How is Roberts Not Your Leadoff Hitter?

[BradyBunch]

And we have a thread winner folks!

It goes without saying that I hope they don't bring Roberts back. Markakis would be the best current option to leadoff but I hope DD acquires a better leadoff guy.

I'd go with a platoon situation at second. Markakis can lead off. He's basically that with no speed. But flaherty and schoop can split games at 2nd.

[weams]

I'd go with a platoon situation at second. Markakis can lead off. He's basically that with no speed. But flaherty and schoop can split games at 2nd.

So you would not platoon anywhere else then? I would agree this might be best.

[BradyBunch]

So you would not platoon anywhere else then? I would agree this might be best.

Depends on what we do with LF. If we go with the mediocrity of our past LF.. then if McClouth is in the line up.. throw him at the top of the line up with Markakis in the 2 hole and move Manny to 3rd and bump Jones down to 5th. I like Davis in clean up, think he's more of a complete hitter then Jones. Davis is willing to walk, Jones not so much. If Reimold then.. what we saw of most of last year with Markakis at the top and Reimold 7th.

[notyourbuddy]

I'd go with a platoon situation at second. Markakis can lead off. He's basically that with no speed. But flaherty and schoop can split games at 2nd.

So you are going to sporadically play Schoop? Seems like the kind of thing you do to a couple of career AAAA guys not a 22yr old you are trying to develop into an everyday player.

[Three Run Homer]

If Buck wasn't the manager, I'd be fine with signing Roberts to a minor league contract and essentially challenging him to earn the job in spring training. It's not impossible that he could regain some of his old mojo given more opportunity to train over the offseason. Based on what I saw from Schoop at the end of the last season, he's not ready for the big leagues yet--his power is commendable but he has a lot to learn about approach.

But given Buck's predeliction for playing familiar veterans, it's probably best to sign someone else.

[Il BuonO]

If Buck wasn't the manager, I'd be fine with signing Roberts to a minor league contract and essentially challenging him to earn the job in spring training. It's not impossible that he could regain some of his old mojo given more opportunity to train over the offseason. Based on what I saw from Schoop at the end of the last season, he's not ready for the big leagues yet--his power is commendable but he has a lot to learn about approach.

But given Buck's predeliction for playing familiar veterans, it's probably best to sign someone else.

I like Mark Ellis.

[El Gordo]

The way I see things playing out we'll have Schoop at 3B, Manny at SS, when Hardy leaves, and Flash at 2B. Until then I think Roberts can be useful next season. He had QAB, and hit for power towards the end of the season, which tells me he hasn't lost much bat speed. His OBP was down because he was focusing on shaking the rust and getting his timing back. I think he can have an effective year next season, as long as his D stays around league average at 2B.

[Il BuonO]

The way I see things playing out we'll have Schoop at 3B, Manny at SS, when Hardy leaves, and Flash at 2B. Until then I think Roberts can be useful next season. He had QAB, and hit for power towards the end of the season, which tells me he hasn't lost much bat speed. His OBP was down because he was focusing on shaking the rust and getting his timing back. I think he can have an effective year next season, as long as his D stays around league average at 2B.

Given the money was the same and the contract was one year with maybe an option for a second, would you rather have Roberts or Ellis? Ellis made $5.25 million last year.

[DrinkinWithFermi]

Simple.

I awake in a wonderful alternate reality in which the Orioles managed to trade for Jose Altuve without being completely railroaded.

[BradyBunch]

So you are going to sporadically play Schoop? Seems like the kind of thing you do to a couple of career AAAA guys not a 22yr old you are trying to develop into an everyday player.

I don't think 81 games is sporadic. Considering he just game up.

[russ snyder]

You can plug Wilson Betemit into several positions as well. That doesn't mean you should. Young's declining defense is not just my opinion. Check out his metrics.

Young is a better defender than Betemit. (My easy chair has more range than Betemit.) Further I never considered Young as a replacement for Roberts at second. I see him more as a stop gap player at third base.

Thanks for the offer after the fact, however, I'm not going to check out his defensive metrics for two reasons.

1. I know that his defense is declining. After all. he's thirty six years old and plays primarily third and first base and this point in his career.

2. Like Weams pointed out, I agree that the Orioles can spend their resources on better investments than either Young or Roberts.

[El Gordo]

Young is a better defender than Betemit. (My easy chair has more range than Betemit.) Further I never considered Young as a replacement for Roberts at second. I see him more as a stop gap player at third base.

Thanks for the offer after the fact, however, I'm not going to check out his defensive metrics for two reasons.

1. I know that his defense is declining. After all. he's thirty six years old and plays primarily third and first base and this point in his career.

2. Like Weams pointed out, I agree that the Orioles can spend their resources on better investments than either Young or Roberts.

Last year young was -22 at 3B. That's Betemit territory IMO.

[El Gordo]

Given the money was the same and the contract was one year with maybe an option for a second, would you rather have Roberts or Ellis? Ellis made $5.25 million last year.

The contract wouldn't be the same, and if I'm spending 5.25M I'd rather spend it elsewhere than 2B.

[weams]

The contract wouldn't be the same, and if I'm spending 5.25M I'd rather spend it elsewhere than 2B.

It is not 2007 so I would not spend that kind of money on either of them.

[russ snyder]

Last year young was -22 at 3B. That's Betemit territory IMO.

At least he played enough infield to have a rating. Even if Betemit was healthy he would not have seen any appreciable time at third base last season..

Metrics aside, Young will play in the majors next year. Further, he'll log some time at a defensive position.

Betemit will have a difficult time making a MLB roster, much less seeing time playing defense.

IMO, Young is the more useful player at this point.

My opinion will be validated when he breaks camp with a MLB team.