Kranitz has a "sleeper" for the rotation?

[rjslomo]

Just like an earlier poster said, Kranitz was on Scott & Anita's show last week and was asked the question about a sleeper and his answer was Baez.

[millartime15]

Just like an earlier poster said, Kranitz was on Scott & Anita's show last week and was asked the question about a sleeper and his answer was Baez.

002_scry::002_scry::002_scry::002_scry:

Lets hope not, so many more options.

[LookinUp]

Just like an earlier poster said, Kranitz was on Scott & Anita's show last week and was asked the question about a sleeper and his answer was Baez.

Am I the only one who thinks this is a good thing? I'd rather see Penn and Liz establish themselves in the bullpen than be thrown into a starting role. Heck, if Baez is any good, we might even be able to trade him at the deadline. I'm not holding my breath, but we might be able to save a few mil on the guy at least. I'm rooting for it to be him.

[ChrisAF79]

Baez isn't even good for 1-2 innings at a time. How could we expect to consistently get 5 decent innings out of him?

[Guest rochester]

Both Roch and Schmuck are reporting that, as of now, Kranitz has a "sleeper" in mind for one of the rotation spots:

http://masnsports.com/2009/02/kranitzs-mystery-starter.html

Hmmmmm.......who do you think?

Baez...whether it works out or not is another story but he prepared to be a starter over the winter...

[Old Beta]

Baez isn't even good for 1-2 innings at a time. How could we expect to consistently get 5 decent innings out of him?

That was when he was pitching hurt in his first year.

[SimplyZ]

Baez isn't even good for 1-2 innings at a time. How could we expect to consistently get 5 decent innings out of him?

Like the others aren't similar question marks

At least he has some big league experience. I don't hate the idea but I'd rather develop some young guys.

[Osfan13]

Gotta be Hayden Penn

[Baltoravensrule]

Hernandez is my guess.

[now]

I doubt it is Liz. If he is starting, it will be at AAA.

Ah, that interpretation makes more sense.

Just like an earlier poster said, Kranitz was on Scott & Anita's show last week and was asked the question about a sleeper and his answer was Baez.

And that, the most of all.

Maybe not a bad thing, either: remember, some pitchers (Bedard, Ray?) come back better than before after TJ surgery.

[Tx Oriole]

Johnson? (with the return of Ray and Baez?)

Could he be talking about Baez? Now wouldn't that be something?

[DrungoHazewood]

I know this was a lifetime ago, but Baez' career numbers as a starter are better than almost anyone projects for any of the #4/#5 candidates in camp:

 I Split          G   GS  GF  W   L   S   CG SHO   IP     ERA    H    R   ER   HR  BB  IBB  SO  HBP+-+------------+----+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+------+------+----+----+----+---+----+---+----+---+  as Starter     26  26   0   9  10   0   1   0  154     4.44  151   78   76  13   75   4  121   8

For example, PECOTA has Hennessey, Patton, and Waters with ERAs well over 6.00. Hendrickson with a 5.27. CHONE has Pauley with a 5.33, and everybody has Liz in the mid-5.00s.

I know our expectations are coloured by Baez' terrible performances and contract as an Oriole, but I'm not ruling out the idea that he might be a decent option as a #5. Hell, his career ERA as a starter is better than PECOTA and CHONE project for Jeremy Guthrie...

[BillySmith]

Roch thinks it's Baez, too.

[Anonymous]

Turning Baez, whose contract would otherwise probably have to be eaten, into a serviceable starter is like alchemy. That would be a wonderful turn of events. (I think of it as the Braden Looper whom we already had on hand, and therefore don't have to pay for a 2nd time.) If Kranny thinks this is feasible at least for exploratory purposes, who am I to argue with the concept? I hope it works out.

[ChrisAF79]

If Baez is truly back and healthy this year, then I agree that he could be an interesting candidate at #5. I'll have to see it to believe it though.