tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post6159370275315567513..comments2024-01-06T02:22:33.000-05:00Comments on Camden Depot: Why is in Left? The Orioles 2013 EditionJon Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521809778977098687noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-64043390958930216862012-11-03T13:40:37.523-04:002012-11-03T13:40:37.523-04:00Just finished skimming Keith Law's analysis - ...Just finished skimming Keith Law's analysis - say you're Duquette and you don't like signing pitchers to big contracts, you'd rather sign Saunders to be a 4/5 starter and hope Bundy can contribute at the top of the rotation. And say you don't want to pay Reynolds what other teams are willing to pay. So you've got some money to play with.<br />How about signing Michael Bourn to a big deal, ask Jones to move to left, and target Youkilis for a 1-2 year deal as he can play 1B or 3B. You start the year with Youkilis at 1B, you give Roberts a shot at 2B, if he fails shift Machado to SS, Hardy to 2B, Youkilis to 3B, Davis to 1B. You still have a Betemit/Reimold platoon at DH. Also in this scenario I think you'd look for a decent defender who hits LHP well to get some starts in the infield (Casilla or Nix from your list) - move Youkilis to 1B on those days and Davis out of the field.<br />I don't crunch the numbers well but I'd estimate a 5-6 win improvement over last year's team?<br /><br />I guess that's two separate issues, the idea of moving Jones rather than signing a LF and then the idea of signing Youkilis. kgwillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07297681911006812053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-21934240792356619012012-11-02T19:16:51.431-04:002012-11-02T19:16:51.431-04:00I agree completely with the last comment. I think...I agree completely with the last comment. I think the outfield is the most solid thing we've got going for us with options of Markakis- who was one of the best outfielders in the league after the all star break and before getting hurt late, Reimold who was one of the best outfielders in the league in the first month or so of the season, and McClouth who was one of the best in the league when it came to clinching the wildcard. Add in 30+ HR and .270 Chris Davis (who may not have the best range or glove but has a CANNON) and Gold Glove winning superstar Adam Jones and it looks like, if they can stay healthy, the O's have one of the best (and deepest) outfields in the league. I'm much more interested in the O's paying big bucks for Greinke or another Ace. Either that or sure up second base.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-26753065128553931892012-11-02T17:35:30.162-04:002012-11-02T17:35:30.162-04:00Wouldn't a Riemold-McLouth platoon be effectiv...Wouldn't a Riemold-McLouth platoon be effective. Both have pretty decent OBA's especially against opposite hurlers. Both decent gloves, decent speed. I do like the Ichiro option if available. Outfield of Ichiro-Jones-Markakis would be good "d" despite Jones' difficult defensive season this year. Tom CAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-77149180345593040492012-11-02T13:46:31.332-04:002012-11-02T13:46:31.332-04:00I know this sounds crazy but as a one-year fix, wh...I know this sounds crazy but as a one-year fix, why not go after Ichiro. Still a plus defender, can hit leadoff and steal a few bases. <br /><br />I don't think the Yankees will sign him since they have Gardner and I can see them going after Cabrera, or Hamilton, or one of the other bigger names. <br /><br />I know Ichiro is 39 but a 1-year deal wouldn't tie up the Birds too bad. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-14781263624685897442012-11-02T09:49:40.525-04:002012-11-02T09:49:40.525-04:00I've changed my mind about Hunter.
I don'...I've changed my mind about Hunter.<br /><br />I don't like how he is swinging at more pitches out of the strike zone, that he's hitting a lower percentage of strikes and that his swinging strike rate is going up. His walk rate plummeted and his strikeout rate rose this year. Maybe he fixes what he was doing wrong but I wouldn't be surprised if it happens again.<br /><br />I don't like that his fly ball rate plummeted this year. Not sure if that symbolizes the start of a trend. I don't like that the reason he had such a successful year was due to a .389 BABIP. That shouldn't be expected to continue.<br /><br />If he puts up a .310 BABIP while hitting the same number of homers as he did last year and a similar walk and strike out results, then I project him to have a .255/.310/.380 line next year. <br /><br />Pagan is likely to be the steal on the market. Realistically speaking, he's slightly better than Willingham. He has better defense but Willingham has better offense. Although, Pagan did a better job timing when to have a good season. An offer of 3 and 27 or 4 and 32 should be enough. <br /><br />Unless of course, this team makes a trade. Matt Pnoreply@blogger.com