This is A Mess (Mega RANT Thread)

[brianod]

DD has failed to build the farm. Building the farm is job #1 for any O's GM because of the budget constraints imposed by ownership compared to the rest of the division. My main gripe is DD didn't build for long term success and next year the house of cards may come tumbling down

[McLovin]

DD has failed to build the farm.

Totally false. Our farm has been completely restocked - year in and year out now - with the best that Minor League Free Agency can buy. It's been his number one priority, just ahead of the Rule 5.

[TINSTAAPP]

I wouldn't fire him but his leash should be significantly shortened if this team fails to show improvement next year. As for MacPhail, this team would have been in 85 win purgatory and never made the playoffs if he was still GM here. MacPhail couldn't build a good bullpen or pitching staff to save his life. The entire starting rotation outside of Tillman were all acquired by Duquette in 2012 as well as 2014. Those teams wouldn't have sniffed the playoffs without Chen, Hammel, Gonzo, Saunders, Norris, Gausman who were all brought in by Duquette.

[Rene88]

Totally false. Our farm has been completely restocked - year in and year out now - with the best that Minor League Free Agency can buy. It's been his number one priority, just ahead of the Rule 5.

LOL: I always enjoy your posts sir.

Agree with your post: a focus on winning. With DD that often means people playing below their competition level. That doesn't mean he has built our farm system with REAL prospects however. But I think you get that, just wanted to clarify for the thread.

[JR Oriole]

Going 0-7 against Minnesota for the season should get you thrown completely out of the league. Can we trade everyone?

[HokieOs]

This season is all on him; he built it.

And it's still a better season so far than any other we had had pre-Duquette sincec 1997. We have gotten spoiled.

[HokieOs]

So you don't think the decision to not sign Cruz and replace with a 4a fodder gladiatorial competition was a factor?

You don't think Cruuuuz was really popular in the clubhouse and helped propel this team to the next level?

Not trading Norris when his value was at his peak might have hurt?

Extending injury ladened Hardy to a long term deal when you may have the best shortstop in the game at 3b?

Drafting a guy in the first round with a noodle arm, so-so power aand bats like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon?

Trading Jake Arrieta for Scott Feldman?

Acquiring Travis Snider for 25th ranked Stephen Tarpley?

Deciding to trade Davies when you realize the team doesn't have enough to go very deep even if you do squeak in?

You can't get them all right, nor would any of us, but he should be held accountable without orange colored glasses. Be fair.

I like DD but was VERY disappointed with the decision to trade for Parra/not trade other pieces. That is what got me. I just withhold judgement bc I feel maybe PA had some say there.

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I'm getting so sick of people talking about Cruz. The Mariners were insane to give him the contract they did. Yes, things are looking good in 2015. But the contract is fully guaranteed through 2018. He won't be the same player in 2018 as he is now. Frankly, I'm not so sure he puts up a 2016 season anywhere near the level of his 2014 and 2015 seasons.

[Surhoffan17]

Well, the Twins aren't really that bad. It's not like when we were swept at home in '03 by the Tigers. Of course that was just a three-game series. I think it's the way we lost that stinks.

[tntoriole]

Duquette will likely continue, and gets credit for 2014. But his decisions for 2015 have not worked at all and basically have let the window close this year on a team that won the division by 10 games last year. This winter's performance will make or break him as Orioles GM. If 2016 is bad due to another winter's worth of nonperforming signs, he will be fired, imho.

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[MemorialStadKid]

Ultimately, the Orioles need new ownership not afraid of smart risks or spending money when it's time.

This half-way approach to contention is horrible. Period.

4 games. Swept. Geesh.

MSK

[Rene88]

I'm getting so sick of people talking about Cruz. The Mariners were insane to give him the contract they did. Yes, things are looking good in 2015. But the contract is fully guaranteed through 2018. He won't be the same player in 2018 as he is now. Frankly, I'm not so sure he puts up a 2016 season anywhere near the level of his 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Did you know he is worth nearly 6 WAR this year (on pace)? Everyone knows the last year is going to be the premium. I guess it all depends on how much you value winning.

I respectfully disagree that it was insane.

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[Lawlbringer]

Well, the Twins aren't really that bad. It's not like when we were swept at home in '03 by the Tigers. Of course that was just a three-game series. I think it's the way we lost that stinks.

Yes, they are. They will get swept their next series and go on some 16-18 games lost. We are worse, and a long losing streak probably awaits us since we're going on the road vs. KC, etc.

[LookitsPuck]

Well, the Twins aren't really that bad. It's not like when we were swept at home in '03 by the Tigers. Of course that was just a three-game series. I think it's the way we lost that stinks.

The Twins aren't that bad, but they're definitely not that good. Not good enough to limit the O's AT HOME to only 10 runs in 38 (more?) innings.

[Uli2001]

Yes, they are. They will get swept their next series and go on some 16-18 games lost. We are worse, and a long losing streak probably awaits us since we're going on the road vs. KC, etc.

There's a school of thought out there according to which if you are going to be bad, then you had better be awful. The worst thing would be so-so, win 82 games and think it was a (slightly) off year.

[HokieOs]

Yes, they are. They will get swept their next series and go on some 16-18 games lost. We are worse, and a long losing streak probably awaits us since we're going on the road vs. KC, etc.

They're 63-61. They aren't that bad. We should not have been swept at home in a 4 game series, but it's not like the Twins are awful. They actually have a real chance at making the Wild Card now.