Top needs for O's this year

[bluedog]

So we're 20% of the way through the season and the O's are 10 games above .500 and playing well in every area of the game. The bullpen has been dominant, defense is great, starting pitching is better than expected so far and the hitting has been strong.

Unless something changes, we're clearly a team with a good chance of contending all year long.

With the Cubs seemingly invincible in the NL and 9 teams already 8 or more games out of first place in their divisions, it seems like there will be opportunities for the O's to improve themselves through trades to teams that see themselves as already being out of the race in June / July.

My question is where do we have the best opportunity to improve and (more importantly) the willingness on the part of the front office to do something about it?

Best opportunities to improve:

Catcher (Wieters / Joseph are pretty weak offensively)

SS or 3b (wherever Manny isn't)

LF (Rickard has been fairly productive, but there's room for improvement)

RF / DH (Trumbo to DH, Alvarez to LF PH off the bench would open up a spot to improve the RF defense and to replace Alvarez's poor offensive showing with a better bat)

#3 & 5 Starter (Jiminez & Wright could be improved upon significantly)

Bench (Flaherty)

I don't see many other opportunities to make a difference.

Willingness to make a move:

Catcher - I don't see DD making any moves here.

SS or 3b - unless Hardy is hurt long term, I don't see any move here.

LF - could get a star and move Rickard to the bench as a PR / defensive replacement

RF - could get a star and move Trumbo to DH and Alvarez to bench

#3 Starter - I don't see Jiminez being moved, benched or cut

#5 Starter - Wright could be replaced, but that would force Gallardo out when he returns, which I don't see happening

Bench - I could see the O's looking to improve on Flaherty, especially if Hardy is out for a while, but this is low impact

I think the most likely move for the O's would be trying to grab a major upgrade at a corner outfield position. Someone who can provide superior hitting and outfield defense and let Trumbo slide to DH. I'm not sure what other moves are feasible for the O's this year.

So the most intriguing fit I've been able to find that might be available and move the needle for the O's would be Ryan Braun. He's not a stellar defender, but he's an upgrade over Trumbo and if he continues to perform as he did last year and over the start of this year, he's a 3.5 to 5.0 WAR player offensively.

Anyone got any other ideas about impact moves the O's could (and would) potentially make this year to improve the team?

[24fps]

So we're 20% of the way through the season and the O's are 10 games above .500 and playing well in every area of the game. The bullpen has been dominant, defense is great, starting pitching is better than expected so far and the hitting has been strong.

Unless something changes, we're clearly a team with a good chance of contending all year long.

With the Cubs seemingly invincible in the NL and 9 teams already 8 or more games out of first place in their divisions, it seems like there will be opportunities for the O's to improve themselves through trades to teams that see themselves as already being out of the race in June / July.

My question is where do we have the best opportunity to improve and (more importantly) the willingness on the part of the front office to do something about it?

Best opportunities to improve:

Catcher (Wieters / Joseph are pretty weak offensively)

SS or 3b (wherever Manny isn't)

LF (Rickard has been fairly productive, but there's room for improvement)

RF / DH (Trumbo to DH, Alvarez to LF PH off the bench would open up a spot to improve the RF defense and to replace Alvarez's poor offensive showing with a better bat)

#3 & 5 Starter (Jiminez & Wright could be improved upon significantly)

Bench (Flaherty)

I don't see many other opportunities to make a difference.

Willingness to make a move:

Catcher - I don't see DD making any moves here.

SS or 3b - unless Hardy is hurt long term, I don't see any move here.

LF - could get a star and move Rickard to the bench as a PR / defensive replacement

RF - could get a star and move Trumbo to DH and Alvarez to bench

#3 Starter - I don't see Jiminez being moved, benched or cut

#5 Starter - Wright could be replaced, but that would force Gallardo out when he returns, which I don't see happening

Bench - I could see the O's looking to improve on Flaherty, especially if Hardy is out for a while, but this is low impact

I think the most likely move for the O's would be trying to grab a major upgrade at a corner outfield position. Someone who can provide superior hitting and outfield defense and let Trumbo slide to DH. I'm not sure what other moves are feasible for the O's this year.

So the most intriguing fit I've been able to find that might be available and move the needle for the O's would be Ryan Braun. He's not a stellar defender, but he's an upgrade over Trumbo and if he continues to perform as he did last year and over the start of this year, he's a 3.5 to 5.0 WAR player offensively.

Anyone got any other ideas about impact moves the O's could (and would) potentially make this year to improve the team?

More playing time for the team's best hitter Hyun Soo Kim: .478/.538/.522/1.060.

[weams]

More playing time for the team's best hitter Hyun Soo Kim: .478/.538/.522/1.060.

Will they give him a ring?

[sportsfan8703]

Hard to say we have needs with the 3rd best record in MLB. Of course getting better results from Ubaldo and Wright would be nice, and getting a healthy Gallardo back. DD has proven he's willing to make trades to improve the club in season. A lefty starter would look real nice. But I'm sure every team in baseball could say that.

[sportsfan8703]

Will they give him a ring?

Is that what they give for ROY? If so how will we divide it up among Rickard, Kim, Bundy and Wilson?

[brianod]

I think we need another starter. We are desperately thin there. Unless a position player is given to us for a salary dump, I think we can leave the offense/defense as is.

[24fps]

Will they give him a ring?

Will they even let him sit in the stands during the postseason?

[sportsfan8703]

I think we need another starter. We are desperately thin there. Unless a position player is given to us for a salary dump, I think we can leave the offense/defense as is.

Don't laugh but I think TJ Macfarland is different this year. He was hitting low 90's and in his first start back in AAA went 5 scoreless. Nobody is even available for a trade right now. What's the history on June trades? I can't think of many of hand.

Best case scenario for us might be that we trade for James Shields. SD salary dumps him. Maybe they take Ubaldo or Gallardo. Shields pitches lights out and then opts out after the season. He does have that clause after this season.

[Filmstudy]

Braun would be outstanding, but he's on everyone's list and will probably go to the Sox. Fowler would have been every bit as good and would probably be leading MLB in runs if he was batting leadoff for the O's.

The O's need a high OBP corner OF to lead off. They are currently hurting themselves with Rickard in the leadoff spot and I expect it will get worse when he stops getting as many IF hits as he has.

[BohKnowsBmore]

Braun would be outstanding, but he's on everyone's list and will probably go to the Sox. Fowler would have been every bit as good and would probably be leading MLB in runs if he was batting leadoff for the O's.

The O's need a high OBP corner OF to lead off. They are currently hurting themselves with Rickard in the leadoff spot and I expect it will get worse when he stops getting as many IF hits as he has.

What do you see as unsustainable about his INFH, out of curiosity?

[TINSTAAPP]

Starting pitching and a true leadoff hitter. Just imagine how good this team would be if they had Dexter Fowler in LF instead of Joey Rickard.

[Frobby]

Those needs don't seem glaring and I'm not interested in raiding our minor league system to address them. I think another starting pitcher is probably our biggest need.

[wildcard]

Someone that can hit on the road. BOO on Braun. Expensive and a PED guy. Not interested and I doubt the O's would be.

[Aristotelian]

Biggest need would be a legit "ace" SP, but I don't see anyone coming available. The 2017 free agent list is pretty terrible.

Correction to the OP: Gallardo is really the 5th starter. Wright will be sent down as soon as the G-man is back. Whether Gallardo is the solution is up for debate.

Braun would be interesting but he still has a lot of years and dollars on that contract. I don't see the O's having interest.

Bullpen is set. Maybe a minor move for a LOOGY if Matusz continues to struggle.

Other than that, don't fix what ain't broke.

[oriole]

I'd say some starting pitching depth. I'd love to say an ace or close to it but we all know that's not happening. Someone like Rich Hill would be okay.

Also if they can find a clear upgrade in LF then go ahead but that's going to be tough to make room since Rickard and Kim both gotta stay on the team and neither has done enough to warrant getting sent down at this point.