We should've had Nelson Cruz work out at First last year...

[nerdlinger]

We should've had Nelson Cruz work out at First last year. I know it's all hindsight and it doesn't matter now but just imagine this for a second. Due to his limited capabilities in the OF as well as the fact that Davis is going to be a FA that is most likely gone, imagine if Nelson had learned 1B last season. If he turned out to be a capable one, it would have made resigning him a little smarter because he could replace CD and you aren't just paying a ton of money for a DH. I have no clue if Nelson would be good at first but it makes sense to try guys out.

[Bmorefan24]

Thank God it's not too late to try this with someone like Jimenez.

[PaulFolk]

We should've had Nelson Cruz work out at First last year. I know it's all hindsight and it doesn't matter now but just imagine this for a second. Due to his limited capabilities in the OF as well as the fact that Davis is going to be a FA that is most likely gone, imagine if Nelson had learned 1B last season. If he turned out to be a capable one, it would have made resigning him a little smarter because he could replace CD and you aren't just paying a ton of money for a DH. I have no clue if Nelson would be good at first but it makes sense to try guys out.

You're saying that, after Chris Davis hit 53 HRs and had an MVP-caliber season in 2013, the O's should've moved him off of first base in favor of a guy who has never played a single inning at that position in the majors or minors, and who was eligible for free agency a year earlier than Davis?

I don't understand any aspect of this plan.

[Can_of_corn]

Nelson would have to be a heck of a first baseman to be worth the contract he got.

[nerdlinger]

No lol. I was saying as a backup plan. It would have been nice to be able to occasionally have Cruz over at first. The more flexibility the better. That's whats cool about Pearce and Flaherty, they can move all over the place. I meant that Cruz could've DH'ed in 2015, then going forward, if Davis leaves, he maybe could've been a good candidate to play first in 2016. I just think if someone doesn't play good defense one place, you should try them at another. You never know.

[nerdlinger]

Nelson would have to be a heck of a first baseman to be worth the contract he got.

True lol, but there were rumors that the O's were willing to go 3 yrs, maybe the extra versatility would've warranted that 4th year. I don't know. I'm kind of using him as an example for trying guys who aren't elite defenders at easier positions to get maximum value.

[PaulFolk]

No lol. I was saying as a backup plan. It would have been nice to be able to occasionally have Cruz over at first. The more flexibility the better. That's whats cool about Pearce and Flaherty, they can move all over the place. I meant that Cruz could've DH'ed in 2015, then going forward, if Davis leaves, he maybe could've been a good candidate to play first in 2016. I just think if someone doesn't play good defense one place, you should try them at another. You never know.

Cruz was a one-year mercenary, and the Orioles knew it. Why bother trying him out a totally new position when he'd be gone in one year?

It shouldn't be that hard to find a legitimate first baseman if/when Davis leaves after this year. There's no need to try to fit a square peg into a round hole two years in advance by moving an aging slugger to an unfamiliar position.

[Crazysilver03]

We should've had Nelson Cruz work out at First last year. I know it's all hindsight and it doesn't matter now but just imagine this for a second. Due to his limited capabilities in the OF as well as the fact that Davis is going to be a FA that is most likely gone, imagine if Nelson had learned 1B last season. If he turned out to be a capable one, it would have made resigning him a little smarter because he could replace CD and you aren't just paying a ton of money for a DH. I have no clue if Nelson would be good at first but it makes sense to try guys out.

Why are you even bringing this up now?

[Aristotelian]

As I recall, Steve Pearce did a fine job playing 1B when needed. Playing Cruz at 1B would have accomplished what? More ABs for David Lough? And Cruz still would have walked at the end of the year.

[nerdlinger]

Why are you even bringing this up now?

Wow, god forbid I bring something up for discussion. My point is that instead of having 5 DH type players in the mix on the team at some points, maybe you can turn one of them into something useful. And yes Pearce did a fine job at first base, but versatility is a good thing. I guess if you aren't a select few on this board you are treated like crap, that's fine...

[nerdlinger]

Cruz was a one-year mercenary, and the Orioles knew it. Why bother trying him out a totally new position when he'd be gone in one year?

It shouldn't be that hard to find a legitimate first baseman if/when Davis leaves after this year. There's no need to try to fit a square peg into a round hole two years in advance by moving an aging slugger to an unfamiliar position.

I disagree, it took a LONG time to find a legit 1B before we got Davis. That was a blackhole on this team for a while.

[mdbdotcom]

Wow, god forbid I bring something up for discussion. My point is that instead of having 5 DH type players in the mix on the team at some points, maybe you can turn one of them into something useful. And yes Pearce did a fine job at first base, but versatility is a good thing. I guess if you aren't a select few on this board you are treated like crap, that's fine...

I don't see where anyone has addressed you personally or treated you like crap. You brought up an idea and people are questioning it. If you bring up an idea here, someone usually will challenge you on it, so you'd better be able to support it. Don't take it personally. No one is picking on you.

[Nevermore]

Thank God it's not too late to try this with someone like Jimenez.

You mean have Ubaldo play 1B? :scratchchinhmm:

[nerdlinger]

"Why are you even bringing this up now"

Yeah that's real friendly. I know, let's discuss why the Rule 5 guys can't be directly traded for Matusz without waivers again. I haven't seen Crazysilver talk about that enough. Geez...

[nerdlinger]

You mean have Ubaldo play 1B? :scratchchinhmm:

Yes Ubaldo will play some first base...all pitchers cover first from time to time LOL. :laughlol: