Duquette Interview with Grantland

[ExileAngelos]

"I think we can be as good or better next year," Duquette said. "Because we're returning just about the entire ballclub. Our players are at an age where they should continue to improve. Plus we have another year of experience, along with pennant race and playoff experience."



http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-tr...m-dan-duquette

[Can_of_corn]

As always I take anything a GM says with a grain of salt, but I choose to believe him here (after he called up Bundy last season).

Kevin Gausman was the top college pitcher in the draft a couple of years ago; Dylan Bundy was the top high school pitcher two years ago. Bundy's making good progress. Both he and Gausman pitched in Double-A, then in the Double-A playoffs. Bundy came up soon after that. My expectation is both will help the club this year. I don't know if they'll break with us and start the season. But expectation is they'll be in the big leagues and be there to help us win.

[OriolesHash1]

As always I take anything a GM says with a grain of salt, but I choose to believe him here (after he called up Bundy last season).

I think there is a 50-50 chance Bundy will break with the club.... maybe thats why he hasn't pursued someone else. If Britton pitches good Bundy will be in AAA, but if none of the cavalry perform in the spring... look for Bundy to start with the club

[Can_of_corn]

I think there is a 50-50 chance Bundy will break with the club.... maybe thats why he hasn't pursued someone else. If Britton pitches good Bundy will be in AAA, but if none of the cavalry perform in the spring... look for Bundy to start with the club

I don't think he breaks with the club, since that would be giving up the seventh year of team control. I also think they want to manage his innings which is a lot easier in the minors.

I could see him being up before the all star break. (most likely shortly after the break)

[El Gordo]

I don't think he breaks with the club, since that would be giving up the seventh year of team control. I also think they want to manage his innings which is a lot easier in the minors.

I could see him being up before the all star break. (most likely shortly after the break)

I think Bundy and/or Gausman coming up will be dependent more on how well the ML starting pitching fares, than on how well they pitch in the MiL. Personally I hope the ML starting piching is good enough to keep them there, at least until the rosters expand.

[Can_of_corn]

I think Bundy and/or Gausman coming up will be dependent more on how well the ML starting pitching fares, than on how well they pitch in the MiL. Personally I hope the ML starting piching is good enough to keep them there, at least until the rosters expand.

I hope so as well but odds are there will be either an injury or performance issue which will create a need at the ML level. I think Bundy or Gausman will get the call before AAA filler (at or around the break).

[El Gordo]

I hope so as well but odds are there will be either an injury or performance issue which will create a need at the ML level. I think Bundy or Gausman will get the call before AAA filler (at or around the break).

No doubt there will be some injuries and struggles. But enogh to go through Arrieta, Matusz, Wada, Britton, Johnson, Hunter, and Jurrjens? If it's that bad the season is lost and there's no point in bringing them up anyway.

[NickM21]

No doubt there will be some injuries and struggles. But enogh to go through Arrieta, Matusz, Wada, Britton, Johnson, Hunter, and Jurrjens? If it's that bad the season is lost and there's no point in bringing them up anyway.

Adam Eaton to the rescue!

[socalbirdfan]

No doubt there will be some injuries and struggles. But enogh to go through Arrieta, Matusz, Wada, Britton, Johnson, Hunter, and Jurrjens? If it's that bad the season is lost and there's no point in bringing them up anyway.

Do you have some info on his signing? Otherwise I'm in agreement with everything except Hunter. I think they start with Matusz, Britton, Arrieta, Johnson, Wada(depending on how quickly he's ready) and possibly McFarland. DD alluded to this the other day when answering a question about Saunders. In any case, it's quite a few guys to get through before we get to the two studs. I don't see the team surrendering a year of control for either of them. We're not that desperate.

[Can_of_corn]

No doubt there will be some injuries and struggles. But enogh to go through Arrieta, Matusz, Wada, Britton, Johnson, Hunter, and Jurrjens? If it's that bad the season is lost and there's no point in bringing them up anyway.

Wada, if healthy, I see as a bullpen arm. Hunter I see as a bullpen arm. Jurrjens hasn't signed. Britton has had health and command issues. Arrieta and Matusz have both struggled at the MLB level. Johnson looked good last season but I have not seen enough to jump on that bandwagon.

I can definitely see Bundy/Gausman being a better choice at the break then the names you mentioned.

[Can_of_corn]

Do you have some info on his signing? Otherwise I'm in agreement with everything except Hunter. I think they start with Matusz, Britton, Arrieta, Johnson, Wada(depending on how quickly he's ready) and possibly McFarland. DD alluded to this the other day when answering a question about Saunders. In any case, it's quite a few guys to get through before we get to the two studs. I don't see the team surrendering a year of control for either of them. We're not that desperate.

I think the goal is to get their feet wet for the real push in 2014.

[andrewochs615]

No doubt there will be some injuries and struggles. But enogh to go through Arrieta, Matusz, Wada, Britton, Johnson, Hunter, and Jurrjens? If it's that bad the season is lost and there's no point in bringing them up anyway.

The thing is I could see them all struggle one way or another. I wish we would have gotten that other arm.

[socalbirdfan]

I think the goal is to get their feet wet for the real push in 2014.

Sounds about right.

[socalbirdfan]

Wada, if healthy, I see as a bullpen arm. Hunter I see as a bullpen arm. Jurrjens hasn't signed. Britton has had health and command issues. Arrieta and Matusz have both struggled at the MLB level. Johnson looked good last season but I have not seen enough to jump on that bandwagon.

I can definitely see Bundy/Gausman being a better choice at the break then the names you mentioned.

I think you might be selling him short. If Matusz doesn't step up I fully expect him to do it. I think his lack of command was due to his health and not being at full strength, coming into the middle of the season after that procedure. He really does have fantastic stuff when he's on and the shoulder is at full strength according to all reports.

[Can_of_corn]

I think you might be selling him short. If Matusz doesn't step up I fully expect him to do it. I think his lack of command was due to his health and not being at full strength, coming into the middle of the season after that procedure. He really does have fantastic stuff when he's on and the shoulder is at full strength according to all reports.

I might be. The lack of command I was talking about I saw before he got hurt. Basically he has trouble throwing his 2 seamer, with movement, for strikes. At the MLB level guys were laying off it if it was down and if it was up, it flattened out.