tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post3421707252318068530..comments2024-01-06T02:22:33.000-05:00Comments on Camden Depot: How to Solve the Orioles' Corner Outfield ProblemJon Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521809778977098687noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-41019696845878315292015-05-27T08:25:11.621-04:002015-05-27T08:25:11.621-04:00If the Orioles "were idiots for letting him g...If the Orioles "were idiots for letting him go," then why would the Braves even consider trading him back? That doesn't make any sense.Matt Kremnitzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15693430925266947705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-71739390420101823542015-05-27T00:48:53.890-04:002015-05-27T00:48:53.890-04:00Sorry I'm late to the party, but what was wron...Sorry I'm late to the party, but what was wrong with Nick markakis in RF. the man wanted to be in baltimore and was a main stay in the lineup. Honestly the Braves might even be in the market to trade him back and the Orioles were idiots for letting him go in the first placeAndrew Lupicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18115970232550696324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-82204364298771380852015-05-25T11:39:29.604-04:002015-05-25T11:39:29.604-04:00Probably no one reading this anymore but, the answ...Probably no one reading this anymore but, the answer to the corner outfield problem is Travis Snider. He has latent big-time power that will emerge if Buck would just stick with him. I'm not an O's fan but when I read they got Snider, I really believed (and still do) that they got their Nellie Cruz replacement for a song. <br /><br />Lots of players start slow like Snider, but even with power numbers way below his norm he's still hitting .270 and getting on base at a great clip. If the Orioles keep running him out there everyday, he'll be the bat they need. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-50509102257728610422015-05-22T18:06:59.220-04:002015-05-22T18:06:59.220-04:00Honestly, I don't think the Orioles have anyth...Honestly, I don't think the Orioles have anything to lose by replacing every outfielder not named Adam Jones with a Triple-A call-ups. Why? Because, as a group, this team's outfielders aren't just bad; their performance in May so far is near the bottom of the league: 29th in OPS (<b>0.594</b>) / 27th in FanGraphs WAR (<b>-0.1</b>) / 29th in wOBA (<b>0.263</b>).<br /><br />(Seriously... -0.1 WAR as a group? That pretty much means almost anyone else they can get would be able to play better!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-76108245329689928572015-05-20T16:41:35.575-04:002015-05-20T16:41:35.575-04:00Victorino isn't bad. He was injured in 2014, e...Victorino isn't bad. He was injured in 2014, excellent in 2013, and has been good to great from 2006 to 2012. He's no longer in his prime at 34 but it's not like he's 38. He's at worse an average player. I don't think he's better than Betts, Ramirez, Holt or Castillo so I'm not sure he fits on the Red Sox but he's still a fine player.<br /><br />I think the club really needs a RF so guys with weak arms like Valencia or Revere won't cut it. And given that the Os can't eat much money or trade much minor league talent... they're not getting someone good. They'll have to rely on hope because they don't have much to offer in return.<br /><br />Norris benefited from good defense last year. Except for elite relievers, a reliever is never as valuable as a closer. <br /><br />It would be interesting to see what Red Sox fans thought of this deal. I bet they would think that two pitchers with enormous ERAs aren't enough for a guy who was so good in 2013. <br /><br /><br /><br />Matt Perezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16191574755038653061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-50800163206817168572015-05-20T15:29:43.766-04:002015-05-20T15:29:43.766-04:00I don't agree with Matt P.'s trade proposa...I don't agree with Matt P.'s trade proposal, but the number of people who think Bud Norris was really good last season surprises me. He was perfectly fine, but he's probably not going to pitch much better than that. He's not as bad as his disastrous pitching so far, but he's not a great starter either (plus, he's a free agent after this season). It also ignores all the talk before that of him moving to the bullpen. <br />Matt Kremnitzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15693430925266947705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-6190176572319155512015-05-20T15:24:09.533-04:002015-05-20T15:24:09.533-04:00Matt, I respect your articles very highly, but I h...Matt, I respect your articles very highly, but I have rarely disagreed with you as strongly as I do right now.<br />Victorino is BAD. You are hoping he will improve, but I hope is what got Dan Duquette into this mess in the first place.<br />Bud Norris is scuffling but he had a wonderful season last year.<br />I personally think Tommy Hunter is lousy, but I know he is worth more than a lousy outfielder.<br />And outfield to trade is certainly necessary, but why not go for a good one, instead of one that duplicates the same problems we already have.<br />Danny Valencia is now in LF for the blue Jays, and is hitting very well against left-handers. He would be a good platoonpartner with somebody. There's talk of the Phillies moving Ben Revere. The Rangers have several outfielders Who offer speed and defense, if not power, who would cost $12 million less than your suggestion.<br />Meanwhile, several teams need pitching and would be willing to pay more than a bad outfielder for Bud and or Tommy.<br />Come on, Matt.Philipnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-40561926423642978662015-05-20T13:33:41.162-04:002015-05-20T13:33:41.162-04:00I don't think Alvarez is anything more than a ...I don't think Alvarez is anything more than a platoon outfielder against left handed pitching. He has a good enough arm to play right field but his .261/.333/.348 line against lefties isn't good enough to be an option until he shows a bit more power. His .220/.234/.330 line against righties isn't impressive either.<br /><br />Snider has been so unimpressive defensively that he's being used solely in left field. And he hasn't played much lately. The Os don't use Lough in right field either. We're really talking about De Aza, Young and Pearce (currently our second baseman) as right field options. Victorino is doing better offensively than all three despite a .238 BABIP.<br /><br />I don't think any team would take on Hunter and Norris as a package deal if they had to pay their full salaries at this point. Only a team like Boston with minimal pitching would be willing to roll the dice. Matt Perezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16191574755038653061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-40721559335478855722015-05-20T13:10:35.099-04:002015-05-20T13:10:35.099-04:00This is a terrible idea. The duo of Norris and Hu...This is a terrible idea. The duo of Norris and Hunter must be able to land someone more valuable than Victorino, preferably while being sent outside the division. Boss61https://www.blogger.com/profile/01045206084120458063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-83636041534050694772015-05-20T13:09:39.797-04:002015-05-20T13:09:39.797-04:00Alvarez is being eaten alive in Norfolk.Alvarez is being eaten alive in Norfolk.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-67543092158983677912015-05-20T12:27:24.891-04:002015-05-20T12:27:24.891-04:00If Victorino was a few years younger I might find ...If Victorino was a few years younger I might find this intriguing...he's 34 and his speed and defense appear to have declined enough to make him a question mark. Pearce, Snider, De Aza, and Lough are all adequate defensively and the chances are good that they will all put up comparable or better offensive numbers to Victorino. The main issue right now in the outfield is figuring out who to play in the corners on a daily basis among those four and Young. They are all so...average. Snider has the best arm so I would be inclined to start him in RF against RHP, but otherwise it's a crapshoot. <br /><br />IMO it's our starting pitching and infield defense that we really need to be worried about right now, in any case.Jeremynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-44470984361700659202015-05-20T12:17:09.505-04:002015-05-20T12:17:09.505-04:00What about Dariel Alvarez?What about Dariel Alvarez?Michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-71600643227270057522015-05-20T10:45:24.250-04:002015-05-20T10:45:24.250-04:00If the Os surprise me and are willing to either ea...If the Os surprise me and are willing to either eat salary or trade talent for a corner outfield option then it's possible they could do better than Victorino. If they're looking for an option without giving up much in return then he's a decent one.<br /><br />The Os offense has a wRC+ of 106, which is good for fifth in the majors. Their "Off" score is good for tenth in the majors. It's not like they're struggling offensively. They don't need an all-star but rather someone to give them some stability. Some speed would also be nice. UZR seems to like Snider, De Aza and Young but I'm not sure I buy it.<br /><br />Tabata isn't a competent defensive right fielder. I don't see the Orioles being interested in another player with his portfolio. Hunter probably isn't so interesting to the Pirates either. I imagine they'd want prospects.<br /><br />Norris is necessary to make the salaries work out as the Red Sox aren't going to trade Victorino for Hunter and eat $8 million. Is Norris worth $8.8 million at this point? Matt Perezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16191574755038653061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-73551434922814846412015-05-20T10:14:18.535-04:002015-05-20T10:14:18.535-04:00If a guy who is batting .212 is the best solution,...If a guy who is batting .212 is the best solution, then it could be a long year for the Orioles. BJ Rassamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-20476567817265881702015-05-20T10:13:28.085-04:002015-05-20T10:13:28.085-04:00A better challenge trade would be Hunter for Jose ...A better challenge trade would be Hunter for Jose Tabata.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-75960262118800746782015-05-20T09:48:06.624-04:002015-05-20T09:48:06.624-04:00For the reasons you gave, Victorino is worth Hunte...For the reasons you gave, Victorino is worth Hunter. He has no trade value at that price. Victorino has much less likelihood of regressing back to the his career line due to his age and injuries than Norris. It would be nice if Barry Bonds could hit his career average. He could be had for nothing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-33181353439682353172015-05-20T08:20:40.285-04:002015-05-20T08:20:40.285-04:00Victorino had a miserable 2014 due to injuries and...Victorino had a miserable 2014 due to injuries and has been pretty solid over his career aside from then. <br /><br />Victorino has a BABIP of .238 this year in part due to a 25% IFFB rate and a 30.2% Soft contact rate. If he can get those up to career standards (BABIP of .300 and a Soft of 20%) then he'll probably be a slightly above average hitter with good speed that can play above average defense in right. If not, then he'll be a decent OBP player with minimal power. If it was clear that Victorino will bounce back then the Red Sox would want more than Hunter and Norris.<br /><br />The Red Sox really need pitching themselves. You could just as easily ask whether the Orioles would be willing to make this swap to help an AL East rival that they're competing with.Matt Perezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16191574755038653061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-66741807841627167842015-05-20T08:00:42.006-04:002015-05-20T08:00:42.006-04:00The trade may make sense, but I serious doubt the ...The trade may make sense, but I serious doubt the Red Sox would make this swap to help an AL East rival they're competing against.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07618196622599597089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-17168603566975458032015-05-20T07:23:57.799-04:002015-05-20T07:23:57.799-04:00I do not think you have established why Victorino ...I do not think you have established why Victorino will bounce back better than what Hunter or Norris could wind up likely doing. This comes off simply as a trade to make a trade.Manimalnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-66414103390487316892015-05-20T07:04:29.195-04:002015-05-20T07:04:29.195-04:00Hunter and Norris for Victorino....you must be nut...Hunter and Norris for Victorino....you must be nuts....trade a 15 game winner and a good relief pitcher that can be really good at times for an always injured old Victorino...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com