Buck having Angelos' ear

[jabba72]

So what happened? Supposedly, Buck had Angelos' ear and had serious pull in the Front Office, to the point that some here thought Buck is part GM of the team. I think Buck probably wanted a little more talent this offseason. Remember, he's the manager who probably also wants to be entertained and have a winning season more than a rebuild, like GM would. Buck didnt get the talent. So was Buck tricked? Or is he on board with the rebuild? I dont see him quitting because supposedly he is paid pretty well.

[Can_of_corn]

So what happened? Supposedly, Buck had Angelos' ear and had serious pull in the Front Office, to the point that some here thought Buck is part GM of the team. I think Buck probably wanted a little more talent this offseason. Remember, he's the manager who probably also wants to be entertained and have a winning season more than a rebuild, like GM would. Buck didnt get the talent. So was Buck tricked? Or is he on board with the rebuild? I dont see him quitting because supposedly he is paid pretty well.

What rebuild? I have not seen any evidence of a rebuild.

[jabba72]

In the thread i started about Duquette's statement on a winning season, I was told by some that DD didnt feel there is enough talent on the team to bother signing free agents or something like that. I assume that meant a rebuild. What exactly are they doing?

[El Gordo]

In the thread i started about Duquette's statement on a winning season, I was told by some that DD didnt feel there is enough talent on the team to bother signing free agents or something like that. I assume that meant a rebuild. What exactly are they doing?

I think Duq is using this season to assess the level of talent, then deciding whether to add to it, or trade it away and rebuild. He isn't familiar enough with everyone to decide yet, whether Britton, Matusz, Arrieta etc, can form the nucleus of a competitive rotation or not. Either that, or PA said you can't trade my fan favorites, you can't spend on FA's, and you have to be better than .500 this year, or you're fired.

[jabba72]

I think Duq is using this season to assess the level of talent, then deciding whether to add to it, or trade it away and rebuild. He isn't familiar enough with everyone to decide yet, whether Britton, Matusz, Arrieta etc, can form the nucleus of a competitive rotation or not. Either that, or PA said you can't trade my fan favorites, you can't spend on FA's, and you have to be better than .500 this year, or you're fired.

Couldnt Buck assess it for him? I understand being confused by the starters but at this point I think its safe to assume none are currently better than Ed Jackson would be over the next four years. Possible, but not very likely.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Something that a lot of people believed despite being based solely on rumor and hope turned out to be untrue? I'm floored...

[El Gordo]

Couldnt Buck assess it for him? I understand being confused by the starters but at this point I think its safe to assume none are currently better than Ed Jackson would be over the next four years. Possible, but not very likely.

I wouldn't think it's safe to assume that at all. Check out some successful SP's, they don't all come up and establish themselves in a season or two. Britton, Arrieta, and Matusz have more upside than Jackson IMO. As to taking Buck's word for it; it's Duq's decision, he bears the responsibility, and his job on the line, why shouldn't make sure of things for himself.

[fish113d]

At this point, I actually think Buck's job is safer than Duquette's. I think Buck is seen as the savior, and now we just need to give him the pieces....however, pieces of pooh were NOT what was desired during free agency...you can polish a turd, but.....

[HankGChuck]

Something that a lot of people believed despite being based solely on rumor and hope turned out to be untrue? I'm floored...

From what I gather, people must have thought Buck Showalter was Superman.

[jabba72]

At this point, I actually think Buck's job is safer than Duquette's. I think Buck is seen as the savior, and now we just need to give him the pieces....however, pieces of pooh were NOT what was desired during free agency...you can polish a turd, but.....

So, why is Buck the savior? What has he done to deserve that praise here? It looks like Buck's input has been about zero this offseason if you ask me. And who considers Buck the savior? Certainly not Angelos. I have to think he wanted Jackson and Cespedes. Im curious what FA's you consider turds by the way.

[fish113d]

So, why is Buck the savior? What has he done to deserve that praise here? It looks like Buck's input has been about zero this offseason if you ask me. And who considers Buck the savior? Certainly not Angelos. I have to think he wanted Jackson and Cespedes. Im curious what FA's you consider turds by the way.

Maybe I'm basing "Buck as the Savior" based how it seemed everyone felt when he was hired. Every team he touched, he led them to the playoffs just a few years after, so we all figured, why not us right? I still think Buck is THE GUY we need, but the players have to be motivated, in shape, and really step-up and be men, leaders etc. In terms of the "turds" I was mentioning, I think it was just a general reference to the fact that we got not ONE bigger-named FA this off season, but at the same time, who knows, maybe it'll work out...I"m remaining positive, and I'll be there Opening Day!

[Roy Firestone]

In the thread i started about Duquette's statement on a winning season, I was told by some that DD didnt feel there is enough talent on the team to bother signing free agents or something like that. I assume that meant a rebuild. What exactly are they doing?

Do I have to repeat this again? The mantra is "the Orioles arent good enough yet" so dont upgrade with quality players or improve the lineup.This way the team
remains "not good enough yet" for a long time and cant add any players in the future either. No one expects more, therefore nobody gets more.
Sorry if this is cynical, this is just the same broken record Ive seen and heard year after year.I just have two words. Washington Nationals.

[jabba72]

Do I have to repeat this again? The mantra is "the Orioles arent good enough yet" so dont upgrade with quality players or improve the lineup.This way the team
remains "not good enough yet" for a long time and cant add any players in the future either. No one expects more, therefore nobody gets more.
Sorry if this is cynical, this is just the same broken record Ive seen and heard year after year.I just have two words. Washington Nationals.

That looked very much the case this year. Its just surprising that guys like Buck and DD would go along with it. Buck could have made his case in public about some players he wanted and forced Angelos hand a bit. But he kept mum and got nothing.

[scOtt]

In the thread i started about Duquette's statement on a winning season, I was told by some that DD didnt feel there is enough talent on the team to bother signing free agents or something like that. I assume that meant a rebuild. What exactly are they doing?

I was one of those. And I was a little over the top. JUST a little. I said that Dan realized he didn't have enough talent on this team to spend. That doesn't mean that we don't have assets. Wieters is THE asset. AJ is an asset, Nick, both JJs, even Reynolds. The cavalry is an asset. Guthrie was an asset, just not near as much as many of us thought. Traded to help the present. He didn't have any long term worth to us (DD) so he's now a hopeful starter and reliever. ML 2 for 1. Much of ALL that can help a rebuild, while still keeping up the box office at home. The rebuild is in the minors and the player development and international scouting. We'll see how the draft goes...

It's a whole offseason now (minus ST tweaks) but it's way early for Duquette. He's added a LOT of players, good or bad (not looking for some debate on Dana Eveland...) I expect to see him keep adding more and more players. All this year and offseason. Flood the minors with it. EXACTLY what SoxHotCorner said happened in Boston. Bunch of players gone and a BUNCH of players brought in. And like I have also said, this draft and trade deadline and next offseason will tell us SOOOO much more.


About Buck. I don't think he ever had as much influence as SG feared he did. I think he has much input. Vs. him and MacPhail, I could see him having co-GM status. But with Dan, I think they have really set out on a long term project. I don't think Buck runs away from a long term build. Look what he did in AZ. He was working 24/7 for that team for like 2 years before they played a single game. The Orioles are a BIG challenge! To really make them relevant. I think Buck relishes a challenge like that. And I think Dan is off to a very good start.

[El Gordo]

I was one of those. And I was a little over the top. JUST a little. I said that Dan realized he didn't have enough talent on this team to spend. That doesn't mean that we don't have assets. Wieters is THE asset. AJ is an asset, Nick, both JJs, even Reynolds. The cavalry is an asset. Guthrie was an asset, just not near as much as many of us thought. Traded to help the present. He didn't have any long term worth to us (DD) so he's now a hopeful starter and reliever. ML 2 for 1. Much of ALL that can help a rebuild, while still keeping up the box office at home. The rebuild is in the minors and the player development and international scouting. We'll see how the draft goes...

It's a whole offseason now (minus ST tweaks) but it's way early for Duquette. He's added a LOT of players, good or bad (not looking for some debate on Dana Eveland...) I expect to see him keep adding more and more players. All this year and offseason. Flood the minors with it. EXACTLY what SoxHotCorner said happened in Boston. Bunch of players gone and a BUNCH of players brought in. And like I have also said, this draft and trade deadline and next offseason will tell us SOOOO much more.


About Buck. I don't think he ever had as much influence as SG feared he did. I think he has much input. Vs. him and MacPhail, I could see him having co-GM status. But with Dan, I think they have really set out on a long term project. I don't think Buck runs away from a long term build. Look what he did in AZ. He was working 24/7 for that team for like 2 years before they played a single game. The Orioles are a BIG challenge! To really make them relevant. I think Buck relishes a challenge like that. And I think Dan is off to a very good start.

Good post. I agree.