How is Roberts Not Your Leadoff Hitter?

[Can_of_corn]

I'd say it's possible. Roberts (1) was shaking off a few years of rust, (2) couldn't train for part of the offseason because of surgery he had, (3) missed time with his knee injury. If he has a full offseason to work out, and stays healthier next year, I could see him posting a .330ish OBP if things go his way. Of course, there's no guarantee that he does that, or that he stays healthy.

Not saying it isn't possible, especially someone with Roberts' history. But it read to me like Billy thinks it is more then just a possibility, to me it read like he thinks it is a fairly likely turn of events. It would be rather surprising if his OBP jumped "quite a bit". I wouldn't consider an 18 point jump as being "quite a bit".

[BillySmith]

I'd say it's possible. Roberts (1) was shaking off a few years of rust, (2) couldn't train for part of the offseason because of surgery he had, (3) missed time with his knee injury. If he has a full offseason to work out, and stays healthier next year, I could see him posting a .330ish OBP if things go his way. Of course, there's no guarantee that he does that, or that he stays healthy.

This. Another year removed from the last concussion, fresh legs, probably chomping a the bit to get it going again. I remember the Astros 2B rocking at 36 and being an inspiration to the team. It can happen.

[Can_of_corn]

This. Another year removed from the last concussion, fresh legs, probably chomping a the bit to get it going again. I remember the Astros 2B rocking at 36 and being an inspiration to the team. It can happen.

Comping non hall of famers to hall of famers isn't very useful.

[russ snyder]

While I can see why Roberts is an option, I hope that the Orioles go in a different direction. My preference is to give Flaherty every opportunity to win the second base job. If Manny is not ready to start the season, sign a veteran like Michael Young to play third until Manny is healthy enough to play. Further, Young is much more versatile than Roberts and will give the team more roster flexiibility in case this scenario plays out. All that being said, IMO having Roberts on the roster much less leading off would be a mistake.

[weams]

While I can see why Roberts is an option, I hope that the Orioles go in a different direction. My preference is to give Flaherty every opportunity to win the second base job. If Manny is not ready to start the season, sign a veteran like Michael Young to play third until Manny is healthy enough to play. Further, Young is much more versatile than Roberts and will give the team more roster flexiibility in case this scenario plays out. All that being said, IMO having Roberts on the roster much less leading off would be a mistake.

Michael Young and Brian Roberts had great careers. It is time for us to spend or limited money elsewhere,

[REDMAN]

Roberts isn't the player he was years ago, sadly, its time to move on, Flaherty and Schoop are the future, start Ryan this year and I think he will show people how good he really can be!!!I think he is a 20 HR and 70 RBI type of player, at 2nd base that's a bonus!!!!

[Tx Oriole]

It just seems plain to me that Brian Roberts will start at 2B and bat leadoff.

Flaherty is perfect as super utility and can probably play everywhere except centerfield and catcher. He gives Buck some valued roster flexibility.

Schoop is not ready and no one else is much of a consideration in my mind.

Leadoff candidates would be McLouth (if we resign him), Reimold (if he's healthy), Markakis, someone outside the organization, and that's all I can think of.

The situation screams for Roberts to be signed and given a chance to lose the job.

I don't think he would be particularly good to have there, but I just don't see a viable alternative.

Sorry but I hope he retires.

[auzzy98]

Roberts isn't the player he was years ago, sadly, its time to move on, Flaherty and Schoop are the future, start Ryan this year and I think he will show people how good he really can be!!!I think he is a 20 HR and 70 RBI type of player, at 2nd base that's a bonus!!!!

You can "think" all you want that Flaherty is going to be the answer at 2B. When has he done anything that warrants him the starting position at 2B? In 2 seasons in the majors he has had a .216 and a .224 avg. and an OBP around .270. Sounds like the type of player any playoff contending team should look to right? Roberts even tho regressing still hit for a higher avg and better OBP. Struck out much less than Flaherty as well. Roberts also hit with decent pop last year. 8 hr and 39 rbi in just 77 games. So sure lets go on the hunch that Flaherty is a 20 hr 70 rbi guy simply because he has shown us so much the last 2 seasons and assign him the 2B position

[Tx Oriole]

Horrible thread:) Just copy and paste what Can of Corn said.

Slow news week....

It is not a horrible thread. It is just his opinion that I and others disagree with.

[wildcard]

Roberts has not shown he can still leadoff. I would take a McLouth/Raja Davis platoon at leadoff. If Roberts is signed he should know that he has to win a job at 2B vs Flaherty, De Jesus and Phelps. He made end up as a bench player if he can beat them out. If he does play well enough in ST, I'd hit him at the bottom of the order where steals and OBP aren't as important.

[Ommaculate]

[/b]

But decent second base is okay. And we could get him for cheap I bet.

Cheap? He should play for league minimum to pay the team back for all that missed time. That's the only way I want him back.

[Can_of_corn]

Roberts has not shown he can still leadoff. I would take a McLouth/Raja Davis platoon at leadoff. If Roberts is signed he should know that he has to win a job at 2B vs Flaherty, De Jesus and Phelps. He made end up as a bench player if he can beat them out. If he does play well enough in ST, I'd hit him at the bottom of the order where steals and OBP aren't as important.

Do you think he would have to win the job with Buck as manager?

If you add Roberts to the current mix of candidates Buck is just going to hand him the job.

[weams]

Do you think he would have to win the job with Buck as manager?

If you add Roberts to the current mix of candidates Buck is just going to hand him the job.

I think that is why Dan signed Cord Phelps.

[wildcard]

Do you think he would have to win the job with Buck as manager?

If you add Roberts to the current mix of candidates Buck is just going to hand him the job.

I don't believe that. Roberts was a veteran that signed a 4 year contract through last year. This year he is a free agent that Buck can say "If you sign, in order to play you have to earn it." Buck is a smart manager. i think he would set expectation at contract signing. Roberts would know that Schoop is the heir apparent. That if Flaherty hits he has a good chance to beat Roberts out. Roberts salary would be small, between 1-2M. Roberts would have to agree to that or go elsewhere. I think Buck and DD would agree on that. No sense is committing for Roberts to start and having him not produce.

[Can_of_corn]

I don't believe that. Roberts was a veteran that signed a 4 year contract through last year. This year he is a free agent that Buck can say "If you sign, in order to play you have to earn it." Buck is a smart manager. i think he would set expectation at contract signing. Roberts would know that Schoop is the heir apparent. That if Flaherty hits he has a good chance to beat Roberts out. Roberts salary would be small, between 1-2M. Roberts would have to agree to that or go elsewhere. I think Buck and DD would agree on that. No sense is committing for Roberts to start and having him not produce.

After the way Buck put an obviously not ready Roberts out there every day in 2012 that is exactly what I think will happen.

It doesn't help that Roberts' skill set does not translate to a utility infielder role.