And that's why Gentry is on this roster

[Frobby]

The other day, Roy posed the question, "please tell me why Craig Gentry is on this roster." 

Today we saw why.    Brought in to pinch run, he stole second base, advanced to third on a fly ball to left center, and scored on a sac fly to tie up a one-run game in the 9th.    That, and upgrading the defense, is why he's on the roster.   

[nevadaO]

Exactly. When he starts I don't agree with him leading off, but after the 1st it doesn't even matter that much. Personally I am thrilled we have someone with his type of speed and base stealing abilities on the roster. It's been a seriously ignored aspect of the game for us over the years.

[El Gordo]

47 minutes ago, Frobby said:

The other day, Roy posed the question, "please tell me why Craig Gentry is on this roster." 

Today we saw why.    Brought in to pinch run, he stole second base, advanced to third on a fly ball to left center, and scored on a sac fly to tie up a one-run game in the 9th.    That, and upgrading the defense, is why he's on the roster.   

Was thinking the same thing when he stole second.

[PaulFolk]

2 minutes ago, Roy Firestone said:

Id rather have another pitcher than a 3rd reserve outfielder who can run and defend.Or, Id be happy with Kim, Mancini, Smith, Rickard, and EVEN Trumbo as options in the outfield.

By "another pitcher," do you mean an eighth reliever? I very much disagree with that. The Orioles already have one reliever (Nuno) who never pitches, another (Wilson) who only pitches when the good relievers are tired, and another rotating spot recently vacated by Drake and Crichton. I don't see any reason to add another reliever on top of those.

To me, it's much more valuable to the Orioles to have a bench player with speed who can actually play a good defensive outfield late in the game, especially with so many sub-par corner outfielders on the roster. We can debate whether Gentry is the right guy for that role, but someone should be.

[baltfan]

Nice to have a guy with speed that can actually steal a base when necessary.  Rickard and Lough looked the part but never seemed to be able to deliver.  

Gentry needs to stay.  He is good in the outfield as well.  Another place that neither Lough nor Rickard were really that impressive.

[Can_of_corn]

Just now, baltfan said:

Nice to have a guy with speed that can actually steal a base when necessary.  Rickard and Lough looked the part but never seemed to be able to deliver.  

Gentry needs to stay.  He is good in the outfield as well.  Another place that neither Lough nor Rickard were really that impressive.

But he doesn't need to hit leadoff.

[eddie83]

So the next question is during the regular season is this type of player more valuable than say a Mancini? In the playoffs when you don't need 12 pitchers you can carry a Gentry type. At some point Gentry will have to hit some to stay.  

[El Gordo]

46 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

But he doesn't need to hit leadoff.

He wont when Joey returns.

[Norfolk orioles]

He's great as a pinch runner/defensive replacement.

 

As a platoon player/leadoff hitter? Not so much.