Cobb to Orioles (Confirmed by Roch Kubatko)

[Beef Supreme]

2 minutes ago, utvolzac said:

I can’t think of anything more disastrous then losing Manny for a comp pick, which is basically a crap shoot.

Thats like Glenn Davis level bad.

I could understand the Cobb move if Manny was locked up. But with all our key guys leaving next year, I give us less than 10% chance of being good.

It's not "Glenn Davis" bad. Houston was dumping Davis, shedding his salary as the ownership readied to sell the franchise. Steve Finley was the top player the Orioles had developed in years. The Orioles chose to make that trade. It wasn't just getting the bad end of a deal, it was a philosophical failure.

Losing Manny is beyond their control. Even if they had tried continuously for the past five years to sign Machado to a long-term deal, all control lays with the player.

[Bahama O's Fan]

2 minutes ago, atomic said:

2014 Orioles won 96 games.  I would say on paper the 2018 team looks better.  Players get injured , players have career years who is to know what will happen. At least us getting into the playoffs doesn't look like total fantasy at this point.  

Interesting discussion. Might deserve its own thread 

[Can_of_corn]

Just now, utvolzac said:

I’d disagree. Manny is a once in a generation talent. It’s inexcusable for management to put themselves in a situation where he walks for nothing.

That move sets the franchise back years.

Is he tho?

How different is he from Nolan Arenado?  Sure Manny started his career three years younger but Nolan is already within .5 rWAR.

[24fps]

37 minutes ago, weams said:

 

Along with their salaries.  Dont forget that part.

2019 might be a little ugly, but it's not likely to be be nuclear winter for years either.

[Hank Scorpio]

1 minute ago, Frobby said:

I don’t think so.   That team pitched and defended extremely well.

If this team has league average starting pitching I’ll be surprised. Britton being out for however long is another kick in the pants.

[Can_of_corn]

1 minute ago, Frobby said:

I don’t think so.   That team pitched and defended extremely well.

Difference in defense is likely to be significant.

[scOtt]

4 minutes ago, utvolzac said:

I’d disagree. Manny is a once in a generation talent. It’s inexcusable for management to put themselves in a situation where he walks for nothing.

That move sets the franchise back years.

Once in a generation paycheck too. It is what it is.

[Can_of_corn]

Just now, Hank Scorpio said:

If this team has league average starting pitching I’ll be surprised. Britton being out for however long is another kick in the pants.

Kick in the pants or kick in the chestnuts?

[Frobby]

I will say this: two years ago I prematurely posted a “grade the offseason” thread when it was reported we had signed Gallardo and Fowler.    I had to delete the thread when Fowler showed up at Cubs camp.    So I’ll celebrate Cobb when he’s donning a jersey at a press conference, and not while he has a reported deal pending a physical.    

[waroriole]

3 minutes ago, Hank Scorpio said:

They crux of the entire conversation is how does this 2018 team pan out? If they miss the playoffs, their approach with Machado will be Glenn Davis level bad. 

A play in game, to me, is not the playoffs.

i just think it to be irresponsible to let a player of Machado’s talent walk for a pick, especially when you have 0% chance of signing him and you’re a fringe playoff contender going into the season. 

With the way FA played out this year, do they have 0% chance of resigning him?

[TouchemAll]

5 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

Not saying I agree with the plan.

It looks to me that a long term strategy isn't in place.  That every year the goal is going to be to cobble together a team that might have a shot at a WC.

yup that's always been my thought

[foxfield]

I just saw this on my phone. Wow. 

 

This group is dysfunctional and frustrating.  But it ain't dumb. Tillman et al battlling for #5 makes me feel pretty optimistic for the season. 

 

Wow!

[Beef Supreme]

Quote

Last season, Cobb was back to being an effective starter and played his way into a contract with the Orioles. For Baltimore, even though there is risk with Cobb, his upside is high. And because his salary is low compared to what the top-tier free agents—Yu Darvish, Jake Arrieta—received, they'd get a reliable starter who can stabilize the middle of their rotation as they build for 2018 and beyond.

Signing Cobb is particularly important for the Orioles if they want to contend for the playoffs in what is a loaded American League East. Although the Orioles already signed Andrew Cashner, that move alone didn't move the needle too much with regard to the team's rotation. Cobb, on the other hand, is a real difference-maker for Baltimore's pitching staff. -- Bleacher Report

 

[Frobby]

3 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

Is he tho?

How different is he from Nolan Arenado?  Sure Manny started his career three years younger but Nolan is already within .5 rWAR.

Once in a generation for a particular team.    Not for all of MLB.

[Chito]