Is the decision of what to do with Adam Jones the biggest decision of the offseason?

[Sports Guy]

What do you guys think?

I personally believe it is imperative to have some kind of a resolution in regards to Jones by the end of this offseason, whether that be an extension or a trade.

Are you guys in agreement with me? or are you more in a wait and see mode?

I mean obviously if you don't get the right trade offer and he wants stupid money to extend, that you continue to hold out with him but I tend to think a resolution could happen this offseason.

EDIT: When I talk about the biggest decision, I am talking about the ML team..not talking about scouting, international stuff, etc....in this thread.

[Brendan25]

I think the pitching coach is the biggest decision that the major league club has to make going into this offseason. We have got to get a guy that can take our young pitchers to the next level. If Buck feels that it's Adair, then keep him. If he feels that Griffin is the guy, promote him. If he feels that we need to bring in someone new, then go get them. We have got to get our young pitchers over the hump though. If Matusz, Britton, and Arrieta can take that next step next year then I think we are closer to competing then our record indicated next year.

[Sports Guy]

I think the pitching coach is the biggest decision that the major league club has to make going into this offseason. We have got to get a guy that can take our young pitchers to the next level. If Buck feels that it's Adair, then keep him. If he feels that Griffin is the guy, promote him. If he feels that we need to bring in someone new, then go get them. We have got to get our young pitchers over the hump though. If Matusz, Britton, and Arrieta can take that next step next year then I think we are closer to competing then our record indicated next year.

The pitchers need to get to that next level on their own.

The PC will help some but at the end of the day, its their effort, talent and what is between their ears that will get them there.

We just don't need the PC to screw them up.

[NCRaven]

Well, it's near the top of the list. I would imagine that Duquette, like any other GM, would want to get a major return for a player like Adam Jones. If we don't get that offer, I could see us going into the season status quo. But, like you, I certainly wouldn't mind seeing some kind of resolution, either an extension or trade.

[SammyBirdland]

Only if that decision is directly related to how to get better pitching (which it could be).

[Sports Guy]

Well, it's near the top of the list. I would imagine that Duquette, like any other GM, would want to get a major return for a player like Adam Jones. If we don't get that offer, I could see us going into the season status quo. But, like you, I certainly wouldn't mind seeing some kind of resolution, either an extension or trade.

This is going to be an interesting aspect of Duq, compared to AM.

Will Duq only want to rip off the other team or will he be ok with a good trade?

BTW, based on what Duq has said, I tend to think he would be more ok with getting guys a little further away from the majors in a big trade as compared to AM.

[Frobby]

It is a very big decision. What decision is the biggest depends on what developments occur in the offseason. Suppose someone comes to us with a trade proposal for Markakis and Guthrie -- well, that would be a pretty big decision.

Duquette mentioned Jones as part of the "core" at the presser, and I assume the Orioles are not looking to trade him, but you never know what may happen. I do think they should discuss a long-term deal so they know what direction to go -- if he's not interested in extending except at an exhorbitant price, he should be shopped. (Perhaps he should be shopped in any event, but you still want to understand your alternatives).

[Brendan25]

It is a very big decision. What decision is the biggest depends on what developments occur in the offseason. Suppose someone comes to us with a trade proposal for Markakis and Guthrie -- well, that would be a pretty big decision.

Duquette mentioned Jones as part of the "core" at the presser, and I assume the Orioles are not looking to trade him, but you never know what may happen. I do think they should discuss a long-term deal so they know what direction to go -- if he's not interested in extending except at an exhorbitant price, he should be shopped. (Perhaps he should be shopped in any event, but you still want to understand your alternatives).

This is going off of my own opinion, but I think that Buck absolutely loves Jones. And if its up to Buck, the Orioles are going to do everything in their power to sign Jones long term and keep him in Baltimore.

[Sports Guy]

It is a very big decision. What decision is the biggest depends on what developments occur in the offseason. Suppose someone comes to us with a trade proposal for Markakis and Guthrie -- well, that would be a pretty big decision.

Duquette mentioned Jones as part of the "core" at the presser, and I assume the Orioles are not looking to trade him, but you never know what may happen. I do think they should discuss a long-term deal so they know what direction to go -- if he's not interested in extending except at an exhorbitant price, he should be shopped. (Perhaps he should be shopped in any event, but you still want to understand your alternatives).

Yes he did...but almost everything else he said would seemingly point to a Jones trade.

What I want to see out of Duquette is a quick and decisive approach to this.

If you want to extend him, fine...I won't agree with it but if that's what you want to do, then do it. You find out immediately what it will take.

If you are the Orioles, you should already know where you are willing to go extension wise for him. This isn't a very difficult decision to make.

If you are Jones, you likely know what you are willing to sign for to stay on board the titanic.

So, you get those numbers out there immediately...If you don't come to some kind of resolution QUICKLY, you then look to trade him.

If you only want to trade him and not extend him, then get his name out there starting at the GM meetings next week and tell everyone he will go to the highest bidder.

[Sports Guy]

This is going off of my own opinion, but I think that Buck absolutely loves Jones. And if its up to Buck, the Orioles are going to do everything in their power to sign Jones long term and keep him in Baltimore.

See, I disagree with this.

I think if I had to bet money, that I would lean towards Buck seeing Jones as a good player but one that can be replaced.

I think Buck holds Nick is higher regards than Jones. I think some of the antics of Jones, whether you believe they a big deal or not, would bother Buck a little more than a lot of managers.

But I have to say that I can't quite get a good read on how Buck feels about Jones.

[Sanfran327]

I think I'd only extend him if he was open to moving to LF, assuming we could find a capable two-way CFer.

Would you move AJ over if we signed Grady Sizemore?

[clapdiddy]

This is going off of my own opinion, but I think that Buck absolutely loves Jones. And if its up to Buck, the Orioles are going to do everything in their power to sign Jones long term and keep him in Baltimore.

I get this feeling as well. I think Jones is viewed as the leader of this team.

[Sports Guy]

I think I'd only extend him if he was open to moving to LF, assuming we could find a capable two-way CFer.

Would you move AJ over if we signed Grady Sizemore?

I would want Sizemore in LF...less of an injury risk in LF than CF. Less pounding on those knees because he has less ground to cover.

[o'sman458202233]

I also wonder if he's going to wait to hear from some of his own scouting/dev. people to get input on a trade that could bring in some minor league talent. He might not want to go on what our current scouts are saying.

[Dipper9]

Yes he did...but almost everything else he said would seemingly point to a Jones trade.

What I want to see out of Duquette is a quick and decisive approach to this.

If you want to extend him, fine...I won't agree with it but if that's what you want to do, then do it. You find out immediately what it will take.

If you are the Orioles, you should already know where you are willing to go extension wise for him. This isn't a very difficult decision to make.

If you are Jones, you likely know what you are willing to sign for to stay on board the titanic.

So, you get those numbers out there immediately...If you don't come to some kind of resolution QUICKLY, you then look to trade him.

If you only want to trade him and not extend him, then get his name out there starting at the GM meetings next week and tell everyone he will go to the highest bidder.

I agree with this. Find out quickly if an extension can be worked out. If not, get him out there on the market and see what we can get. Either way, this decision cannot drag out because it effects what holes need to be filled and might get opened up by the trade.