Orioles acquire RHP Matt Wotherspoon

[nevadaO]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/07/orioles-acquire-matt-wotherspoon-jason-wheeler.html

The Orioles have made a pair of trades, according to a team announcement. They’ve acquired right-hander Matt Wotherspoon from the Yankees and left-hander Jason Wheeler from the Dodgers, surrendering international signing bonus slots for both players. Wotherspoon and Wheeler will report to Triple-A Norfolk.

[sportsfan8703]

Witherspoon has good k numbers and has a 3/4 arm slot. 94-96 FB and a slider. College reliever. Strictly a reliever in the minors. Looks pretty dominant ar ever level. 

https://2080baseball.com/reports/matt-wotherspoon/

Getting Moreno depth. Might be DFAing someone for Britton. 

[MDtransplant757]

2 minutes ago, sportsfan8703 said:

Witherspoon has good k numbers and has a 3/4 arm slot. 94-96 FB and a slider. College reliever. Strictly a reliever in the minors. Looks pretty dominant ar ever level. 

https://2080baseball.com/reports/matt-wotherspoon/

Getting Moreno depth. Might be DFAing someone for Britton. 

So essentially we got another Brach from the Yankees, and some other Shlub from the dodgers

[Can_of_corn]

4 minutes ago, MDtransplant757 said:

So essentially we got another Brach from the Yankees, and some other Shlub from the dodgers

More likely it will turn out to be two schlubs.  One might turn into something at the ML level but the odds of him making an all star team are beyond long.

[25 Nuggets]

2 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

More likely it will turn out to be two schlubs.  One might turn into something at the ML level but the odds of him making an all star team are beyond long.

Still, if the Orioles weren't going to do anything with those international slots, it's common sense to get something for them.

Does this mean the Yanks and Dodgers get to sign an international player each?

[Can_of_corn]

Just now, 25 Nuggets said:

Still, if the Orioles weren't going to do anything with those international slots, it's common sense to get something for them.

Does this mean the Yanks and Dodgers get to sign an international player each?

Sure, they might as well get a marginal upgrade at AAA instead of nothing.

And no it doesn't mean that.  It just gives them extra money to divide up however they want.  It isn't a player per slot.

[Luke-OH]

38 minutes ago, nevadaO said:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/07/orioles-acquire-matt-wotherspoon-jason-wheeler.html

 

 

I'd rather them trade these slots for high upside low minors lottery tickets rather than closer to the majors marginal upside guys like these.

[Can_of_corn]

3 minutes ago, phillyOs119 said:

I'd rather them trade these slots for high upside low minors lottery tickets rather than closer to the majors marginal upside guys like these.

Do you think teams are offering high upside low minor lottery tickets for these slots?  I'm thinking that is the type of player they are using the slots to acquire.

[Chavez Ravine]

International signing season always yields a bitter harvest for O's fans. But what does the data say the optimal strategy should be? It seems obvious that spending a few million on a "high upside player" vs. spending it on someone like Witherspoon is  a no brainier. But do we have data to support that assumption? What has been the historical return on investment for international signing guys compared to spending to get more Witherspoon types?

[Tx Oriole]

52 minutes ago, nevadaO said:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/07/orioles-acquire-matt-wotherspoon-jason-wheeler.html

 

 

Dammit. 

[Can_of_corn]

3 minutes ago, Chavez Ravine said:

International signing season always yields a bitter harvest for O's fans. But what does the data say the optimal strategy should be? It seems obvious that spending a few million on a "high upside player" vs. spending it on someone like Witherspoon is  a no brainier. But do we have data to support that assumption? What has been the historical return on investment for international signing guys compared to spending to get more Witherspoon types?

When 28 or so teams zig and one or two teams zag and one of the teams zagging has a poorly rated farm system I am pretty sure what the optimal strategy isn't.

 

And it's Wotherspoon.  I'd be more excited if the O's had acquired Witherspoon.

[Luke-OH]

4 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

Do you think teams are offering high upside low minor lottery tickets for these slots?  I'm thinking that is the type of player they are using the slots to acquire.

Maybe, maybe not, I'm not talking legit prospects, I'm talking young fringe guys.  We have a ton of guys like this, all teams do.  Late round non-overslot high school draft picks, super cheap international signings that don't flame out immediately.  

These slots have worth, especially with the new hard cap on international spending, if we trade a 750,000 slot that's may be the difference in being able to sign a guy on par with a top 3 round draft pick or better. The scouting grades on the top few international prospects these year would put them as middle first round draft prospects. 

[Chavez Ravine]

15 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

When 28 or so teams zig and one or two teams zag and one of the teams zagging has a poorly rated farm system I am pretty sure what the optimal strategy isn't.

 

And it's Wotherspoon.  I'd be more excited if the O's had acquired Witherspoon.

I know what the obvious answer is, which is why I said so. But sometimes the obvious answer is just fact and sometimes it leaves you open for a smart Alec to call you an idiot for not bucking the herd. I just want to know what the evidence is. 

And what kind of name is Wotherspoon? It sounds like a character on a mod 60's Brit sitcom.

[Tx Oriole]

17 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

When 28 or so teams zig and one or two teams zag and one of the teams zagging has a poorly rated farm system I am pretty sure what the optimal strategy isn't.

 

And it's Wotherspoon.  I'd be more excited if the O's had acquired Witherspoon.

I would too Can. 

[Can_of_corn]

7 minutes ago, Chavez Ravine said:

I know what the obvious answer is, which is why I said so. But sometimes the obvious answer is just fact and sometimes it leaves you open for a smart Alec to call you an idiot for not bucking the herd. I just want to know what the evidence is. 

And what kind of name is Wotherspoon? It sounds like a character on a mod 60's Brit sitcom.

I don't think enough data exists to make a definitive conclusion.  Dan is pretty much the only guy working this way and one big hit would dramatically change the results.