Interesting video link of a discussion between Kevin Van Valkenburg and Childs Walker
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/thetoydepartment/2009/04/faceoff_debating_orioles_in_09.html
With due respect, Mr. Van Valkenburg came across amazingly poor… his almost initial point, was questioning the existing contract of Mora… MacPhail did not sign that contract…so what is the possible relevance? If you are discussing the state of the franchise… the obvious point to make there is that Mora’s 2009 expiring contract is a positive.
Incredulously, Van Valkenburg asks if Wieters and Matusz are going to ascend to the Majors and produce…. “There have been a number of O’s prospects hyped as the next big thing..” His argument basically being that the O’s have had prospects that they as an organization have hyped previously, that did not perform at the Major League level… so why should it be different this time?
Does Van Valkenburg not understand the difference between the O’s hyping their own prospects, and 3rd-party analysts giving tremendous and consistent phrase to Wieters, Matusz, Tillman, and Arrieta? Wow.
Going for the tri-fecta of ridiculous points… Van Valkenburg asks if Angelos would ok the spending to bring in a player if the O’s were 50-50 at the Deadline…
This just shows a lack of basic understanding of the product you are reporting on.
First, the O’s are aware that with Boston, Tampa, and NY in their division.. That they are not competeting in 2009…. When they get to July 31st, and if they happened to be at .500… the argument would not be do the O’s attempt to augment the existing core… it will be, do the O’s trade Sherrill, Huff, Scott, and Mora if he is willing to waive his NTC.
Secondly, the real question Van Valkenburg was attempting to ask, was “Will Angelos allow MacPhail to do his job, without interference?” That is also a poor question, if you have followed the organization since MacPhail was hired as President of Baseball Operations.
Outside of providing a general budget, there is exactly zero evidence of interference from Angelos. For evidence, take a look the O’s spending over-slot in the last two amateur drafts.
Here is the bottom-line on the state of the franchise… the O’s have long-term answers at RF, 2nd, CF, and Catcher…. Between Pie, Reimold, and Scott… they potentially have answers at LF, and DH.
1st, 3rd, SS, have to be addressed with longer-term options… we will see if Huff is extended for a year or two, or if Snyder performs at Bowie, after success in Hawaiian Winter League, Carolina League, and the Arizona Fall League.
Pitching wise… Guthrie is turning 30, and is under O’s control for I believe 4 more years. Hill, Ray, Johnson, Albers, and Liz are all cheap talented arms under the O’s control… Bergesen, Hernandez, and Patton are 2nd-tier prospects that have a chance to help the back of the O’s rotation (or bullpen) during the next two years.
The ability for this franchise to drastically improve in 2010 (81-85 wins) and contend in 2011 is tied to the arms of Matusz, Tillman, and Arrieta. All 3, figure to be in the O’s rotation this time next year.
Off the field, there are reasons for optimism as well.
To start 2008, MASN was in 5.2M homes, with expectation that it could grow to 7M. 1.8M is 35% of 5.2MIf you assumed that 25% of those 5.2M subscribers were within 50 miles… that would be 1.3M people. (1.3m @ $2 = $2.6m) + (3.9m * $1 = $3.9) = $6.5M from subscribership only.Now take that $6.5M * 12 months = $78 million is MASN revenues from ONLY subscribership.I’m not sure how much of that is divvied up between the Nat’s and O’s, but it is substantial.
http://baltimore.bizjournals.com/bal…21/daily6.html
http:/www.forbes.com/lists/2008/33/…es_336064.html
Forbes estimated the O’s worth as $398M to start 2008, which is non-inclusive of their ownership share of MASN.In 2007, the Orioles had $166M in revenue, including $49M in gate receipts, which again was non-inclusive of MASN. They also had $103M in player expenses, and of course additional costs… It would seem realistic that the O’s made at least $30M+ on MASN in 2008… and can expect that to increase.
The Scouting Department has improved under Mr. Joe Jordan. The signing of Uehara is a sign of improvement in International Scouting under Mr. John Stockstill.
It would be incorrect to say that the state of the franchise is ‘strong,’ but if you do not see the reasons for optimism that exist with this franchise… you are either not looking, or guilty of sloppy journalism.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.