Add Luis Ayala to the stable

[GoldGlove21]

I sure hope this is what's happening. I honestly can't think of a reason for this guy getting a big league contract.

I would figure that a trade would likely need to be made moving forward.

Where do you put the following pitchers if they do not make the starting 5?

Starters:

Arrieta (BAL/AAA)

Matusz (AAA)

Eveland (BAL RP)

Wada (BAL)

Chen (BAL)

Bergesen (AAA)

Hammel (BAL)

Britton (BAL/AAA)

Hunter (BAL)

Tillman (AAA)

I now see five starters that likely need to be on the team and at least two or three others that should.

Relievers

Berken

Johnson

O'Day

Ayala

Patton

Strop

Simon

Gregg

Lindstrom

If you move Eveland into the pen and release Simon that you have nine relievers. There has to be a deal at some point moving forward.

[Sports Guy]

It wouldn't be an Orioles offseason without signing a 30-something reliever coming off an artificially good year to a major-league deal. I don't see the point of this signing at all unless it means Gregg is going to be jettisoned.

Even if Gregg is getting dealt, this signing is still poor.

[El Gordo]

I think Simon is going to get traded. No options left, little room in the rotation, little room in the bullpen at this point. Maybe as a long reliever?

I'd trade Berken or Bergesen before Simon. But someone gets traded no doubt. Please be Gregg.

[Os84]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the Angels are still looking for late inning relief. Maybe a trade of Gregg or JJ to the Angels?

[CA-ORIOLE]

It wouldn't be an Orioles offseason without signing a 30-something reliever coming off an artificially good year to a major-league deal. I don't see the point of this signing at all unless it means Gregg is going to be jettisoned.

Pretty much my thoughts. Prior to last year he wasn't good since 2007 with the Nats.....and we give him a ML deal. Why? I think this first time I've been somewhat critical of DD. I know its not a big deal, but it just seems dumb.

[CA-ORIOLE]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the Angels are still looking for late inning relief. Maybe a trade of Gregg or JJ to the Angels?

Well, if there was a folowup plan to deal Gregg as part of this, I guess I might be onboard.

[lint06]

Even if Gregg is getting dealt, this signing is still poor.

His career numbers seem solid. Two years in row, not so hot, then a year off and he returns to pre-2008 form? Seems like an "ok" get.

[El Gordo]

Even if Gregg is getting dealt, this signing is still poor.

I'd gladly pay Ayala 1M to pitch, instead of paying Gregg 5M to not give in.

[Sports Guy]

Eh, it's just a run-of-the-mill bullpen signing, IMO. He's not blocking a stud arm or anything, and he would have been one of the Orioles' best non-closer relievers the majority of his career when compared to our bullpens of years past.

He'll be relatively dependable, unlike Berken and some of these other middle relievers.

There is really no difference between him and Berken or anyone else.

He is a generic, dime a dozen guy coming off a lucky season.

[Sports Guy]

I'd gladly pay Ayala 1M to pitch, instead of paying Gregg 5M to not give in.

Except if you trade Gregg, you are paying for a huge majority of his contract or taking on a poor contract of your own.

[.500_OR_BETTER]

No way the O's trade JJ right now. Let him be the closer and succeed which will add some value, then trade him.

The O's should be smart enough to see this...but then again we are talking about the O's :scratchchinhmm:

[El Gordo]

Except if you trade Gregg, you are paying for a huge majority of his contract or taking on a poor contract of your own.

Maybe I'm trading Gregg for a position player like Abreu.

[Sports Guy]

Except Berken had one good year in the 'pen compared to several solid years from Ayala.

He has had a few lucky years, most of which came 7+ years ago.

[ccbird]

I wouldn't be so sure a trade is in the works. I could see Buck going to DD and saying I want a back end of the pen full of veterans. Then you'd have something like:

Johnson

Gregg

Lidstrom

Ayala

Patton

Eveland

Bergy

[srock]

Not only is Double D building a bad roster, but he seems to be building TWO bad rosters! How many people does he think we have room for?????

He is clearly tying to build a roster of legit major league backups in Norfolk.

Depth, depth, depth.

Honestly, given the constraints on him (particually the lateness of hiring), what else could have achieved for 2012?