What about the pen?

[HowAboutThat]

We got Armstrong, Lakins, Scott, Harvey, Fry, Sulser. Sulser might be on thin ice, but even so, that leaves only three spots. If we use Lopez as swingman, that leaves only two.

We got two rule fives, and I know Mike wants to keep them both, but we also have Tate, Valdez, Lopez, plus, the guys banging on the door. I really would prefer we not sign any aging veteran unless he can really be counted on to not just produce, but to bring back something at the deadline, and that’s unlikely. We just don’t have room.
 

[Aristotelian]

Valdez is a beast. How could he not be in our opening day pen? He is better than all of those guys except Scott and Harvey. 

[HowAboutThat]

4 minutes ago, Aristotelian said:

Valdez is a beast. How could he not be in our opening day pen? He is better than all of those guys except Scott and Harvey. 

Yes, but he’s also 38, isn’t he?

[Sports Guy]

5 minutes ago, Aristotelian said:

Valdez is a beast. How could he not be in our opening day pen? He is better than all of those guys except Scott and Harvey. 

He’s a beast?  What?!?

 

[wildcard]

16 minutes ago, Philip said:

We got Armstrong, Lakins, Scott, Harvey, Fry, Sulser. Sulser might be on thin ice, but even so, that leaves only three spots. If we use Lopez as swingman, that leaves only two.

We got two rule fives, and I know Mike wants to keep them both, but we also have Tate, Valdez, Lopez, plus, the guys banging on the door. I really would prefer we not sign any aging veteran unless he can really be counted on to not just produce, but to bring back something at the deadline, and that’s unlikely. We just don’t have room.
 

There is room to sign a veteran starter to a minor league contract.  Someone that can move to the pen if needed.  The O's enter ST knowing that Cobb has blister problems almost every spring.  Also Baumann was shut down last season for an arm strain.  Harvey has had injury problems for years.    Sulser, Lakins, Harvey all have options and could begin the season at AAA.  Lopez may be DFA'd to get him to AAA.  There is no guaranteed that Zimmermann is ready for the majors.  No one knows if Sceroler or Tyler Wells can make the jump to the majors.

Its better to have many pitchers to pick from.  I hope a veteran starter/reliever is signed to a minor league contract.

[wildcard]

11 minutes ago, Philip said:

Yes, but he’s also 38, isn’t he?

Valdez is 35.  He will be 36 before the season begins.

[Aristotelian]

18 minutes ago, Philip said:

Yes, but he’s also 38, isn’t he?

Why would you not bring back a guy that had a sub 2 ERA and .7 WHIP just based on age? 

His stuff is completely unique so it would not surprise me if he bombs out in May or keeps pitching into his 40s. Either way he deserves a shot, IMO. 

[LookinUp]

This is where I long for the days before I was alive when our future starters were moved up into bullpen roles to get their feet wet. Put Baumann and Lowther in there! Promote Rodriguez for middle relief in July. Hall as a lefty specialist. Beast pen for the last couple of months!

[HowAboutThat]

56 minutes ago, Aristotelian said:

Why would you not bring back a guy that had a sub 2 ERA and .7 WHIP just based on age? 

His stuff is completely unique so it would not surprise me if he bombs out in May or keeps pitching into his 40s. Either way he deserves a shot, IMO. 

I agree, of course he should be in the mix. I’m definitely not rejecting him because of age, but after Sulser, he’s the most volatile. Like you said, he could  easily go either way, and betting folk would have to bet against him at the moment.

[Orange]

It's a bunch of solid guys, but Tate's my favorite. Surprised you'd have him as a 'maybe.'

[HowAboutThat]

15 minutes ago, Orange said:

It's a bunch of solid guys, but Tate's my favorite. Surprised you'd have him as a 'maybe.'

Tate did well last season, and he may be higher up the pecking order than Sulser, he’s a first rounder, so maybe he’s “figured it out”

[DrungoHazewood]

It's 2021, guys.  You pick out 15 or 20 anonymous guys who throw 98 and have them throw an inning two or three times a week, and you're done.

[HowAboutThat]

31 minutes ago, DrungoHazewood said:

It's 2021, guys.  You pick out 15 or 20 anonymous guys who throw 98 and have them throw an inning two or three times a week, and you're done.

Maybe but what else are we going to talk about?

[Sports Guy]

2 hours ago, Aristotelian said:

Why would you not bring back a guy that had a sub 2 ERA and .7 WHIP just based on age? 

His stuff is completely unique so it would not surprise me if he bombs out in May or keeps pitching into his 40s. Either way he deserves a shot, IMO. 

How can you label a guy “a beast” while also saying he could bomb out after a month?

[Aristotelian]

4 hours ago, Sports Guy said:

How can you label a guy “a beast” while also saying he could bomb out after a month?

Did you not see him pitch? He was absolutely lights out dominant.