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Showalter to meet with Rasmus

33rdst

By 33rdst
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25 Nuggets Hangout Grand Counsel

25 Nuggets

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Rasmus is primed for a bounce back season; he's two things going for him in that he's left handed and can play defense in the OF.

Would much rather have had Seth Smith though. I can't see Rasmus batting 3rd, and he doesn't seem like a DH. Here's a possible lineup vs RHP with him in it as the designated hitter:

1) L LF De Aza (Pearce)

2) R 3B Machado (Flaherty)

3) L 1B Davis (Pearce)

4) R CF Jones (Rasmus)

5) L DH Rasmus (Young)

6) B C Wieters (Joseph)

7) R SS Hardy (Flaherty)

8) L RF Lough (Pearce)

9) R 2B Schoop (Flaherty)

That has the left handed-ness that I like, with Machado and Jones holding their own. Wieters and Hardy are the only two with bad RHP splits. Again Pearce can get plenty of playing time in this setup.

BTW -- Rasmus' career splits:

vs RHP - .257/.323/.465 (.788)

vs LHP - .213/.287/.361 (.648)

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Frobby Hangout Grand Counsel

Frobby

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I think people are missing two key points:

1. As to the meeting: This is not just part of Buck's evaluation of Rasmus, who I'm sure will be on his best behavior, as any job applicant would, and avoid saying something inflammatory. It's also about sending Rasmus a message: Our clubhouse culture is important enough for us to fly down our manager to talk to you. This is how we operate. Here's what we expect. If Rasmus comes to the Orioles, he understands exactly the situation he is walking into and what his manager expects from him. That greatly improves the chances he'll meet those expectations.

2. As to the relative talents of De Aza, Lough and Rasmus, and who should get the playing time: point is, it's a competitive situation. If Rasmus plays like he did in 2013, he plays a lot, and if the plays as in 2014, not so much. Same idea for the others. I can see scenarios where Rasmus substantially outperforms the other two, and I can see scenarios where one or both of the others really shine. But the scenario where all three underperform is pretty remote. Competition makes everyone better, so long as all three understand that playing time isn't an entitlement. And I'm sure Buck will put everyone in a position to contribute.

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Can_of_corn Hangout Grand Counsel

Can_of_corn

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If we do sign him, I actually hope it's for more than one year, or at least with a club option for next year. I'd hate for it to be another Cruz situation if he has a big year, and then we immediately have to kiss him goodbye.

I will take a Cruz every season please.

Productive season, reasonable cost and a pick.

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wildcard Hangout Grand Counsel

wildcard

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If the O's sign Rasmus I think DD will be trading two players before opening day. Lough and Matusz. They will acquire another catcher.

LF De Aza /Hassan against tough lefties

DH Pearce - has the best OBP, he also hit 2nd more than anywhere else last year/Young

CF Jones

1B Davis

3B Machado

C Wieters

SS Hardy

RF Rasmus/Pearce against whoever Rasmus does not hit

2B Schoop

Young DH when Pearce plays right.

Schoop will have competition from Navarro in ST. Both have options.

Flaherty, Joseph, Hassan, Young

I don't know what happens if Wieters in not ready. Depends on whether they they want Wieters to rest until ready or if he can hit without hurting his arm. If Wieters can hit then Hassan gets optioned until Wieters can catch.

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weams Hangout Grand Counsel

weams

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If we do sign him, I actually hope it's for more than one year, or at least with a club option for next year. I'd hate for it to be another Cruz situation if he has a big year, and then we immediately have to kiss him goodbye.

If we do sign him, it will only be for a one year make good.

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wildcard Hangout Grand Counsel

wildcard

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I would think Buck will talk to Chad Mottola at some point. Mottola was Rasmus hitting coach in 2013 when he had a good year. Rasmus speaks highly of Mottola's approach to hitting. Mottola is currently the minor league hitting coordinator for the Rays.

I am not suggesting the O's would hire Mottola. Just talk to him about his success with Rasmus.

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33rdst All-Star

33rdst

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If the O's sign Rasmus I think DD will be trading two players before opening day. Lough and Matusz. They will acquire another catcher.

LF De Aza /Hassan against tough lefties

DH Pearce - has the best OBP, he also hit 2nd more than anywhere else last year/Young

CF Jones

1B Davis

3B Machado

C Wieters

SS Hardy

RF Rasmus/Pearce against whoever Rasmus does not hit

2B Schoop

Young DH when Pearce plays right.

Schoop will have competition from Navarro in ST. Both have options.

Flaherty, Joseph, Hassan, Young

I don't know what happens if Wieters in not ready. Depends on whether they they want Wieters to rest until ready or if he can hit without hurting his arm. If Wieters can hit then Hassan gets optioned until Wieters can catch.

I really hope you're wrong about Lough. I think he could be an everyday player and with team control could be a key piece in 2016 and beyond. If you look at his splits in KC during his 2013 season he hit left handers better the righties. His ops against them was .745 in a 40 game sample. I think Lough could outperform Rasmus if given the chance. If getting Rasmus means we lose Lough I'm definitely against this move.

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wildcard Hangout Grand Counsel

wildcard

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I really hope you're wrong about Lough. I think he could be an everyday player and with team control could be a key piece in 2016 and beyond. If you look at his splits in KC during his 2013 season he hit left handers better the righties. His ops against them was .745 in a 40 game sample. I think Lough could outperform Rasmus if given the chance. If getting Rasmus means we lose Lough I'm definitely against this move.

I know there is a lot of love for Lough by some O's fans. The thing is that Rasmus has done things in his career that Lough will probably never do. And Rasmus is a year younger. Rasmus has hit 20 homers 3 times. He has had an 840 and an 859 OPS. Rasmus was a first round pick. Lough has picked on the 11th round. They are both good defensive outfielder with a lot of range.

The problem for Lough is that Rasmus does not hit lefties well. And its questionable if De Aza will hit lefties. Sometimes he does and sometimes is doesn't. So the O's are going to need two outfielders that are capable of hitting lefties. Pearce is one. Hassan's minor league numbers say he can hit lefties. While you are right that Lough had a 745 OPS vs lefties in 2013, he also had a 314 OBP. If De Aza is leading off, the guy he is platooning with probably needs a good OBP. That is what Hassan offers.

It will be up to Buck. If he thinks Lough can help the team, he stays. If he wants a better OBP vs lefties then Lough may go.

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