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What's with the Silence on RF/DH Options?


CaptainRedbeard

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Tomorrow morning will mark the one week point from when Fowler signed with the Cubs. Immediately after that, we got the expected rumors of secondary targets - Bruce, Jackson, Alvarez. Since then we've heard next to nothing about who the Orioles are targeting among those three, or what the Reds are asking for Bruce, or what Boras wants for Jackson/Alvarez.

Do people think this is because after the Fowler situation, the team just has their lips sealed for talking to the media? Or is it because they're actually considering going with internal options?

Personally I don't care strongly about who we end up among those 3 players as long as we get one. I don't like Bruce, but I don't like Jackson's bat or Trumbo's defense. None of them are terribly exciting, but all of them are FAR superior to penciling Reimold & crew into the everyday lineup.

We're playing actual spring training games now, so the longer Jackson and Alvarez wait to sign, the harder it will be for them to get ready for the season. Jackson already turned down $5-6 million from the Angels, because of apparent concerns over playing time (despite that they currently are playing Nava/Gentry in LF). Hopefully it's not Boras holding out for too much money. In any case, I hope this doesn't drag out too long and the team does make an addition within the next week or so.

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Then if that fails, let's call Jackson. Pay him instead of trading for an older Jay Bruce

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Rickard only has 104 PA in AAA. Rule 5 picks are never starters after they're picked, certainly not for teams that have aspirations of contending. He could be in the picture for a part-time platoon role, but he's not in the discussion as a starter.

That's not really what I was asking about in the thread anyway, just wanted to generate some discussion/speculation on why we're not hearing anything. There's been zero indication the Orioles are considering Rickard as a starting option.

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Rickard only has 104 PA in AAA. Rule 5 picks are never starters after they're picked, certainly not for teams that have aspirations of contending. He could be in the picture for a part-time platoon role, but he's not in the discussion as a starter.

That's not really what I was asking about in the thread anyway, just wanted to generate some discussion/speculation on why we're not hearing anything. There's been zero indication the Orioles are considering Rickard as a starting option.

Ah. I see what you're getting at. I think FA wise, we're done for this year and I also believe that we'll be going in house for RF this year. That's really our only weakness offensively if you think about it. Defensively, as long as someone like Alvarez is out there, we'll be ok. DD might be planning something, but I seriously doubt it at this point

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Ah. I see what you're getting at. I think FA wise, we're done for this year and I also believe that we'll be going in house for RF this year. That's really our only weakness offensively if you think about it. Defensively, as long as someone like Alvarez is out there, we'll be ok. DD might be planning something, but I seriously doubt it at this point

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I hope that's not the case, although it may be. If they were willing to spend on Fowler, they should have the budget to add any of those 3 players. If they're serious about contending this year, they'd all be big upgrades for us and shouldn't be expensive given they have no real market for them.

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I hope that's not the case, although it may be. If they were willing to spend on Fowler, they should have the budget to add any of those 3 players. If they're serious about contending this year, they'd all be big upgrades for us and shouldn't be expensive given they have no real market for them.

I think it's not expense, but who we'd give up for them. If it came inexpensive (i.e., Urrutia, Matusz, Parades, etc.) we'd have gotten Jay Bruce. If we give up someone like Cisco for him, we're idiots. I think we'll let ST play out and see where we're at, then decide what happens.

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I hope that's not the case, although it may be. If they were willing to spend on Fowler, they should have the budget to add any of those 3 players. If they're serious about contending this year, they'd all be big upgrades for us and shouldn't be expensive given they have no real market for them.

Fowler would have been a real upgrade, a switch hitter with high OBP. Jackson would be a much more marginal upgrade. Right-handed, mediocre OBP, less power. Meanwhile he would be blocking players who are younger and cost less. I think DD does not want to end up with another De Aza, who we would have to DFA if he doesn't perform.

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They may be trying to evaluate Trumbo's defense in right to see if it makes sense to sign Pedro Alvarez.

I would like to see something done. In house options are uninspiring. We don't want to be in a position where we are getting nothing offensively from either LF or RF. Very real possibility right now if Kim turns out to be a dud.

The more I think about Bruce the less likely I think it is that the Reds will trade him for scraps. He could rebound for them and be worth more at the trade deadline, unless they are just desperate to shed the salary. We do not have the minor league depth to trade one of our top ten prospects, which is what I think it will take to get him.

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Then if that fails, let's call Jackson. Pay him instead of trading for an older Jay Bruce

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IIRC Bruce is 2 months younger than Jackson. They are definitely trying to avoid any more leaks. I think they are exploring all options including Reimold/Trumbo/D.Alvarez/Rickard.
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