They Said, We Say: Orioles Talk December 8th

In what will be a new regular series here at Baltimore Sports and Life (BSL) we will pull commentary found elsewhere, and give some reaction in what we are calling ‘They Said, We Say.’

(You can discuss this article on the BSL Board here.)

Today’s links:

Baseball Prospectus: Tucker Blair Chat

They Said: The Orioles have a good one in Kevin Gausman. The Orioles received a ton of flack for the yo-yoing of Gausman in 2014, but he responded well. He’s evolved as a pitcher, and is learning to sequence better and not just be a flamethrower (which I watched him blow minor leaguers away with just his FB at Double-A). His split CH is a filthy offering and is difficult to pick up after seeing the mid to upper 80’s FB off that big plane. The SL is still progressing, but it was a little more crisp at the end of the season. I expect big things from him moving forward, and he will be a big staple in their rotation for the future.

We Say: Tucker is a former BSL O’s Analyst, and now a contributor for Baseball Prospectus. The chat was a good example of the depth of Tucker’s knowledge, as it is not easy to speak with authority about prospects across the game. In regards to the comments here on Gausman, we agree. As you start projecting out 2015 for the Birds, the growth potential for Gausman is one of the keys. Numerous analysts have pointed to improvement with the Slider being a necessity for the young starter.

Beyond the Boxscore: The Orioles are like a popup book

They Said: As the league focuses on ground balls, a few teams are focusing on fly balls. The Orioles are one of those teams. As long as they are generating a lot of popups, they may not be hurt too badly by their environment.

We Say: I’m not sure this is a repeatable skill, but it is an interesting read – as is Matusz’s track-record here.

Camden Chat: “We’re not relinquishing him, period.”

They Said: Camden Chat provides links to comments made by Orioles Majority Owner Peter Angelos stating the O’s will not relinquish Executive Vice-President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette from his contract.

We Say: Angelos comments could just be posturing. I’m sure he doesn’t want to have an employee around who would prefer to be elsewhere. So, he comes out and says the Duquette’s not going anywhere. He pushes for compensation in return. He gets some additional time to internally review his options.  On the other hand, I think I lean to the idea of taking his comments at face value.

Camden Depot: Non-tendered Players who could help the O’s in 2015

They Said: Overall, a total of 32 players were not tendered contracts. The complete list of players who were non-tendered can be found here. Here’s a look at some players who could possibly help the Orioles in 2015, and possibly beyond.

We Say: There was discussion about Medlen on the BSL Board here. Based on the Scouting Reports I read at the time, I was a Gordon Beckham fan as he was coming out of College. Agree with Camden Depot that he could make sense on a low base salary.

CBS Sports: Orioles’ outfield menu includes Aoki, Rasmus, old friend Young

They Said: The O’s are talking to Aoki, Rasmus, and Young. Do not appear in on Melky Cabrera.

We Say: This is the first I’ve seen the O’s connected to Aoki. In early November, FanGraphs wrote a comparison between Markakis and Aoki. Potentially similar overall production at a lower price. I’ve come around on Rasmus. There is additional discussion of him on the BSL Board here. Heyman’s report here on Young, matches what we heard from local O’s reporters over the weekend. Young was excellent in the role he was utilized in during 2014. It’s not easy staying ready, when your usage as a player is sporadic. One potential negative in signing Young now, is how it could potentially impact the O’s pursuit of Atlanta’s Justin Upton. According to different sources, the O’s do have interest in J. Upton. Baltimore could separate their offer from competitors by agreeing to back Justin’s brother B.J.  B.J. has had two horrific years with the Braves; but if the O’s did take him (and a significant portion of his large remaining contract) back – one hope would be that he could get back to hitting LHP. If you have Young, it’s even less of a reason to have B.J.

Grantland: MLB Trade Value, Part 1

They Said: 42. Manny Machado (7), 3B, Baltimore Orioles
He’s six months younger than Bryant, yet he has already established himself as an above-average hitter and off-the-charts fielder capable of Brooks Robinson–level feats at third base. However, two major knee surgeries in the last two seasons have to cast at least some doubt on his future mobility, not to mention durability. Though very few of the players on this top 50 will actually get traded anytime soon, it’s nearly impossible that Machado would. For the O’s, ditching him now would mean giving up on a potentially all-world talent at the worst possible time; for a trade partner, acquiring him now would require taking an enormous leap of faith given the huge return the O’s would want for him, especially since he won’t enter arbitration until after the 2015 season and is under team control through 2018. For now, the best anyone can do is wait and hope.

We Say: Enjoyed this article (and the follow-up) from Jonah Keri a lot. Totally disagree with the notion that there are 41 players with higher trade value than Machado. Understand multiple knee surgeries are ‘scary’, but these are not supposed to be lingering concerns. Based on his age, existing ML production, his projection going forward, and his minimal contract; he’s easily closer to a Top 10 commodity. Regardless, I have no desire to see Machado traded. If anything, I would like to see the O’s pushing for an extension. The prospects of which were discussed on the BSL Board here.

MASN: Day One of the Winter Meetings

They Said: No matter how Duquette feels about such an opportunity – and he’s got to be intrigued by the job title and healthy raise in pay – his contract does not include an opt-out clause, according to sources, and the Orioles at this point have no intention of letting him go to another organization. This story has legs because Duquette is in San Diego this week to negotiate deals that will plug holes in the Orioles’ roster. He can’t come across as being conflicted, distracted or anything else that puts him in a negative light. Orioles fans shouldn’t worry about Duquette’s loyalty. He’s not going to sabotage his meetings or resist improving the team that’s paying him for four more years.

We Say: Agreed completely that Duquette is not going to sabotage the O’s. Would I would wonder about is the level of distraction this is to Duquette, and his underlings in the O’s Baseball Operations Department. FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal wondered if new Commissioner Rob Manfred intercede on the behalf of Duquette (and Ken Williams); as this would be a clear promotion for both.

PressBox: Five Things to know about Dariel Alvarez

They Said: Fast Riser: After playing for Camaguey in the Cuban League from 2006-11 and Tuxpan in Mexico in 2012, Alvarez hit the ground running and earned two minor league promotions in less than half a season with the Orioles’ organization in 2013. He needed three games to earn a call-up from the Orioles’ Gulf Coast League affiliate to Single-A Frederick. Alvarez then earned a promotion to Double-A Bowie after nine games with the Keys. The next season, he joined Triple-A Norfolk for the final 44 games of the 2014 campaign.

We Say: Alvarez just turned 27. As PressBox mentions, he had extensive Cuban League experience. I don’t think it is accurate to term Alvarez a fast riser. We recently spoke with Baseball Prospectus’ Chris Mellen about the O’s Minor League system, thoughts on Alvarez included.