Would someone please defend Andy MacPhail

[Tony-OH]

Some would say he only buys his bats at Walmart. His bullpen arms have been pricey acquisitions.

Ok, he buys his bullpen arms at Norstrom's where they are overpriced and not very good.

[Tony-OH]

I think what is more distrubing is the Gonzo/Gregg signings were not cheap. Further, both had a definitive history of blowing multiple saves at an alarming rate. That's my beef!

He also gave Accardo a $1.08 million guaranteed major league contract when he spent most of last season in AAA. Not to mention giving Itzuris to a guaranteed major league contract. Both of these guys are replacement level players who could have been had much cheaper.

[Gurgi]

I think Klentak would actually be next in line. His nephew will never be a GM and has just ridden his uncle's coattails IMO. Our professional scouting stinks and Lee MacPhail is directly in charge of that.

How does anyone know that our scouting stinks? Do we get to see the work product? No we just get to see what Andy does with it. I dont know the kid personally but I doubt any of our posters know him either.

[Sports Guy]

There's a way to build the team the way Angelos will allow it to be built that MacPhail refuses to take. The problem with the way you want to build the team is that Angelos will never let it be built that way.

So you are correct that PGA is a roadblock to the way you want to build a team. However there is more than one way to build a winning team in the AL East.

You have no clue as to how PA would build a team. Your blind hatred to AM has blinded you on PA...that and your undying devotion to Duquette and whatever he says.

You are just wrong here. You have no idea what you are talking about and have no clue as to how much PA holds everything back.

Yes, AM is not the right GM for this team but it has nothing to do with not spending 150M and trading our farm system for one player.

[Gurgi]

Personally the bullpen will never get good until we have several good years in a row from our starters. Enough time that more talent is blocked in AAA and can only force themselves onto the club by way of the bullpen.

Now we need Matusz, Arrieta, Britton and company to force guys like Bergy and Tillman into the pen. When we have young talent forced into the pen is when we know are where we needed to be.

[Sports Guy]

Personally the bullpen will never get good until we have several good years in a row from our starters. Enough time that more talent is blocked in AAA and can only force themselves onto the club by way of the bullpen.

Now we need Matusz, Arrieta, Britton and company to force guys like Bergy and Tillman into the pen. When we have young talent forced into the pen is when we know are where we needed to be.

Nah, this isn't it.

You just need to look for the right arms in the pen.

How much of this has happened to Toronto? Minn? TB? These teams have had good pens and its not because starters are being forced to the pen.

Its all about recognizing the right players. Look at what Tampa did this offseason. They just brought in a bunch of cheap FAs and added some quality arms.

[Crazysilver03]

This pen will change a lot in the next 15 days. Bergy, Duch and Simon will be added.

I agree the MacPhail went bargain basement on Rapada and Accardo. It was the way he laid out the budget. He knew it was going to cost him to get new players for the infield.

Greg is a healthy back of the pen pitcher that is going to blow 4-9 saves. MacPhail probably couldn't attract better to a last place team from FA. Trading would have cost him a piece of the future. Durability was important with Koji, Berken, and Johnson's health problems.

Gonzo is simply a mistake. MacPhail should have signed Valverde when he had the chance.

Berken looks right now like a guy with arm strength problems. The possibility was always there.

Johnson and Koji are keepers.

I think we have to realize that MacPhail has taken a last place team from a 73M budget to over 90M with Lee and Koji's incentives. He did with projected attendance (revenue) problems in a bad economy. The place he went cheap was Accardo and Rapada.

I have said for months that the pen is the weakest part of the O's team. It is showing itself now. Hopefully Bergy, Duch and Simon will help.

I don't think Duch is anywhere close to joining the bullpen. First, he can't even be added to the 40 man roster until the end of May (which I guess does line up with your 15 day idea) but he is just now getting around to pitching in extended spring training. I would want him to get a few rehab starts at a high affiliate before adding him to the roster and that is if he doesn't get hurt along the way.

[HokieOs]

That's almost two decades worth of drafting and we've hit on 3 players (Markakis, Wieters and Matusz) that have been building blocks for the team. Machado looks like a good pick, but giving this teams history of developing players, you have to be somewhat skeptical. You just cannot have this many busts when you've been consistently been picking high in the draft.

Well, to be fair... we did hit on Werth too... we just got rid of him and he was good... for someone else.

[wildcard]

I don't think Duch is anywhere close to joining the bullpen. First, he can't even be added to the 40 man roster until the end of May (which I guess does line up with your 15 day idea) but he is just now getting around to pitching in extended spring training. I would want him to get a few rehab starts at a high affiliate before adding him to the roster and that is if he doesn't get hurt along the way.

Duch is supposed to pitch three innings tomorrow in extend ST. I would think two rehab appearances will follow that. Then he is probably ready for the majors shortly after May 30th. With 5 or 6 guys ahead of him in the starting rotation, I think he begins in the pen. Its all speculation at the moment and as you say he has to stay healthy. However the warm weather that is coming should help him.

[El Gordo]

Nah, this isn't it.

You just need to look for the right arms in the pen.

How much of this has happened to Toronto? Minn? TB? These teams have had good pens and its not because starters are being forced to the pen.

Its all about recognizing the right players. Look at what Tampa did this offseason. They just brought in a bunch of cheap FAs and added some quality arms.

This is true. Look at Boston. They know what they are doing. They picked up this guy Albers for next to nothing and he's been lights out for them.

[webbrick2010]

Duch is supposed to pitch three innings tomorrow in extend ST. I would think two rehab appearances will follow that. Then he is probably ready for the majors shortly after May 30th. With 5 or 6 guys ahead of him in the starting rotation, I think he begins in the pen. Its all speculation at the moment and as you say he has to stay healthy. However the warm weather that is coming should help him.

I still can't believe people think Duch in the majors again or more laughable that it will be a positive thing.

[wildcard]

I still can't believe people think Duch in the majors again or more laughable that it will be a positive thing.

Under the right conditions I think Duch could put up 50 productive innings for the O's. It has to be warm weather and it has to follow a successful for rehab. He has the experience and probably the pitches to be successful. He just needs to get his body healthy and mind in the right place.

[Sports Guy]

Under the right conditions I think Duch could put up 50 productive innings for the O's. It has to be warm weather and it has to follow a successful for rehab. He has the experience and probably the pitches to be successful. He just needs to get his body healthy and mind in the right place.

I agree he could be productive...but its not going to be out of the pen.

[helloharv]

Please name the best free-agents Andy has signed since he has been here :

[NewMarketSean]

Please name the best free-agents Andy has signed since he has been here :

Koji Uehara, Vlad Guerrero.

That's probably it.