Free Agents Next Year and the QO

[Camden_yardbird]

One thing I have seen a lot of successful teams do in recent years is get a guy who will be a FA at the end of next year and who, with a decent year, would be worth giving a QO to. We saw the Orioles do it with Nelson via the one year deal route and we saw the Astros do it with Rasmus the same way this year.

There is also the guy coming of his arb years or a first deal. The Cubs and Fowler, the Sox and Samarsdja, the Padres and Upton.

Are there any guys you would identify that you would like to see the Orioles target this offseason? I think this may be the last season you will see this as a viable strategy due to future changes in the free agent system. I also realize that these types of trades often require prospects the level of which the Orioles may not have.

[Camden_yardbird]

Some candidates could include:

Jason Castro, C, Astros: Castro came up and put up some solid stats for a catcher. A bounce back could make him the best FA catcher available next year. That said, Castro would have to be the everyday catcher. Houston has soured on Castro and has been testing other options so he could be acquired in trade.

Pedro Alvarez, 1B, Pirates: Pedro has serious power and has played in a park that is not friendly to left handed power. The pirates are ready to move on and have power hitter Josh Bell ready to go. Alvarez however is a butcher in the field and should probably be relegated to DH. He could put up 40 HR.

Trumbo, 1B/OF, Mariners. Trumbo is another player with massive power. He could put up 40HR if he bounces back next year.

Justin Smoak, 1B, Blue Jays. Smoak

Neil Walker, 2B, Pirates. Walker has a lot of offensive potential and has put up solid power numbers for a 2B. He is also oft injured and the Orioles already have a 2B.

Justin Turner, 2B, Dodgers. Turner, a former oriole prospect, hasn't done much before he put up 16 HR and a .370 OBP last year. Another year like that and he could get a QO. You can bet Friedman would do it.

[Bahama O's Fan]

A little off topic, but who are our free agents next year?

[bericbnauff]

A little off topic' date=' but who are our free agents next year?[/quote']

Just Matusz, if I recall correctly.

[Bahama O's Fan]

Just Matusz, if I recall correctly.

That's pretty amazing. If we are competitive next year, we basically keep the team intact.

[weams]

One thing I have seen a lot of successful teams do in recent years is get a guy who will be a FA at the end of next year and who, with a decent year, would be worth giving a QO to. We saw the Orioles do it with Nelson via the one year deal route and we saw the Astros do it with Rasmus the same way this year.

There is also the guy coming of his arb years or a first deal. The Cubs and Fowler, the Sox and Samarsdja, the Padres and Upton.

Are there any guys you would identify that you would like to see the Orioles target this offseason? I think this may be the last season you will see this as a viable strategy due to future changes in the free agent system. I also realize that these types of trades often require prospects the level of which the Orioles may not have.

Might be a whole new CBA by then. May be nothing to consider. The new contract better be in place by this time next year.

[sportsfan8703]

Trumbo and Alvarez would be nice. But I don't see what either team would want from us. Our only trade assets are bullpen pieces and we can't move those if we lose O'day.

[weams]

Trumbo and Alvarez would be nice. But I don't see what either team would want from us. Our only trade assets are bullpen pieces and we can't move those if we lose O'day.

Salary relief and a piece with upside.

[maybenxtyr]

I hope they get rid of this system under the new CBA.