TT: MacPhail's plan has failed

[Tony-OH]

http://www.orioleshangout.com/blog/tonys-take/313/macphails-plan-has-failed

[clapdiddy]

I think you have summed this up perfectly, Tony. I truly wonder why we've seen such a regression with these pitchers. It baffles me how these guys seem to do very well in AAA and then struggle when they get up here.

AM's philosophy, I think, is spot on. The execution of the philosophy is what is lacking. Our pitchers are ill-prepared for the Majors, and that is apparent to any fan...even a casual one. It makes me wonder why we're not doing something about it.

[ChaosLex]

Apparently the cavalry was led by General Custer.

:rofl:

[ChaosLex]

Just to piggyback Tony's thread, I thought I'd make this poll. I've been scrounging for ideas recently, I'm sorry.

[Slappy]

It sucks because I think you and most of us thought his plan was a reasonable one. It's hard to go back and critique the plan harshly. All of those calvary guys tore up the minors. What the hell happened? Bad luck? Bad coaching? Unpreparedness? What could we have done differently?

I'm just at a loss for what this organization should do next. Nothing they try works.

[Sports Guy]

It failed 2 years ago.

[Gurgi]

I think we have to get someone young in the GM spot. The older guys are being beaten like a dog.

[nadecir]

I am not sure the plan was bad, but the results certainly haven't been good.

If I am the next GM of the Orioles, I would bring in the best outside consultant I could find to figure out why the Orioles scouting and player development has produced such poor results. We should really understand what went horribly wrong, and why other teams have better success at scouting and player development.

The way to re-energize the Orioles organization and its fans is a complete cleaning of the house from top to bottom, with the best new people with new ideas. Discover the best practices in scouting and player development. Look closely at the teams would do it the best today. Refrain from spending money to find a quick fix through free agency, and use those millions to build the best scouting and player development organization possible.

It's time for a fresh start, and do what we can to rebuild for a few years out. There's no easy fix, and it's going to be another couple of years of tough times for Orioles fans. A complete housecleaning would actually give Orioles fans some hope for the future.

[Frobby]

I am going to be something of a contrarian, and say that it is too soon to determine that the young pitchers won't turn out to be pretty good. I still have a fair amount of confidence in Matusz, Britton and Arrieta, despite their hiccups over the last two months. I haven't given up on Bergesen or Tillman as 4th/5th starters, either. These guys are 23-25 years old, and though I am disappointed with the fact that they have not built on the success of August and September last year, I'm not ready to declare them failures.

My bigger concern is the lack of players behind them in the system.

[NewMarketSean]

And what bats did he buy? Literal bats? Wooden or animal?

[Gurgi]

When they moved Tejada and Bedard they should of moved Mora and Roberts. They should of gotten some prospects. They failed to go for a total rebuild. Roberts could of netted us a Tillman type prospect and perhaps a Reimold like guy also. We just didnt have enough eggs in our basket.

As much as I like Hardy. His trade could of netted us a couple B prospects. Perhaps a little more. Now we will have him on a team that is likely to lose 90 games the next three years anyway. Kinda dumb.

[JDubs]

There really aren't too many ways to look at it. Although, to be fair, I'm not sure any plan would have been successful.

[Sports Guy]

The plan itself was fine...The problem was the execution of it...He half assed it. He only went part of the way and because of that, it failed.

[Woody Held]

I am going to be something of a contrarian, and say that it is too soon to determine that the young pitchers won't turn out to be pretty good. I still have a fair amount of confidence in Matusz, Britton and Arrieta, despite their hiccups over the last two months. I haven't given up on Bergesen or Tillman as 4th/5th starters, either. These guys are 23-25 years old, and though I am disappointed with the fact that they have not built on the success of August and September last year, I'm not ready to declare them failures.

My bigger concern is the lack of players behind them in the system.

This is my concern as well. We don't develop arms or position players.

[Singleton]

I am going to be something of a contrarian, and say that it is too soon to determine that the young pitchers won't turn out to be pretty good. I still have a fair amount of confidence in Matusz, Britton and Arrieta, despite their hiccups over the last two months. I haven't given up on Bergesen or Tillman as 4th/5th starters, either. These guys are 23-25 years old, and though I am disappointed with the fact that they have not built on the success of August and September last year, I'm not ready to declare them failures.

My bigger concern is the lack of players behind them in the system.

I pretty much agree with this.

It doesn't have to be so one sided. I mean, come on, Britton is mostly in the minors to save us some money down the road and Matusz very likely is still overcoming a non-arm injury. Arrieta has improved in some areas. AJones and Weiters are certainly better. Is it enough? Of course not.

I guess i don't view "the plan" as static. Nor do I believe that AM really owns it anymore.

Obviously, we don't have enough talent either at the major league level or in the high minors. Someone needs to be held accountable for that and I'm pretty sure that will come as soon as the season is over.

Having said that, I just don't feel as much "woe is me" as many others.