International FAILURES Continue...

[waroriole]

This has nothing to do with the sons. Well, let me clarify that, it has nothing to do with his biological sons. There are still some "favorite" sons working in the organization in key positions.

Tony,

Can you give us some insight into why they might be doing these things, or in most cases not doing. I would hope it's not a case of laziness or holding grudges against people in other positions. Is it PA not willing to spend to scout down there, or what? It's hard to understand why they would not be doing what should be their jobs, especially if AM is trying to get things moving down there.

[MemorialStadKid]

No one is pointing to soley using low-cost low risk moves just that high cost high risk moves RIGHT NOW don't make sense. You can disagree with this view but in virtually every thread you post you feel the need to mischaracterize this point of view as "we should never sign free agents ever" For the gazillionth time, that is not what any of us are saying.

As for your point, you are right, if you are not the Yankees or Red Sox you really need to be much more opportunistic and take advantage of this front with any amount of info you can gather especially considering there is clearly some talent in this league.

PS - What makes it even more indefensible is that those are the two clubs kicking our rear in that market. So even the haves are taking advantage of that market.

Okay. On the first point I wasn't saying that people were saying that we shouldn't bring in free agents.

I get frustrated whenever a player WE NEED becomes available and we sit idly by and let him get signed by a rival. Holliday was one of the rare exceptions - if the reports are valid - where we have directly pursued a high quality guy.

And I never said pro-AM people are against signing any free agents ever. But the argument against signing someone now is shortsighted.

Anyway, I do get upset when I hear stuff about them not doing simple, basic things to improve the team and farm system. You can't compete when you don't follow up on the simplest of scouting activities.

MSK

[waroriole]

Okay. On the first point I wasn't saying that people were saying that we shouldn't bring in free agents.

I get frustrated whenever a player WE NEED becomes available and we sit idly by and let him get signed by a rival. Holliday was one of the rare exceptions - if the reports are valid - where we have directly pursued a high quality guy.

And I never said pro-AM people are against signing any free agents ever. But the argument against signing someone now is shortsighted.

Anyway, I do get upset when I hear stuff about them not doing simple, basic things to improve the team and farm system. You can't compete when you don't follow up on the simplest of scouting activities.

MSK

Hey Lucky Jim, did you see this.

[charles_goos]

The Royals just signed a 3B named Cheslor Cuthbert for 1.5 M in Nicaragua. The Pirates were also behind this kid but couldn't close the deal.

http://www.royalsreview.com/2009/6/23/922691/hearing-royals-likely-destination

Remember when the O's were able to sign players like Dennis Martinez?

If the management of this organization is going to hire players like they're a small market team, then they should show some consistency and invest money like The Royals and The Pirates do.

This organization needs some major changes.

Note: English is not my first language so I apologize in advance if my grammar sucks.

[bird watcher]

The Dominican is one area where AM has his hands tied a bit. The guys who have been running the DR department for years are very entrenched with let's say, "upper management."

I've been told a lot so of stories that I can't really get into, but let's just say none of this surprises me. The guys running the show down there have been running it this way for years and years and it's the reason why no matter how many "better facilities" we build our DR talent train is not going to improve until we clean house.

OH MY!! Open can of worms.... Where is the little smilie where the guy is hiding behind the couch?:eektf:

I thought AM was running the show?:scratchchinhmm:

[waroriole]

Note: English is not my first language so I apologize in advance if my grammar sucks.

I couldn't tell, you do alot better than most people who only speak English.

[Birds of B'more]

Tony,

Can you give us some insight into why they might be doing these things, or in most cases not doing. I would hope it's not a case of laziness or holding grudges against people in other positions. Is it PA not willing to spend to scout down there, or what? It's hard to understand why they would not be doing what should be their jobs, especially if AM is trying to get things moving down there.

It sounds like Tony already gave that insight. What I'm reading is that basically the individual(s) running things down there have been doing things a certain way for so long that they don't want, or feel the need, to change despite the horridly poor results. And since whomever it is down there (and a name just popped in to my head) is also very close to "upper management", I guess the D.R. operations somehow do not fall under the chain of command of the President of Baseball Operations.

[waroriole]

It sounds like Tony already gave that insight. What I'm reading is that basically the individual(s) running things down there have been doing things a certain way for so long that they don't want' date=' or feel the need, to change despite the horridly poor results. And since whomever it is down there (and a name just popped in to my head) is also very close to "upper management", I guess the D.R. operations somehow do not fall under the chain of command of the President of Baseball Operations.[/quote']

I get that, but they have to see the awful results. So, my question is: why don't they change the way the run things. What would be their reasoning.

[charles_goos]

I couldn't tell, you do alot better than most people who only speak English.

Thanks, my first language is Spanish if you guys need any translation (Orioles related articles and quotes) from time to time.

[RShack]

Thanks, my first language is Spanish if you guys need any translation (Orioles related articles and quotes) from time to time.

Cool, thanks.

Where are you?

[charles_goos]

Cool, thanks.

Where are you?

I live in Managua, Nicaragua. 30 minutes away from Granada, the city where Dennis Martinez was born.

[bird watcher]

Hey if I was going to get some cush job that didn't require much work and paid really well because I was somebody's friend, I can think of worse places than the DR to hangout! Must be nice. :rolleyestf:

[RShack]

I live in Managua, Nicaragua. 30 minutes away from Granada, the city where Dennis Martinez was born.

How come you're an O's fan? Are you old enough to remember when Dennis pitched for the Orioles?

[Birds of B'more]

I get that, but they have to see the awful results. So, my question is: why don't they change the way the run things. What would be their reasoning.

Perhaps there are two schools of thought within the organization regarding the D.R.. One school is saying to just improve the facilities down there (which they have only recently done) and things will get better. And while I don't want to put words into Tony's or anyone else mouth, maybe there are others in the organization that feel that a different approach to scouting is also necessary....but that side's voice is not currently being heard at the very top.

[JTrea81]

There's been a lot of criticism over the years about the ownership being too involved in baseball decisions. There is a lot of speculation that Andy MacPhail, with all that he's accomplished would not have taken this job unless he got full control and final say over baseball decisions. Did you get any guarantee from Peter Angelos that you're the guy calling the shots and you're making the decisions:

MacPhail:If I didn't feel that way, what you outlined, I wouldn't be here.

http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070620&content_id=2038708&vkey=pr_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal

So much for that...

I wonder if Andy still feels that way?