Fangraphs: Noting Kevin Gausman (Extend Gausman now!)

[SteveO]

I don't see why any above average player would extend. Unless it is for very close to market rates.

I kinda see it the way you do. There is very little motivation for KG to extend at this point unless the Orioles come to the table with something substantial.

[Il BuonO]

They should. If they had the talent that warranted it. For all the talk of extending Tillman and or Gonzo last year, half the board this year would have been about who to try to dump their contracts on. I know Gausman will cost more after this year but let's see him have decent consistent success in the majors.

Well, sure that would be the safe play, but again, payroll restrictions. Regardless of the increases we're seeing the Orioles are a team that operates within a stricter budgetary guideline than most teams out there.

And even at performance loss figured in a contract at $6mil AAV over five years isn't tremendous risk.

The chance of him having an above average season and then deciding to wait it out til FA may be mitigated by a little security now.

[Stotle]

Already a thread, although without any replies:

http://forum.orioleshangout.com/forums/showthread.php/150963-Fangraphs-Noting-Kevin-Gausman

At what price is this worthwhile?

Maybe look at the Matt Moore deal as a starting point?

[Frobby]

In today's environment, I don't see why pitchers who are bonus babies would extend.

I don't see why any above average player would extend. Unless it is for very close to market rates.

It all depends on your tolerance for risk. Extensions protect the player from risk of injury or unexpected declines in performance, and in most cases, provide enough money where the player will be set for life. Nick Markakis benefitted substantially from his extension, even though it seemed like a great deal for the club at the time. Matt Wieters probably rues the day he turned down the Orioles' extension offers back when he was performing at his peak, though he is still doing reasonably well and won't be exactly starving. And how do you think Matt Cain feels about the extension he signed when he was two years away from free agency? He probably kisses his agent when he sees him!

There's also the fact that many people like having stability in their job and personal situation.

[Il BuonO]

It all depends on your tolerance for risk. Extensions protect the player from risk of injury or unexpected declines in performance, and in most cases, provide enough money where the player will be set for life. Nick Markakis benefitted substantially from his extension, even though it seemed like a great deal for the club at the time. Matt Wieters probably rues the day he turned down the Orioles' extension offers back when he was performing at his peak, though he is still doing reasonably well and won't be exactly starving. And how do you think Matt Cain feels about the extension he signed when he was two years away from free agency? He probably kisses his agent when he sees him!

There's also the fact that many people like having stability in their job and personal situation.

Your first statement sounds like something from a team perspective, but then everything else is from a player's. I still go back to how the Orioles operate. Leave out whether Gausman would consider it or not, with their restrictions this the type of scenario they should consider and don't.

[srock]

A good reason to extend now is the Gausman's proven ability to be a good reliever. If he sputters out as a starter, at the very worst you have a moderately overpaid (at the end of the deal) quality reliever.

The best reason NOT to extend is injury risk. But this is not unique to Gausman, its a reason to avoid long term commitments to pitchers in general.

[Frobby]

Your first statement sounds like something from a team perspective, but then everything else is from a player's. I still go back to how the Orioles operate. Leave out whether Gausman would consider it or not, with their restrictions this the type of scenario they should consider and don't.

I agree they should consider it. The types of risks are the same for the player and the team. From the team's point of view, the question really is whether they can remain competitiver without taking these kinds of risks, and exactly how risky do they perceive it to be? I think with the team's age profile and the state of the farm system, they need to be looking at taking some risks like this. Obviously, there are some price points where it makes sense, and others where it doesn't.

[bpilktree]

Let's ust keep him and hope he puts a great season and then we can trade im to the D-backs for a top first round pick, a young cost controlled outfielder and the number one pick in the draft.

[Can_of_corn]

It's Fangraphs, it's Gausman so I bumped.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/sunday-notes-russell-rays-orioles-barney-biagini-more/

When I first came up, I was more of a thrower, admitted Gausman, who has 65 MLB games under his belt. I think everybody would agree with me when I say that. I tried to overpower guys. I've learned that it doesn't matter how hard you throw up here. You have to pitch.

He also has to take advantage of his god-given gifts. Blessed with mid-90s heat and a power breaking ball, Gausman would be ill-advised to adopt a finesse mentality. To his credit, he recognizes there's a balance.

There's a happy medium, said Gausman. In certain situations, I'm going to rear back a little more. When you need a strikeout, it's OK, here's my best against your best. A few years ago, Jason Hammel told me that his best stuff doesn't come out until guys are in scoring position. I didn't understand that at first, but I do now.

You're kind of two pitchers out there. You're not throwing those aggressive 0-2 breaking balls on 0-0 when there?s no one on base. But when it's bases loaded with no one out, it becomes ?All right, here we go. I've got to bring my A game now.