Orioles have agreed to terms, pending physical, with INF Wilson Betemit

[El Gordo]

Duquette doesn't write the lineup card, Buck does. I expect Buck intends to use Betemit in the way Duquette described, but as I said, sometimes things don't work out the way you plan.

What would lead Buck to play Betemit against LHSP or at SS or 3B where he is terrible, unless it is an unforseen disaster. You seem to be sayng that because it's the Orioles, Buck or Duquette will be seized with a sudden attack of irrationality.

[DrungoHazewood]

I officially like this deal. I don't love it, but I like it. I also like that the front office seems to view Betemit as the LH part of a DH platoon, where his value is maximized. As long as he doesn't hit the PA mark to vest the option, I'm cool with it.

Yea, I like it. It's almost a tiny dollar value. I'd previously said a fair deal would be 2/5, and the guaranteed money is actually less than that.

For under 2M a season, it's hard to believe we won't come out with surplus value on this deal.

Oh, I can come up with a scenario or two. He could just relive 2006-2009 where he was worth half a win in 1000 PAs. Or, would it surprise anyone if he coughed up any of Ty Wigginton's last three years? If he did it's not a big deal, not on this contract, it's not really a bad risk, but it wouldn't surprise me.

Words are fine, actions are better. The O's have a long history of bringing in guys we thought would have a part-time role, and then using them full-time as a result of choice or necessity. Conine, Surhoff (2nd time), Millar, Wigginton for example. Hopefully it doesn't happen this time, but a lot can happen.

Right, with the Orioles projected lineup it wouldn't be unusual at all to see Betemit pushed from productive part timer to unproductive 600 PAs of Ty Wigginton.

[DrungoHazewood]

What would lead Buck to play Betemit against LHSP or at SS or 3B where he is terrible, unless it is an unforseen disaster. You seem to be sayng that because it's the Orioles, Buck or Duquette will be seized with a sudden attack of irrationality.

What would lead Trembley and Buck to play Wigginton at second base where he's terrible, unless it is an unforseen disaster?

Baseball teams have disasters they're unprepared for constantly. Would you be at all surprised if Andino tears a quad on March 15th, and Antonelli and Flaherty are both 5-for-44 in spring training. Suddenly you're in triage mode and maybe Wilson Betemit is getting a lot of reps at second.

[Slappy]

What would lead Trembley and Buck to play Wigginton at second base where he's terrible, unless it is an unforseen disaster?

Baseball teams have disasters they're unprepared for constantly. Would you be at all surprised if Andino tears a quad on March 15th, and Antonelli and Flaherty are both 5-for-44 in spring training. Suddenly you're in triage mode and maybe Wilson Betemit is getting a lot of reps at second.

Buck only played Wiggy at 2B in 3 games and never started him here.

[El Gordo]

Yea, I like it. It's almost a tiny dollar value. I'd previously said a fair deal would be 2/5, and the guaranteed money is actually less than that.



Oh, I can come up with a scenario or two. He could just relive 2006-2009 where he was worth half a win in 1000 PAs. Or, would it surprise anyone if he coughed up any of Ty Wigginton's last three years? If he did it's not a big deal, not on this contract, it's not really a bad risk, but it wouldn't surprise me.



Right, with the Orioles projected lineup it wouldn't be unusual at all to see Betemit pushed from productive part timer to unproductive 600 PAs of Ty Wigginton.

I suppose this could happen if Reimold couldn't hit as well as field, Davis couldn't hit, Reynolds couldn't field, and Antonelli couldn't hit also. This would mean Chavez and Miller would platoon LF, Reynolds DH, Reimold, Davis to bench or elsewhere, and Betemit at 1B with Andino at 2B, and one of Flaherty or Ryan at 3B. Some how I don't see all of that happening, at least not before the pigs take off.

[El Gordo]

What would lead Trembley and Buck to play Wigginton at second base where he's terrible, unless it is an unforseen disaster?

Baseball teams have disasters they're unprepared for constantly. Would you be at all surprised if Andino tears a quad on March 15th, and Antonelli and Flaherty are both 5-for-44 in spring training. Suddenly you're in triage mode and maybe Wilson Betemit is getting a lot of reps at second.

Ifit's ST numbers I would play Antonelli at 2B before I used Betemit there because I would not place that much importance on ST numbers and would prefer the better glove. If he still couldn't hit after a suitable time, I'd go with Ryan or Tolleson, before Betemit .

[weams]

Come on now, let's look at context. Jaysen Werth is to the Nationals as Carl Crawford is to the ____ ____ ?

Weams was clearly referring to Crawford's 2011 as he was referring to Werth's 2011. You know, the year Crawford posted an on base percentage of .289.

So he was saying that in some ways, Betemit has recently been better than Crawford has been so far for the Red Sox. And by, "in some ways" he concedes not in other ways.

Thanks for the bail out. You are a true American!

[weams]

"My agent told me I'd get an opportunity to play over there. I just want to go out there and play. It's an opportunity to play and try to help the team win and play whatever position they need."
Betemit has appeared at every defensive spot except center field and catcher. The Orioles will use him as a designated hitter, especially against right-handers, and move him around the infield. He's better suited for the corners, with most of his starts coming at third base.
"For me, it's not a problem," he said. "That's what I do. I play wherever - infield, outfield, some DH. If they use me at DH, it's not a problem. DH, first base, I just want the opportunity to play and help the team. I'll be comfortable wherever they put me."
Betemit wasn't discouraged by the Orioles' 14 straight losing seasons and the challenges of breaking that streak while competing in the American League East.
"I know there are a lot of tough teams in that division," he said, "but you've got to go out and play and see what happens."
This will be Betemit's seventh team, and his fifth since the start of the 2008 season.
"I've played with a lot of different teams the last couple of years, but that's how the game goes sometimes," he said. "Right now, I'm a Baltimore Oriole and I'm going out there and getting an opportunity, and I'll do my best to help the team and win games and play wherever I'm needed."
He's still waiting for his visa to arrive, at which point he plans on reporting early to spring training.
"Maybe with the pitchers and catchers," he said.

http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_...-and-play.html

[Can_of_corn]

With as many pitchers as the O's have coming they should get him some gear.

[Oriolidae85]

Glad to have Betemit and the value he brings to the Orioles roster, but who does he platoon with against LHP? RHB's like Reimold hit RHP better than LHP's (in 2011, but his 2010 distracted season splits were more the opposite).

[Can_of_corn]

Glad to have Betemit and the value he brings to the Orioles roster, but who does he platoon with against LHP? RHB's like Reimold hit RHP better than LHP's (in 2011, but his 2010 distracted season splits were more the opposite).

Reimold projects to be the everyday left fielder so it won't be him.

[oriole]

With as many pitchers as the O's have coming they should get him some gear.

We should have just waited to sell Snyder to the Rangers til after ST!

[RVAbird]

Glad to have Betemit and the value he brings to the Orioles roster, but who does he platoon with against LHP? RHB's like Reimold hit RHP better than LHP's (in 2011, but his 2010 distracted season splits were more the opposite).

I'm thinking Reynolds should slide to DH against LHP and either Antonelli or Flaherty should fill in at 3B. It's a defensive upgrade and hopefully one of the two hits a little.

[weams]

We should have just waited to sell Snyder to the Rangers til after ST!

It is never a problem. They bring in all the guys who can't hit but wore the gear in high school. It is fun to watch the catchers at minor league spring training. Don Werner gives them daily instruction and then they each catch about 6 pitchers side sessions.

[Oriolidae85]

Reimold projects to be the everyday left fielder so it won't be him.

Exactly...I could have pointed to Jones as an example, who DH's when Wilson is not playing? I'd like to see him as a good PH option off the bench. Just not yet seeing a good platoon option to compliment Betemit. Maybe Jai Miller? or another acquisition is pending. For example, Prado still makes sense with Betemit on this team, potentially...IMO