Which cheap MR interest you?

[Spencer423]

I think it would be a good idea to go after a cheap MR or two. I'm not really sure which guys would be good fits though. So who do you think would be a good target?

[kyleott]

If you are talking about middle relievers, then I would be hesitant to give anybody a contract over 1 year, and would prefer seeing how the rotation shakes out and who would be available from that.

Koji is probably the only reliever that I would be 100% okay with off of the top of my head.

*EDIT: Didn't really pay attention to the cheap disclaimer. Proceed with the conjecture. In that case, I prefer the Minor League contract route, and following the "one of them has to stick" philosophy.

[Crazysilver03]

Any "cheap" middle reliever is probably not worth betting on. We have a lot of pitching depth. No need to waste money on a MR.

[socalbirdfan]

Any "cheap" middle reliever is probably not worth betting on. We have a lot of pitching depth. No need to waste money on a MR.

Right. And I'd love to have Koji-san back but I don't think you could call him cheap. Maybe he gives us a second hometown discount?

[wildcard]

Would need to have options so he could be sent to the minors. The bullpen is full.

[clapdiddy]

I'd like to add some discarded arms as minor league/spring training invites for middle relief. Unless we have plans to move one of our current relievers in a trade, I don't think we need to go getting a semi-expensive middle reliever.

[RavNMadMan]

With all due respect, "Did I miss something"? We have a stellar bullpen IIRC. I guess that DD should have some contingencies in the event that a RP is involved in a trade but bullpen help seems a little down on the list of priorities.

[skanar]

Troy Patton and Luis Ayala.

[fearthenoodle]

There are several that would interest me on a short, cheap, Ayala-esque deal. You can never have enough pitching, and it wouldn't surprise me to see DD deal from the current BP depth.

Koji is the only guy who I'd give a slightly bigger deal to (1/4 or 2/7).

[Spencer423]

I understand that the bullpen is essentially full, but I'm not buying that we have enough pitching depth to not sign some guys. Would you feel confident if you have to fill 3 spots due to injury, ineffectiveness or trade with people from the organization as it is? So I was just wondering who some guys that would be open to MiL deals or such would be interesting.

[brianod]

I understand that the bullpen is essentially full, but I'm not buying that we have enough pitching depth to not sign some guys. Would you feel confident if you have to fill 3 spots due to injury, ineffectiveness or trade with people from the organization as it is? So I was just wondering who some guys that would be open to MiL deals or such would be interesting.

You never can afford to stand pat. Just because our bullpen was awesome last year and everyone but Lindstrom should be back is no reason to sit still. Strop is the big question mark. He went from lights out to almost unusable. Where is he and what can we count on him for? If we can add another set up man, go for it. That's the one thing that DD has shown he's great at. Picking up someone who causes o's fans to yawn, but, who makes a solid contribution.

[SteveO]

You never can afford to stand pat. Just because our bullpen was awesome last year and everyone but Lindstrom should be back is no reason to sit still. Strop is the big question mark. He went from lights out to almost unusable. Where is he and what can we count on him for? If we can add another set up man, go for it. That's the one thing that DD has shown he's great at. Picking up someone who causes o's fans to yawn, but, who makes a solid contribution.

The bullpen should be fine. I would prefer to take any money for a reliever and put it in the SP piggy bank instead. A few guys on minor league deals with spring training invites...fine...but they have plenty of arms to fill the bullpen. A quality starter would be a much bigger improvement

[Winter]

Strop I believe in!

[Crazysilver03]

The Orioles bullpen currently has Jim Johnson at closer, Pedro Strop at set-up, Darren O'Day at set-up, Troy Patton a middle reliever and "lefty specialist," and Luis Ayala as a middle reliever. In a scenario of injury, I could easily see any of these men moving up in their roles and doing a decent job.

Tommy Hunter will most likely be the 6th member of the bullpen, considering he is out of options and was fantastic in that role during September.

With Kevin Gregg out of the picture, the Orioles finally have room for a long man in the bullpen. If Wada is ready at the beginning of the season (and there is no room in the rotation for him), I could see him slotting at the long man. Depending on who the Orioles want starting in the minors and/or working with Rick Peterson, one of Steve Johnson, Jake Arrieta, or Zach Britton could hold down a role in the bullpen to gain major league experience.

Were injuries to occur, as previously stated, I feel the guys in the more meaningful roles could easily move up. You could bring up Pomeranz, Daniel McCutchen, Dan Haren, Zach Clark, Rick Zagone, Belfiore, Egan, or any other minor league signing to serve as the 7th man.

[RZNJ]

Unless there is a bargain out there like Ayala (1M or less) was last year, the only guys picked up should be of the Daniel McCutchen, Miguel Gonzalez (before last season) variety, who are signed to minor league contracts.