, but I had no problem with the signing before, and a huge problem if your hypothetical is true.

[weams]

They would not say that. Besides, Andy is a trading fool, he'll get the money back if we are not winning. Cash considerations.

[CompuCoach]

Pretty much...The only reason I put #1 out there is just to see who was on the side of signing him to begin with and then see if they change their mind due to this caveat.

Though, the first option says "was okay with signing," and thus doesn't necessarily appeal as a choice only to those who are proponents of it. You can be "okay" with a signing without being necessarily an advocate. I voted #1, because I would be fine with it, but I wouldn't go so far as to say it is my preferred outcome.

I see both positives and negatives to the move - the positive being the dynamism and excitement Vlad could bring to the park as part of a balanced line-up with few true weaknesses (something we've not had the privilege of seeing in quite some time as fans), with the caveat that it would basically screw Reimold out of playing time at the major league level (barring a trade and/or injury), and reduce Pie's timeshare as well.

I could accept that, although not wholeheartedly. However, if it came with the stipulation provided, then of course not. Amateur (re:future) talent > 2011.

[scOtt]

I thought that was your idea, which is why I picked number one. I am surprised to see people picking number 3, ie, they don't want Vlad no matter what.
:o I voted wrong then. I was originally against it, but as the reports that his price was dropping came in I was won over.

[waroriole]

I thought that was your idea, which is why I picked number one. I am surprised to see people picking number 3, ie, they don't want Vlad no matter what.

I don't want to sign Vlad b/c I want Reimold and Pie to get AB so we can see what we have.