Log jam in the outfield - Kim on the hot seat

[1968_bills_fan]

Last year I could not imagine this problem.  This year we have a surplus of outfielders and will soon need to option, trade or waiver some decent player or players.

Last year our overall outfield defense was poor.  Jones is loved but is an average defender in CF.  He can not do it all and has rightly complained about having to cover more ground than he should have to.  This has been addressed by bringing in more speed with some decent veteran players and they WILL be part of the roster this year.  There is also the need for a speedy lead-off batter who is a threat to steal bases and serve as a pinch runner.  This gives the O's a chance to play small ball and win some games they they couldn't touch last year.    Here is what I see our situation

Starters:   TWO:   Jones in center and Trumbo/Mancini in right.

 On the roster as lead-off:   Gentry, Smith and Rickard.    Besides lead-off, these people can back up center field, add at least ONE more speedy outfielder to help Jones, be used as a pinch-runner or base stealer in close games.  I see a two headed, mashing monster in Trumbo/Mancini at DH and right field most of the time.

So that gives us SIX 25-man roster spots for 4 positions (3 outfield and the DH).

=============================

The we then have the following viable outfielders in the organization also in the organization:

Kim -----  good batting average and OBP but not a lot of power.  A smart, good-eye batter, who works pitch counts.  Sure hands in the outfield BUT not a lot of speed on the basepaths or the outfield.

Santander ---   a rule 5 pick.  (the organization loves these to make up for a poor minor league system and that has a lot of weight in the Warehouse).  Also not a bad player and has some emergency utility.

Bourn--    a speedy veteran, who played well here and is a back up for Gentry/Smith/Rickard if they faulter or have an early season injury, although he may leave the organization if he doesn't move up.

Dickerson-   A speedy veteran, who has been injuried a lot in his career, but showed quality in spring training.  He likely will be a quality available call-up with much the same role and profile as Bourn.

 

Kim looks like the odd man out.  He is a likeable, good on-base guy, but his lack of speed and (debatable perceived problem with left handed pitching) hurts his usefulness with the O's. 

If I were running the show I would be looking at the upcoming crunch at the 25 man roster spots, when we need 5 starting pitchers.  I would look for a trade for Kim- maybe a west coast team with better time connections to Korea (for his fan base and filling stadium seats). He is a free agent next year.  Maybe a trade for a promising minor league pitcher is a target?   He IS a legit major leaguer and a quite decent player, but we might give up something valuable AND get something valuable in return.

 

 

 

[Frobby]

It's going to be interesting.    Dan's going to be busy.  

[mdbdotcom]

Ancient Orioles proverb: "These things have a way of working themselves out."

[weams]

And this is awful, Why? 

[Moose Milligan]

Logjam of outfielders and yet the defense is still suspect.  The guys with the gloves don't have enough offense to get any playing time.

[wildcard]

kgl

1 hour ago, 1968_bills_fan said:

Last year I could not imagine this problem.  This year we have a surplus of outfielders and will soon need to option, trade or waiver some decent player or players.

Last year our overall outfield defense was poor.  Jones is loved but is an average defender in CF.  He can not do it all and has rightly complained about having to cover more ground than he should have to.  This has been addressed by bringing in more speed with some decent veteran players and they WILL be part of the roster this year.  There is also the need for a speedy lead-off batter who is a threat to steal bases and serve as a pinch runner.  This gives the O's a chance to play small ball and win some games they they couldn't touch last year.    Here is what I see our situation

Starters:   TWO:   Jones in center and Trumbo/Mancini in right.

 On the roster as lead-off:   Gentry, Smith and Rickard.    Besides lead-off, these people can back up center field, add at least ONE more speedy outfielder to help Jones, be used as a pinch-runner or base stealer in close games.  I see a two headed, mashing monster in Trumbo/Mancini at DH and right field most of the time.

So that gives us SIX 25-man roster spots for 4 positions (3 outfield and the DH).

=============================

The we then have the following viable outfielders in the organization also in the organization:

Kim -----  good batting average and OBP but not a lot of power.  A smart, good-eye batter, who works pitch counts.  Sure hands in the outfield BUT not a lot of speed on the basepaths or the outfield.

Santander ---   a rule 5 pick.  (the organization loves these to make up for a poor minor league system and that has a lot of weight in the Warehouse).  Also not a bad player and has some emergency utility.

Bourn--    a speedy veteran, who played well here and is a back up for Gentry/Smith/Rickard if they faulter or have an early season injury, although he may leave the organization if he doesn't move up.

Dickerson-   A speedy veteran, who has been injuried a lot in his career, but showed quality in spring training.  He likely will be a quality available call-up with much the same role and profile as Bourn.

 

Kim looks like the odd man out.  He is a likeable, good on-base guy, but his lack of speed and (debatable perceived problem with left handed pitching) hurts his usefulness with the O's. 

If I were running the show I would be looking at the upcoming crunch at the 25 man roster spots, when we need 5 starting pitchers.  I would look for a trade for Kim- maybe a west coast team with better time connections to Korea (for his fan base and filling stadium seats). He is a free agent next year.  Maybe a trade for a promising minor league pitcher is a target?   He IS a legit major leaguer and a quite decent player, but we might give up something valuable AND get something valuable in return.

 

 

 

Tillman being on the DL has nothing to do with the outfield.   There are already 5 starters on the roster.  Really 6 with Asher,   

I see no reason to trade anyone at this point.  The team is 12-4 mostly without Rickard.   He can be optioned until needed.  Other than that Buck can mixed and match at the corner outfield and DH spots.

[Dark Helmet]

It's going to be hard for Kim to get off the hot seat, if he's not getting the chance to.

[Aristotelian]

As much as I like Kim, you have to go with the best option each and every game. Against LHP and apparently Stephen Wright, Mancini is the best option. It is possible that Mancini is the best option against RHP too. I am not convinced that Trumbo shouldn't be the odd man out, but the Orioles are paying him as if he is an everyday starter. 

[Frobby]

As an aside, Aneury Tavarez is hitting .381/.460/.500 for Boston's AA affiliate.    Interesting that they didn't even have room for him in AAA.

[FanSince88]

If you really wanted to live dangerously, you could option Flash and swing Davis to 3B and Manny to SS whenever Hardy needs a blow.  

[weams]

54 minutes ago, Dark Helmet said:

It's going to be hard for Kim to get off the hot seat, if he's not getting the chance to.

No need to change a winning formula. When they lose some, they can experiment. 

[weams]

30 minutes ago, RZNJ said:

Surprised a rebuilding team didn't claim him.  

Really. He would have made a good Pirate. Or Blue Jay.

[wildcard]

7 minutes ago, FanSince88 said:

If you really wanted to live dangerously, you could option Flash and swing Davis to 3B and Manny to SS whenever Hardy needs a blow.  

Flaherty can't be optioned without his permission.  He has 5 years of service time.

[Dark Helmet]

34 minutes ago, weams said:

No need to change a winning formula. When they lose some, they can experiment. 

I'm for Mancini getting the playing time. He's young and the future. Kim is a FA after the year. So if Mancini keeps hitting and holds his own if the OF, then keep putting him out there. 

I knew Smith kind of made Kim a little redundant once Trumbo came back.

[MattStepp]

I dont get the fascination with Rickard..are we sure he's one of the six??' I guess Buck likes him?

It's a good problem to have...especially if we have guys who bring different dimensions to the team....ie Genry/Bourne...I think Kim is unique and brings something different to the table as well..

if we have 6 guys for the OF/DH rotation I like

Jones

Trumbo

Smith

Mancini

Gentry

Kim

Bourne

Alvarez is a more than serviceable bat but he's really just a DH...at some point I feel like he needs to be moved even if its for an average minor league arm...