Should the O'S bring back Alejandro De Aza?

[Scrat1]

As far as D'Aza - I'd say wait. Wait until other options dry up. On one hand, he's not going to break the bank, but on the other hand - players like him at his price aren't hard to get.

This is not even remotely true. Not even a little bit. De Aja has been worth ~8 fWAR over the past four seasons. Markakis has been worth ~6 over the same period of time. Yet we're talking about giving Markakis a contract that will likely be well over 20 million over multiple years, while people, such as yourself, are acting like paying 5-6 million for one year of De Aja is a stretch. "Players like him," i.e. players worth an average of 2+ WAR over the past four years, are extremely difficult to get at such a cheap price.

[jamalshw]

This is not even remotely true. Not even a little bit. De Aja has been worth ~8 fWAR over the past four seasons. Markakis has been worth ~6 over the same period of time. Yet we're talking about giving Markakis a contract that will likely be well over 20 million over multiple years, while people, such as yourself, are acting like paying 5-6 million for one year of De Aja is a stretch. "Players like him," i.e. players worth an average of 2+ WAR over the past four years, are extremely difficult to get at such a cheap price.

This. I think you have to keep him and as I said before, you can do so with Markakis and/or Cruz if you really wanted to. I think the issue here is people are looking at the projected salary for De Aza with the mindset of 5 years ago. Salaries are skyrocketing (to bad that only applies to baseball and not the 'real' world, huh?)

[Frobby]

This is not even remotely true. Not even a little bit. De Aja has been worth ~8 fWAR over the past four seasons. Markakis has been worth ~6 over the same period of time. Yet we're talking about giving Markakis a contract that will likely be well over 20 million over multiple years, while people, such as yourself, are acting like paying 5-6 million for one year of De Aja is a stretch. "Players like him," i.e. players worth an average of 2+ WAR over the past four years, are extremely difficult to get at such a cheap price.

BB-ref has him at 5.4 rWAR the last four years, with 5.0 of that coming in 2011-12. They have Markakis at 6.0, with 4.2 of that in 2011-12. I think Markakis is a better bet over the next few seasons. However, once money gets factored in, de Aza becomes a very viable option.

[DrungoHazewood]

This is not even remotely true. Not even a little bit. De Aja has been worth ~8 fWAR over the past four seasons. Markakis has been worth ~6 over the same period of time. Yet we're talking about giving Markakis a contract that will likely be well over 20 million over multiple years, while people, such as yourself, are acting like paying 5-6 million for one year of De Aja is a stretch. "Players like him," i.e. players worth an average of 2+ WAR over the past four years, are extremely difficult to get at such a cheap price.

De Aza was worth 5 wins total in 2011 and 2012. And the 2011 "season" was 54 games/171 PAs. Since then, in two full seasons, he's been worth less than 1 rWAR total. His entire career, outside of 180 games in '11-12, has been worth 0.9 rWAR. Players who've averaged < 0.5 wins per season over the past two years are not hard to find for little money.

I wouldn't rule out De Aza as an option, but don't get caught in the musical chairs trap. There are a lot of ballplayers, the music doesn't stop until April, and we don't have to resign the one who's standing right next to us.

[Redskins Rick]

De Aza was worth 5 wins total in 2011 and 2012. And the 2011 "season" was 54 games/171 PAs. Since then, in two full seasons, he's been worth less than 1 rWAR total. His entire career, outside of 180 games in '11-12, has been worth 0.9 rWAR. Players who've averaged < 0.5 wins per season over the past two years are not hard to find for little money.

I wouldn't rule out De Aza as an option, but don't get caught in the musical chairs trap. There are a lot of ballplayers, the music doesn't stop until April, and we don't have to resign the one who's standing right next to us.

I really think De Aza was a case, where DD brought low.

If he continues to play well, he will have a role here, when he falters, then look for DD to move on.

[Loophole]

But where will Pearce play every day?

Davis at first

De Aza / Lough at left field

Markakis in right field

Did you forget we play in the AL or are you assuming we resign Cruz?

I'd rather put him in LF over Lough or De Aza anyway.

[pcbothwel]

I know this may be oversimplifying it, but I just think we approach Kakes with an offer knowing we have a player in De Aza that is not superior, but can be the short-term replacement. I assume Nick will take a reasonable offer, and Cruz will also be brought back. I actually have a lot of faith in Lough (Didnt he hit 337/389/570 (959) after June 1, albeit the smalll sample of 86 AB's?)

I think you shop De Aza and I think he can actually think he can bring back something more than just the cost savings of 5M (Maybe an A-ball SS to match with Marin over the next 3 years to see if either can replace Hardy at the ever difficult to fill SS position...)

I could see the Tigers, Mets, and Mariners interested for 1 year...

[O's are Legends]

4 years for Markakis? I'm grateful for what he has done but when you factor in years/money of this potential contract, would it be best to pick up De Aza's option as a short team solution for 2015?

[weams]

WAR has utility, but it's weakness is in the defensive side.

So, do you think players should only be measured by their offensive contributions?

[Rick_Schu]

Is Daniel Alvarez in the conversation for LF?

[MurphDogg]

Is Daniel Alvarez in the conversation for LF?

Dariel Alvarez. No, you can't pencil him in and the Orioles aren't going to go into spring training counting on a guy who hasn't shown anything in AAA to help the big club.

[Bulgaria]

Lough is much better player. He will prove it next season. His second half campaing was pretty darn good. No need of Aza. Platoon Lough and Pearce at LF and Pearce and something else at DH.

[Redskins Rick]

Is Daniel Alvarez in the conversation for LF?

Not according to some on OH.

But, Melewski thinks he might be in the mix, if they run short of players.

[DrungoHazewood]

Not according to some on OH.

But, Melewski thinks he might be in the mix, if they run short of players.

I'm sure he's in the conversation. I'm just not sure he's any good as a major league player.

[Babypowder]

Not according to some on OH.

But, Melewski thinks he might be in the mix, if they run short of players.

I don't think anyone disagrees with that. He'll likely see some time if they get short on bodies. What I think most would say is that he certainly isn't in their plans for the opening day roster, or even as a significant piece of the team for 2015.