Connolly: Ruben Tejada leader for O's UIF job

[wildcard]

From Baltimorebaseball.com

Ruben Tejada: Right now, the 28-year-old is probably the leader in the clubhouse to be the Orioles’ utility infielder next season. A veteran of eight major league seasons, he played 41 games for the Orioles last year – starting 29 at shortstop and three at third base. A career .251 hitter, he batted .230 with a .293 on-base percentage in the majors in 2017 and .280 in the minors.

The most important skill a utility infielder must exhibit is the ability to play shortstop, and Tejada can do that effectively; he made two errors in 36 games there for the Orioles last year. That’s probably what gives him the edge in the utility-infield battle, though I wouldn’t be surprised if the Orioles sign another fringe major leaguer to compete for the job this spring.

Luis Sardiñas: Orioles fans probably don’t know much about the 24-year-old Venezuelan except the club claimed him from the San Diego Padres on waivers in May and he spent the rest of the year at Triple-A Norfolk.

There are some in the organization that believe Sardiñas is a better fit at utility infielder than Tejada or farmhand Steve Wilkerson because Sardiñas is a switch-hitter, has some speed and can play all around the diamond effectively. He’s a career .229 hitter in parts of four big league seasons, but he hit .319 in 83 Triple-A games in 2017.

I wasn’t sure the Orioles would be able to retain both Tejada and Sardiñas for next year, since they’re obviously battling for the same job. But major league opportunities are difficult to get and Sardiñas/Tejada are in good position for one on Opening Day. Makes sense for both of them to re-up – and both could be Orioles at some point in 2018.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/11/29/baltimore-orioles-taking-look-orioles-minor-league-signings-rosa-tejada-sardinas-ryan-ripken/

 

[sportsfan8703]

Why is it so important they be able to play SS?  We have Manny. Our Util guy should have good speed. Plus the guys mentioned are barely passable at SS. Don't kid yourself on Tejada's or Sardinas' defense.

 

I know the Util IF is more about defense, but so is backup C. Then you have a rule 5 guy. That's why we have a crappy bench every year that doesn't produce dilly dilly.

We use our bench so little that somehow Ryan Flaherty just stole a paycheck for 6 full MLB seasons. I don't think he was ever optioned. Let that sink in. 

[tntoriole]

49 minutes ago, sportsfan8703 said:

Why is it so important they be able to play SS?  We have Manny. Our Util guy should have good speed. Plus the guys mentioned are barely passable at SS. Don't kid yourself on Tejada's or Sardinas' defense.

 

I know the Util IF is more about defense, but so is backup C. Then you have a rule 5 guy. That's why we have a crappy bench every year that doesn't produce dilly dilly.

We use our bench so little that somehow Ryan Flaherty just stole a paycheck for 6 full MLB seasons. I don't think he was ever optioned. Let that sink in. 

There is no place any longer for power bats off the bench, like Terry Crowley used to be, for one example.  Buck has either regulars who play 150 games if not injured and then has flawed backups on the bench rather than using the platoon type strategy that Earl used that would have a Merv Rettenmund coming in as a platoon guy, or a Curt Motton or a Roenicke Loewenstein...our bench has players for years  that clearly make the lineup worse if they are in it. 

[Luke-OH]

3 hours ago, wildcard said:

From Baltimorebaseball.com

Ruben Tejada: Right now, the 28-year-old is probably the leader in the clubhouse to be the Orioles’ utility infielder next season. A veteran of eight major league seasons, he played 41 games for the Orioles last year – starting 29 at shortstop and three at third base. A career .251 hitter, he batted .230 with a .293 on-base percentage in the majors in 2017 and .280 in the minors.

The most important skill a utility infielder must exhibit is the ability to play shortstop, and Tejada can do that effectively; he made two errors in 36 games there for the Orioles last year. That’s probably what gives him the edge in the utility-infield battle, though I wouldn’t be surprised if the Orioles sign another fringe major leaguer to compete for the job this spring.

Luis Sardiñas: Orioles fans probably don’t know much about the 24-year-old Venezuelan except the club claimed him from the San Diego Padres on waivers in May and he spent the rest of the year at Triple-A Norfolk.

There are some in the organization that believe Sardiñas is a better fit at utility infielder than Tejada or farmhand Steve Wilkerson because Sardiñas is a switch-hitter, has some speed and can play all around the diamond effectively. He’s a career .229 hitter in parts of four big league seasons, but he hit .319 in 83 Triple-A games in 2017.

I wasn’t sure the Orioles would be able to retain both Tejada and Sardiñas for next year, since they’re obviously battling for the same job. But major league opportunities are difficult to get and Sardiñas/Tejada are in good position for one on Opening Day. Makes sense for both of them to re-up – and both could be Orioles at some point in 2018.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/11/29/baltimore-orioles-taking-look-orioles-minor-league-signings-rosa-tejada-sardinas-ryan-ripken/

 

I think Sardinas is somewhat interesting, but I'd prefer a guy who doesn't have a slap hitter's swing, which both Tejada and Sardinas currently do.  Sardinas looks like he's tried to change his stance/swing and it's an interesting project because he does have some tools.  I'm not sure if it's there yet, the stance changed but the bat path still looked bad to me, though he did hit the ball harder it seems.

That's why I suggested Pablo Reyes or Nate Orf as rule 5 utility options.  Pablo Reyes is if you need a SS (he can also play CF which is cool and useful).  Nate Orf is for you if you want a guy who is polished baseball rat type player and has a good chance to be able to handle the bat at the major league level.

[wildcard]

Hardy is still out there and could come back on a 2M contract.   That would put Tejada  in the Janish role of being called up when there is an injury.

The O's simply do not want to move Manny or Schoop to fill in at SS IMO.  The O's wound rather they play their positions full time and have a backup SS to fill-in.

Hardy and Tejada are both sure handed SS who do not make many errors.  Hardy's range is still pretty good.  Tejada's was hurt by the Utley injury.   Beckham  and Sardinas are high error SS.  Expect 20+ pretty year if either plays full time.  That is why the O's will likely have Beckham start at SS and Hardy or Tejada be the sure handed defensive SS that gets in a lot of games to hold a lead.

[Redskins Rick]

3 hours ago, sportsfan8703 said:

Why is it so important they be able to play SS?  We have Manny. Our Util guy should have good speed. Plus the guys mentioned are barely passable at SS. Don't kid yourself on Tejada's or Sardinas' defense.

 

I know the Util IF is more about defense, but so is backup C. Then you have a rule 5 guy. That's why we have a crappy bench every year that doesn't produce dilly dilly.

We use our bench so little that somehow Ryan Flaherty just stole a paycheck for 6 full MLB seasons. I don't think he was ever optioned. Let that sink in. 

Because Buck has said, he does not like moving guys around mid-game, if he can help it.

In Buck's manager handbook, his rule is, the first infielder on his bench, must able to play a good SS.

[Frobby]

There’s very little chance of Hardy returning here IMO.   He’s never played 2B or 3B, he can’t pinch run, and he’s got nothing left in his bat. He’s not a very good fit for the Orioles IMO.

[Tx Oriole]

11 minutes ago, Frobby said:

There’s very little chance of Hardy returning here IMO.   He’s never played 2B or 3B, he can’t pinch run, and he’s got nothing left in his bat. He’s not a very good fit for the Orioles IMO.

Wish he would retire and come in as a coach. 

[Luke-OH]

15 minutes ago, Redskins Rick said:

Because Buck has said, he does not like moving guys around mid-game, if he can help it.

In Buck's manager handbook, his rule is, the first infielder on his bench, must able to play a good SS.

That may be in his handbook, but he overlooked it for multiple years when Flaherty was the first IF on the bench. 

[Redskins Rick]

5 minutes ago, phillyOs119 said:

That may be in his handbook, but he overlooked it for multiple years when Flaherty was the first IF on the bench. 

I dont believe he did, if he honestly felt Ryan was that bad, he would have looked elsewhere.

Granted, I think Ryan does a much better job at playing 3rd.

[wildcard]

21 minutes ago, Frobby said:

There’s very little chance of Hardy returning here IMO.   He’s never played 2B or 3B, he can’t pinch run, and he’s got nothing left in his bat. He’s not a very good fit for the Orioles IMO.

Hardy plays 2B most of the the time when they are in a shift.  He is a smart enough defensive player to play 2B and 3B by just coming to ST and working with Dickerson to prepare for the season. The O's biggest vulnerability after starter is SS.    Having Hardy on the team takes that vulnerability away.    And whoever plays the UIF is likely not going to hit much so that will not  keep the O's for signing Hardy.

The question is can Hardy get more playing time on another team and make more money?  If he can't and is willing to take a backup role for 2m, I think he is back with the O's as Beckham mentor and backup.

As far as pinch runners look to the backup outfielders.   Santander is probably only with the O's for 44 days and guys like Rickard and Mullins can pinch run.

[murph]

Brock Holt anyone?

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/11/tending-to-non-tender-business.html

[El Gordo]

1 hour ago, murph said:

Brock Holt anyone?

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/11/tending-to-non-tender-business.html

Brock Holt is a super UTIF he would see a lot of playing time. Doubt the Sux non tender him He would have trade value.

[Luke-OH]

10 minutes ago, El Gordo said:

Brock Holt is a super UTIF he would see a lot of playing time. Doubt the Sux non tender him He would have trade value.

Was he hurt last year?  He was terrible and he wasn't good in 2016 either, I doubt he has much value at this point.  He was pretty solid in 2014-2015, but I'm not convinced that he's anything like that player anymore.  He's lost 1.1 ft/sec in speed (according to the statcast sprint leaderboard.  His hard hit balls have decreased significantly as have his line drives which has led to a lower BABIP and virtual no power.  Defensive numbers have gotten worse as well.

[El Gordo]

21 minutes ago, phillyOs119 said:

Was he hurt last year?  He was terrible and he wasn't good in 2016 either, I doubt he has much value at this point.  He was pretty solid in 2014-2015, but I'm not convinced that he's anything like that player anymore.  He's lost 1.1 ft/sec in speed (according to the statcast sprint leaderboard.  His hard hit balls have decreased significantly as have his line drives which has led to a lower BABIP and virtual no power.  Defensive numbers have gotten worse as well.

Concussion symptoms: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox/clubhouse_insider/2017/05/brock_holt_shut_down_for_foreseeable_future_with_lingering