Offseason Priorities

[jcroemer]

I disagree that Tillman's trade value will never be higher. He proved to himself that he can pitch in the majors. If he get 32 starts next season he could pitch 200 innings and win 18 games. If that happens his trade value go through the roof.

I considered that, but if he wins 18 the Orioles would make him untouchable, I would think.

[wildcard]

Hammel, Chen, Gonzo and Tillman could all be better next year. A year of health for Hammel and another year of development for the other three could make any of them a #1.

[Singleton]

Sabathia showed us the true value of an ace tonight. I'd like to see us make Greinke our top priority.

Except Greinke is no Sabathia but will want to be paid like one.

[The B&G]

Not many priorities this season, I'd be pretty satisfied going into next season with the same lineup. Need help at 2nd, maybe add a nice bench player but I'm pleased with what we have. Maybe another pitcher depending on how Buck feels about the talent we currently have.

[wildcard]

I considered that, but if he wins 18 the Orioles would make him untouchable, I would think.

Which is a good thing.

[jcroemer]

I think McLouth has earned a starting job but there is no promise of that here. He'd have to compete with Reimold for the starting gig in the Spring.

[TradeAngelos]

1. Don't change one darn thing with the bullpen (they are all under team control IIRC, so shouldn't be an issue)

2. Work out 3 yr extension with Reynolds at reasonable cost

3. Extend Buck

4. Extend Wieters, we know what he is at this point.

5. Sign Hamilton for no more than 5/100, might not even have to spend that.

6. Sign McLouth to a 1 or 2 year deal for depth, NOT to start. No other team is paying him to start for good reason.

7. End Brian Roberts career by signing effective but not pricey 2nd baseman.

8. Profit.

[Enjoy Terror]

Sign McLouth.

Sign Hammel.

Sign O'Day.

Not comfortable with giving $11M to Reynolds.

C Wieters

1B ?

2B Flaherty

SS Hardy

3B Machado

LF McLouth

CF Jones

RF Markakis

BN: Davis, Betemit, Andino, Reimold, Teagarden

SP Hammel

SP Chen

SP Gonzalez

SP Tillman

SP Bundy? Britton?

Pen: Johnson, Strop, Ayala, O'day, Patton, Matusz, Hunter (I guess).

Someone is getting traded. Too many players.

[jcroemer]

I'd sign McLouth if he'll sign here. If we trade, we'll be trading to replace Reynolds or for a top pitcher.

[TradeAngelos]

Sign McLouth.

Sign Hammel.

Sign O'Day.

Not comfortable with giving $11M to Reynolds.

C Wieters

1B ?

2B Flaherty

SS Hardy

3B Machado

LF McLouth

CF Jones

RF Markakis

BN: Davis, Betemit, Andino, Reimold, Teagarden

SP Hammel

SP Chen

SP Gonzalez

SP Tillman

SP Bundy? Britton?

Pen: Johnson, Strop, Ayala, O'day, Patton, Matusz, Hunter (I guess).

Someone is getting traded. Too many players.

You forgot Wada who is on the books for $4 million.

[gallden]

I think Melky Cabrera could be had on the real cheap.

[rjslomo]

I think the O's follow the Ravens mantra & try to sign their own. I'm looking at potential starters of Hammel, Chen, Gonzalez, Tillman, Saunders. Matusz, Steve Johnson, Britton, Arrieta, Wada & even potentially Jim Johnson. No need to waste money on Grienke. Jim Johnson has starter stuff & Strop, Tommy Hunter or Arrieta could be closers plus Johnson could always go back to the pen.

I still think the O's have $10 million reasons to give BRob every shot to play 2nd base. The good thing is that he doesn't have to be the center of the offense. You could have Markakis lead off & Hardy or McClouth bat 2nd. BRob could settle into the 9 hole. Flaherty could handcuff with him to make a good combo.

For $11 million or whatever it is, Reynolds is worth it for 1b. Hardy & Machado fill out the left side of the infield.

I look to add a healthy Reimold to platoon with McClouth for a potent LF combo. I have zero interest in Hamilton for the money or years he asking plus all the baggage. Jones & Markakis round out the outfield. Davis is your DH & occasional LF/RF. Wieters is your catcher with someone like Teagarden backing him up.

Finally, keep as much of the bullpen as possible. I know a pen is sometimes up & down but who knows?

[exist10z]

Obviously keeping Buck is a priority.

Don't see any need for any pitching at all. Really. Top of the rotation starter? What have the guys we had this year been? Darn close in some cases, and showing the possibility of being even better in the future (Chen - conditioning/experience, Hammel - healthy, Tillman - more experience, Gonzo - experience and full season). I think one of those guys fill that role, or close enough, and maybe we even have 3 number two starters as well. Plus, I would love to bring back Saunders as aback of the rotation guy, he seems solid when in a good situation, which is apparently what he felt like Baltimore was. None of this is even mentioning guys like B.Mat, Arrieta, Britton, Bundy, which who knows, one of these guys might be ready to step it up next year finally. I think the starting pitching is fine overall, maybe a little depth w/ some cheapie flyers.

Bullpen - keep it intact, period.

Hitting - an OBP second baseman, maybe with speed who could lead off or maybe not, but a run scoring guy who gets on base. Either re-sign Reynolds cheap, because his defense is nice, but as streaky and with as many holes as there are in his swing, nobody is giving him $10mil. a year, or sign another first baseman who is also an OBP guy with some power. Not a superstar, just a solid guy.

That's all we need. Really. We got better as the season went on, I'd be happy going into next year with mostly the same team. At the end of the season, we really were good. Keep those players, they like each other, they play well together. Hopefully Reimold can replace Ford, Flaherty is our util., and the two additions I mentioned, and I think we are good.

No need for Hamilton or anyone like him, or the problems, underperforming bum contracts they bring. The reason this team is/was so great, is because we didn't have those sorts of guys. Our hitters who failed us this post season will be better next year, they just needed the experience (hopefully).

Anyway, that's how I see it...

Edit - oh, and please, please, please forget about Roberts, that guy is a cancer, he is never going to be a major league player again and is simply a distraction and a detriment to the guys who built the winning chemistry we have. Let him go, don't even let him near the other players.

[sangar]

Except Greinke is no Sabathia but will want to be paid like one.

Sabathia is probably the better pitcher, but it is debatable which had the better season. Plus, Greinke is just now reaching his prime years while CC is likely near the end of his.

Over the next five seasons Greinke will likely be the more valuable pitcher.

[clapdiddy]

After thinking about this...we really need a "feared" bat in the lineup. We don't have ANY of those, except when Davis and/or Reynolds go through their extremely hot periods. Those bats, I know, are few and far between.