The 2012 Orioles Winter Thread

I certainly dont know this for certain. But it seems to me the Orioles arent given up as much as they are giving other players an opportunity to prove they belong here. A lot of these players are really in a do or die crossroad of their career. Chris Davis was a top prospect for years with the Rangers but kept getting passed over. This is it for him. He better show that he belongs here and he is gonna get his opportunity.

Nolan Reimold falls into a similar category, just due to his age. He needs to make the most of his opportunity and doesnt have to worry about a player like Luke Scott blocking him. Similarly Davis doesnt have to worry about an over the hill player like Derrek Lee blocking him.

Matt Antonelli and Ryan Flaherty have a golden opportunity to seeze the day that Brian Roberts is probably gonna forfeit his spot. Maybe even Ryan Adams can make the most of his opportunity.

Thats just on the offensive side of the ball.

From a pitching standpoint, again its all about opportunity. They dipped into international waters. That can go either way. The same with the young pitching. But for a lot of these guys it could be do or go to the minors. They may have to be there regardless and thats not a entirely bad thing.

IMO the Orioles are still gonna try to dump Kevin Gregg, I believe that will intensify since they added Lindstrom. Much like the Davis and Reimold case, Gregg wont be blocking Jim Johnson and his opportunity to close. The Os can finally figure out once and for all what JJ can do. Having Pedro Strop in the pen and some of the other power arms there is a lot to like.

Unfortunately for the Orioles they are gonna look like the AAA team they appear to be when they go up against Boston, New York, Tampa Bay and Toronto. Those 72 games they can just about chalk up 50 losses to. The talent isnt even compareable. So for the other 90 games the Os play they are gonna have to shoot for 61 wins to break 500. I dont see it, not with this group. They more than likely will be right where they where last year. The big difference is they can properly evaluate their own and move on from there.

May not be the direction any of us want. But at least its finally a direction, instead of trotting out over the hill players that cant do anything but take up a roster spot.

Congratulations Pops!

Good to know about the thread. At least we can rank high in something, right?

I'm sure if the Os can get something for Gregg, they'll try to trade him. But I don't think they'll get anything. It makes sense to let him play till July and see if he can't improve his value.

I really don't understand the Ramirez angst. As you said even if he signs he won't even be around until Memorial day. Odds are he starts somewhere else to get his timing down if he has any left. Id he stinks then they just don't bring him up and cut him. If he is fresh from not playing and can still hit then why not? He will make the veteran minimum. he will get tested out the wazoo and if he relapses then he is gone. No reflection on us if he does, as he was already a druggy before. And yes last I checked we ARE that deperate. It is a 0 risk, low odds chance of being anything, possible high reward for half a season. Especially if we make a bunch of trade deadline sales and just need bodies to finsh out the season.

I am not rooting for him to come here, but honestly I don't look at it much different than the rest of the low talent chances we have taken this off season. If he cost more than a few hundred thousand then I don't do it, but minimum money, pro rated for 2/3 of a season, Eh?