"It's kind of who we have to be."

[Frobby]

I found this quote from Buck the other day very telling:

"(Chen) has always been a really good fielder," Showalter said. "I was real pleased with Garcia's play. That was good to see. Not many guys make that play.

"Our guys for the most part ... (Chris) Tillman's turned into a good one. Who's our worst fielding pitcher? You'd be picky. (Miguel) Gonzalez is real good, Tillman's good, (Bud) Norris is good. Who am I missing? (Kevin) Gausman is good, (Ubaldo) Jimenez is good. It's kind of who we have to be. We can't afford to have guys who can't hold runners or field their position, because we're not going to strike out a lot of guys."

Chen, Tillman, Gonzalez and Brian Matusz have combined for three walks in Grapefruit League games.

"Same answer. That's kind of what we have to do," Showalter said. "We have a good defensive club behind these guys and if they throw it over and keep it in the park, they'll like the results."

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2015/03/hearing-from-showalter-after-5-2-loss.html

Bottom line, Buck has constructed his team a certain way. Put good fielders in the field, avoid mistakes, don't give the other team free bases, and make the other team beat you. Maybe the pitchers don't "pitch to contact," but they aren't afraid of what will happen if the hitters do make contact.

You know what? It works.

[clapdiddy]

I found this quote from Buck the other day very telling:

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2015/03/hearing-from-showalter-after-5-2-loss.html

Bottom line, Buck has constructed his team a certain way. Put good fielders in the field, avoid mistakes, don't give the other team free bases, and make the other team beat you. Maybe the pitchers don't "pitch to contact," but they aren't afraid of what will happen if the hitters do make contact.

You know what? It works.

Sounds very Weaver-esque. I like the formula!

[33rdst]

There are many different ways to compete in this game. Would we like to have guys who can strike out 9,10,11 batters per game? Of course. But that's not us. If you want to watch a team filled with those kinds of players, there's one 40 miles south. Our guys will win differently. But they'll win.

[Nevermore]

I like this formula. Strikeouts tend to be overrated.

[Scrat1]

I like this formula. Strikeouts tend to be overrated.

I'm not sure they're overrated, but they are expensive. The Orioles' method is definitely more cost-effective.

[Babypowder]

I'm not sure they're overrated, but they are expensive. The Orioles' method is definitely more cost-effective.

Agree, it is cost effective now... but when you start signing some of these guys who rely so heavily on the great defense behind them to potentially expensive extensions it may not continue to be. That's my fear.

[Camden_yardbird]

Jimmy Paredes..."ruhroh."

I like the approach and it works if you can get consistent offense from good defensive players. However at some point you may need to balance the defense against the ability to score runs. If you have to do that at a single position that may be okay (see Cruz, Nelson, OF extraordinaire).

[Frobby]

Agree, it is cost effective now... but when you start signing some of these guys who rely so heavily on the great defense behind them to potentially expensive extensions it may not continue to be. That's my fear.

I think that's fair comment. At the end of the day, all good players become expensive eventually.

[Bahama O's Fan]

I think Dan has a good idea of the ones he inherited and acquired that are overrated and are valuable. He signs Jones and Hardy to extensions and lets Markakis go.

[Babypowder]

I think that's fair comment. At the end of the day, all good players become expensive eventually.

What I think we have now is a rotation of averageish starters made to look above average by the defense. My fear is that we start paying these average starters above average salaries instead of just finding a new crop of cheap and close to average options. Assuming of course that the defense remains a priority.

[Redskins Rick]

What I think we have now is a rotation of averageish starters made to look above average by the defense. My fear is that we start paying these average starters above average salaries instead of just finding a new crop of cheap and close to average options. Assuming of course that the defense remains a priority.

Averageish starters? SMH

You do realize that just about every MLB team is struggling to find quality arms to fill out their 5 man rotation?

[Ruzious]

Having an identity in team sports seems to be very useful, and this is the O's identity.

[El Gordo]

I found this quote from Buck the other day very telling:

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2015/03/hearing-from-showalter-after-5-2-loss.html

Bottom line, Buck has constructed his team a certain way. Put good fielders in the field, avoid mistakes, don't give the other team free bases, and make the other team beat you. Maybe the pitchers don't "pitch to contact," but they aren't afraid of what will happen if the hitters do make contact.

You know what? It works.

Poor Buck he's so retro. Someone needs to explain FIP to him.

[Crazysilver03]

What I think we have now is a rotation of averageish starters made to look above average by the defense. My fear is that we start paying these average starters above average salaries instead of just finding a new crop of cheap and close to average options. Assuming of course that the defense remains a priority.

That is why you let Chen and Norris walk at the end of the season.

[Ruzious]

That is why you let Chen and Norris walk at the end of the season.

Yup, offer them arbitration and collect $200... er a draft pick.