O's claim 2B/SS Alexi Casilla from Twins

[Spirus]

I suppose its (slightly) better than nothing, and I'm perfectly happy to just wait a year and hope Schoop or Flaherty pan out.

Though I'd still be interested in signing Macier Izturis or maybe taking a gamble on Hiroyuki Nakajima if he transitions to mlb, well if either comes at a reasonable cost in both dollars and years.

[DrinkinWithFermi]

These are the kinds of small upgrades that don't get anyone excited but can make a big difference over 162 games.

Testify, my man. I really dig this move and feel much better about 2B now. We just got an upgraded version of Robert Andino(and the ability to stash Flaherty at Norfolk for a bit longer) for essentially nothing.

Quality depth = W I N S over 162 games.

[Spy Fox]

I like this.

I would still look to upgrade 2b, of course. But if our big concern in spring training is that one of Casilla, Andino, or Flaherty will be at 2b then I will be pretty comfortable with the roster. In the past we'd have at least a half dozen of these unproven and/or mediocre players being plugged in at critical roster spots be it lineup, rotation, closer, etc.

[waroriole]

You could have told me Ted William's head was signed and produced more then Nick Johnson and I would have believed you.

Folks are in denial about how bad Roberts was last season. I do not see how a team that fancies itself a contender could run him out there everyday.

I don't doubt that BRob was awful last year, but there were some factors working against him. He did not have an offseason to get in playing shape. Also, he had just become able to play the game again. I think there was undoubtedly going to be some rust. He seemed to have no gap power anymore. I guess the hope is that with an offseason of lifting weights and getting stronger (he looked scrawny) he can gain that gap power back. If he can give us .700-.725 OPS, with slightly below average defense at 2B, he's as good as anyone else we have, or could reasonably hope to acquire.

[Can_of_corn]

I don't doubt that BRob was awful last year, but there were some factors working against him. He did not have an offseason to get in playing shape. Also, he had just become able to play the game again. I think there was undoubtedly going to be some rust. He seemed to have no gap power anymore. I guess the hope is that with an offseason of lifting weights and getting stronger (he looked scrawny) he can gain that gap power back. If he can give us .700-.725 OPS, with slightly below average defense at 2B, he's as good as anyone else we have, or could reasonably hope to acquire.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8211858/brian-roberts-baltimore-orioles-season-ending-hip-surgery

He expects to have the operation at the Steadman Clinic in Colorado over the next seven to 10 days. Following a rehabilitation period of four to six months, Roberts intends to work toward returning to the Orioles next year.

So he had hip surgery in early August and will be rehabbing it until at least early December. When exactly is he going to have time to get into shape this offseason?

[Il BuonO]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8211858/brian-roberts-baltimore-orioles-season-ending-hip-surgery

So he had hip surgery in early August and will be rehabbing it until at least early December. When exactly is he going to have time to get into shape this offseason?

You think he's rehabbing the injury exclusively and nothing else? It's a good bet that he also is working on the rest of his body while rehabbing the injury. Good chance he's taking swings as he nears the end of his time with the rehab depending on how he feels. Whatever the case, it will be considerably more than anything he did last year when he had the concussion symptoms and couldn't even be counted on to show up for Fan Fest.

[Can_of_corn]

You think he's rehabbing the injury exclusively and nothing else? It's a good bet that he also is working on the rest of his body while rehabbing the injury. Good chance he's taking swings as he nears the end of his time with the rehab depending on how he feels. Whatever the case, it will be considerably more than anything he did last year when he had the concussion symptoms and couldn't even be counted on to show up for Fan Fest.

I think rehabilitating from a serious injury is definitely impeding his ability to get into his normal workout routine.

[Frobby]

Folks were questioning me for advocating a move that might lead to less wins next year but would strengthen the team in the long run earlier today.

Do you think the O's can be a playoff contender while starting a guy that projected to a -9 WAR player over 154 games last season? If Roberts comes back at the level he was last year (a year younger and before hip surgery) then he could cost the teams 4-5 wins by the all star break.

Very simply, BRob won't have that long a leash. But he'll get more than the 17 games you are extrapolating from, if he's healthy. More like 30-40. And I doubt he'll be as bad as in 2012. We'll see.

[Il BuonO]

Very simply, BRob won't have that long a leash. But he'll get more than the 17 games you are extrapolating from, if he's healthy. More like 30-40. And I doubt he'll be as bad as in 2012. We'll see.

I think you're right. C o C doesn't because of the injury he's currently rehabilitating, but I'm no Roberts apologist. I'm just going off recent history, namely last year with Gregg. So, I think the short leash you speak of will be more like two months worth of games if he's healthy. It should be apparent by then to all concerned that we need to move on.

[jjnono]

Stockpiling second basemen maybe the 2013 version of 2012's stockpiling of pitchers.

Which worked, BTW...

[McNulty]

Andino is projected to get just about the same price as Casilla next year in arb. His OPS was only 600 last year in about 300 ABs.

I'm all for this move, but I'm not entirely sure its an upgrade over Andino. Depth is never a bad thing.

[Orange_Crush]

So this guy is our 2nd basemen? Okay I guess. His D is what I like, nothing much else though.

[sportsfan8703]

I like the signing. Anytime you can upgrade your roster, even at the IF UT guy, you should do it. He gives us speed and could pinch run late in games. Plus he can bunt. And is better than andino in the field.

[McNulty]

His D is what I like.

I'll bet

[Can_of_corn]

Very simply, BRob won't have that long a leash. But he'll get more than the 17 games you are extrapolating from, if he's healthy. More like 30-40. And I doubt he'll be as bad as in 2012. We'll see.

I mentioned the all star break because the poster I was replying to, jtschrei, said "If, and it's very likely, Brob comes back and is not good anymore, then they make a trade in July".