Transactions Since 10/31: A Shotgun Approach to Stockpiling Possible Contributors

[Art Wing]

Now we can add Chris Dickerson to the list. I've got to say, I'm really enjoying our stockpiling of AAAA guys that all have a bit of promise. Throw a handful of seeds in the garden and some are bound to sprout and yield a product. We might be seeing a slightly new chapter in the Moneyball approach-- accumulate as many cheap fringe guys that have become available for one reason or another, throw them all at the wall and see who sticks.

For an offseason absent of any big names, I'm feeling pretty good about our depth.

1/28 Nick Johnson 1B Retired
1/18 Brian Matusz P Signed, ( 2013)(avoids arbitration)
1/18 Chris Davis 1B Signed, ( 2013)(avoids arbitration)
1/18 Stu Pomeranz P Signed to a Minor League Contract
1/18 Matt Wieters C Signed, ( 2013)(avoids arbitration)
1/18 Troy Patton P Signed, ( 2013)(avoids arbitration)
1/14 Tommy Hunter P Signed, ( 2013)(avoids arbitration)
1/11 Nolan Reimold LF Signed, ( 2013)(avoids arbitration)
1/4 Luis Martinez C Acquired Off Waivers From, Texas
12/21 Steve Pearce LF Outrighted to Minors
12/20 Adam Greenberg CF Signed to a Minor League Contract
12/19 Travis Ishikawa 1B Signed to a Minor League Contract
12/19 Zach Braddock P Signed to a Minor League Contract
12/19 Daniel Schlereth P Signed to a Minor League Contract
12/16 Niuman Romero 2B Signed to a Minor League Contract
12/13 Nate McLouth LF Signed as Free Agent, ( 2013)(one-year contract)
12/5 Adam Russell P Signed to a Minor League Contract
12/5 Conor Jackson 1B Signed to a Minor League Contract
12/5 Nate McLouth LF Signed as Free Agent, ( 2013)(one-year contract)
11/30 Yamaico Navarro 3B Traded From, Pittsburgh (for RHP Jhondaniel Medina)
11/30 Steve Pearce LF Signed, ( 2013)(avoids arbitration)
11/30 Stu Pomeranz P Designated for Assignment
11/30 Alexi Casilla 2B Signed, ( 2013; Opt 2014)(avoids arbitration)
11/30 Stu Pomeranz P Not Offered Contract and Became Free Agent, (non-tendered)
11/30 Mark Reynolds 1B Not Offered Contract and Became Free Agent, (non-tendered)
11/30 Taylor Teagarden C Signed, ( 2013)(avoids arbitration)
11/30 Omar Quintanilla SS Not Offered Contract and Became Free Agent, (non-tendered)
11/28 Danny Valencia 3B Traded From, Boston (for cash considerations)
11/28 Joe Mahoney 1B Designated for Assignment
11/20 Jonathan Schoop SS Purchased From Minors
11/20 Trayvon Robinson LF Traded From, Seattle (for INF Robert Andino)
11/20 Oliver Drake P Outrighted to Minors
11/12 Dan Meyer P Signed to a Minor League Contract
11/12 Daniel McCutchen P Signed to a Minor League Contract
11/9 Lew Ford LF Signed to a Minor League Contract
11/6 Lew Ford LF Refused Minor League Assignment - Free Agent
11/6 Jason Pridie CF Signed to a Minor League Contract
11/5 Steve Tolleson 3B Refused Minor League Assignment - Free Agent
11/4 Zach Phillips P Refused Minor League Assignment - Free Agent
11/2 Alexi Casilla 2B Acquired Off Waivers From, Minnesota
11/2 Oliver Drake P Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right shoulder tendinitis)
11/2 Lew Ford LF Outrighted to Minors
11/2 Zach Phillips P Outrighted to Minors
11/2 Tsuyoshi Wada P Removed From 60-Day DL, (Left elbow surgery - out for season)
11/2 Nolan Reimold LF Removed From 60-Day DL, (Herniated disc in neck)
11/2 Brian Roberts 2B Removed From 60-Day DL, (Torn muscle, right hip)
11/2 Steve Tolleson 3B Outrighted to Minors
11/2 Stu Pomeranz P Removed From 60-Day DL, (Left oblique strain)
10/31 Luis Ayala P Signed, ( 2013)(team option exercised)

[luismatos4prez]

I just like that if Arrieta is throwing up a 5.00 ERA in Norfolk, he won't be brought up. He will be left in the minor leagues. There are 4 other possible guys in Norfolk, a few in the bullpen, and 2 in Bowie, maybe one of them will help us. Chris Waters was throwing up a 5.70 ERA in AAA a few years ago, and we just ran out of guys who could throw a baseball in August and had to bring him up. Waters would be the #4 guy in Bowie right now, it seems.

I bet if you did this last year, Miguel Gonzalez wouldn't have even been bolded either. Niuman Romero for 2B!

[isestrex]

As I've said all winter, this roster is crazy deep with talent. No, they're not ridiculous Trout, Pujols, Hamilton deep. But they have above average high upside guys bursting at the seams throughout the entire organization.

I still can't wrap my head around this new identity for the Orioles. It's fun to have all these options.

[Spirus]

I like it. It's certainly a better approach than the nearly barren AAA teams of the late 90s-00s with, in some years, literally no one there for depth. If they come up and surprise then it's great, if they don't you just send them off and hope the next guy does better.

Incidentally, I wonder what the best AAA team ever fielded is, barring lots of major league injuries, I might be willing to put Norfolk up against the Marlins or Astros and bet they'd win.

[Section86]

Now we can add Chris Dickerson to the list. I've got to say, I'm really enjoying our stockpiling of AAAA guys that all have a bit of promise. Throw a handful of seeds in the garden and some are bound to sprout and yield a product. We might be seeing a slightly new chapter in the Moneyball approach-- accumulate as many cheap fringe guys that have become available for one reason or another, throw them all at the wall and see who sticks.

For an offseason absent of any big names, I'm feeling pretty good about our depth.

Lets not forget Jair Jurrjens, signed on 1/24

[PaulFolk]

Lets not forget Jair Jurrjens, signed on 1/24

Jurrjens hasn't officially been signed yet. He has to pass the physical first.

[waroriole]

I like it. It's certainly a better approach than the nearly barren AAA teams of the late 90s-00s with, in some years, literally no one there for depth. If they come up and surprise then it's great, if they don't you just send them off and hope the next guy does better.

It just makes me wonder what the F AM and previous GM's were thinking. Why did they not think it would be a good idea to get depth for AAA at all these positions?

[Tx Oriole]

As I've said all winter, this roster is crazy deep with talent. No, they're not ridiculous Trout, Pujols, Hamilton deep. But they have above average high upside guys bursting at the seams throughout the entire organization.

I still can't wrap my head around this new identity for the Orioles. It's fun to have all these options.

It sure is.

[El Gordo]

Last year we had McLouth and Gonzo, this year it could be Valencia and Jurrjens.

[JDubs]

Last year we had McLouth and Gonzo, this year it could be Valencia and Jurrjens.

All the while, retaining Gonzo and McLouth. I'd be very happy with that outcome.