Would you bring BRob back next year if the price is right?

[DrungoHazewood]

In a vacuum I agree. But his approach, which no other Oriole seems to be able to adopt does have a trickle down affect. In four at bats, it could mean an additional 10-15 pitches for the opposing team, not to mention the additional looks that the other Oriole players get. I do have to admit though, it does not seem to have had an impact, as the Orioles offense does not seem have benefited from it.

There may be individual games where Roberts sees an additional 10-15 pitches. But the difference between a very aggressive and a very patient hitter is not much more than a pitch per AB, so in an average game Roberts might work the opposing staff to the tune of 2-4 additional pitches above an average player. I would consider that so far down in the noise as to be negligible.

Actuals: Roberts sees 4.12 pitches/PA this year, Adam Jones is at 3.56. Replacing Jones with Roberts makes the other side throw 2 extra pitches per game.

[DrungoHazewood]

The problem with Roberts on the bench is simple, he can only realistically play second and DH. He isn't tall enough for first and doesn't have the arm for anywhere else on the diamond.

And there's the practical matter that he hasn't played an inning at any position in the field except second base since September 25, 2003. He's not a utility player in any meaningful sense.

[Dipper9]

And there's the practical matter that he hasn't played an inning at any position in the field except second base since September 25, 2003. He's not a utility player in any meaningful sense.

Neither were Baines, or Dwyer, or the Crow, or hell, even Benny Ayala. These were all good bats off the bench. The bench guys don't have to be gold glovers, they need to be guys that can step in from time to time and not hit below .200.

[mark_beckens]

I voted yes. I think if Schoop makes the team he should be the full time 2B not a platoon. Flaherty can get ab's but Schoop should play most of the time. If he's not ready to do that then Roberts/Flaherty platoon is a better situation. If he wants too much money sign a RH 2B to platoon with Flaherty until Schoop is ready.

[DrungoHazewood]

Neither were Baines, or Dwyer, or the Crow, or hell, even Benny Ayala. These were all good bats off the bench. The bench guys don't have to be gold glovers, they need to be guys that can step in from time to time and not hit below .200.

All of those guys could hit. I mean really hit. Dwyer had multiple years with the O's with .750, .800, even .900 OPSes. Baines was a hitting machine. Crowley was a noted pinch hitter and DH, more than 25% of his career ABs were as a pinch hitter. Ayala a lefty-killer, maybe comparable to Valencia. And they all played in eras where you didn't have to make room for 12+ pitchers, so there was ample opportunity for hitting specialists.

It's harder to have a guy on the roster who puts up a mid-.600s OPS and can only play second base. It's hard for me to see why you'd do that.

[Can_of_corn]

Neither were Baines, or Dwyer, or the Crow, or hell, even Benny Ayala. These were all good bats off the bench. The bench guys don't have to be gold glovers, they need to be guys that can step in from time to time and not hit below .200.

None of those guys played in the era of the bloated bullpen. There is no guarantee that Billy Hamilton, despite his success, will make the Reds' roster next year.

[DrungoHazewood]

I voted yes. I think if Schoop makes the team he should be the full time 2B not a platoon. Flaherty can get ab's but Schoop should play most of the time. If he's not ready to do that then Roberts/Flaherty platoon is a better situation. If he wants too much money sign a RH 2B to platoon with Flaherty until Schoop is ready.

So you want to continue the bizarre situation that was allowed to exist this year, with three second basemen as part of a five-man bench?

I think you almost have to go with Flaherty and a RH partner, and have your backup plan in Norfolk. It's a total waste to have three guys on the roster who really only play one position.

[mark_beckens]

So you want to continue the bizarre situation that was allowed to exist this year, with three second basemen as part of a five-man bench?

I think you almost have to go with Flaherty and a RH partner, and have your backup plan in Norfolk. It's a total waste to have three guys on the roster who really only play one position.

Casilla is a FA so it would only be Roberts and Flaherty.

[Can_of_corn]

So you want to continue the bizarre situation that was allowed to exist this year, with three second basemen as part of a five-man bench?

I think you almost have to go with Flaherty and a RH partner, and have your backup plan in Norfolk. It's a total waste to have three guys on the roster who really only play one position.

Flaherty could have played short or third, Buck just decided to keep running Hardy and Machado out there.

[webbrick2010]

It would be a waste of money (no matter how small a contract he would sign).

I have no doubt that the O's will sign him

The BRob effect will live on.

[DrungoHazewood]

None of those guys played in the era of the bloated bullpen. There is no guarantee that Billy Hamilton, despite his success, will make the Reds' roster next year.

Tell me it wouldn't be more fun to watch Hamilton than Clay Rapada! I'm almost ready to champion a movement to limit teams to nine pitchers on the 25-man.

[DrungoHazewood]

It would be a waste of money (no matter how small a contract he would sign).

I have no doubt that the O's will sign him

The BRob effect will live on.

At least as long as you're an active poster.

[oriole]

My vote is no. It was nice to see him come back to play a little bit of meaningful baseball but he brings nothing but a veteran presence and some patience at the plate. He is a bad defender, doesn't seem to have any pop left in the bat, doesn't steal bases...he will be lucky to find a major league deal anywhere, IMO. Farewell Roberts, he seems to be the face of the losing franchise...good luck in future endeavors but please don't let it be on the Orioles 25 man roster.

[Dipper9]

All of those guys could hit. I mean really hit. Dwyer had multiple years with the O's with .750, .800, even .900 OPSes. Baines was a hitting machine. Crowley was a noted pinch hitter and DH, more than 25% of his career ABs were as a pinch hitter. Ayala a lefty-killer, maybe comparable to Valencia. And they all played in eras where you didn't have to make room for 12+ pitchers, so there was ample opportunity for hitting specialists.

It's harder to have a guy on the roster who puts up a mid-.600s OPS and can only play second base. It's hard for me to see why you'd do that.

And yet the O's went with Casilla, Teagarden, Dickerson, Flaherty, etc. off the bench. Your post proves my point that the bench needs to be better. Maybe BRob isn't the answer, but he's certainly better off the bench than the guys we've had there all season.

[DrungoHazewood]

Flaherty could have played short or third, Buck just decided to keep running Hardy and Machado out there.

Yes, I suppose he could have. But you'd still be left with Roberts at second, Flaherty at short, and Casilla running to fetch Gatorade and praying for a Matt Wieters single that puts the winning run on base in the 9th.