tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post5225535959425673161..comments2024-01-06T02:22:33.000-05:00Comments on Camden Depot: The Orioles Keep Adding Fringy Middle InfieldersJon Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521809778977098687noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-50419989413408279282015-02-22T21:03:17.250-05:002015-02-22T21:03:17.250-05:00If you think back to the last week of August the O...If you think back to the last week of August the O's had nobody that could steal a base outside of Adam Jones.<br /><br />Now they have two in DeAza and Cabrera. Also mirrors a little of what KC could do with speed.<br /><br />While I dont want to diminish EC's past, the reality is what can he do for this team under a one year deal? He offers speed, a super utility option, a possible leadoff option, a platoon partner, JJ Hardy DL insurance and someone to push Flaherty off the roster or JS to Norfolk until he proves he belongs.<br /><br />So on the face of it its an interesting move late in the offseason. We didnt add a HR option like Cruz but maybe a SB option that we havent had in awhile. <br /><br />Like the risk/reward.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-13274190811933745002015-02-22T07:20:08.830-05:002015-02-22T07:20:08.830-05:00Hopefully Cabrera is no longer beating up women an...Hopefully Cabrera is no longer beating up women and taking illegal drugs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-55513091812171481472015-02-22T00:08:45.271-05:002015-02-22T00:08:45.271-05:00Clearly, O's brass isn't enamored with eit...Clearly, O's brass isn't enamored with either Schopp or Flaherty and are keeping all of their options open at 2B. Cabrera will be another option at that base and can spell Hardy when he (likely) will get his recurring back spasms...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-63667773133846441642015-02-20T21:55:26.362-05:002015-02-20T21:55:26.362-05:00Is it just me or does anyone else's eyes hurt ...Is it just me or does anyone else's eyes hurt when reading the white text against the black background? It happens every time with me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-8991122421285768452015-02-19T16:59:04.947-05:002015-02-19T16:59:04.947-05:00Alan Wiggins biggest problem was drugs, which even...Alan Wiggins biggest problem was drugs, which eventually killed him. He once stole 120 bases in a minor league season in the late 1970s. I first saw him in a game I think providing funds for the family of Lyman Bostock in LA in 1981 just after he had been traded from the Dodgers to the Padres. He was the fastest runner I've ever seen, pole thin and still wearing a Dodgers uniform. He signed a ball for me which I still have. When he came to the majors he still stole some bases, but got thrown out a lot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-47080611956678724852015-02-19T14:41:17.178-05:002015-02-19T14:41:17.178-05:00As I recall, Wiggins was an outfielder converted t...As I recall, Wiggins was an outfielder converted to second base. He at least had a reason for being awful as a defender. <br /><br />As far as Cabrera, he appears to be in the running for the emergency guy in case Hardy gets injured. The Orioles may really not want to move Machado to shortstop with the knee issues. <br /><br />Showalter likes to have players that can provide some above-average dimension that he can apply in a game. The ability to steal a base could be an element to contribute from the bench. <br /><br />The Orioles stood pretty pat this offseason in the face of departures. This is what it comes down to.Eriknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-67959990949556815432015-02-19T14:22:04.515-05:002015-02-19T14:22:04.515-05:00Steve Melewski reported that Jim Duquette thinks C...Steve Melewski reported that Jim Duquette thinks Cabrera has plus range and is a good defender with issues throwing the ball in the past. <br /><br />Basically, he has a legitimate chance to be a quality utility infielder and can play some outfield in a pinch. He can be used as a platoon bat against left handed pitching. He also is a potential pitch runner late in games.<br /><br />I don't think that's worth $2.4M especially with his issues but I can see what he brings to the table.Matt Perezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16191574755038653061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-84957276583158115132015-02-19T11:35:34.470-05:002015-02-19T11:35:34.470-05:00#Stats - Alan Wiggins had drug problems and died a...#Stats - Alan Wiggins had drug problems and died at age 32.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18347209822215185644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-72588284595624408052015-02-19T10:32:39.631-05:002015-02-19T10:32:39.631-05:00I guess the hope is that Cabrera will perform bett...I guess the hope is that Cabrera will perform better at second base, where he could at least compete for playing time (barring a J.J. Hardy injury at shortstop). But he hasn't played much second base, and Schoop has looked pretty good defensively. <br /><br />Schoop has been really bad offensively, however, so the O's seem to be working to round up some infield/utility competition. And that's just fine. Schoop will likely be given the chance to show he can stick at second full time and improve offensively, but he shouldn't be left alone there the entire season if he again posts an OBP around .240. Matt Kremnitzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15693430925266947705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-65423816866695635772015-02-19T10:24:09.345-05:002015-02-19T10:24:09.345-05:00I apologize for the repeated typos in that comment...I apologize for the repeated typos in that comment, I wish this site had an edit featurePhilipnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-859586404768864022015-02-19T10:23:02.183-05:002015-02-19T10:23:02.183-05:00Isn't good defense one of Showalter's abso...Isn't good defense one of Showalter's absolute must-have's?<br />When I researched this guy at Fangraps, I accidentally looked up Asdrubal Cabrera, and was dumbfounded by the defensive stats I saw.<br />When I located the right guy, the defensive stats weren't much better.<br />This guy does not defend better than Flaherty, much less Schoop.<br />And his career offenses not that much better than either, career year excepted.<br />When one adds in his repeated "mistakes"<br />I can't see how this is it pick it worth making, especially at the cost.Philipnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-30206688365817422912015-02-19T09:07:59.928-05:002015-02-19T09:07:59.928-05:00About 30 years ago the Orioles made a mistake in a...About 30 years ago the Orioles made a mistake in acquiring a 2B from San Diego, Alan Wiggins. Very fast, but carried baggage (can't remember specifics anymore). Hopefully, Everth can turn it around when Alan could not.Statistics Don't Lienoreply@blogger.com