Orioles Discussing Four-Year Deal With Nick Markakis (Signs w/ATL)

[Dark Helmet]

I think that answers the question of what I'm dealing with here. Thank you. You finally delivered a great answer.

And yet you ignored the rest and won't even answer your own question. Pretty much sums you up as well.

[weams]

I got a salt lick in the back that I use whenever I read something from the O's development people.

That is unfortunate. The current folks are very good and fair.

[waroriole]

Good grief. This thread has turned into one of the most obnoxious things I've ever read on here.

[Can_of_corn]

That is unfortunate. The current folks are very good and fair.

I am sure they are.

They also have everything to gain and nothing to lose by talking up the kids they work with.

If it makes you feel better I don't take on faith anything the other guys say about their kids either.

[25 Nuggets]

I don't get this thinking. Why can't Lough platoon with Pearce, Young (just saying) platoon with De Aza, and Flaherty platoon with Schoop (again jus saying). Why and how would a platoon in RF prevent you platooning at two other spots. The O's aren't looking to platoon Schoop at 2B against just LHP's anyway.

That's how the Rays have been operating. Ben Zobrist, Matthew Joyce, Sean Rodriguez, Kelly Johnson, Luke Scott, Jeff Keppinger, Sam Fuld... and so on, platooning all over the place. Perhaps instead of thinking of it as a set of straight platoons, think of it as positional flexibility.

[Dark Helmet]

That's how the Rays have been operating. Ben Zobrist, Matthew Joyce, Sean Rodriguez, Kelly Johnson, Luke Scott, Jeff Keppinger, Sam Fuld... and so on, platooning all over the place. Perhaps instead of thinking of it as a set of straight platoons, think of it as positional flexibility.

And their offenses are usually mid to back of the pack. If not for the great pitching, they would not have had the success they did in previous years.

[bdub85]

Jon Morosi ‏@jonmorosi 6m6 minutes ago

Blue Jays prioritizing other outfield priorities ahead of Markakis; Orioles still trying to re-sign Markakis but not close on deal. (2 of 2)

[weams]

What did I ignore? Answer my own question. If you meant the Lough/Pearce platoon. I think Lough by himself would OPS around .700. Over a full season I'd expect 8-12 homers, a .280 ish average. Slash line of 320/380. Pearce by himself, I'd expect 15-25 home runs, a .270 average, and a slash line of .350/.450. As a platoon, I'll go with a combined slash line of .330/.400 if Lough is getting all of the AB's against RHP.

I just don't believe that we could utilize more than one straight platoon.

[Dark Helmet]

What did I ignore? Answer my own question. If you meant the Lough/Pearce platoon. I think Lough by himself would OPS around .700. Over a full season I'd expect 8-12 homers, a .280 ish average. Slash line of 320/380. Pearce by himself, I'd expect 15-25 home runs, a .270 average, and a slash line of .350/.450. As a platoon, I'll go with a combined slash line of .330/.400 if Lough is getting all of the AB's against RHP.

I think those are being very optimistic. All I can say is I hope your right.

[weams]

I am sure they are.

They also have everything to gain and nothing to lose by talking up the kids they work with.

If it makes you feel better I don't take on faith anything the other guys say about their kids either.

I appreciate that.

[weams]

I think those are being very optimistic. All I can say is I hope your right.

Lough is a better player than some give him credit for. He started out with that concussion syndrome. After that he seemed to get better.

[weams]

And yet you give no reasons why.

I think that we are limited with our pitching staff to carrying a bench that utilized one platoon. That is what I believe.

[bdub85]

I have hope.

Me too. I really hope he gets overpaid somewhere else.

[Dark Helmet]

Lough is a better player than some give him credit for. He started out with that concussion syndrome. After that he seemed to get better.

And Pearce once again had the wrist issues pop up that have plagued him for consecutive seasons. I'm not sold on either yet. Im not even sold on Machado until he proves he can stay healthy.

[Dark Helmet]

Lough has a career OPS of .701. .717 against RHP

Pearce has a career OPS of .768, .878 against LHP

You call that very optimistic? I call that a very reasonable expectation.

Yes I do. And call it whatever you want.