Duquette's declaration Orioles would be over .500

[jabba72]

Im curious what Duquette was told when taking the job that would inspire him to declare the Orioles would finish above .500 during his opening PC, or one of the first interviews? Was he promised more payroll? I remember someone asking him again a few weeks later if it was a .500 team and he said "no" but that he was working on some things and still believed he would get the Orioles to finish there. Since then, im not aware of much happening besides the Guthrie trade. And some twitter buzz the Orioles were a "darkhorse" team for Cespedes. No one knows if they ever gave a serious bid or not. Just that they were the "darkhorse". I was just hoping for a bigger splash I guess after that dramatic declaration..

[333WCamden]

Anyone who thinks the Orioles will be at or near .500 need to put some money on it. They're currently at 69.5 for the o/u in wins in Vegas.

[oriole]

He has learned his lesson, he won't do it again.

Don't underestimate the power of the Orioles to fall short! I mean that in an endearing way. The kind that makes you say, "awww...well they tried. Gold stars for everyone!"

[hoosiers]

I'm curious what Duquette was told when taking the job that would inspire him to declare the Orioles would finish above .500 during his opening PC, or one of the first interviews?

Not sure why one would assume Duquette was told anything about the team's ability in 2012 ....

I've been under the assumption DD told PA during the interview process that as GM he could both win more games now at the major league level while considerably strengthening the minor league talent at the same time.

[Frobby]

Anyone who thinks the Orioles will be at or near .500 need to put some money on it. They're currently at 69.5 for the o/u in wins in Vegas.

They could finish .500 or better, but the odds are against it. Almost everyone recognizes that the odds are pretty long. But I wouldn't say impossible.

[panick]

Not sure why one would assume Duquette was told anything about the team's ability in 2012 ....

I've been under the assumption DD told PA during the interview process that as GM he could both win more games now at the major league level while considerably strengthening the minor league talent at the same time.

Maybe in all the years he's been out of baseball he read "GM for Dummies".

[jabba72]

Not sure why one would assume Duquette was told anything about the team's ability in 2012 ....

I've been under the assumption DD told PA during the interview process that as GM he could both win more games now at the major league level while considerably strengthening the minor league talent at the same time.

Well DD told the media they would finish above .500 in 2012. Not 2013. Then after a few weeks or so backtracked saying they wouldnt currently finish .500 at that moment. There was another radio interview were he said he didnt have a set payroll and he seemed very uncomfortable or unsure of what to say when asked about it. Then he mentioned that it wasnt as high as Boston's on NY's.

[scOtt]

Not sure why one would assume Duquette was told anything about the team's ability in 2012 ....

I've been under the assumption DD told PA during the interview process that as GM he could both win more games now at the major league level while considerably strengthening the minor league talent at the same time.

That. And all the specialized FO guys he already had strong ties with, Walters, Correnti, Peterson etc. We can all debate the particulars, but it seems he had much more of a concrete plan than most of the recent GMs.

[alaniee]

We're not going to be anywhere near .500. Duquette (if he really believes this) is a tremendous optimist (so tremendous it's nearing stupidity).

[scOtt]

We're not going to be anywhere near .500. Duquette (if he really believes this) is a tremendous optimist (so tremendous it's nearing stupidity).

This year doesn't matter (yet). DD has fielded a competent ML roster, with good depth. The minimum. If they overachieve and reach .500 (or more) great! If not, the draft, the trade deadline and next offseason will tell us DD's direction.

[jabba72]

This year doesn't matter (yet). DD has fielded a competent ML roster, with good depth.The minimum. If they overachieve and reach .500 (or more) great! If not, the draft, the trade deadline and next offseason will tell us DD's direction.

At least you agree it was the minimum. Though im not sure how competent the roster is. Jackson or Cespedes or both would have made it appear much more competent. And probably excite alot of fans. But no... cant have that. Instead we promise .500 this year without any signings.

[scOtt]

At least you agree it was the minimum. Though im not sure how competent the roster is. Jackson or Cespedes or both would have made it appear much more competent. And probably excite alot of fans. But no... cant have that. Instead we promise .500 this year without any signings.

There's no reason for Dan to spend any more than the minimum this year. He inherited a system bereft of talent. Jackson or Cespedes were interesting, but beyond where they made sense.

You're depressed because you think the FO didn't even try to get any stars. I'm depressed because I think Duquette took the job and realized there's NO big talent on this team. None to build on...

[RavNMadMan]

This year doesn't matter (yet). DD has fielded a competent ML roster, with good depth. The minimum. If they overachieve and reach .500 (or more) great! If not, the draft, the trade deadline and next offseason will tell us DD's direction.

Excellent point here. I compare the building of a MLB team to building a house. It starts with a foundation....you can't live in a foundation but have to wait for the house to be built systematically. The architect (DD) forms the plan. If after 3 years the house doesn't form up.....you fire the architect and the construction workers. Everybody has to live somewhere...

[hoosiers]

There's no reason for Dan to spend any more than the minimum this year.

Sure there is. If there is a draft cap and international cap, then we've got to take a few swings at free agents such as Jackson or Cespedes.

I understand passing on both individually, but at some point, our FO has to take a few swings.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Sure there is. If there is a draft cap and international cap, then we've got to take a few swings at free agents such as Jackson or Cespedes.

I understand passing on both individually, but at some point, our FO has to take a few swings.

Sure. But the entire question is when to take a swing.

I mean, does he swing at the first pitch? Or does he wait to get a read on the pitcher and see whether the first pitch is a ball or a strike to plan his strategy?

Let too many strikes go by without a good swing and you are out anyway, but offer a swing at the wrong time and you make an easy out.