Man what is Dan thinking for real. Orioles will Tender all 9 players

[25 Nuggets]

AM did a much better job than he was given credit for at the time. He wasn't great, but he was a solid B IMHO. Most just tore him apart during his years here led by a few of my favorites in this house.

DD isn't as great as he was hailed during his first season, but he isn't as bad as he is being described by most now. I can't grade him yet, but I think he is on point more often than not.

I just don't understand the constant gnashing of teeth about the signings/non-signings and trades/non-trades. The team's mgmt has clearly signaled for YEARS how they plan to operate and what they plan to be and they execute to that plan in a fairly straightforward fashion year-after-year. I get that the plan itself is open to criticism, but I don't get the criticism of individual moves that simply uphold the overall plan. Nothing in that article was remotely surprising to me based on the cost of the assets retained.

BTW, those saying why wouldn't we retain this talent for at a trade rather than just releasing it are dead on IMHO. It doesn't make any sense to just give away any of this talent at this point.

I used to get very frustrated that we didn't sign the "big names", but the free agent market has gotten really out of control in the last few years IMHO and I don't think the free agent market makes sense for the big names anymore. Think about how many of the signings over the last three years paid off vs. hamstrung their teams. Most of them don't come close to working out.

Exactly how I feel, every paragraph. Must spread rep, etc.

I'll add that, like most teams in this league, the Orioles need to continue developing players - Machado can't be the end of the pipeline. That's how they stay competitive.

[scOtt]

Exactly Macphail accounts for Jones, Tillman, Hardy and Davis. Arguably our top four players. Who has DD brought in?

A partial list because my memory... Chen, Gonzalez, McLouth, had the balls to bring up Manny that Mac NEVER would have had, Urrutia, other Cuban and Latin prospects, Valencia, McFarland, Flaherty, Norris, Stinson (?), Bundy (?), Gausman, Harvey, maybe even sticking with Reimold and Jim Johnson. And Dan signed AJ long term.

They ALL may not not look as good yet, because AM was before, DD's chances are yet to play out, but I'll bet he gets more than 4 out of that group...

[Dipper9]

Call me crazy, but if Reimold comes back healthy, he could be our best "addition" of the offseason.

I agree, but then again, I just like the kid!

[JourneyFan]

Call me crazy, but if Reimold comes back healthy, he could be our best "addition" of the offseason.

Yeah, and if that '87 Yugo runs it's a steal for $500.

[weams]

Yeah, and if that '87 Yugo runs it's a steal for $500.

They were worth 500 in '88.

[DrungoHazewood]

Reimold is a great gamble for ~$1M~.

If he is healthy (25-40% likely), he's going to be worth a lot more than $1M. If he's healthy, there's a decent chance he's a 3-4 WAR player. That's the kind of gamble a poor team should be taking.

I think Reimold would be a good guy to have on a NRI. He's 30 and has been a replacement level player over the past four years.

Paying him $1M gives him much more rope than I'd be comfortable with.

[wildcard]

If we cut Reimold in spring training, how much do we have to pay him? Anyone know the rule?

30-45 days of salary which is about 17-26% of a player's annual salary.

Here is the clause from the Basic Agreement:

B. Spring Training

A Player whose Contract is terminated by a Club under paragraph 7(b)(2) of the Uniform Player?s Contract for failure to exhibit suffi- cient skill or competitive ability shall be entitled to receive termination pay from the Club in an amount equal to thirty (30) days? payment at the rate stipulated in paragraph 2 of his Contract, if the termination occurs during spring training but on or before the 16th day prior to the start of the championship season. If the termination occurs during spring training, but subsequent to the 16th day prior to the start of the championship season, the Player?s termination pay shall be in an amount equal to forty-five (45) days? payment at the rate stipulated in paragraph 2 of his Contract.

[foxfield]

He needs to make an impact trade like Macphail could do or this team is spinning it's wheels going nowhere. Most of his trades so far have been terrible except the Hammel one the first year.

Step back a second and read what you are writing. I have written many times about how I think AM was judged poorly while he was here and how he laid a foundation that was much stronger than many originally thought.

However, regardless of what you think of DD, it is sophomoric to say that he needs to make an impact trade like AM or this team is spinning its wheels.

Spinning it's wheels?

Spinning it's wheels?

DD got here, was picked to finish last and said, we are gonna win, now. He did. And he followed that up with another winning season. You may or may not remember the previous 14 seasons. I do!

It is fantastic that we have progressed to the point where back to back winning seasons constitutes spinning our wheels. I can actually remember a time when the last two seasons would in fact have been thought of that way. I am not necessarily convinced that DD is going to get the Orioles another World Championship, but the arrogance of he is spinning is wheels, he is terrible, blah blah blah, is exactly the same type of ignorance that we saw in 1997 from a certain owner. And the type of ignorance and attitude that we continue to rail about today as holding us back.

Sorry not necessarily picking on you, and not trying to sanctify DD unnecessarily either, but in terms of comparing DD and AM, who both have had positive value to the franchise, the only real exhibit that needs to be examined is Third Baseman Manny Machado. That is Gold Glove Third Baseman Manny Machado.

DD made that move. And that move had direct impact on two winning seasons.

[fearthenoodle]

I think Reimold would be a good guy to have on a NRI. He's 30 and has been a replacement level player over the past four years.

Paying him $1M gives him much more rope than I'd be comfortable with.

I believe it's only $1M if he makes the roster. If he is not healthy and cut before that (he can't be optioned), they are only on the hook for 1/6th of that.

[clapdiddy]

I believe it's only $1M if he makes the roster. If he is not healthy and cut before that (he can't be optioned), they are only on the hook for 1/6th of that.

I think you are right, and that's why I have no problem with them signing him. If he is healthy, he could be our LF next season.

[jjnono]

Scenario:

Reimold hits a home run in his first ST AB. There is much rejoicing. However, he then struggles for the remainder of ST, going 5-40 overall, with one additional HR. History suggests the O's are so enamored with his power that they overlook the struggles and over-value the HRs, and pay the man. This is what I fear.

[BrunoCherrytown]

I just don't understand the constant gnashing of teeth about the signings/non-signings and trades/non-trades. The team's mgmt has clearly signaled for YEARS how they plan to operate and what they plan to be and they execute to that plan in a fairly straightforward fashion year-after-year. I get that the plan itself is open to criticism, but I don't get the criticism of individual moves that simply uphold the overall plan. Nothing in that article was remotely surprising to me based on the cost of the assets retained.

I think your post was excellent.

This part I think is what aggravates me about the Orioles the most. The so-called plan they have been publicly touting for years.

The build from within mantra. It's been a downright lie. Every team talks about building from within, but with the Os it's once again expected to be done on the cheap.

This international signing period is a perfect example. It appears to have been a strong class so what does Theo in Chicago do? Go after every top prospect. He had the biggest allocation - it wasn't good enough. He blew past that budget. Traded to get more budget.

What does Daniels do in Texas? Same thing. And when you blow past the budget - that total blow cost what? A veteran middle reliever's salary? But it's expensive to Angelos.

The Os trade away a good chunk of their international slots - go bargain hunting again and then tout their one find they signed for I think $325k as the next Bob Gibson. He may be incredible. Let's hope so.

But our entire philosophy at every level of the organization is "cheap diamonds in the rough or bust."

That leaves zero margin for error. You aren't building from within you're just bargain hunting.

I think DD would be all about going heavy into the international market. I know he's focused on it - but when you've got overly constricted budget restraints there too - it's that much more difficult.

I remember when he said Darvish was the best pitcher on the planet before he was posted. Best pitcher on the planet - young - Os don't even bid.

So we get Chen. I like Chen. Chen is no Darvish. Not apples to apples comparison since they aren't 16-year old prospects.

But DD knows the international market. And I'm sure DD knows who the best international prospects on the planet are - and he knows we didn't sign any of them.

And I'm guessing it has nothing to do with DD.

If we are supposed to be building from within as the plan why aren't we taking every step to ensure we're the best at it?

At this rate of "marginal improvement" we'll just continue to get lapped. If we're going to be cheap on the major league level why aren't we flipping the switch and going 100MPH on the amateur front?

Throwing money at that problem isn't exactly as expensive as doing it at the major league level.

[Nigel Tufnel]

I don't understand why anyone would blame the front office. I mean, in the history of baseball, has a GM ever decided to spend less than his budget? If DD is pinching pennies, then I think it's clearly because of PA.

[wildcard]

What makes you think that is a spot.

I think Pridie is only on the roster in case they don't sign McLouth. When McLouth or his replacement is signed I expect Pridie to be released.

I also think that Belfiore has a good chance of be DFA'd or traded if the O's need a roster spot. He is not one of Buck's favorite. I don't think Buck believes he has an out pitch.

The O's probably need space for Roberts, Feldman and McLouth. Plus if the sign any one like Garrett Jones or Rajia Davis.

[clapdiddy]

I think your post was excellent.

This part I think is what aggravates me about the Orioles the most. The so-called plan they have been publicly touting for years.

The build from within mantra. It's been a downright lie. Every team talks about building from within, but with the Os it's once again expected to be done on the cheap.

This international signing period is a perfect example. It appears to have been a strong class so what does Theo in Chicago do? Go after every top prospect. He had the biggest allocation - it wasn't good enough. He blew past that budget. Traded to get more budget.

What does Daniels do in Texas? Same thing. And when you blow past the budget - that total blow cost what? A veteran middle reliever's salary? But it's expensive to Angelos.

The Os trade away a good chunk of their international slots - go bargain hunting again and then tout their one find they signed for I think $325k as the next Bob Gibson. He may be incredible. Let's hope so.

But our entire philosophy at every level of the organization is "cheap diamonds in the rough or bust."

That leaves zero margin for error. You aren't building from within you're just bargain hunting.

I think DD would be all about going heavy into the international market. I know he's focused on it - but when you've got overly constricted budget restraints there too - it's that much more difficult.

I remember when he said Darvish was the best pitcher on the planet before he was posted. Best pitcher on the planet - young - Os don't even bid.

So we get Chen. I like Chen. Chen is no Darvish. Not apples to apples comparison since they aren't 16-year old prospects.

But DD knows the international market. And I'm sure DD knows who the best international prospects on the planet are - and he knows we didn't sign any of them.

And I'm guessing it has nothing to do with DD.

If we are supposed to be building from within as the plan why aren't we taking every step to ensure we're the best at it?

At this rate of "marginal improvement" we'll just continue to get lapped. If we're going to be cheap on the major league level why aren't we flipping the switch and going 100MPH on the amateur front?

Throwing money at that problem isn't exactly as expensive as doing it at the major league level.

"You must spread reputation...."

Sorry I couldn't hit you for more rep, but this is exactly right. I think seeing DD trade off some of our international money for Feldman and others just shows you that we're committed to cheaper alternatives.

Like you, I'm hoping that these lower end moves pan out. I think in a lot of cases, you get what you pay for.