Iglesias signs with O's

[HowAboutThat]

Well, it looks as if Martin has a leg up over Wilkerson for a roster spot. Tony Reminded me that the main need for a utility guy is the ability to play short, and apparently Wilk  doesn’t. 

 If that’s true, we have two utility infielder‘s? Or a floater who can cover everything except short? If we also need a platoon partner for Alberto at second, it starts crunching the roster a little bit.

[interloper]

12 minutes ago, Philip said:

Well, it looks as if Martin has a leg up over Wilkerson for a roster spot. Tony Reminded me that the main need for a utility guy is the ability to play short, and apparently Wilk  doesn’t. 

 If that’s true, we have two utility infielder‘s? Or a floater who can cover everything except short? If we also need a platoon partner for Alberto at second, it starts crunching the roster a little bit.

Honestly and why shouldn't he? He's young and has defensive tools and better speed. Wilkerson had a few fun moments but I'm kinda over the guy as a player. I'd rather see different guys in his role who we haven't seen yet or see what Richie can do if he has a good spring.

[Frobby]

Fangraphs likes it: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/orioles-sign-jose-iglesias-who-is-both-safe-and-fun/

[mdbdotcom]

He's no Julio Lugo, and that's great news!

[HowAboutThat]

25 minutes ago, interloper said:

Honestly and why shouldn't he? He's young and has defensive tools and better speed. Wilkerson had a few fun moments but I'm kinda over the guy as a player. I'd rather see different guys in his role who we haven't seen yet or see what Richie can do if he has a good spring.

 Oh, I don’t disagree with anything you said, and I like both players very much, I’m just kind of a fan of Wilkerson. Mike’s comments indicate that Martin going to AAA is not a fait accompli, so I’m wondering what the plan is for the roster. 

[tntoriole]

9 hours ago, wildcard said:

Have there been any press reports of that?  Link?

https://www.prospectslive.com/mlb-draft/2019/12/4/mlb-2020-mock-draft-10

Everything is just somebody’s opinion at this point.  It does seem that Torkelson, Hancock and Austin Martin are always in the top 3 of the movks I have seen thus far though they are interchangeable in their slot number.   But we will get a premium prospect with our pick, for sure. 

[DrungoHazewood]

13 hours ago, sportsfan8703 said:

This reminds me of when we signed Cesar Izturis. In fact the contract is basically the same,

Iglesias is a much better hitter than Izturis was.  I guess this makes Richie Martin the new Luis Hernandez?

[DrungoHazewood]

10 hours ago, wildbillhiccup said:

...then why is is his OBP so pathetic? I'm not knocking him, but let's call a spade a spade. He's a great defensive player (which will be great for our young pitchers), but well below average offensively. To the point where if/when his defense slips a bit he's probably going to have a hard time finding a MLB job. He's perfect for this team but he's going to contribute little to nothing offensively and there's very little chance of him flipping him via trade. He's simply a cheap, affordable, stable defensive presence for us for the next two seasons. 

Doesn't that describe hundreds or even thousands of glove-first players throughout baseball history?  That's Mike Bordick or Rich Dauer.  Jerry Adair or Cesar Izturis.  It's Corey Patterson or Billy Gardner.

Anyway, he's not that bad of a hitter for a shortstop.  Since he got established in 2013 there are 111 players who've played 350+ games at short.  He's 75th of the 111 in OPS+.  JJ Hardy had a 82 OPS+ the last five years of his career, Iglesias has an 86.  Ryan Flaherty has a career mark of 72. 

[Mr. Chewbacca Jr.]

31 minutes ago, DrungoHazewood said:

Doesn't that describe hundreds or even thousands of glove-first players throughout baseball history?  That's Mike Bordick or Rich Dauer.  Jerry Adair or Cesar Izturis.  It's Corey Patterson or Billy Gardner.

Anyway, he's not that bad of a hitter for a shortstop.  Since he got established in 2013 there are 111 players who've played 350+ games at short.  He's 75th of the 111 in OPS+.  JJ Hardy had a 82 OPS+ the last five years of his career, Iglesias has an 86.  Ryan Flaherty has a career mark of 72. 

Shortstop is pretty loaded right now. In another era, Iglesias would probably be much more valued. I'd guess-timate that 20 out of 30 teams have shortstops they're really happy with right now. 

Since 2013 (the year you mentioned), the league has seen the arrival of Francisco Lindor, Javier Baez, Gleyber Torres, Marcus Semien, Trevor Story,  Fernando Tatis Jr, Jorge Polanco, Willy Adames, Paul DeJong, Corey Seager, Trea Turner, Tim Anderson.

That's a boatload of talent; we're lucky to get to witness so many great shortstops at one time.

[Mr. Chewbacca Jr.]

3 hours ago, Philip said:

Well, it looks as if Martin has a leg up over Wilkerson for a roster spot. Tony Reminded me that the main need for a utility guy is the ability to play short, and apparently Wilk  doesn’t. 

 If that’s true, we have two utility infielder‘s? Or a floater who can cover everything except short? If we also need a platoon partner for Alberto at second, it starts crunching the roster a little bit.

I think the new 26-man roster makes the super-utility player a little less valuable, because teams can theoretically use that extra spot to carry one infield specialist and one outfield specialist. Of course, having a super-utility player allows you to carry another guy in the bullpen. 

One of the things I'm most excited for this year is to see how teams utilize that extra spot. Along with the minimum-batter rule for pitchers, I think it'll shake roster construction up in ways we'll be surprised by.

[SteveA]

32 minutes ago, Mr. Chewbacca Jr. said:

I think the new 26-man roster makes the super-utility player a little less valuable, because teams can theoretically use that extra spot to carry one infield specialist and one outfield specialist. Of course, having a super-utility player allows you to carry another guy in the bullpen. 

One of the things I'm most excited for this year is to see how teams utilize that extra spot. Along with the minimum-batter rule for pitchers, I think it'll shake roster construction up in ways we'll be surprised by.

I hope it allows for a bit more Earl Weaver style platooning.  I miss that.

[Roll Tide]

Good move to help the pitching. Confidence in the fielding can help our pitchers.

[interloper]

1 hour ago, Mr. Chewbacca Jr. said:

I think the new 26-man roster makes the super-utility player a little less valuable, because teams can theoretically use that extra spot to carry one infield specialist and one outfield specialist. Of course, having a super-utility player allows you to carry another guy in the bullpen. 

One of the things I'm most excited for this year is to see how teams utilize that extra spot. Along with the minimum-batter rule for pitchers, I think it'll shake roster construction up in ways we'll be surprised by.

I'm pretty excited for the 26 man. I'm not sure why I am exactly but it just adds a new wrinkle. More options is good for everybody.

[MDtransplant757]

I like the move. Shores up SS for the next two years and he's not going to be blocking anyone of importance. 

[sportsfan8703]

9 hours ago, DrungoHazewood said:

Doesn't that describe hundreds or even thousands of glove-first players throughout baseball history?  That's Mike Bordick or Rich Dauer.  Jerry Adair or Cesar Izturis.  It's Corey Patterson or Billy Gardner.

Anyway, he's not that bad of a hitter for a shortstop.  Since he got established in 2013 there are 111 players who've played 350+ games at short.  He's 75th of the 111 in OPS+.  JJ Hardy had a 82 OPS+ the last five years of his career, Iglesias has an 86.  Ryan Flaherty has a career mark of 72. 

Good points but Cinncy plays in a homer friendly ballpark. Not that Camden isn’t. The AL East is a much tougher division than the NL Central.

I hope Hyde doesn’t have Iglesias hitting at the top of the lineup.  Somewhere between 7-9 seems ideal.