Scmuck:O's have difficult choices to make when Roberts comes back

[18-87-44-29]

I personally think BRob will take back his spot seamlessly and put Andino where he fits best a play anywhere sub.

Those doubles/SBs and defense are sorely missed even though Andino has been great in stretches he isnt BRob.

I however wont take BRob`s health for granted anymore

Punctuations are your friend. (and I'm sure you don't have many)

[hampden623]

I personally think BRob will take back his spot seamlessly and put Andino where he fits best a play anywhere sub.

Those doubles/SBs and defense are sorely missed even though Andino has been great in stretches he isnt BRob.

I however wont take BRob`s health for granted anymore

agreed. BRob back to form would be huge. Speed back at the top of the order again with Andino 9th?....95 wins baby.

[Ravens2006]

If he makes it through his rehab stint(s) and gets a clean bill of health... you probably assume that you gradually work him back in to the starting role over the course of a couple weeks.

That of course means that he also has to field well (as he did before) and hit the ball better than Andino. If he's the 2011 Brian Roberts at the plate, maybe that's problematic. If he's anything like the 2010-and-before Roberts at the plate... there's not much of a contest there.

Prior to 2011, everything about his career says that he's a much better player than Andino when he's on the field healthy(ish). If he can prove he's still some semblance of that guy again, I don't think the decision is difficult at all. If he can't cut it, you go with the alternative.

[hampden623]

I'd rather be safe and keep him in the minors a tad longer than one might think... just to be sure he's ready.

I doubt they would be thinking 6 games at Norfolk and he's doing great, let's call him up...

[weenie]

Avery - He'll get another month to prove whether his performance was a flash/fluke or part of a bright future. If he's batting .275 at July 1 and the O's are still leading then, (which I now have begun to anticipate) I predict Reimold comes back as the 4th outfielder and part time DH. Avery's defense and speed will be too important as the season moves into the crunch months. Reimold's power and plate patience are just not enough to offset what Avery brings if he continues on his current track. Odd man out is Chavez. That guy is near his career conclusion and he's not tied to a long term expensive contract.

Roberts - Andino will certainly play some third and occasionally spell Brian but Tolleson has looked good at 3rd too. IMO, Johnson is the guy who should be let go when BRob returns. Hall is just more versatile.

Lindstrom - Assuming all arms stay healthy, this is an intriguing one. It's seems either Eveland or Patton gets sent out as of this moment. One is a specialist, the other a long reliever but neither is more talented than the other guys, except Gregg. Johnson, Strop, O'Day, Ayala and Lindstrom are a superb set of weapons to have in the final innings. I'd like to see Gregg be the discard but he's a clubhouse favorite supposedly and Angelos does not like to pay people big money to sit home if he can avoid it. I think that means Patton goes unless Eveland struggles in the next few weeks.

Reynolds - This one might be the biggest question. There's no way they plan to pick up his option for 2013 at that price. Andino, Tolleson and even Tejada would seem higher up in the pecking order but that big remaining contract for 2012 might compell the FO to do something (like sending down Tolleson) to clear room for a final try at 3rd. Those Ks and inconsequent solo home runs though are not what Buck is looking for. And, with the way Betemit and Davis have played, I don't think you want them to give up at bats to Reynolds. With the hitting this club has done, it seems more important to have a good defense for the somewhat fragile starting pitching.

Britton - Clearly Hunter is the low man in this one but who does he bump from the relief corp. Once more, Gregg becomes an expensive target. Eveland's long relief capabilities are probably not as good as Hunter's but he might be the only lefty at that point if Patton gets sent out for Lindstrom. In short, I think the FO will eventually be forced to accept Gregg's DFA and that might happen in two or three weeks at the most.

To me, that places both Andino and Avery in priority lineup spots at third and in left unless they really slump. Guys like Arrieta, Matusz, Chen and Britton need good defense to allow them to focus on their jobs.

[AntiMoon]

Roberts will spend the maximum time allowed in the minors which is 20 days according to Buck. Does look like he's gotten his upper body back in shape. In Spring Training he looked he had a 12 yr old's upper body

[weird-O]

I however wont take BRob`s health for granted anymore

agreed, I think he's passed the point where the team can count on penciling him in for 150+ starts.

on the subject of Reimold, the comments shared during the game last night don't sound good. I don't think he should be counted on in 2012. 2 months of the season are gone, and it sounds like he's several weeks away from rehabbing, let alone returning to the O's line up and being in mid-season form.

last winter I was one of several people who joked about DD's need to stock up so many pitchers and players, but I always understood his reasoning. this is it.

I'm surprised the O's have been playing this well. that surprise is multiplied by the fact that so many players have gone down to injury. to look on the bright side, most of them will come back. and if the team stays competitive, it will be a late season advantage that they haven't all been through the rigors of a 162 game schedule.

[hector]

agreed, I think he's passed the point where the team can count on penciling him in for 150+ starts.

on the subject of Reimold, the comments shared during the game last night don't sound good. I don't think he should be counted on in 2012. 2 months of the season are gone, and it sounds like he's several weeks away from rehabbing, let alone returning to the O's line up and being in mid-season form.

last winter I was one of several people who joked about DD's need to stock up so many pitchers and players, but I always understood his reasoning. this is it.

I'm surprised the O's have been playing this well. that surprise is multiplied by the fact that so many players have gone down to injury. to look on the bright side, most of them will come back. and if the team stays competitive, it will be a late season advantage that they haven't all been through the rigors of a 162 game schedule.

Since you only predicted 64 wins for the MIGHTY O's, you must be very, very "surprised the O's have been playing this well." Other posters had far more foresight with their predictions including Weeinie and Dark & Stormy (80-82), Byng and Han Solo (85), NC Bird Fan (88), Far from home (89), Travis Moon (94) and best of all, Hector (95).

How could a solid long term fan such as yourself been so inaccurate with your prediction? Would you like to try again with an update?

[weird-O]

Since you only predicted 64 wins for the MIGHTY O's, you must be very, very "surprised the O's have been playing this well." Other posters had far more foresight with their predictions including Weeinie and Dark & Stormy (80-82), Byng and Han Solo (85), NC Bird Fan (88), Far from home (89), Travis Moon (94) and best of all, Hector (95).

How could a solid long term fan such as yourself been so inaccurate with your prediction? Would you like to try again with an update?

I've had multiple predictions attributed to me. and each one was of varying success. I have searched for the post where I predicted a W-L total for 2012, but I can't find it. perhaps you can provide a link to the thread?

I would be very appreciative.

[gottselig2004]

agreed. BRob back to form would be huge. Speed back at the top of the order again with Andino 9th?....95 wins baby.

He sounds like a real focused individual and he never asked out of this Org (at least not Pub) even though we almost traded him to Atlanta and he could have retired easily after the concussions....We owe him

[18-87-44-29]

He sounds like a real focused individual and he never asked out of this Org (at least not Pub) even though we almost traded him to Atlanta and he could have retired easily after the concussions....We owe him

Ah yes.....because 40M for sheer inactivity hasn't been 'owing' nearly enuf.

[gottselig2004]

Avery - He'll get another month to prove whether his performance was a flash/fluke or part of a bright future. If he's batting .275 at July 1 and the O's are still leading then, (which I now have begun to anticipate) I predict Reimold comes back as the 4th outfielder and part time DH. Avery's defense and speed will be too important as the season moves into the crunch months. Reimold's power and plate patience are just not enough to offset what Avery brings if he continues on his current track. Odd man out is Chavez. That guy is near his career conclusion and he's not tied to a long term expensive contract.

Roberts - Andino will certainly play some third and occasionally spell Brian but Tolleson has looked good at 3rd too. IMO, Johnson is the guy who should be let go when BRob returns. Hall is just more versatile.

Lindstrom - Assuming all arms stay healthy, this is an intriguing one. It's seems either Eveland or Patton gets sent out as of this moment. One is a specialist, the other a long reliever but neither is more talented than the other guys, except Gregg. Johnson, Strop, O'Day, Ayala and Lindstrom are a superb set of weapons to have in the final innings. I'd like to see Gregg be the discard but he's a clubhouse favorite supposedly and Angelos does not like to pay people big money to sit home if he can avoid it. I think that means Patton goes unless Eveland struggles in the next few weeks.

Reynolds - This one might be the biggest question. There's no way they plan to pick up his option for 2013 at that price. Andino, Tolleson and even Tejada would seem higher up in the pecking order but that big remaining contract for 2012 might compell the FO to do something (like sending down Tolleson) to clear room for a final try at 3rd. Those Ks and inconsequent solo home runs though are not what Buck is looking for. And, with the way Betemit and Davis have played, I don't think you want them to give up at bats to Reynolds. With the hitting this club has done, it seems more important to have a good defense for the somewhat fragile starting pitching.

Britton - Clearly Hunter is the low man in this one but who does he bump from the relief corp. Once more, Gregg becomes an expensive target. Eveland's long relief capabilities are probably not as good as Hunter's but he might be the only lefty at that point if Patton gets sent out for Lindstrom. In short, I think the FO will eventually be forced to accept Gregg's DFA and that might happen in two or three weeks at the most.

To me, that places both Andino and Avery in priority lineup spots at third and in left unless they really slump. Guys like Arrieta, Matusz, Chen and Britton need good defense to allow them to focus on their jobs.

Im not disagreeing with what you say at all but its interesting how in another month our outlooks will change on certain players and decisions as injuries and slumps dictate.

Hunter has something to him maybe he just needs a break to re focus or something..but depth is a good thing.

[gottselig2004]

on the subject of Reimold, the comments shared during the game last night don't sound good. I don't think he should be counted on in 2012. 2 months of the season are gone, and it sounds like he's several weeks away from rehabbing, let alone returning to the O's line up and being in mid-season form.

Im not sold on reimold for many reasons the injury factor isnt even the main one. He has had maybe two months spread over his career of solid production and when he has had the chance to seize that LF gig something like a deep slump or injury happens plus other than his arm he is not a full time OF defensively.

hes is a platoon type where you can ride him when hes hot or healthy

[gottselig2004]

Ah yes.....because 40M for sheer inactivity hasn't been 'owing' nearly enuf.

lackey.....Crawford.....Dice k...are we over 100 million yet? I have more to add to that list numbskull if not

[18-87-44-29]

lackey.....Crawford.....Dice k...are we over 100 million yet? I have more to add to that list numbskull if not

No ? BOS has thrown around a lot of dead $$$ too....I'll grant you that.

[gottselig2004]

No ? BOS has thrown around a lot of dead $$$ too....I'll grant you that.

You dont need to grant anything...throwing money around carelessly will eventually bite you. Maybe one day when you grow up and have to provide for a family you will find out why this is so