That Guthrie deal is looking awfully good right about now...

[allquixotic]

Agreed. I was fired up they traded Guts. I hope I am wrong. Hammel definitely looks good! Even Lindstrom looks good!

I didn't see that poll and thus didn't vote, but I was pretty sad to see Guts go, too. He's definitely a likable guy, regardless of his success at the plate. If I had voted on that poll when Guts was traded, I'd have probably given it a C- at best. But I didn't really think it through in terms of stats or ballparks like (obviously) our scouts and DD did.

[Barnaby Graves]

His K rate is way up but it's only 4 starts.

He works at an excellent pace.

[TiredofLosing20]

I rated it poorly then and I rate it poorly now. I was disappointed in the fact that the O's held on to JG too long and clearly were not able to get prospects for him. I didnt like the timing of the trade. It wasn't necessarily about who we got back but the overall failure to get players we could actually use whenever we become competitive. If I remember correctly someone (may have been LJ) somewhat sold me on the notion that they essentially traded for a younger version of Guthrie and that it re-opened the window of getting prospects if Hammel pitched well. That does make some since to me.

All of that said, I would have rate the trade a scootch higher than the D-/F I gave it initially.

[Singleton]

I was against the trade. I'll be very happy to be wrong but i'd hold off a bit longer on carving his name on the Cy Young trophy. Not surpised Guthrie is struggling. Lets hope Hammels keeps it going.

[eb45]

At the time, I thought it was a slight loss at worst and at best it was getting an extra year of team control for a guy of Guthrie's caliber plus a solid bullpen arm. I liked the lack of risk but didn't see much potential reward.

Never in my wildest dreams did I see Hammel adding this insane two-seam. Wow.

[Icterus galbula]

Fess up, who went back to the poll to add a B/B+ grade?

I now see that Sparkwinder has done the same thing, to go along with some other Anonymous Andy.

[weams]

Rep for everyone who defended it!


(Oh, wait, it was like me and one other person.)

Are you sure that it wasn't me as well?

[Toonces]

If the O's are as bad as all seem to expect by the trade deadline, could these two be flipped for a more "youthfull" value? Think DD thinks this far in advance? Or does he just try to acquire as much talent as possible and worry about it later?

[Icterus galbula]

If the O's are as bad as all seem to expect by the trade deadline, could these two be flipped for a more "youthfull" value? Think DD thinks this far in advance? Or does he just try to acquire as much talent as possible and worry about it later?

I certainly think DD has foresight, but this past offseason seemed to be wholly about adding depth without specific long-term expectations attached.

[Toonces]

I certainly think DD has foresight, but this past offseason seemed to be wholly about adding depth without specific long-term expectations attached.

Agreed. I think it was all about just adding as much talent as possible. Get as much talent as possible and worry about what to do with it later.

[SilentJames]

I gave it a D because I considered Hammel to be basically another Guthrie-I didn't hate it but I considered it a lateral move.

It has so far been a very very good deal.

[Hallas]

I like you LJ, but there are 52 posters who graded this trade better than you at the time. And many who graded it the same. http://forum.orioleshangout.com/foru...do=showresults

Sweet, I voted B/B-, which apparently wasnt a very popular vote...

[RZNJ]

I voted a "C/C-" at the time. Right now it looks like a B+/A. I mean, how can you say anything less. Sure, we need to see how it shakes out over the season but you can see the raw stuff Hammel has, not just the results. And Lindstrom has obviously been mediocre in the past so we'll have to see. I had the audacity to suggest he and Gregg were the two pitchers you had to hold your breath when they came into a game. Well, Lindstrom has been solid and looked absolutely filthy tonight. It will be interesting to see if he can do it again.

[Gurgi]

At the time, I thought it was a slight loss at worst and at best it was getting an extra year of team control for a guy of Guthrie's caliber plus a solid bullpen arm. I liked the lack of risk but didn't see much potential reward.

Never in my wildest dreams did I see Hammel adding this insane two-seam. Wow.

Its real good isnt it. Moves like Jason Johnson's best stuff.

[Gurgi]

I wonder how much of this is small sample size, the players just getting better through luck, coaching or effort. Or if Colorado is just that bad of a place to try to pitch?