Has Trust, Confidence been earned?

[weird-O]

we SUBTRACTED a big bat in Reynolds.

that's just a head-scratcher. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall when Buck & DD were discussing that situation and what specifics determined the decision to let him walk.

.

[weird-O]

this was in today's Schmuck article.

Now, as the Orioles begin preparing for a new season and a possible playoff encore, Reimold is far from being a forgotten man. He's the guy whose name comes up every time club officials try to explain why they did not acquire another quality hitter to bolster the middle of the lineup.

awesome. so they're expecting him to be the big bat they were looking for. are they not familiar with his history of injuries?

I can understand not wanting to give up on him. he's young and under team control. but the smart thing to do is get the big bat you want, and if Nolan shows he can play a full season (something he has yet to do), then you dump Betemit.

[bmore_ken]

We may not win 93 games next year but I do foresee exciting baseball well into September and that is the least that I ask for.

That's what I'm talking about. I had a reason to go to games last year in August. It doesn't get any better than that

[bmore_ken]

that's just a head-scratcher. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall when Buck & DD were discussing that situation and what specifics determined the decision to let him walk.

.

Especially when he signed so cheap

[Steveg85321]

And not only did we not add a big bat.....we SUBTRACTED a big bat in Reynolds.

I wonder if - keeping in mind Reynolds' Ks and poor performance in the clutch - this is not addition by subtraction? I could be wrong, but maybe they felt he was taking up a slot in the lineup that could be more productive even with who they have. I regret losing Reynolds for multiple reasons, but there had to be a reason why.

[Struds]

I think the big bat thing is too exaggerated. We had 5 guys hit 20+ homers(granted one of them is gone) including two who hit over 30. Reimold hit 5 in 16 games, projected that's pretty good for a full season if he can stay on the field. I think they have enough firepower. I think it's going to come down to pitching

I may be using a slightly different definition of big bat. The numbers of HRs were great, but the top RBI guys were Davis and Jones with 85 and 82. I'd like to see someone in the middle of the linup who regularly hits .310 or so and drives in 95+ runs a year. Whether that RBI total is with 30+ or only 20+ HRs is irrelevant. Plus, of course, another strong bat probably increases the good pitches our current middle of the lineup hitters are seeing.

However, I agree that IF Reimold plays a full season (although I see him platooning with Mclouth), and if Jones, Davis and Weiters hit anywhere close to how they did last year, that big bat I want isn't nearly as critical.

[Struds]

I wonder if - keeping in mind Reynolds' Ks and poor performance in the clutch - this is not addition by subtraction? I could be wrong, but maybe they felt he was taking up a slot in the lineup that could be more productive even with who they have. I regret losing Reynolds for multiple reasons, but there had to be a reason why.

That gets back to the title of this thread, dooesn't it?

[bmore_ken]

I may be using a slightly different definition of big bat. The numbers of HRs were great, but the top RBI guys were Davis and Jones with 85 and 82. I'd like to see someone in the middle of the linup who regularly hits .310 or so and drives in 95+ runs a year. Whether that RBI total is with 30+ or only 20+ HRs is irrelevant. Plus, of course, another strong bat probably increases the good pitches our current middle of the lineup hitters are seeing.

However, I agree that IF Reimold plays a full season (although I see him platooning with Mclouth), and if Jones, Davis and Weiters hit anywhere close to how they did last year, that big bat I want isn't nearly as critical.

If their RBIs were at 85 or 82, that means they need more guys on base. Those guys hit .270 and .287 so they were getting hits. You can't drive in guys that aren't on the bases. A guy that hits .310 with 90+ RBI is hard to come by. Only 8 players in the whole league last year hit those numbers. Even when those guys are available (Fielder, Beltre, Torii Hunter) the O's don't spend money on them.

[Struds]

If their RBIs were at 85 or 82, that means they need more guys on base. Those guys hit .270 and .287 so they were getting hits. You can't drive in guys that aren't on the bases. A guy that hits .310 with 90+ RBI is hard to come by. Only 8 players in the whole league last year hit those numbers. Even when those guys are available (Fielder, Beltre, Torii Hunter) the O's don't spend money on them.

I didn't realize so few hit those numbers. I guess the steroid era really is over.

So, you'd rather see more guys get on base ahead of these hitters than add anothe slugger. That makes sense, and if Mclouth/Reimold, Markakis and (maybe) Hardy or Roberts can just get on early in the batting order, those RBI numbers should increase.

[weird-O]

I wonder if - keeping in mind Reynolds' Ks and poor performance in the clutch - this is not addition by subtraction? I could be wrong, but maybe they felt he was taking up a slot in the lineup that could be more productive even with who they have. I regret losing Reynolds for multiple reasons, but there had to be a reason why.

if this is the thinking, I wouldn't fault the FO for making that decision. but I don't see a better alternative that's already with the club. Betemit strikes out just as often, but doesn't provide the same power or D as MR. and Reimold is too injury prone to really count on him to be the answer.

I still think the bigger problem was that there wasn't a really good FA that fit their needs. but that just reinforces the logic of signing MR to a 1 yr deal then hit the open market next winter if need be.

[bmore_ken]

I didn't realize so few hit those numbers. I guess the steroid era really is over.

So, you'd rather see more guys get on base ahead of these hitters than add anothe slugger. That makes sense, and if Mclouth/Reimold, Markakis and (maybe) Hardy or Roberts can just get on early in the batting order, those RBI numbers should increase.

McClouth has a good track record so I think he'll be ok in that regard, hopefully Reimold can stay healthy this year and plays up to what we've seen when he has hit the field. Last year I thought we needed a big bat, but who knew Jones and Davis would hit 30 homers. I think if Roberts and Reimold were in the line up, you may have seen those guys hit the 90 RBI level

[weird-O]

If their RBIs were at 85 or 82, that means they need more guys on base. Those guys hit .270 and .287 so they were getting hits. You can't drive in guys that aren't on the bases. A guy that hits .310 with 90+ RBI is hard to come by. Only 8 players in the whole league last year hit those numbers. Even when those guys are available (Fielder, Beltre, Torii Hunter) the O's don't spend money on them.

I would have liked Torii in Baltimore, but he wants a ring and he had his sights locked in on Detroit. he wasn't going anywhere else. not that the O's would have paid him anyway

I would love to see the O's spoil Torii's plans of making it to the WS, by going in place of Detroit.

[bmore_ken]

I would have liked Torii in Baltimore, but he wants a ring and he had his sights locked in on Detroit. he wasn't going anywhere else. not that the O's would have paid him anyway

I would love to see the O's spoil Torii's plans of making it to the WS, by going in place of Detroit.

I still say money talks. The problem is the O's don't know that language

[Morgan208]

these are all good points. but I heard something interesting a few days ago on MLB radio. the O's record in 1 run games was just as good in 2011. no one made a big deal about it, because the team stunk it up so bad that year. so maybe it won't be such a long shot to see the same thing happen this year.

You heard wrong. The winning % in one run games last season was the best of any team since the turn of the century.

[weird-O]

You heard wrong. The winning % in one run games last season was the best of any team since the turn of the century.

yeah, Aclobat pointed that out. I was bummed to hear it.

[hector]

I'll play my negative nelly card, so everyone has a target. While admitting I was wrong about last year, I have several reasons why we won't see a repeat.

1. The one run win record. Good luck with that happening again.

2. Betemit at DH

3. It's unknown if Chen and Gonzo will be as effective as last year their second time through the league

4. Which Tillman shows up this year, the one who couldn't crack the roster out of spring training or the guy who dominated when he was brought up?

5. With Saunders gone who fills his spot and the 5th spot in the rotation.

I'm cautiously optimistic

You're not a negative nelly because for once you're right. The O's slip back to 84-78 this year. If they could address your second point, they could compete for the playoffs.

[Aclobat]

Do you think Vlad could be a better DH?

[bmore_ken]

Do you think Vlad could be a better DH?

Please don't get him started

[weird-O]

Please don't get him started

when it comes to Vlad, he's always started, sitting in idle, and revving his engine.

[Pickle20]

If Reimold can stay healthy, I know...big if...he could replace Reynolds' bat with similar power, less K's and a good OBP.

I like Reynolds and wish him the best but I will not miss his K's.