Who is the next JR House or Jon Knott we could sign this offseason?

[NewMarketSean]

Did Knouse get a chance late last season after MacPhail took over and Trembley was assured the job was his? More importantly does MacPhail have a track record of picking up guys like Knott and House and making sure they get adequate playing time?

And yeah, I was pretty serious. Every year there's Backup QB syndrome with some AAAA guy and the board gets into a tizzy about it...it gets old watching the guy rot on the bench and it gets old having everyone rehashing why he should be playing.

AM has said that this team is a long ways off, and he is correct. So if he is not going to sign MLB free agents, which he shouldn't, how else is he going to fill the roster after he makes trades? Sure there will be some guys brought back in those trades, but you've got to fill out the roster. And when you do, you've got to do it with young players with potential. Not the Jay Payton's of the world.

[Moose Milligan]

AM has said that this team is a long ways off, and he is correct. So if he is not going to sign MLB free agents, which he shouldn't, how else is he going to fill the roster after he makes trades? Sure there will be some guys brought back in those trades, but you've got to fill out the roster. And when you do, you've got to do it with young players with potential. Not the Jay Payton's of the world.

I'm with you on not paying and playing people like Jay Payton. Horrid contract.

To further answer your question, it depends on how much of this team gets blown up. If we simply trade Tejada and Bedard and call it a day, then there won't be that many holes that'll need immediate filling.

If we trade EVERYONE, then there's an obvious need for Knott and House types....

[Richmond Bird 9]

Since, no one has answered the question, here is my list. please remember that we had 33 players in our system file for 6 year F/A...We need to fill most of those slots...Here goes:

c's: Edwards Guzman...J D Closser

p's: Matt Reily..Cliff Politte..Chris Michalak

i/f: Antonia Perez...Keith Ginter...Todd Sears...John Hattig

o/f: Joe Borchard...Larry Bigby

Not a great list, however bodies to send to Norfolk and for emergency call ups.

[JTrea81]

The sad part in the limited ABs House got, he actually was one of the best sluggers on the team. Despite a .211 AVG he had a SLG of .500 with 3 HR and 2 2B in only 38 ABs. I wish he would have been given more of an opportunity here...

[NewMarketSean]

The sad part in the limited ABs House got, he actually was one of the best sluggers on the team. Despite a .211 AVG he had a SLG of .500 with 3 HR and 2 2B in only 38 ABs. I wish he would have been given more of an opportunity here...

Yep, in only 38 AB's he outproduced Bako and his 156 AB's

[jjb]

c's: Edwards Guzman...J D Closser

ups.

I believe this guy is already off the market (Cubs).

[nyjimbo]

These minor league signings are used to plug spots at AAA where the organization don't have a legitimate prospect that is age approriate for the league. Sometimes you may get lucky and grab a diamond in the rough, but most times the player isn't worth the space on the 40 man roster. Last year I thought there were several names on the 40 man that shouldnt have been there. Contracts dictate alot.

[DrungoHazewood]

Well NMS, if you're talking about House, Knott and Cust, that means to me MiL free agents who get no shot at playing time and who the board whines and complains about on a daily basis. That's what happened with those three, thats what happened with Terrero, too.

So no, I hope we don't have another Knouse. I don't see the trend getting bucked anytime soon, both in adding one to the roster and the amount of playing time he'll see.

So what's your other option? Having really crappy reserve players and a useless squad at Norfolk so that we don't have any realistic options besides the overmatched players on the major league roster?

Who wants capable backups and platoon players if it means a little messageboard rabble rousing? I'd much rather have the soothing contentment that accompanies poor play and nowhere to turn.

[Dr. FLK]

So what's your other option? Having really crappy reserve players and a useless squad at Norfolk so that we don't have any realistic options besides the overmatched players on the major league roster?

Who wants capable backups and platoon players if it means a little messageboard rabble rousing? I'd much rather have the soothing contentment that accompanies poor play and nowhere to turn.

Well, I think he was under the assumption that they won't be allowed to play anyway. The same guys are in charge now that didn't give them a shot at the end of last year. Why would they let someone like that play a role this year?

Obviously, you want the most talent around possible. It's just frustrating that they don't put the most talent in the position to succeed. SO, to avoid that, let's have less talent.

[El Gordo]

The only way I would rather watch a career MiL play over Millar, would be if he were better. Most of the time they aren't. For every Cust there are 2-300 Ed Rodgers' or Larry Bigbies. I think if we have some good role player types next year they will get playing time. I hardly think MacP would hire a manager who only plays vets, if he intended to get younger and he's done nothing to indicate that that's not what he intends.

[SrMeowMeow]

I have to disagree here, or at least not care. I'm willing to bet that neither House nor Knott goes on to any MLB success. Of course there's a chance that they will, and you can argue that there's no reason to not play them over some of the (MLB) guys we have sitting around, but they're also a very long shot to do well. Guys like Cust are a HUGE exception to the rule. I won't lose any sleep if we don't sign a single MiL FA with the intention of giving them a starting job.

Also, I'm surprised that you two, NMS and JTrea, pointed to House's 38 at-bats worth of stats to defend your case. Maybe you were joking? We can all remember how Luis Hernandez' .400 batting average got laughed at, rightfully so (in my opinion anyway). That's pretty much the definition of using a small sample size.

[Baroquen131]

Well this situation is complicated by the club's reluctance to play such MiL players. If they have potential, why sign with us, knowing how we haven't given honest looks to similar players as recently as last year? The 'reputation' of AM won't counteract that impression of the club... at least, not yet.

[TGO]

Well this situation is complicated by the club's reluctance to play such MiL players. If they have potential, why sign with us, knowing how we haven't given honest looks to similar players as recently as last year? The 'reputation' of AM won't counteract that impression of the club... at least, not yet.

By now every AAA hitter should also know that Norfolk is a terrible place to try to get noticed. The O's should have the fences moved in somewhat this winter, if it's possible.

[NewMarketSean]

The only way I would rather watch a career MiL play over Millar, would be if he were better. Most of the time they aren't. For every Cust there are 2-300 Ed Rodgers' or Larry Bigbies. I think if we have some good role player types next year they will get playing time. I hardly think MacP would hire a manager who only plays vets, if he intended to get younger and he's done nothing to indicate that that's not what he intends.

No offense but that kind of thinking has lead the Orioles to 10 losing seasons in a row.

[NewMarketSean]

Also, I'm surprised that you two, NMS and JTrea, pointed to House's 38 at-bats worth of stats to defend your case. Maybe you were joking? We can all remember how Luis Hernandez' .400 batting average got laughed at, rightfully so (in my opinion anyway). That's pretty much the definition of using a small sample size.

I only said that House pretty much out performed Bako in almost 1/5 the amount of AB's.