Don't count out Rickard and Tavarez

[wildcard]

If we look at the contracts it easy to say that the majority of the playing time in the O's outfield this year will go to Kim, Jones and Smith.   However, if the O's want the best defensive outfield its probably Tavarez/Jones/ Rickard or maybe Rickard/Jones/Tavarez.   I agree that the two young players will have to not only out play Kim and Smith in the outfield but also out hit them in ST by a good margin.

However, I think it will be an interesting spring to see who does well and what it will means to who gets the playing time in right and left field once the season begins.   I am not talking trading veteran here.  I am just thinking about who sees time in the field and who is spending time on the bench.

After all, Rickard, Tavarez, Mancini and Sisco all have  put up good OBP numbers in the minors at one time or another.  Sisco needs more time to work on his defense but  the other three have a shot to make a statement this spring.

[Spy Fox]

I don't count them out, but I also don't count on them. And that seems to be the approach that DD and Buck are taking as well. 

[sportsfan8703]

Tavarez might beat Rickard out. Rickard has options. 

[25 Nuggets]

8 hours ago, sportsfan8703 said:

Tavarez might beat Rickard out. Rickard has options. 

I support this.

And for the umpteenth time, please explain to me how Rickard makes the best defensive OF!

[backwardsk]

If Tavarez is up and Rickard is down, then you are going to have to give a lot of at bats to Kim and Smith against lefties or Mancini against righties.

[ScGO's]

Dan ain't done adding yet.

[oceanicvoyage]

I could see Adam Walker getting some time as a platoon against lefties if any corner outfielder or dh struggles or gets injured.

[tntoriole]

Rickard is going to have to clearly, definitely beat out Tavarez or they will keep the Rule 5 pick. 

[Rene88]

I don't know they selected either guy. Should have taken a flyer on a pitcher, if anything.

We waste more like playing cutsie with the Rule 5 with little reward, waste in resource and in focus. Imagine if that safe effort was spent on the International market these past years.

[weams]

5 hours ago, oceanicvoyage said:

I could see Adam Walker getting some time as a platoon against lefties if any corner outfielder or dh struggles or gets injured.

I am a huge fan of this project. 

[weams]

1 hour ago, Rene88 said:

I don't know they selected either guy. Should have taken a flyer on a pitcher, if anything.

We waste more like playing cutsie with the Rule 5 with little reward, waste in resource and in focus. Imagine if that safe effort was spent on the International market these past years.

Santander was the best hitter in the Sally league last year.  Who knows about Tavarez.

 

[theobird]

7 hours ago, weams said:

Santander was the best hitter in the Sally league last year.  Who knows about Tavarez.

 

I agree that it may be Santander that they want to carry on the roster this year. He has a pretty nice upside.

[25 Nuggets]

Just now, theobird said:

I agree that it may be Santander that they want to carry on the roster this year. He has a pretty nice upside.

I thought Santander was going to be DLed to start the season.

[theobird]

1 minute ago, 25 Nuggets said:

I thought Santander was going to be DLed to start the season.

I did not know that. In any event, he has to be on the roster for a certain amount of time to retain him in the organization.

[weams]

Just now, theobird said:

I did not know that. In any event, he has to be on the roster for a certain amount of time to retain him in the organization.

Not sure they could do it, but they could rehab him for a while and maybe do September this year and April May next year?