Os acquire Saunders.

[clapdiddy]

I'm skeptical about this move. If Arrieta can come back and throw strikes out of the pen, then I think this become a moot point. I guess I just don't see where Saunders is appreciably better than any of our current starters.

[EutawBomber]

To be fair, this is how trades should be. I mean there is a GM and team on the other side of every deal. They are looking to get as much value as they can as well.

I don't have a problem with thinking both sides got value and let's hope it works out better for us. I haven't had that feeling with any of DD's moves, I have always been terrified that we just got fleeced. That said, some have obviously worked out quite well. Others, we picked up Teagarden, Eveland, Romero, etc.

[eddie83]

Do some people actually think that we acquired Saunders to put him in the bullpen? That would be a shocker!!!!

No way. We did it because of alot of questions in our rotation. Can Chen hold up? Will Hammel be able to come back? The rest of the rotation is made up of guys who are throwing pretty well right now but have no track record. I wondered why Buck didn't use Lindstrom more in the 7th inning more but I am sure he had his reasons. It didn't make any sense to pick up his option and not have him pitch later in the game. We will use the starters who didn't pan out this year like Jake and Brian for the pen. Steve Johnson has done well but they have also pitched him vs weaker lineups- they skipped him vs Detroit. Pretty evident they don't trust his stuff vs better hitting teams. The more I think about it the more I like it, trading a guy who Buck didn't use in big spots to help give our rotation more depth.

[EutawBomber]

I actually think most of his trades have worked out pretty well, don't you?

Yes. If you would please just read my original post. I didn't say the trades didnt work out. I said I wish there was one that I felt good about when it was first made.

[psk3170]

Anyone else worried about the player to be named later. I have a bad feeling it will be Zach Davies or Delmonico. I think both signed 2007 contracts meaning they can not be dealt for a year.

[TheBee]

I, personally, am excited to see Arrieta out of the pen. I'm going to say what I do about the Ravens about the O's in this case...I'm just going to trust DD at this point.

[bdlj0887]

One thing I think is good about this trade is that Buck likes his moving parts. Lindstrom was a little redundant in the bullpen, even though he had pitched really well. Saunders gives him a few more options, potentially getting Chen a little more rest which he clearly benefits from.

[Tony-OH]

What can Lindstrom do that Arrieta can't do for this year?

Bingo! Bring up Arrieta and let him pitch out of the pen. We might just find out that Arrieta is a gem for us out there. As for Saunders, he's an upgrade over Hunter every five days and balances out the rotation a bit with two lefties now. I was never a hug Lindstrom fan overall although he has pitched quite effective at times.

By the way, there is a right-handed reliever in Bowie named Kyle Newby that might be worth a September look even though he's in AA and has never really pitch above. I like that guys split-change and think it would be effective as a different look from Strop and Johnson.

[Lester Freamon]

So you're going to give him the hook after a sample size of a whopping 2 or so starts?

No, I'm not going to do anything. Buck doesn't take my advice. All I'm saying is we have rotation depth for the stretch run. Whoever is pitching the best stays in the rotation, whether it's a 5-man or even a 6-man rotation. We still have a ton of question marks in our rotation. Lets see how it plays out. Then, if we end up making the playoffs we can make a roster out of the pitchers who have pitched the best in September - mostly talking about Johnson, Britton, Gonzo and Saunders.

[Tony-OH]

Another thing to remember is that Lindstrom was going to have to be paid $4 million next year or bought out for $200K. Lindstrom is not worth that kind of money. By thew way, even if Saunders comes here and pitches as he has of late for Arizona, he's been dominat against leftues and could be valuable during the stretch run or in the playoffs in that tole if the Orioles make it that far. I don't see a down side to this move at all.

[Greg]

Roch Kubatko ‏@masnRoch

Saunders will be arbitration eligible for the last time this winter. #orioles can tender him a contract or non-tender and let him walk

[Can_of_corn]

Anyone else worried about the player to be named later. I have a bad feeling it will be Zach Davies or Delmonico. I think both signed 2007 contracts meaning they can not be dealt for a year.

I'm not and I am normally in camp paranoid about these things.

[Ven6]

Why I like this move: it pretty much cements the idea that, for this year, Matusz and Arietta are bullpen depth. I was real worried after Hunter's demotion those guys were next in line to get starts. They haven't earned that yet, IMO.

[Tony-OH]

No, I'm not going to do anything. Buck doesn't take my advice. All I'm saying is we have rotation depth for the stretch run. Whoever is pitching the best stays in the rotation, whether it's a 5-man or even a 6-man rotation. We still have a ton of question marks in our rotation. Lets see how it plays out. Then, if we end up making the playoffs we can make a roster out of the pitchers who have pitched the best in September - mostly talking about Johnson, Britton, Gonzo and Saunders.

I think that's something people are overlooking here. Chen and Gonzalez will be pitching in uncharted territory from them innings wise and Tillman, Britton and Steve Johnson are still unknowns on how they will handle pitching in September in a pennant race. Add starting pitching depth for our 5th best right-handed reliever is pretty good in my opinion.

[barnanimal]

Seems silly to me for anyone to really criticize this move so quickly. Over the course of this past season I think DD has at least earned the benefit of the doubt for the time being.

As for the Orioles "making a move for the sake of making a move," if this was the case, I think we would have seen more action at the deadline.