Why I would rather sign Alex Gordon than Chris Davis

[mdbdotcom]

With apologies to Steve Jankowski, who will be heart-broken if the O's sign Gordon, and to Weams, who doesn't want to give up the pick.

1. Trumbo is considered at least as good a defender at 1B than Davis, and Davis is not a good outfielder (even though he can do the job as a last resort). Adding Davis now would be a plus offensively, but redundant defensively unless we then traded Trumbo.

2. Trumbo is the bridge to Mancini. Davis blocks Mancini.

3. Gordon will cost considerably less, which will be important beyond this year. Depending on his contract, over five years the savings could allow the O's to spend $50M to $70M elsewhere.

4. As we saw last year, and as FIP has been indicating, O's pitching relies on the defense. Adding a plus defender in the outfield would make all the pitchers better.

5. Davis was a high OBP guy last season. Gordon has been one his whole career. In fact, if it hadn't taken Gordon until age 27 to become a regular, he would have been held in the same regard as Heyward is today. He is the player Heyward most resembles; the only difference is age.

6. As Gordon ages, his defense will decline as he loses foot speed, but he likely will still be better than any other COF currently on the market.

Thoughts?

[Creamsicle]

He's a Cornhusker.

[ChicagoTerp]

-I personally wouldn't be terribly disappointed with either, though I prefer Upton to both.

-Gordon and Davis are such different players, signing each brings a very different feel to our lineup/defense.

-For equal money (not a safe assumption) I like Upton>Davis>Gordon>Cespedes

[Roll Tide]

With apologies to Steve Jankowski, who will be heart-broken if the O's sign Gordon, and to Weams, who doesn't want to give up the pick.

1. Trumbo is considered at least as good a defender at 1B than Davis, and Davis is not a good outfielder (even though he can do the job as a last resort). Adding Davis now would be a plus offensively, but redundant defensively unless we then traded Trumbo.

2. Trumbo is the bridge to Mancini. Davis blocks Mancini.

3. Gordon will cost considerably less, which will be important beyond this year. Depending on his contract, over five years the savings could allow the O's to spend $50M to $70M elsewhere.

4. As we saw last year, and as FIP has been indicating, O's pitching relies on the defense. Adding a plus defender in the outfield would make all the pitchers better.

5. Davis was a high OBP guy last season. Gordon has been one his whole career. In fact, if it hadn't taken Gordon until age 27 to become a regular, he would have been held in the same regard as Heyward is today. He is the player Heyward most resembles; the only difference is age.

6. As Gordon ages, his defense will decline as he loses foot speed, but he likely will still be better than any other COF currently on the market.

Thoughts?

I'd rather have Upton ... Age and performance over Gordon ... Agree why they are better for the Os than Davis

[clapdiddy]

If we can get Gordon on a 4/70 or 5/90 type of deal, I'd be all for it. I really don't want to go 7 years with Davis.

[weams]

I'd rather have Upton ... Age and performance over Gordon ... Agree why they are better for the Os than Davis

Upton cost the pick and is Right-handed.

[ChicagoTerp]

Upton cost the pick and is Right-handed.

Davis and Gordon cost picks too. Granted, Davis' pick is a bit lower, I think.

[ChicagoTerp]

with Davis we only lose our comp pick, correct?

[OFFNY]

With apologies to Steve Jankowski, who will be heart-broken if the O's sign Gordon, and to Weams, who doesn't want to give up the pick.

1. Trumbo is considered at least as good a defender at 1B than Davis, and Davis is not a good outfielder (even though he can do the job as a last resort). Adding Davis now would be a plus offensively, but redundant defensively unless we then traded Trumbo.

2. Trumbo is the bridge to Mancini. Davis blocks Mancini.

3. Gordon will cost considerably less, which will be important beyond this year. Depending on his contract, over five years the savings could allow the O's to spend $50M to $70M elsewhere.

4. As we saw last year, and as FIP has been indicating, O's pitching relies on the defense. Adding a plus defender in the outfield would make all the pitchers better.

5. Davis was a high OBP guy last season. Gordon has been one his whole career. In fact, if it hadn't taken Gordon until age 27 to become a regular, he would have been held in the same regard as Heyward is today. He is the player Heyward most resembles; the only difference is age.

6. As Gordon ages, his defense will decline as he loses foot speed, but he likely will still be better than any other COF currently on the market.

Thoughts?

Interesting point there. It obviously depends on how confident that one is in Mancini's ability to translate his success at the high levels of the minors (Advanced-A and AA so far for him) to the majors in 2017 and beyond.

[mdbdotcom]

Interesting point there. It obviously depends on how confident that one is in Mancini's ability to translate his success at the high levels of the minors (Advanced-A and AA so far for him) to the majors in 2017 and beyond.

We really won't know until he arrives, though he could spend some time on the team this year, most likely as a fill-in DH for a few weeks.

[MrOrange82]

I'm wired to scoff at any/all lines of reasoning that mention blocking an O's prospect. Mancini isn't part of the plan until he absolutely, unequivocally forces the issue, IMO.

[mdbdotcom]

with Davis we only lose our comp pick, correct?

Correct. We have to see where all the QO'd FA land before we know exactly what pick that will be.

[mdbdotcom]

I'm wired to scoff at any/all lines of reasoning that mention blocking an O's prospect. Mancini isn't part of the plan until he absolutely, unequivocally forces the issue, IMO.

Scoffing is in your DNA.

[NATTYBO's]

Upton cost the pick and is Right-handed.

Technically our pick would go from 14-30 since we gain a pick from Davis

[mdbdotcom]

Technically our pick would go from 14-30 since we gain a pick from Davis

It will end up being lower than 30.