Where are the O's going into the Winter Meetings

[wildcard]

If the O's are focused on  one pitcher in free agency its Jason Vargas.   This soon to be 35 year is left handed started 32 games last year.  He pitched 179.2 innings to a 4.16 ERA and won 18 games.   He would be the O's #3 starter if signed.     He is the guy the O's might over pay to acquire.  Its something to watch for at the Winter Meetings or soon there after.

The next thing to watch is what the O's do with all their outfielders and DHs.    Jones, Mancini, Hays, Brugman, Santander, Rickard, Stewart, Mullins Trumbo and maybe if he  is still is an Oriole after the Rule 5 draft, Rafaela.  All but Rifaela has a chance to be in  the majors some time next season.  That is 9 players for 6 spots.   Sounds like a place to trade from.

Dan wants to have a left-hander at either DH or in the outfield.  To do that Trumbo most certainly has to be traded.  Can Dan do that?   We will see.  But the logical place to try is to take back an expensive pitcher coming off a bad season.  Listen for the rumors on this one.  That will probably be the O's #4 starter if Dan can pull it  off sometime during the off season.

 Tillman and Miguel Gonzalez could be a #5 starter if  the contract is right. Depends on the market as to how soon they sign.

When you categorize the O's outfielder it looks like this:

Who has the arm to play right field?   Jones, Hays(rated at 60) and maybe Rickard though Rickard's arm is not nearly as strong. Brugman (Note: A rating of 50 is average)

Who has the speed to play center?  Jones (when he in not injured or beat up), Hays (rated at 55) and Mullins ( rated at 60).  Jones and Hays both have the arm to play center.  Mullins' arm is rated below average at 45.  Maybe Rickard though he fits better at the corners. Brugman has play center but he is not speedy.

 Left field:  Mancini,  Stewart (arm: 40, speed:45 defense 45), Brugman,   Mullins. Rickard  

DH: Trumbo, Santander (Run 45, arm 50, Defense 45). Mancini, Stewart

So if the O's pick who they want to keep it would be Jones and Hay at either center  or right.   Mancini at left or DH.  And a left-hander in left or DH.   It may be some one signed or traded for on a one year contract like Pedro Alvarez at DH or some left fielder to begin the season.   Mullins could be the long term left field or 4th outfielder. 

Trade chips could be Trumbo, Stewart, Rickard,  Santander,  Brugman, Rifaela.   None have a lot of trade value but neither does a #5 starter or a #6 or #7 all which the O's need.

The Trade of Manny would be a game changer.    It would have to bring back starting pitching as someone to replace him in the infield.  

The O's probably can't get value out of Britton until he shows he is healthy in the spring.     I would be surprised to see him trade at the Winter Meetings.  Not surprised in Spring Training.   Givens, Brach and O'Day can handle the 9th.

Castro probably gets an opportunity to tryout for the #5 starter.  But he also looks good in the pen. He is out of options. Ynoa and Wright are out of options and have to make the team or be exposed to waivers.   Not that I think either couldn't make it through waivers on the day before Opening Day.    Both have never been outrighted and have to accept the assignment to AAA if they make it through waivers.

I see Jones as someone the O's want to keep if he has a good season this year.   But not at 17m/yr.   More like at 12M.  To decrease his salary that much he has to be a free agent next fall.  

I think the O's extend Brach the spring.

JMO

 

[mdbdotcom]

Where are the O's going into the winter meetings? They are in The Magic Kingdom.

Let me know if you need more help with anything.

[oriole]

By the end of the winter meetings the O's will have signed Cobb and traded for Duffy and Harvey. It's gonna be a fun week.

[Il BuonO]

We’ll see a ton of activity....from other teams. The Orioles will, however, be active in the Rule 5 draft. They might even fill out the rotation with a couple pitchers. Competing in ‘18!

[Lucky_13]

I agree with everything here except that Britton will be traded in the spring. I could see him traded this week to clear salary in an attempt to sign some pitching. 

Lots of teams rumored to interested

[weams]

3 minutes ago, Lucky_13 said:

I agree with everything here except that Britton will be traded in the spring. I could see him traded this week to clear salary in an attempt to sign some pitching. 

Lots of teams rumored to interested

And Givens. 

[Lucky_13]

Just now, weams said:

And Givens. 

Trade givens? 

He'd bring back good value IMO because he is under control for awhile. But he's the heir apparent to Britton so I don't know if they'd do that. 

[Moose Milligan]

They'll be there, that's about it.  

 

 

[Can_of_corn]

2 minutes ago, Moose Milligan said:

They'll be there, that's about it.  

 

 

Pick a player in the rule V draft.

Eat some free breakfast pastries in the lobby.

[Moose Milligan]

Just now, Can_of_corn said:

Pick a player in the rule V draft.

Eat some free breakfast pastries in the lobby.

Oh yeah, we love the Rule V draft, I almost forgot.

Then there'll be a bunch of handwringing and pearl clutching about how we're going to keep him on the roster all season long.

[TommyPickles]

This was a great write up. I hope they can trade Trumbo as well. I'd also, personally, like to see Rickard remain as a bench player. His defensive metrics looked way better in his sophomore year. He may be one of our best all around defensive outfielders at this point. And he still has a career .310 OBP against lefties.

https://www.google.com/amp/www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bs-sp-orioles-joey-rickard-defense-20170803-story,amp.html

 

[Frobby]

I’ll go contrary and say the Orioles will make a significant move at this year’s Winter Meetings, rather than waiting until afterwards to get going.   Don’t ask me what the move will be, but I sense our situation just requires a little more urgency this year.    

[Il BuonO]

32 minutes ago, Moose Milligan said:

Oh yeah, we love the Rule V draft, I almost forgot.

Then there'll be a bunch of handwringing and pearl clutching about how we're going to keep him on the roster all season long.

If they draft two starting pitchers with a pulse you can bet they’re staying.

[tntoriole]

51 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

Pick a player in the rule V draft.

Eat some free breakfast pastries in the lobby.

Yeah, Dan could lay off a few of those and spend more time in the work out room with Brady...

[tntoriole]

18 minutes ago, Il BuonO said:

If they draft two starting pitchers with a pulse you can bet they’re staying.

So we start the season with 3 Rule 5s?   That is the way to get after those MFYs...lol.    Take that Giancarlo...in your face, Judge...here are my Rule 5 guys!!