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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 9, 2007
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Ok. I know this has been asked on some other threads, but let's start a thread that we can keep going throughout the season (if your game). I know it's still early in the season.
I asked a co-worker, who is a Red Sox fan (I live in Arizona), what he would do if he was in MacPhail's position. The Orioles are 21 - 19. They just swept the Red Sox in a 2 game series. Daniel Cabrera is now 4 - 1 with an ERA under 3.50. George Sherrill, who isn't really a typical closer, has 15 saves. Brian Roberts and Aubrey Huff are starting to hit. There are still some holes in the IF, starting pitching, and possibly catcher if Ramon Hernandez doesn't start hitting. His answer was stay put and see if the O's can compete for a wild card.
My answer is keep the re-building process going, even at the expense of a possible wild card or, at the least, a season where the O's can finish over .500. I like the direction the O's are going and i really like the attitude and confidence that Dave Trembley has given this club. Getting rid of the cancers named Miguel Tejada and Eric Bedard for players who want to be in Baltimore has breathed new life into a very stagnant club.
Here's my issue. Melvin Mora is the only player that could be considered a "cancer", but his attitude seems to have changed. Will trading team players like Roberts, Huff, Hernandez, Sherrill, or Luke Scott be helpful or will it deflate the team spirit?
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 22, 2006
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If this becomes a real dilemna, and I mean that the Orioles are still in the race past the all-star break, then the O's need to make an effort to win for the fans. I'm always going to hold my position on this. However, there are stipulations.
1. If you have players in the minors that are nearly ready to contribute, you do not impede their route to the big leagues by acquiring players that have contracts of more than one year left.
2. Fill the holes from within with players that deserve a look. If you have a journeyman with MLB experience at the AAA level, bring up that player rather than mortgaging the future by trading prospects for a quick fix.
3. You always trade prospects for proven studs like Mark Teixeira (providing you can resign him) but only trade from a strength.
4. Always trade for pitching help if you can trade that "player to be announced." You have leverage that way.
5. By making moves that make sense, you show the players and the fans your willingness to be competitive but not financially irresponsible. Both the fans and players will respond accordingly.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Apr 7, 2007
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I agree that we should stick to the plan and do this right. We started it right, now we need to finish it. That doesn't have to mean we play worse after we make trades though. We would only trade guys away if it made us a better team than we were before it, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.
With the question about trading team players, it depends who you get back really. Trade one team player and get four in return, it becomes easier to answer. Because of Reimold, it's hard to imagine Scott not being traded and the whole league knows Roberts is available as well as most of our veterans. That doesn't mean we have to trade them all away though. The addition of Trembley and now Kranitz has really turned the attitude around in a hurry. The point of making all these trades was to beef up the farm system, fix depth issues and build a championship team from the ground up. There is still some work to do towards that goal and I don't think we should deviate from that especially after seeing the success we've already had from doing only half the work. We will get team players in return for trading our guys away. The attitude here has obviously changed and I think this will definitely go a long way in attracting some free agents in the off-season.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 22, 2006
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The attitude here has obviously changed and I think this will definitely go a long way in attracting some free agents in the off-season.
Exactly!!! That is something the Orioles with the two headed GM monster could not do. And, a losing atmosphere, including the attiitudes of the players (they do talk to one another), was a turn off. Just ask Carlos N. Lee of the Astros. If we have shortcomings, particularly at the MLB and high minor leagues, We must fill the holes with a free agents. Nobody wants to play for a loser without a future even if the money is offered. This change alone will make the O's a better team.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 21, 2006
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The O's don't want to make the mistake Montreal made when, in order to "win back the fans", they traded Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore for a 2 month rental of Bartolo Colon. If the O's are in it at the trading deadline, I'm all for them making a move, but it can't be shortsighted like the Montreal move was. If they make a deal to get better in the short term, they have to make sure it won't hurt them in the long term. They should make a move for a player that will be resigned unless the asking price is really cheap. Tiexera comes to mind, but I don't see the Braves dealing. MacPhail needs to be realistic, though. If the O's are around .500 at the trade deadline, a trade might improve them, but unless they trade away their future, they won't make the playoffs. In this case, they need to trade down. I would say that everyone over 27 is available. I think they will be able to get a mint from the Brewers or even the Cubs if they wanted. I like Scott, even if he is inconsistant. He isn't that old, so I don't see why they wouldn't keep him. There is nobody in the farm system ready to take his place. Only if they deal for another outfielder (say Pie), will it makes sense to trade Scott at this point. He's a reasonably solid hitter and fielder and should be for the next several years.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Mar 9, 2007
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Comparing the Orioles to the Expos is a little far fetched. First of all the O's have a history and Baltimore is more of a baseball town than Montreal will ever be. The Orioles arent lacking in the fan support department, especially when you compare them to the Expos. Luke Scott may or may not be traded. I like him but he is 29 years old. His batting might get better with age but as far as speed/arm strengh is concerned he reached his peak. Personally I think they keep Scott and trade away Payton, but thats just my opinion, if it were up to me I would try to keep Payton on the team
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