What do now that Rasmus is off the board?

[Can_of_corn]

Yeah, that's just smoke, which is funny since basically everyone else made their move. Ichiro would be the dumbest signing in the history of the Orioles.

Garrett Bernard Atkins

[TonySoprano]

Garrett Bernard Atkins

David Vincent Segui says, "hi"

[luismatos4prez]

Keep telling yourself that. Maybe if you say it enough times you'll actually believe it!

De Aza has a .730 OPS over the last 3 years to Markakis' .738. De Aza steals 20 bases a year while Markakis is a snail on the bases. Even if you don't believe the defensive metrics that say De Aza is a better fielder, there's no way he's an overall significant downgrade from Markakis.

Even if Pearce hits his career average .768 OPS, he'd really only cost us a couple wins from what Cruz did (.859 OPS).

Obviously, losing a couple wins isn't good. It could cost us a spot in the playoffs. But I've heard some posters say losing Cruz and Markakis is going to be what takes this team from 96 wins to .500 at best next year which is silly. They're a strong wild card contender and could pull off the division again if things break right.

[Can_of_corn]

David Vincent Segui says, "hi"

At least you could have made an argument in favor of Segui when the deal was signed.

[duffaphonic]

96 wins last year. Give DD a break. I am getting anxious for baseball.

[TonySoprano]

At least you could have made an argument in favor of Segui when the deal was signed.

Not at $7M/year for 4 years. Atkins was 1/$4M

[Can_of_corn]

Not at $7M/year for 4 years. Atkins was 1/$4M

Agree to disagree. Sure he was an overpay but he did exceed an 800 OPS in two of his four injury plagued seasons and was coming off a good year.

Atkins was obviously done before Andy wasted 4.5 million on him.

[weams]

Agree to disagree. Sure he was an overpay but he did exceed an 800 OPS in two of his four injury plagued seasons and was coming off a good year.

Atkins was obviously done before Andy wasted 4.5 million on him.

Jay Payton.

[weams]

Jay Payton.

9.5 for a .650 OPS

[TonySoprano]

Agree to disagree. Sure he was an overpay but he did exceed an 800 OPS in two of his four injury plagued seasons and was coming off a good year.

Atkins was obviously done before Andy wasted 4.5 million on him.

Are you saying Syd Thrift did better than Andy in this case?

[Three Run Homer]

This sucks, plain and simple. We supposedly were willing to give him $7M. He signed for $8M.

It's possible that we could still fill our hole in RF by trading one of our starters, although the Fowler trade takes the most attractive name off the market. Barring that, we are going to wind up having to give David Lough 400 at bats, because we weren't willing to spend $8M instead of $7M on someone who actually has some upside with the bat.

[Can_of_corn]

Are you saying Syd Thrift did better than Andy in this case?

No, a defensible four year deal that doesn't pan out is ultimately more damaging then an indefensible one year deal in which the player completely bombs.

Thrift's deal should have worked out better but baseball doesn't work that way.

[Rene88]

Garrett Bernard Atkins

Ugh. Please don't ever type that name again:)

$8 million...pass..previously it was said to be $4m. For $8 Million, I would have passed too.

[foxfield]

I don't like that we didn't get him, but I am ok that we drew a line and didn't budge. I'm sure he will get his big contract after his year in Houston.

[24fps]

Jay Payton.

Beat me to it.