Cruz or Butler

[DrungoHazewood]

If we are going by last year, then Steve Pearce is the real gold glove candidate, isn't he?

He did finish, like, 9th in the the Fielding Bible multi-position category.

[Scrat1]

Niether are Nick Markakis or Adam Jones.

Jones is certainly above average. He's been worth above 4.0 fWAR in his past three seasons. There's nothing remotely average about that.

Markakis, on the other hand, is pretty much the definition of average.

[Guest]

Billy playing in Baltimore will hit 20 to 30 HR. He's a DH only player and Buck doesn't like that.

[Ruzious]

Steve Pearce is not a better than average outfielder.

Yeah. He just plays like one every time he plays LF.

[Ruzious]

As much as I love Cruz, I think we need to go low risk here and cash in on that pick.

Imo, that's okay only if there's an alternative that's just as productive to bat in his spot. Cost efficiency is important, but getting to the playoffs is more important from thi fan's view.

[theobird]

It will take a 4 year, 60-70 million dollar deal to sign Cruz for his age 35-39 seasons. For cripes sake, take the draft pick. Sign Billy Butler for 4 years and <40 million for his age 29-32 seasons. This is a no brainer.

[Ruzious]

It's very doubtful that Cruz is just as productive next year. Anyone expecting Cruz or his replacement to do what Cruz did last year is in for some disappointment.

There could be slippage, but I think he just needs to stay healthy - and he will be a quality number 4 hitter. I think his presence in the middle of the lineup is important - even if there is slippage in his production.

[Scrat1]

There could be slippage, but I think he just needs to stay healthy - and he will be a quality number 4 hitter. I think his presence in the middle of the lineup is important - even if there is slippage in his production.

What exactly does this mean? Cruz's presence alone, divorced from his production, helps the Orioles win ballgames? I don't exactly buy that.

[weams]

It's very doubtful that Cruz is just as productive next year. Anyone expecting Cruz or his replacement to do what Cruz did last year is in for some disappointment.

And anyone who expects Davis and Machado and Wieters to duplicate 2014 is also probably mistaken. Cruz got us through so hard times with his almost career year.

[DrungoHazewood]

There could be slippage, but I think he just needs to stay healthy - and he will be a quality number 4 hitter. I think his presence in the middle of the lineup is important - even if there is slippage in his production.

What exactly does this mean? Cruz's presence alone, divorced from his production, helps the Orioles win ballgames? I don't exactly buy that.

I not only don't exactly buy that, I think it's completely wrong. There's no measurable impact beyond his numbers.

[CA-ORIOLE]

I not only don't exactly buy that, I think it's completely wrong. There's no measurable impact beyond his numbers.

Synergy dude.

[Number5]

Niether are Nick Markakis or Adam Jones.

For crying out loud.

[Malike]

It will take a 4 year, 60-70 million dollar deal to sign Cruz for his age 35-39 seasons. For cripes sake, take the draft pick. Sign Billy Butler for 4 years and <40 million for his age 29-32 seasons. This is a no brainer.

4 Years of Billy Butler would be as big a disaster as signing Cruz for 4 years. Butler has old man skills, he's in decline two straight years, and the batspeed is going fast. I can't believe the infatuation with Butler, who literally cannot play any position in the field. Even the Red Sox played Ortiz at 1B in the World Series in 2013, Butler isn't even good enough to play in WS games in NL stadiums, he's that much of a liability, and not nearly enough bat. 4 years, what a horrific thought, worse than Markakis for 4 years, and I don't want that either.

[DrungoHazewood]

4 Years of Billy Butler would be as big a disaster as signing Cruz for 4 years. Butler has old man skills, he's in decline two straight years, and the batspeed is going fast. I can't believe the infatuation with Butler, who literally cannot play any position in the field. Even the Red Sox played Ortiz at 1B in the World Series in 2013, Butler isn't even good enough to play in WS games in NL stadiums, he's that much of a liability, and not nearly enough bat. 4 years, what a horrific thought, worse than Markakis for 4 years, and I don't want that either.

The advantage of signing Butler would be completely in the fact you could get him on a much shorter/cheaper deal than Cruz, and aren't weighted down by continued decline. And might catch a somewhat unexpected bounceback at low rates. If you have to sign Butler to more than a one or two year deal at ~$10M per you just move on.