PressBox: Is It Time to Cut Ties with Brian Matusz?

[PaulFolk]

Key stat: the O's are 3-9 in games in which Matusz pitches this season, probably because Buck has (justifiably) lost confidence in pitching him in close games. So what's the next move with Matusz, if any?

http://www.pressboxonline.com/2015/05/22/is-it-time-for-orioles-to-cut-ties-with-brian-matusz

[Rene88]

I don't need to read the article, yes. The time was this offseason. No clue why DD didn't cut bait. A bad high-risk gamble that lost. Let's move on.

If Buck is fine with just pitching him to lefties AND THAT IS IT, I am okay with it. If not, cut bait.

[Norfolk orioles]

The problem is as a reliever, he is brought into games later in the game to get lefties and opposing managers are now going "all in" against him because they smell weakness and they pinch right righties against him. I can't tell you how many times that has happened when he has been brought into a game.

They go for the win by pinch hitting against him rather than against Britton or O'day or Hunter later on and they are making us/him pay.

He's a loogy only but when the other team just brings in a righty batter, he is doing no one any good.

[Rene88]

The problem is as a reliever, he is brought into games later in the game to get lefties and opposing managers are now going "all in" against him because they smell weakness and they pinch right righties against him. I can't tell you how many times that has happened when he has been brought into a game.

They go for the win by pinch hitting against him rather than against Britton or O'day or Hunter later on and they are making us/him pay.

He's a loogy only but when the other team just brings in a righty batter, he is doing no one any good.

Yep, I really want to see him go but I wanted to see him go last offseason. What is it going to take? The answer probably is they wait for Wright to come back and see how he does and then hold on to him or phantom DL him for a bit.

[backwardsk]

Trade or release when Wesley Wright comes off the DL.

You don't think they'll opt to move McFarland or Wilson first?

I don't really care about his salary. I care that he takes up a roster spot and can't be sent down.

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[Frobby]

Trade or release when Wesley Wright comes off the DL.

I think that is when DD and Buck will have a hard decision. Until Wright is healthy, Matusz stays. By the way, I think it is at best only a 50/50 proposition that Wright is a better reliever than Matusz. Last couple of years:

2013: Wright 3.69 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, Matusz 3.53 ERA, 1.16 WHIP

2014: Wright 3.12 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, Matusz 3.48 ERA, 1.32 WHIP

[gmelson26]

I don't need to read the article, yes. The time was this offseason. No clue why DD didn't cut bait. A bad high-risk gamble that lost. Let's move on.

If Buck is fine with just pitching him to lefties AND THAT IS IT, I am okay with it. If not, cut bait.

This is basically what I was going to say. Don't blame Brian for getting what he got.. that's on DD. That said, if we had the bullpen where we should use him against just (or mostly just) lefties, he'd be a fine cog in the machine. Take last year. Unfortunately, this bullpen set up won't allow for that.

He has faced 29 righties and 22 lefites. He is what he is, and he's not being used in the situations where he can succeed (even if that's limited).

Righties - .864 OPS

Lefties - .536 OPS

If we can accept him as a left specialist who embarrasses Big Slopi, then he's got a solid place in the bullpen.

[TouchemAll]

Key stat: the O's are 3-9 in games in which Matusz pitches this season, probably because Buck has (justifiably) lost confidence in pitching him in close games. So what's the next move with Matusz, if any?

http://www.pressboxonline.com/2015/05/22/is-it-time-for-orioles-to-cut-ties-with-brian-matusz

For the life of me I can't figure out WHY THE O's tendered him? Still baffled by that decision.

[Rene88]

For the life of me I can't figure out WHY THE O's tendered him? Still baffled by that decision.

They thought they could bill up his value as a starter in ST and sell high. Well..that didn't work out....they gambled and lost. Who knows what offers they had and if there were for anything?

[CA-ORIOLE]

If they use Matusz correctly he can be an asset.

[Rene88]

If they use Matusz correctly he can be an asset.

But it has been proven over and over and OVER again that Buck doesn't want him just as a specialist. I get your point and understand but that just isn't how he is used. There is a big disconnect.

[TouchemAll]

If they use Matusz correctly he can be an asset.

Every time we play Boston and Big Slopi is up with 2 on and two outs. :laughlol:

[CA-ORIOLE]

But it has been proven over and over and OVER again that Buck doesn't want him just as a specialist. I get your point and understand but that just isn't how he is used. There is a big disconnect.

I understand. That can change. A large part of that was carrying Garcia And mistakenly believing that Matusz had potential for more than what he is. Yesterday was inexcusable though. So I agree they have to wake up about it.

[Going Underground]

Do teams take longer to cut ties with a first round pick as opposed to a five or tenth round pick?

[Crazysilver03]

If they use Matusz correctly he can be an asset.

True. But his value is so limited in that role and he is so easily exposed outside that role. Doesn't help that the starters have been knocked out early so often this year.