Should we just spend like drunken sailors for the next 2.5 seasons no matter the long term effects?

[TradeAngelos]

If we can supplement this group with some 2 year deals this offseason, we should go for that.

We could also look to deal Wieters and/or Davis if they're unwilling to sign a reasonable deal and prepare for the next crop of youngsters we have coming up. Use that saved money to lock up Manny (if possible). It wouldn't really be a rebuild because we should have enough talent to only drop a few games over the next 2 years. Plus, depending on the guys we receive for MW and CD, we could just augment that group with FA and not miss a beat at all.

Yeah, more 2 yr bargain basement, reclamation project signings to keep the payroll at or below $90m moving forward...for eternity.

I don't think that is what the OP had in mind.

The dead wood is going to be cleaned out within the next year to two, we have plenty of payroll flexibility to actually sign someone of note, while keeping our own.

If we want to win a championship, that is, and not just squeak into the playoffs and make record profits for our owner.

Most teams would die to be in the position the O's are right now, and would seize the opportunity accordingly to build a powerhouse.

[Aristotelian]

If we can supplement this group with some 2 year deals this offseason, we should go for that.

We could also look to deal Wieters and/or Davis if they're unwilling to sign a reasonable deal and prepare for the next crop of youngsters we have coming up. Use that saved money to lock up Manny (if possible). It wouldn't really be a rebuild because we should have enough talent to only drop a few games over the next 2 years. Plus, depending on the guys we receive for MW and CD, we could just augment that group with FA and not miss a beat at all.

I like this thinking. Bring in a couple of guys for 1-2 year deals without mortgaging the future. If/when it becomes clear that we can't resign everybody, let's make sure we get something back - like Tampa did to get Wil Myers for Shields. It was surprising move to trade one of their best pitchers when they were supposed to be contenders. But they are still contending and now they have a future star under team control.

[Ven6]

Nate McLouth: 1.6 WAR

Michael Bourn: 1.4 WAR

Nick Swisher: 1.3 WAR

Josh Hamilton: 0.8 WAR

Adam LaRoche: 0.1 WAR

Mark Reynolds: -0.2 WAR

BJ Upton: -0.4 WAR

Funny how things work out.

This post makes me happy.

In DD we Trust.

[weams]

I love how any time spending is discussed, the superlatives automatically accompany it.

"Like a drunken sailor!"

"Huge $200 million contracts and signing every free agent!"

"Yankees payroll!"

How about we spend something....ANYTHING. We don't have to go off half cocked and just flush money down the drain for the heck of it.

Because they already spend 100 million. So that is not chopped liver.

[Redskins Rick]

Because they already spend 100 million. So that is not chopped liver.

91,933,333, but whats 8.17 million among friends.

[weams]

If it's one player, yes I'm alright with that.

If it's a slew of players, no. I don't want to go through what the Cubs have gone through the past 4 years.

The Playoffs are a crap-shoot. If you consistently put your team in position to make the Playoffs, you'll have a great chance to win a title eventually. There's no reason to overpay for a minimal increase in likelihood to win for one or two years. It's best to spread out your chances of winning over several seasons.

If you hang around, you can have a chance. I am all for the Orioles spending to get a couple difference makers

[Redskins Rick]

If you hang around, you can have a chance. I am all for the Orioles spending to get a couple difference makers

:agree:

[hanging_curve]

With the payroll rising and even with additional MLB TV Money coming in, will this team be allowed to go after big name free agents?

I think the first priority to resign our own FAs and lock them up. Roch wrote an article yesterday about McLouth and how he is a FA, Thats just one of the long list.

McloutH is a wonderful player but is gone at the end of the season. Brob's contract is gone but could be back at a huge discount next year. Casilla is gone by hook or by crook. Hammel is gone.JJ is traded or gets a raise. Wieters gets a raise until there is an in house solution. Teagarden gone. Lets not forget Davis and Manny. I have no idea what type of money is involved there. So we have to save money on the bullpen and on the DH spot. Maybe Gausman can be a starter next year? Don't forget wada is gone so the subtractions can help us keep our core but we would still need starting pitching?

1. Hammel (6.175)

2.Brob (10.00)

3. Wilson (2.0)

4. Mclouth (2.0)

5. Bmat (2.0) traded replaced by Britton

6. Patton ??Traded replaced by TJ or SJ

7. Casilla (2.0) bad signing replaced by Ryan

8. Wada (4.0) total loss

additions in payroll

1. Davis ??

2. Manny ??

3. DH Henry U or Riemold?? savings

4. TOR Stater??

5. Gausman ??

[Say O!]

This question is made more specific by asking instead "Would you trade for Cliff Lee and all of his salary?"

The offense is there, the defense is there, relief pitching OK (but fungible). Only gaping hole is who starts game 1 of playoff series.

[weams]

91,933,333, but whats 8.17 million among friends.

I bet I can find that 8 mil if I look hard enough.

[Il BuonO]

This question is made more specific by asking instead "Would you trade for Cliff Lee and all of his salary?"

The offense is there, the defense is there, relief pitching OK (but fungible). Only gaping hole is who starts game 1 of playoff series.

So, I answered this in response to the OP with you in mind because he's actually mentioned by name within my answer.

I think you've nailed it though, there may be only one guy I'm willing to overpay for to put the current team over the top and he's it.

[OriolesHash1]

With Roberts, Wada, Betemit, Hammel money off the books.. we can probably keep davis.

Hardy will probably depend on if schoop is ready for third

Wieters... IDK , I feel like we'll lose him

[Can_of_corn]

Mcloutj is a wonderful player but is gone at the end of the season. Brob's contract is gone but could be back at a huge discount next year. Casilla is gone by hook or by crook. Hammel is gone.JJ is traded or gets a raise. Wieters gets a raise until there is an in house solution. Teagarden gone. Lets not forget Davis and Manny. I have no idea what type of money is involved there. So we have to save money on the bullpen and on the DH spot. Maybe Gausman can be a starter next year? Don't forget wada is gone so the subtractions can help us keep our core but we would still need starting pitching?

1. Hammel (6.175)

2.Brob (10.00)

3. Wilson (2.0)

4. Mclouth (2.0)

5. Bmat (2.0) traded replaced by Britton

6. Patton ??Traded replaced by TJ or SJ

7. Casilla (2.0) bad signing replaced by Ryan

8. Wada (4.0) total loss

additions in payroll

1. Davis ??

2. Manny ??

3. DH Henry U or Riemold?? savings

4. TOR Stater??

5. Gausman ??

Bad signing? He has outperformed Flaherty and Roberts this season. Why Buck doesn't play him more I don't know.

[hanging_curve]

IMO Alexi was suppose to be the starting 2b if Roberts could not go. Ryan beat out Alexi on defense? Yes it is a bad signing since we never see him play. Money siting on the bench.

[barnanimal]

I may be of the minority, but it wouldn't bother me if we didn't win the World Series for another 10-15 years.

I'd gladly trade in a WS title for a decade or more of baseball like we've had the last 1.5 seasons.

I know it sounds crazy, but meaningful baseball in September is all I want.