Chris Tillman attempting a comeback

[wildcard]

 

10 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

I'm not upset.

I'm saying that in my opinion a "class act" shouldn't accept money that they didn't earn.   Tillman was amply compensated for his success with the Orioles.

To me "class act" means more than doesn't end up in the papers for doing something stupid.

Not sure why you are deciding to White Knight him.

He was a baseball player.  Seemed like an overall decent guy. I don't see any reason to put him on a pedestal.

 

Maybe my memory is better than yours.  Chris led the O's rotation when the O's won more games than any other team in the AL for 5 years.

   But my comments are more about him being a good person than how well he did on the baseball field.  If you dispute that then I think you should say why you don't think he deserves to the thought of well.

[Can_of_corn]

2 minutes ago, wildcard said:

 

Maybe my memory is better than yours.  Chris led the O's rotation when the O's won more games than any other team in the AL for 5 years.

   But my comments are more about him being a good person than how well he did on the baseball field.  If you dispute that then I think you should say why you don't think he deserves to the thought of well.

And he was paid 20M for doing so.

I don't know if he's a good person or not.  Do you?  He seemed like a decent enough sort.  Lots of guys seem like a decent enough sort.  Sure wish he had shown up for camp in shape that one year but it's a lot better than the behavior you see out of some guys.

I don't recall anything about him that separated him from the pack in respect to being a "class act".

[NCRaven]

I'm always for players getting whatever they can over billionaire owners keeping money in their pockets.  If I get hurt on the job (and you can't tell me Tillman's shoulder issues aren't from long-term wear and tear due to pitching), I'm collecting disability.  I have no problem with Tillman getting his pay.

Now Davis...  he's not injured, he's just not good anymore.  I have more of a problem there.

[Can_of_corn]

1 minute ago, NCRaven said:

I'm always for players getting whatever they can over billionaire owners keeping money in their pockets.  If I get hurt on the job (and you can't tell me Tillman's shoulder issues aren't from long-term wear and tear due to pitching), I'm collecting disability.  I have no problem with Tillman getting his pay.

Now Davis...  he's not injured, he's just not good anymore.  I have more of a problem there.

I don't understand the distinction.

I think Tillman had a pretty good idea that he wasn't going to be able to perform when he accepted that contract.

I have zero issues with the 10M the season before.

Really I don't have an issue with him taking the 3M, I just don't think someone that would should be held in particular regard.

[SteveA]

25 minutes ago, NCRaven said:

I'm always for players getting whatever they can over billionaire owners keeping money in their pockets.  If I get hurt on the job (and you can't tell me Tillman's shoulder issues aren't from long-term wear and tear due to pitching), I'm collecting disability.  I have no problem with Tillman getting his pay.

Now Davis...  he's not injured, he's just not good anymore.  I have more of a problem there.

Shhhhhhhh.... if he's not injured, then he's not supposed to be on the IL.   Don't say that out loud, Manfred might be listening.

[Redskins Rick]

1 hour ago, Can_of_corn said:

And he was paid 20M for doing so.

I don't know if he's a good person or not.  Do you?  He seemed like a decent enough sort.  Lots of guys seem like a decent enough sort.  Sure wish he had shown up for camp in shape that one year but it's a lot better than the behavior you see out of some guys.

I don't recall anything about him that separated him from the pack in respect to being a "class act".

I do know that he was a fit in the clubhouse, and the entire clubhouse gelled as a unit. Because of the numerous stories that came out about that clubhouse and unity they had.

Does that make him a saint, no?

I dont think he got plastered on the face of TMZ for doing stupid things either, which doesn't classify him for statehood.

I never heard stories about his being an ass, like Bedard or Mussina. But, @Tony-OHwho most likely had first hand dealings with the guy, call say if he was an ass or not.

 

[NCRaven]

1 hour ago, SteveA said:

Shhhhhhhh.... if he's not injured, then he's not supposed to be on the IL.   Don't say that out loud, Manfred might be listening.

  I meant that injuries weren't the cause of his lousy play.  Not that he doesn't have a legitimate injury putting him on the IL for now.  I point this out only on the outside chance that the MLBCIA is listening in.

[jabba72]

Tillmans 33, so I guess its now or never for him. Poo or get off the pot so to speak. I hope he has success, but will be surprised by it. 

[Tony-OH]

48 minutes ago, Redskins Rick said:

I do know that he was a fit in the clubhouse, and the entire clubhouse gelled as a unit. Because of the numerous stories that came out about that clubhouse and unity they had.

Does that make him a saint, no?

I dont think he got plastered on the face of TMZ for doing stupid things either, which doesn't classify him for statehood.

I never heard stories about his being an ass, like Bedard or Mussina. But, @Tony-OHwho most likely had first hand dealings with the guy, call say if he was an ass or not.

 

 

Never heard anything bad about Tillman as a teammate or his work ethic. 

Saying that, I don't think the Orioles have a place for him to pitch right now in the minor leagues. He probably should sign with an independent team and show what he's got left.

[wildcard]

45 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

Never heard anything bad about Tillman as a teammate or his work ethic. 

Saying that, I don't think the Orioles have a place for him to pitch right now in the minor leagues. He probably should sign with an independent team and show what he's got left.

I don't know that Tillman is ready for AAA but as long as the O's are starting Watkins, Wade and Eshelman there is a chance that someone else could be added.

[Frobby]

3 hours ago, Can_of_corn said:

I don't understand the distinction.

I think Tillman had a pretty good idea that he wasn't going to be able to perform when he accepted that contract.

I have zero issues with the 10M the season before.

Really I don't have an issue with him taking the 3M, I just don't think someone that would should be held in particular regard.

Literally 99% of players don’t walk away from money contractually owed to them when they aren’t performing well.    To me the fact that Tillman didn’t says nothing about whether he’s a class act or not.   It’s also not too relevant to whether his presence at our workout facilities would have any material value to the other players who are there.    Frankly I think any such value is marginal, but what do I know?
 

[Hallas]

9 hours ago, Sports Guy said:

He was only out of the league for a year and had better stuff than Tillman to begin with.  I don’t think he’s a realistic “high reward” option.

I don't know, Kazmir only flashed his better stuff for a single season prior to his year off.  Outside of that I think Tillman had a bit more prolonged success.

 

Maybe Kazmir had marginally better tools but I think it's at least in the ballpark for comparison.

[InsideCoroner]

17 hours ago, OsFanSinceThe80s said:

I'm waiting to hear how Tillman looked great in a simulated game. I like Tillman and am rooting for him, but I think he's pitched his last MLB game. 

I’m fine with that, as long as he only gets a simulated contract. 

[Redskins Rick]

17 hours ago, Tony-OH said:

Never heard anything bad about Tillman as a teammate or his work ethic. 

Saying that, I don't think the Orioles have a place for him to pitch right now in the minor leagues. He probably should sign with an independent team and show what he's got left.

Thanks.

I wasnt making a case for his comeback bid here, he has already tried that.

But, he was fun to watch and root for, when he was here. Good times.

Wish him well.

[LookinUp]

18 hours ago, Tony-OH said:

Never heard anything bad about Tillman as a teammate or his work ethic. 

Saying that, I don't think the Orioles have a place for him to pitch right now in the minor leagues. He probably should sign with an independent team and show what he's got left.

I will play devil's advocate on Tillman's behalf, understanding fully that there's a 99.4% chance that this comeback will go nowhere.

 

Let's say that Tillman has been taking care of himself for most of the last two-three years. By that I mean he got whatever surgeries he needed, went through a full rehab program and got in shape. Let's say also that Tillman went to DriveLine or some such program like a million other guys, most notably Harvey. Let's say that he's throwing with velocity again.

That's his path. That's also his proof. Video. Metrics. Real proof beyond some simulated game in Sarasota.

If Tillman took that path, I say there's a perfectly reasonable chance that the O's of all teams would try to find a place for him. He's a sign and flip type of guy. Maybe not now, but maybe next year? He'd essentially be trying what Harvey is doing now. Why would the O's not find a place for that guy?

 

All of that said, I highly doubt Tillman has done all or most of that stuff to prepare himself. Maybe he has, but I haven't read it. That's the type of preparation I'd want to see if I were the O's or any MLB team. I wouldn't invest a dime in him if he's at the start of that process, for example. He should do it on his own and show up ready to kick ass. Teams aren't going to hold a 33 year old injured guy's hand through a reclamation project. It's just not worth it.