Anyone Have Any Idea Why AM Won't Add the Desperately Needed Big Bat?

[larrytt]

Ok then we apparently are on the same page in that McPhail indicated he would get a big bat for the middle of the lineup (cleanup hitter) and has simply failed to do so for whatever unknown reason. I figured that since Atkins is the only bat AM has attained he must be it. My bad. Either way though it is very disappointing to say the least to be led to believe something that is not coming to fruition.

You are way, Way, WAY premature on this. About getting a big bat, you say McPhail "...has simply failed to do so for whatever unknown reason," and "...that it is not coming to fruition.") Since there are three months before the season starts, this is like criticizing the Yankees in July of last year for not yet winning the World Series.

Plus, as people keep pointing out, you have to look at what's out there, and if there are no big bats that are viable, you don't go the Sosa/Delgado/etc. route and break the bank to sign a 38-year-old, thereby ensuring we don't have the money when a true big bat does become available.

-Larrytt

[byrdz]

Ok then we apparently are on the same page in that McPhail indicated he would get a big bat for the middle of the lineup (cleanup hitter) and has simply failed to do so for whatever unknown reason. I figured that since Atkins is the only bat AM has attained he must be it. My bad. Either way though it is very disappointing to say the least to be led to believe something that is not coming to fruition.

For the hundredth time, AM never said "big bat for the middle of the order", he said they would be "bat" shoppers. What part of that is flying over your head?

[Old#5fan]

You are way, Way, WAY premature on this. About getting a big bat, you say McPhail "...has simply failed to do so for whatever unknown reason," and "...that it is not coming to fruition.") Since there are three months before the season starts, this is like criticizing the Yankees in July of last year for not yet winning the World Series.

Plus, as people keep pointing out, you have to look at what's out there, and if there are no big bats that are viable, you don't go the Sosa/Delgado/etc. route and break the bank to sign a 38-year-old, thereby ensuring we don't have the money when a true big bat does become available.

-Larrytt

I sort of see your point but then maybe he shouldn't have said he was going to get one (a big bat). Furthermore, I think Delgado could be had on the cheap possibly (don't actually know for sure).

[Frobby]

Ok then we apparently are on the same page in that McPhail indicated he would get a big bat for the middle of the lineup (cleanup hitter) and has simply failed to do so for whatever unknown reason. I figured that since Atkins is the only bat AM has attained he must be it. My bad. Either way though it is very disappointing to say the least to be led to believe something that is not coming to fruition.

MacPhail did say he was looking for a middle of the order bat, but he didn't say clean-up so far as I know. For what it's worth (which isn't much), Atkins has had 1438 PA batting 5th, 709 batting 4th, 412 batting 3rd, and 562 at the other 6 spots combined. So, he is a guy who is accustomed to hittting in the middle of the order, though to me he needs to start the year batting 6th or lower until he proves he's back to form.

[Old#5fan]

MacPhail did say he was looking for a middle of the order bat, but he didn't say clean-up so far as I know. For what it's worth (which isn't much), Atkins has had 1438 PA batting 5th, 709 batting 4th, 412 batting 3rd, and 562 at the other 6 spots combined. So, he is a guy who is accustomed to hittting in the middle of the order, though to me he needs to start the year batting 6th or lower until he proves he's back to form.

So now I am thoroughly confused. Time for another poll I guess.

[Roll Tide]

You are way, Way, WAY premature on this. About getting a big bat, you say McPhail "...has simply failed to do so for whatever unknown reason," and "...that it is not coming to fruition.") Since there are three months before the season starts, this is like criticizing the Yankees in July of last year for not yet winning the World Series.

Plus, as people keep pointing out, you have to look at what's out there, and if there are no big bats that are viable, you don't go the Sosa/Delgado/etc. route and break the bank to sign a 38-year-old, thereby ensuring we don't have the money when a true big bat does become available.

-Larrytt

Theres nothing out their since AM has waited for the market to sort itself out. If you want a big bat from free agency you cant wait until the market settles. You have to be aggressive. Bay or Holiday were the 2 big bats available.... Keep in mind before you respond that AM knew who the free agents were when he made that statement.

[Frobby]

For the hundredth time, AM never said "big bat for the middle of the order", he said they would be "bat" shoppers. What part of that is flying over your head?

Oh really?

The Orioles, in the market for another starting pitcher, a closer, a corner infielder and a middle-of-the-lineup bat, could become a serious player for designated hitter Hideki Matsui depending on how things play out there with the Yankees and where Matsui might turn next.

"I don't think there's any question he's still a productive hitter," Orioles president Andy MacPhail said Wednesday night. "He showed us that this postseason.

"We have positions to fill."

Baltimore's first priorities are to find another starter, a closer and a corner infielder, but after that. ...

"It's always possible," MacPhail said. "We're looking for a middle of the order bat.

"[He's] somebody who's on our board. We have a great deal of admiration and respect for how he plays the game."

http://scott-miller.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/6270335?tag=Hideki%20Matsui

[waroriole]

Oh really?

http://scott-miller.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/6270335?tag=Hideki%20Matsui

I think the key word that people are missing out on in that bolded quote is "looking." SOme folks have taken that to mean that we are going to sign one. I took it as meaning what we did with Holliday. If the price was right, we would jump on it, but we're not going to overpay.

[byrdz]

Oh really?

http://scott-miller.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/6270335?tag=Hideki%20Matsui

I don't see "big bat" anywhere and stand by my statement. This was in reference to Matsui by the way, so that tells me that they were never looking for a "big bat", as he isn't one.

[Frobby]

I don't see "big bat" anywhere and stand by my statement. This was in reference to Matsui by the way, so that tells me that they were never looking for a "big bat", as he isn't one.

Now I think you are splitting hairs. To me, a bat capable of hitting in the middle of the lineup is by definition a "big bat." And Matsui, career line of .292/.370/.482, certainly meets my definition of a "big bat."

[Hank Scorpio]

Now I think you are splitting hairs. To me, a bat capable of hitting in the middle of the lineup is by definition a "big bat." And Matsui, career line of .292/.370/.482, certainly meets my definition of a "big bat."

I think he did say they'd be "bat shoppers" as well.

So far, AM's been shopping at Ollie's Bargain Outlet. But the best he could have done this year was probably Target, anyways.

[Mackus]

The Orioles, in the market for another starting pitcher, a closer, a corner infielder and a middle-of-the-lineup bat, could become a serious player for designated hitter Hideki Matsui depending on how things play out there with the Yankees and where Matsui might turn next.

"I don't think there's any question he's still a productive hitter," Orioles president Andy MacPhail said Wednesday night. "He showed us that this postseason.

"We have positions to fill."

Baltimore's first priorities are to find another starter, a closer and a corner infielder, but after that. ...

"It's always possible," MacPhail said. "We're looking for a middle of the order bat.

"[He's] somebody who's on our board. We have a great deal of admiration and respect for how he plays the game."

http://scott-miller.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/6270335?tag=Hideki%20Matsui

Fixed that for you.

[Guest rochester]

:confused:Other than money, does anyone have any idea why AM refuses to get the much needed big bat for the middle of the lineup? I really am frustrated with his supposed attempt of having Atkins fill this void. It reminds me more of a Syd Thrift type of move (cheapskate).

Easy - why should he give up the farm in a trade... why should he pay anyone in the weak FA class. Delgado (if it happens) is a stopgap period. Now, next year will be a different story...

Is anyone else tired of the "cheapskate" posts?...ughhh..

[byrdz]

Now I think you are splitting hairs. To me, a bat capable of hitting in the middle of the lineup is by definition a "big bat." And Matsui, career line of .292/.370/.482, certainly meets my definition of a "big bat."

Well I can state many career lines worthy of the title "big bat". Matsui had a good season last season. But between James and Chone, they predict he'll hit ~17-23 homers with a high .700 to low .800 OPS for 2010. If that is AM's criteria for a "big bat" then we already have a few of those.

Many here think Vlad is a "big bat". His career line indicates that he has been but that he's also a has-been. Matsui will have another good season but it won't be middle of the order worthy IMO.

I guess my criteria for "big bat" is similar to my criteria for the title of "Ace pitcher". There's only a handful at any one time.

[Frobby]

Easy - why should he give up the farm in a trade... why should he pay anyone in the weak FA class. Delgado (if it happens) is a stopgap period. Now, next year will be a different story

Truth is, there aren't any really great bats on next year's FA list, outside of Mauer who we won't pursue because we have his position covered. You have Derrek Lee, Carlos Pena, Carl Crawford, Victor Martinez (who we also won't pursue) and Jason Werth. Oh yeah, and some guy named Jeter.