Orioles acquired RHP Odrisamer Despaigne

[weams]

[BohKnowsBmore]

I don't think this trade makes it any more or less likely that we are going to add a legitimate starter. First, I already had come to the conclusion that it was unlikely we were going to add a legitimate starter. At this point, if we do, I will consider it a pleasant surprise. But second, I don't think adding Despaigne changes the odds. He's cheap and optionable and his availability was a matter of opportunity when the Padres signed Rodney, not some master plan of Duquette's to acquire the guy. I do agree that it seems unlikely that the Padres are dealing Cashner to us.

Looking at what's available and assuming that an "impact" starter will likely cost a lot in terms of prospects to acquire, I am not sure that our best alternative to those is so terrible. Considering how bad Norris was last season, I wouldn't be disgusted with a five spot that runs Worley - Despaigne - Wilson - Wright to start the year.

[Roll Tide]

I know a scout who likes him and had me considering him for the end of our top 30. Has potential but a long ways away.

I don't know much about Cosome either and it doesn't bother me. I'm personally not getting excited about the depth pick ups. This guy is very mediocre and more likely to get your team in a brawl than give you a winning effort on most days.

As a fan I think Duquette or some combination of him and Angelos over waited the starter market. They needed to strike early to get the no pick attached lefty that was actually worth having.

I think the team will regret going without a good LH pitcher for the rotation. I just don't see how that happens now. I assume this deal likely means the end of the interest in the other Padres starter. I wonder if they have any chance of doing something with the Dodgers.

[BohKnowsBmore]

I'm looking at the numbers on this guy and I see that he has a terrible strikeout rate even back when he was in Cuba. What am I missing? What does he exactly do well? Is he a great groundball pitcher like Jim Johnson was? I notice his HR rate has been very low throughout his career.

He's not a GB specialist by the looks of it, but he does have a higher-than-average GB rate. That HR rate spiked last season, so maybe there was something weird going on?

Also, he was worth 1.1 fWAR in 2014 (in 96 innings) and 0.0 last season for which his numbers look way worse. So thinking that the FO thinks he has some bounceback/upside from 2015, considering that he has three options, low salary and that we gave up a fringy guy to get him, I don't see any reason to not like the move. I don't believe it's something to be ecstatic about, but as a depth move it looks pretty darn reasonable. Also, as has been brought up, it seems like the Padres moved him for a non-40 guy, so they didn't just drop him to drop him, for whatever that is worth (I only bring this up because I was wondering why the Padres would be moving this guy considering his options).

[Tx Oriole]

I don't know much about Cosome either and it doesn't bother me. I'm personally not getting excited about the depth pick ups. This guy is very mediocre and more likely to get your team in a brawl than give you a winning effort on most days.

As a fan I think Duquette or some combination of him and Angelos over waited the starter market. They needed to strike early to get the no pick attached lefty that was actually worth having.

I think the team will regret going without a good LH pitcher for the rotation. I just don't see how that happens now. I assume this deal likely means the end of the interest in the other Padres starter. I wonder if they have any chance of doing something with the Dodgers.

That's what happens when the owner spends 161 million on Davis while he lets

the rest of the team go to hell in a hand basket. Pitching should have the priority.

Now it may be to late. IMO

[Camden_yardbird]

I don't underatand why people are so down on this move. It's not like they are bringing him in and telling us that he is the Chen replacement.

As a starter in 2014 Odri was a good starter. His SO rate is low, but you pay for strike outs. Everyone wants the Orioles to make good and innovative moves but isn't paying less for low SO pitcher and putting him in front of the best defense in the league just that.

If he doesnt win the 5th starter spot you make him a reliever. One place the Orioles have excelled in player development is the ability to craft relievers. This is the perfect candidate for that reliever pipeline. He's obviously major league ready or damn close. He has a change up that defies logic, and if trained to throw it accurately, could be a very good reliever. That would free up resources for the Orioles to move other relievers. In the current MLB environment, where relief pitching is going at a premuim, the Orioles need to take the one thing they do well in player development and capitalize on it. Odri simply helps them do that now as opposed to a prospect who may be able to do it in the future when the "it" asset in baseball may be something different.

[Aristotelian]

I'm looking at the numbers on this guy and I see that he has a terrible strikeout rate even back when he was in Cuba. What am I missing? What does he exactly do well? Is he a great groundball pitcher like Jim Johnson was? I notice his HR rate has been very low throughout his career.

The O's have never gone for high K guys, rather hoping that pitch-to-contact guys can outperform with a good defense behind them. Despaigne looks like an interesting guy kind of like El Duque, throwing a variety of pitches from a variety of arm slots. (I must admit, I am partial to "junkball" guys). His fastball velocity actually increased last year. His walk rate went down but so did his K rate. I wonder if the NL figured something out on him in his second year that the O's think they can fix. Or maybe the O's just hope his first time through the AL he can have some success.

Looking at what's available and assuming that an "impact" starter will likely cost a lot in terms of prospects to acquire, I am not sure that our best alternative to those is so terrible. Considering how bad Norris was last season, I wouldn't be disgusted with a five spot that runs Worley - Despaigne - Wilson - Wright to start the year.

I agree, any of those would be good #5 options. The problem is that Tillman and Ubaldo are terrible #1/#2 options.

[Pheasants]

Worst thing about the trade is it gives every second guesser another pitcher to hit DD with. EdRod, Hader, Davies, now Cosme. Since he was at Aberdeen, we've got at least three years of him in the minors while we hear he was the answer to all our pitching needs. Isn't it odd how the old cliche about there is no such thing as a pitching prospect goes out the window whenever we trade one?

[Number5]

Looking at what's available and assuming that an "impact" starter will likely cost a lot in terms of prospects to acquire, I am not sure that our best alternative to those is so terrible. Considering how bad Norris was last season, I wouldn't be disgusted with a five spot that runs Worley - Despaigne - Wilson - Wright to start the year.

This would be an excellent game plan if coupled with signing Mike Minor, IMO. He figures to be out until the end of June, or so, I believe. Minor, IMO, is the best free agent pitcher still out there. Just sayin'.

[clapdiddy]

This would be an excellent game plan if coupled with signing Mike Minor, IMO. He figures to be out until the end of June, or so, I believe. Minor, IMO, is the best free agent pitcher still out there. Just sayin'.

This is not a bad plan. But, we'd also be counting on bounce back seasons from Tillman/Gonzo and the continued growth of Gausman, so there are plenty of question marks in this rotation.

[oriolesacox]

Well at least the OH has giving me someone to root for all year. Go Odrisamer!!! The over reaction to this deal is insane.

[Ruzious]

Well at least the OH has giving me someone to root for all year. Go Odrisamer!!! The over reaction to this deal is insane.

Oh come on. This isn't even our best job of over-reacting. We've done a lot better.

Besides, it's too hard to remember how to say Go Odrisamer! Go O! Hmm, that's got a familiar ring to it.

[DrungoHazewood]

Oh come on. This isn't even our best job of over-reacting. We've done a lot better.

Besides, it's too hard to remember how to say Go Odrisamer! Go O! Hmm, that's got a familiar ring to it.

I'm probably conflating several things and misremembering others, but didn't the Dana Eveland trade for a couple guys in low A lead to about a 100-page thread and the departure of SportsGuy and his 112,993 posts?

[mrpennybags]

So what do you guys think will happen if Odrisamer pitches extended innings in the majors this year?

My prediction... paigne.

[Morgan423]

First thing I said to my wife (also a diehard O's fan) after this trade yesterday was that we were going to have to find an easy nickname for this guy. She looked at his name and said, "Okay... let's call him Sport."

So Sport he is, for me and the missus going forward. If anyone was having same dilemma, feel free to borrow. :laughlol: