tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post8331218381322559315..comments2024-01-06T02:22:33.000-05:00Comments on Camden Depot: Should the Orioles Be Interested in Mark Ellis?Jon Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521809778977098687noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-26287687573487304862013-11-04T05:20:26.848-05:002013-11-04T05:20:26.848-05:00I think he's better off as a utility guy, but ...I think he's better off as a utility guy, but if he is truly an above average second baseman defensively, the Orioles could do worse than plugging him in at second for most of the season. But I wouldn't feel too comfortable doing that. <br /><br />One of the encouraging signs for Flaherty last season was the increased walk rate (and slight decrease in strikeouts). Could his offensive numbers keep improving slightly? It's possible, but I'm not sure I'd bet on it. Then again, I'm not a huge Flaherty fan anyway (http://camdendepot.blogspot.com/2013/04/ryan-flaherty-is-not-answer.html).Matt Kremnitzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15693430925266947705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-63492408776325857582013-11-03T22:42:04.519-05:002013-11-03T22:42:04.519-05:00Roberts stole 3 bases in 77 games this year, so I&...Roberts stole 3 bases in 77 games this year, so I'm not sure the speed factor is really there anymore- his doubles rate was also down a ton from his career norm. His defense is significantly better, though, and he's obviously a much better bet to stay healthy. <br /><br />I think he'll get a little more money than Roberts and there's a certain sentimental attachment to Roberts for all he's done in the past, but if the goal is to put the best possible product on the field in 2014 you have to go with Ellis. Liamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-54038669980158941062013-11-03T14:00:17.663-05:002013-11-03T14:00:17.663-05:00I agree that if the money/terms were right, Ellis ...I agree that if the money/terms were right, Ellis would be an upgrade over Roberts, at least defensively -- both DRS and UZR consider Ellis to be an above average defender. However, Roberts does provide a more dynamic offense, in the form of more power and stolen bases, that would need to be theoretically picked up by other in the lineup.<br /><br />That being said, Flaherty had pretty good defensive numbers at 2B, but does suffer offensively, at least outside of raw power numbers. Do you think making him a full-time 2B would allow Flaherty to improve offensively, or do you still see him better off as a utility guy?Stuart Wallacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05206863306637413918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-22403921805647219342013-11-02T23:46:34.288-04:002013-11-02T23:46:34.288-04:00I always knew Ellis was good, but I never knew he ...I always knew Ellis was good, but I never knew he had a career batting average in the Cobb-Hornsby range.Triple Rnoreply@blogger.com