Orioles sign Mychal Givens

[Sports Guy]

Solid move. Been saying I wanted another reliever. I still hope they put Wells in the pen too.  Could be a really good pen.

Those 2 replace Kreihbel and the cast of characters(led by Lopez).

Bautista, Wells, Perez, Tate, Givens, Akin, Baker and Voth.  8 man pen with a 5 Man rotation. I’m guessing that’s how it will be.

That has the potential to be a very good pen.  Could also struggle, as most pens can but I like that.

Edited December 20, 2022 by Sports Guy

[Just Regular]

1 hour ago, Ripken said:

We'll need starting pitchers in 2024 and 2025, too.

Kyle Gibson and every pitcher in the world who signed for 2/25 with an opt out if they do good will be back out there then too.

To the extent Elias and Sig are keeping Astros-like values, Houston bought literally perfect pitcher Justin Verlander at only a 2-year term after he helped them win the 2017 World Series, and struck out 290 guys in 2018.     That rated 2 years.

https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/03/23/justin-verlander-astros-two-year-66-million-contract-extension

[Sports Guy]

Wells could stay in the rotation but I still think they add someone.

This could also mean Tate is traded. Just a matter of how much money they want to keep in the pen.

[Tony-OH]

1 hour ago, eddie83 said:

Politi’s chances may be all about health in the spring. Could take an injury from someone to make it. Also they will still add another SP. So one more off. 

I don't think Politi's spot on this team is guaranteed at all. He has to prove he can be an asset in a bullpen that just got better with Givens.

[OsFanSinceThe80s]

18 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

I don't think Politi's spot on this team is guaranteed at all. He has to prove he can be an asset in a bullpen that just got better with Givens.

You hope at this point in the rebuild Elias isn't going to stash a Rule 5 draft pick for the season just because they see some promise in a player who is woefully under-qualified to be on an MLB roster. 

[Tony-OH]

2 minutes ago, OsFanSinceThe80s said:

You hope at this point in the rebuild Elias isn't going to stash a Rule 5 draft pick for the season just because they see some promise in a player who is woefully under-qualified to be on an MLB roster. 

Politi will pitch at 27-years old next year. He's either one of the best bullpen arms and makes the team or they'll send him back to the Red Sox organization. He was a weird pick overall, but Krehbiel has options so maybe they can stash Krehbiel in AAA and give Politi a look for a month or so.

[SpOkane]

Would be interseting if Nevin is removed from the 40 man for Givens.

[OsFanSinceThe80s]

14 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

Politi will pitch at 27-years old next year. He's either one of the best bullpen arms and makes the team or they'll send him back to the Red Sox organization. He was a weird pick overall, but Krehbiel has options so maybe they can stash Krehbiel in AAA and give Politi a look for a month or so.

I’m ok with that, but if by May Politi is obviously not qualified besides being the designated mop up pitcher they send him back to the Red Sox.

The Orioles have done a decent job of fixing castoff pitchers from other organizations so why not see if they can hit on one more. 

[Tony-OH]

4 minutes ago, OsFanSinceThe80s said:

I’m ok with that, but if by May Politi is obviously not qualified besides being the designated mop up pitcher they send him back to the Red Sox.

The Orioles have done a decent job of fixing castoff pitchers from other organizations so why not see if they can hit on one more. 

Regardless it doesn't hurt to take a look. The acquisition of Givens makes it a little harder for him for sure.

[Just Regular]

19 minutes ago, OsFanSinceThe80s said:

I’m ok with that, but if by May Politi is obviously not qualified besides being the designated mop up pitcher they send him back to the Red Sox.

The Orioles have done a decent job of fixing castoff pitchers from other organizations so why not see if they can hit on one more. 

His pitch metrics better be pretty danged great if they give him even 1 inning.

Anything can happen to a relief pitcher in a 5 or 10 inning sample - its part of the game, but the Mac Sceroler's of the world letting in 13 runs in 8 innings only get those rare opportunities when Clubs don't care if they lose 100 games.

I hope Elias is not done buying obviously stronger relievers whether Corey Klubovaldiwacha comes here or not.

[interloper]

This is making me noodle around in my brain for who the last long time Oriole was to leave and come back.

Steve Pearce had a couple different stints technically but it was in a short time span and he's not exactly a long time Oriole.

I feel like we have to go way back. Obviously there's Raffy. Surhoff. Anyone more recent? Tejada came back for a short stint.

Edited December 20, 2022 by interloper

[ScGO's]

As Elias' offseason plan starts to unfold, I like the deals he's made a bit more. It's clear that he has the thumbs up to spend money, but as the team is about a year ahead of schedule on his original rebuild plan, I think he wants to be able to keep the books clear for 2024 after he's been able to evaluate the team this season and getting an idea of how far ahead they are and when its time to go for multi year deals and becoming a buyer on a trade

I think he's building on last year's young talent by padding it with better replacement pieces in hopes that all the young players get better. Elias could swoop up on other decent players if they come as 1 year deals. These 3 deals to make us better, even if its just by a W or two.

2022 WAR / 2023 Projected WAR (Using Fan Graphs)

Gibson vs Lyles

1.8/1.3 vs 1.4/0.8

Frazier vs Odor

1.1/1.5 vs 0.4/0.5

Givens vs Krehbiel

0.2/0.0 vs -0.3/-0.1

 

[Just Regular]

Looks like Givens threw a bunch more change-ups in his years away than he ever did here (almost 40% in 2021!).   In 2020-2021 his platoon splits neutralized, but last year he was back a little bit more to the R3OGY profile many of us probably remember.

You could probably open him against the Jays and Yankees lineups 15 times if you wanted to script 25% of his work that way.

 

Edited December 20, 2022 by Just Regular
Rules now say must be R3OGY minimum

[interloper]

33 minutes ago, interloper said:

This is making me noodle around in my brain for who the last long time Oriole was to leave and come back.

Steve Pearce had a couple different stints technically but it was in a short time span and he's not exactly a long time Oriole.

I feel like we have to go way back. Obviously there's Raffy. Surhoff. Anyone more recent? Tejada came back for a short stint.

@Frobby this feels like a question you'd ace. I'm stuck on the four I mentioned here. 

[Three Run Homer]

3 hours ago, Frobby said:

I like this move.  We can put Givens back in the flexible role he played in the Brach/O’Day/Britton years.  He can give you two innings if needed, and can throw in both low leverage and high leverage situations.   Good guy, and one of the best defenders at his position.   And the price is very decent.  Our bullpen depth is back where it was before we traded Lopez.  Solid move.  

My thoughts exactly.  The O's bullpen was weak down the stretch; it seemed like they were losing any time they had to use anyone besides Bautista, Tate or Perez.  Having another relieable arm for the bullpen is a big plus.