BRob's contract...in hindsight

[Sports Guy]

Do you still like/dislike the contract given to BRob?

[jtschrei]

I never liked it. It was always one or two years too long. But... the O's had to keep the face of the franchise, especially when they were as low as they were. I can live with the contract if he plays at a high level for the next 2 years. We'll see...

[TiredofLosing20]

I don't know. I thought it was a fair contract at the time. The length seemed a little long. Ask me again when its over.

[clapdiddy]

I was mildly against the contract, and I'm still against it. It's just way too much money tied up on him.

I wish a productive trade could have been worked out for him.

I am very worried about his health, because the backup options here are pretty horrible.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Was for it now against. Mostly because I don't trust him being able to stay healthy.

[TiredofLosing20]

I was mildly against the contract, and I'm still against it. It's just way too much money tied up on him.

I wish a productive trade could have been worked out for him.

I am very worried about his health, because the backup options here are pretty horrible.

Yeah, his health is the key here. But isn't that usually the case. If (big if) he is healthy the next two years I think you can argue that it wasn't a bad contract.

[Craig...No Dots]

We always talk about how crucial he is to our line-up and how hard it is to get top tier players to come her via FA. I saw it as a good signing then, and although injuries can make ANY signing look foolish, I still think it is worth it now. 10 million dollars (if healthy) for player who will lock down the lead-off spot, plus cause serious trouble on the bases for pitchers, plus give you above average defense and hes a really positive guy for the clubhouse and the community.

To get a player of his caliber to come here via FA, we would have to spend more than the 10MM per anum we give him now.

[Stotle]

Was against the deal and still am. Just too much risk for too much money, in my opinion. Would have been nice to have another 1st round and a supplemental 1st pick last draft.

[Birds08]

Look it wasn't a great contract, but he is the heart and soul of the team and is still in the top half of ML second basemen. It's not like the money would've been used anywhere else.

[lint06]

He was worth the money at the time, is one of the few homegrown folks that have panned out, seems like a great guy for the community, and the contract showed the fans we were willing to pay for the quality we brought up. Injuries don't mitigate any of those factors. If Roberts falls off a cliff (stats-wise) while staying healthy, then yes, it was a bad contract. But if injuries keep him down, then that has nothing to do with the quality of the contract.

Was Albert belle a bad contract? Nope. Injuries took him out, not Albert. A contract is a good contract unless the stats don't bare giving a contract of "X" years and cash.

If you are talking about it being too long, then you might have a point, but again, I think as a fan, I want the Os to keep their homegrown goodness.

[Frobby]

Brian played in 59 games last year and his performance was still valued by fangraphs at $6.1 mm. Over 140 games that would still be a $14 mm player. So, I think there is still a decent chance that when the 4 years are over, he will come close to earning his $40 mm.

You know what, I don't regret it at all. If it turns out we overpaid him by a bit from a fangraphs point of view, I will live with it. He's been a very good player for us for a long time, a great community citizen, and a fan favorite. If you're going to overpay a guy, that's the guy.

[Crazysilver03]

Was against the deal and still am. Just too much risk for too much money, in my opinion. Would have been nice to have another 1st round and a supplemental 1st pick last draft.

Do you really think Angelos would have let Roberts leave via FA after nixing the deal to send him to Atlanta?

I was for resigning him because I like him at the top of the line-up. I don't think any one could foresee him suffer a back injury last season but he did come back fairly strong.

[NCRaven]

Brian played in 59 games last year and his performance was still valued by fangraphs at $6.1 mm. Over 140 games that would still be a $14 mm player. So, I think there is still a decent chance that when the 4 years are over, he will come close to earning his $40 mm.

You know what, I don't regret it at all. If it turns out we overpaid him by a bit from a fangraphs point of view, I will live with it. He's been a very good player for us for a long time, a great community citizen, and a fan favorite. If you're going to overpay a guy, that's the guy.

My feelings exactly. For it then, for it now. People point to how well the team performed when Buck took over. Amazing how that coincided with the return of Brian Roberts to our lineup. He has every bit as much chance of earning his contract as Markakis does. Both were good decisions, IMO.

[SilentJames]

He will earn his contract with his play. I really think people are digging Roberts injury grave a little too quickly. Yes the back thing was bad, but for all we know he is back to 100% right now.

Since becoming the starting second baseman he only has one season where he played fewer than 140 games.

I understand he is older and we are all worried about his back but until he is actually missing games lets give him a chance. Just saying.

he Roberts contract was a good one to give out at the time, maybe a little long but sometimes you overpay in years instead of money.

[Frobby]

Since becoming the starting second baseman he only has one season where he played fewer than 140 games.

Two seasons -- 2006 (138) and 2010 (59). Not trying to undercut the rest of the post, which I agree with.