Could we afford to keep these nine players through 2017?

[Redskins Rick]

T.J. McFarland

True, T.J. continual improvement, might replace Chen, if Chen walks.

[TouchemAll]

True, T.J. continual improvement, might replace Chen, if Chen walks.

Ok stop with giving me nightmares

[PaulFolk]

No, but seriously, been following baseball for decades and everytime a manager gets five right handers, they bemoan the fact.

That seems like hyperbole. I didn't see the Cardinals complaining when they made it to the World Series with an all right-handed rotation in 2013. It's more important to have five good starting pitchers than to have four good starting pitchers plus a lefty. (That's not to imply that Chen isn't good, just that there's no reason to force a bad lefty into a rotation just to have a lefty.)

[Redskins Rick]

That seems like hyperbole. I didn't see the Cardinals complaining when they made it to the World Series with an all right-handed rotation in 2013. It's more important to have five good starting pitchers than to have four good starting pitchers plus a lefty. (That's not to imply that Chen isn't good, just that there's no reason to force a bad lefty into a rotation just to have a lefty.)

I agree with everything you said.

Correct, you go with the best 5 SP.

However, most of the time it is very beneficial to have a quality lefty or two to throw at opposing teams.

I remember the Orioles in 2012, their achilles heel was facing Leftys.

Sure, the Cardinals in 2013 did it, and it can be done, just like Tampa won the WS with a payroll less than A-Rod.

I think the Orioles will do their best to keep Chen, since he is a quality lefty, as opposed to trading one of their other arms.

If they can't reach an agreement, because of Boras, then so be it, trade him off.

[Can_of_corn]

I agree with everything you said.

Correct, you go with the best 5 SP.

However, most of the time it is very beneficial to have a quality lefty or two to throw at opposing teams.

I remember the Orioles in 2012, their achilles heel was facing Leftys.

Sure, the Cardinals in 2013 did it, and it can be done, just like Tampa won the WS with a payroll less than A-Rod.

I think the Orioles will do their best to keep Chen, since he is a quality lefty, as opposed to trading one of their other arms.

If they can't reach an agreement, because of Boras, then so be it, trade him off.

When did Tampa win the World Series?

[Scrat1]

When did Tampa win the World Series?

He meant the Marlins.

[Redskins Rick]

When did Tampa win the World Series?

He meant the Marlins.

Actually, I meant Tampa, and yes, they didn't win the World Series.

But, they did get there, with a small payroll under 44 million, which was more than A-Rod, not less, A-Rod made 28 million in 2008.

[Can_of_corn]

Actually, I meant Tampa, and yes, they didn't win the World Series.

But, they did get there, with a small payroll under 44 million, which was more than A-Rod, not less, A-Rod made 28 million in 2008.

I figured you were exaggerating for effect with the Arod part so I didn't mention it.