Jump to content

If you think the Orioles need work ....

Since'54

By Since'54
in MLB

Recommended Posts

Since'54 Major Leaguer Cup of Coffee

Since'54

Posted
Posted

Many recent posters have suggested that the Orioles need to make major improvements in their line-up if they are to duplicate the success of 2012.

Today's Boston Globe features a long article by RedSox writer Nick Cafardo on the holes in the Boston team.

A synopsis:

Left Field -- Maybe depend on Ryan Kalish? (.532 OPS in 103 plate appearances 2012)

Right Field -- Cody Ross is a free agent looking for a 3-year extension that the Sox so far haven't bought into.

First Base -- Sox looking at free agents. Cafardo mentions LaRoche, and Mike Napoli

Starting pitcher -- Cafardo acts like there's only one hole in the rotation

Shortstop -- Doesn't think Jose Inglesias is ready for prime time as a hitter

Finally mentions Ellsbury in center field who is one year from free agency, had a very sub-par year, seems injury prone, is a Boras client, and may be out of love with Boston.

Yeah, Boston has lots of money to spend, but that hasn't always worked recently. I'd much rather be in our situation -- either as it exists today or how it's likely to compare on opening day 2013. I see the Birds as definitely stronger in all three outfield spots, as well as shortstop and catcher. And very possibly stronger on the mound.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DrungoHazewood Hangout Grand Counsel

DrungoHazewood

Posted
Posted
The BoSox are a mess, and I couldn't be happier about it, however, the O's need to improve to keep up with the Yankees and stay ahead of the Rays and Jays, too.

The Sox have a lot of work ahead of them. Even if you posit that they're really a 75-80 win team that had injuries and bad luck, they still need to add 10+ wins just to get back in serious competition. And this isn't a free agent year where it's easy to just outbid everyone on 2-3 impact free agents. Because it's hard to find 2-3 impact free agents on the market. Almost everyone has question marks, and/or are looking for a giant payday based on being the best player available at this moment.

But, the Sox have resources to fix a lot pretty quickly.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
oriole Veteran All-Star

oriole

Posted
Posted

The problem with a team like the Red Sox is that they can buy themselves into contention again. Add in a Micheal Bourn, Mike Napoli, and Greinke and they all the sudden look relevant again. I'm not saying that's what they should or will do but they have the pay roll flexibility to do so.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Number5 Hangout Grand Counsel

Number5

Posted
Posted
Oddsmakers have the Red Sox as more likely to win it all next year than the Orioles.

No. The oddsmakers anticipate more money being wagered on the Red Sox than on the Orioles. That is what drives the odds, not which team is more likely to win. The two are not necessarily the same. The odds are about their projections of money wagered.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Since'54 Major Leaguer Cup of Coffee

Since'54

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I don't see how people can predict this team to be good at all. They have very little that reminds me of their glory days.

They have Pedroia. They have Ortiz, but I think he's one HGH test away from suspension. They have Middlebrooks who may well be the real deal. But that's about it. There's no reason to think the Red Sox can compete with our Birds any time soon. Let's get used to the idea of looking over our shoulders at lesser teams.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DrungoHazewood Hangout Grand Counsel

DrungoHazewood

Posted
Posted
I don't see how people can predict this team to be good at all. They have very little that reminds me of their glory days.

We'll see. Pedroia and Ortiz and Lester and Buchholz and Ellsbury could all rebound. Will Middlebrooks had an .800+ OPS before he got hurt. Saltalamacchia is a good hitting catcher. The O's have proven you can build a great bullpen in one offseason, and it'll help that Tazawa and Bard should be available for the whole year. And the Sox have a huge stack of cash, thanks in part to the Dodgers.

I'm not writing them off. I'm expecting a rebound, maybe even strong contention.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Posts

    • Flash- bd
      Jordan Westburg 2024

      By Flash- bd · Posted

      Yeah, basically this, that Westburg's underlying numbers (EV, barrel %, xwOBA) seem to point at this being pretty real, or at least that there's nothing 'undeserved / lucky' about this hot streak, if it's just that. 
    • Billy F-Face3
      Off-season Qualifying Offer Question

      By Billy F-Face3 · Posted

      Fixed it.
    • Billy F-Face3
      Off-season Qualifying Offer Question

      By Billy F-Face3 · Posted

      The problem with a Cowser/Kjerstad/Stowers/Bradfield outfield roster is there are no right handers to handle LHP. I don't think and completely left handed outfield is the destination for an organization the values versatility.
    • baltfan
      Enrique Bradfield Jr. 2024

      By baltfan · Posted

      Looks maybe concussion related. 
    • Billy F-Face3
      I have to admit. I'm an addict.

      By Billy F-Face3 · Posted

      How can you not be romantic about baseball? This seems slightly poetic. I enjoyed reading, and correlated your experience in the stands back to what I watch in Game 1 on MASN.  It was also pretty cool to hear Jim Palmer give you a shout out in Game 2 of the series on Live TV.
    • baltfan
      Gunnar Henderson 2024

      By baltfan · Posted

      I am not worried.  It just doesn’t remotely meet the eye test.  He has been great in the field . I can think of at least 3 outstanding plays he has made and not any that I thought he should have gotten but didn’t. Meanwhile Holliday is 3 OAA and I can’t think of an outstanding play and can think of a number I thought he should have made. 
    • Ridgway22
      I have to admit. I'm an addict.

      By Ridgway22 · Posted

      Nicely stated Roy. Every since I was 9 years old and saw the O's vs. the Tokyo Giants in Tokyo in 1971, I've been infected with the Orange/Black virus. There is no cure and I don't want one. You and I sat at the lunch table with Jim Palmer at the 1970 World Series Champs reunion, and its still one of my enduring baseball memories. You said I looked like Carlton Fisk! I was at all 3 games in this Angels series, right behind the O's dugout. I got to see all our boys, and just simply love to watch this team play. And in true baseball fashion, the one game on paper we should have dominated (GRod vs. 8+ ERA Channing), we end up down 7-0 and lose. But watching Gunnar's homers, his electric triple, and he made a fantastic play today on a ball that went under Westburg's glove, Adley do Adley things, Cowser, holy crap. Kimbrel v. Trout with bases loaded, bottom of 9th, 2 outs, down by 2? That was fun. Next game Trout bats leadoff and torches a GRod fastball for a homer to the opposite field.  An observation.... If you didn't know anything about the team, and you only watched game 1 batting practice, you'd think Cowser and O'Hearn were the studs of the team. Mountcastle was taking BP with the reserves and he put on a show as well.  Home after 3 straight days watching this O's team, so jealous of the Balt fans in Balt that get to see the team with regularity. It's a special bunch.

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...