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Roch Kubatko MASNSports: The Case for Optioning Joey Rickard


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http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/12/wondering-about-rickards-place-on-2017-roster.html

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I’m not assuming that Joey Rickard has a spot waiting for him on the 25-man roster. I’ll say that he’s got a decent chance of making it, but there’s no way that he’s guaranteed to break camp with the team.

Rickard can be optioned next year after shedding his Rule 5 status in 2016. He made it far enough despite not playing after July 20 due to a torn ligament in his right thumb.

The Orioles figure to carry another Rule 5 guy after selecting outfielders Aneury Tavarez and Anthony Santander. Executive vice president Dan Duquette continues his search for a right fielder, and he’s indicated that he could bring in a second outfielder, perhaps a right-handed bat to platoon with Hyun Soo Kim in left field.

And Buck

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"But I can’t say for sure who we’re getting, but he was in a great ... he had nothing to lose. Tampa didn’t protect him. He came in letting it rip, firing on all levels."

“I don’t know what this spring is going to bring. It might be a week into it and I go, ‘Yep, same guy, we’re in good shape.’ I’m hoping and I’m thinking that’s what we’re going to see, but I’m cautious that, let’s just hold down before we make him the third or fourth outfielder.

 

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I agree that Rickard has to show he is healthy and can get on base at a fairly high rate.  But if he is healthy he showed enough last year to say he can play vs left-handed pitching when he hit for a .367 OBP against them.  If he shows that same ability in ST it probably gets him a spot of the 25 man roster.  

If he shows improvement from last year that his .390 OBP in the minors suggests, he could become the O's everyday leadoff hitter.  While the O's can't count on that happening, they have to give him every chance to show what he can do.

Both Rickard and Tavarez can fit on the 25 man roster that includes 5 outfielders.  There would still be room to add another outfielder from outside the organization.  And who's to say that the guy they add will not have options also.  Dan may also add a AAA outfielder with potential to help in the majors.

If the O's sign Trumbo and make Mancini available in trade they could look for a young outfielder in return.  If the O's have Manny, Davis, Trumbo, Jones, Schoop and Castillo on the roster they have enough power to have high OBP guys at the corner outfield spots.  We just have to see how it turns out.

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Generally speaking, we are a better or at least deeper team if Rickard starts the season in AAA based on merit. I'll feel a lot better about the team's depth if Rickard is one of the first couple OF'ers up rather than a platoon LF'er or 4th OF'er to start. 

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2 hours ago, Frobby said:

I agree completely that Rickard is just a guy fighting for a spot this year.    He'll have to clearly beat out the new Rule 5 guys.   Competition is a good thing.  

I agree with this. He has to come in to spring training with the mentality that he has to fight his way back on the team.

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45 minutes ago, sportsfan8703 said:

Options are a big part of determining the roster as we've seen in the past.  Joseph has a few and Pena zero.  So I wouldn't be surprised to see both Joseph and Rickard start the year in AAA.  Rickard is probably safe, but it all depends on who we add.  

I would be very surprised  to see Joseph optioned to start the season.  He knows the pitching staff better than any other catcher that will be on the roster.

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I've said it elsewhere--I'd be VERY surprised if Rickard starts the year in the majors. He showed some talent last year but doesn't seem to be major-league ready. The -0.5 bWAR and -0.7 fWAR don't suggest a guaranteed spot on the Opening Day roster.

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