Orioles spend $8 million for...what exactly?

[savafan]

http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2011/2/4...contract-neyer

If you were making a list of the things that a team like the Orioles should not do, spending $8 million on a player like Vladimir Guerrero is really close to the top.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Yeah, I see what you mean ... because they have no shot at competing in that division ... but really that's not a bad deal for Vlad. He's old, not what he used to be, but he's coming off a good year and $8 mil is about right for him for a one-year deal. I'm surprised a contender in the AL didn't make a play for him as a DH/part-time OF. Yeah, the O's are a strange fit, no question.

[HeatherC1212]

Well, he does give them help with something that they struggled with last year....offense, LOL

The O's have put together a nice team for this coming year. I'd love to see them make some noise in that tough AL East division and make things interesting for the other teams there.

[The Operator]

They certainly played better after Buck Showalter took over as their skipper.

Their chances are slim, but strangers things have happened. They certainly have some talent on their roster.

[Ron Madden]

They certainly played better after Buck Showalter took over as their skipper.

Their chances are slim, but strangers things have happened. They certainly have some talent on their roster.

I like Adam Jones.

[mth123]

http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2011/2/4...contract-neyer

If you were making a list of the things that a team like the Orioles should not do, spending $8 million on a player like Vladimir Guerrero is really close to the top.

I think they signed a guy who can provide some pop in the middle of the order while more kids grow-up and who can be dealt at the deadline to help add to the young core. Probably only ends-up costing $5 Million or so.

[Oxilon]

I like Adam Jones.

Too bad he's wanted in Canada.

[Blitz Dorsey]

They got the "new manager bump" after Buck came in last year, but they'll come back down to earth and then some this year. They have no pitching. They play in a brutal division (Red Sox are going to crush everyone this year ... Yankees will score a ton of runs). They do have some offensive talent, but some of those guys have been underachievers thus far (Wieters, Adam Jones, Markakis wasn't up to par last year). Landing Derrek Lee, Vlad, Reynolds and Hardy sure improves their offense, but their pitching is so bad that it won't matter much.

[_Sir_Charles_]

I like the O's and I like Vlad...but I've got to admit...I don't see this one working out. The Orioles are a bit too far away from seriously competing and Vlad is cruising downhill towards the end of his career...this contract looks to be a bad move IMO. Especially at that dollar amount.

[jmcclain19]

I would disagree.

#1 - Someone has to DH. Might as well be a guy who could (heavy emphasis on could) rake.
#2 - Losing beats down anyone over time. The core of that team - Markakis, Wieters, Jones, etc have been there for a couple of seasons now. Their pitching isn't quite ready for prime time yet, that might be another season away. Might as well keep the hope alive while the pitching develops. And those young guys need some confidence that they don't need to throw a 2-1 CG every night to win.

$8 mil - the Os are saving money at most positions because they don't have any big contracts. Vlad also is a name. And people like big names for whatever it's worth. People who have been staying away from Camden in droves in recent years.

[camisadelgolf]

2011 Orioles = 2010 Mariners?

[jmcclain19]

2011 Orioles = 2010 Mariners?

I'd say no because I don't think anyone even on the Baltimore FO team is saying "We're going to win this year"

The Ms were the "sleeper" team of 2010 by pretty much every major flapping gum analyst who had a mic or a keyboard.

And Balitmore's pitching as a whole is better than Seattle IMO. Hernandez is worth two guys but the Os have about 7 guys they can throw out there to get results.

[HeatherC1212]

I would disagree.

#1 - Someone has to DH. Might as well be a guy who could (heavy emphasis on could) rake.
#2 - Losing beats down anyone over time. The core of that team - Markakis, Wieters, Jones, etc have been there for a couple of seasons now. Their pitching isn't quite ready for prime time yet, that might be another season away. Might as well keep the hope alive while the pitching develops. And those young guys need some confidence that they don't need to throw a 2-1 CG every night to win.

$8 mil - the Os are saving money at most positions because they don't have any big contracts. Vlad also is a name. And people like big names for whatever it's worth. People who have been staying away from Camden in droves in recent years.

I agree with this bolded part. Their pitching isn't horrible, it's just very young and still developing. I'd love to have Brian Matusz and Jake Arrieta pitching for the Reds, they're both very good, and they have to pitch in a much tougher division too. They will be an interesting team to watch this coming year. Personally, I'd love to see them make things crazy for the AL East because that would be really fun, LOL

[Mario-Rijo]

Perhaps the '09 version of the Reds head scratcher, Scott Rolen? Many viewed that move the same way, the same might also have been said about the '10 Rangers. I know they aren't likely to win like the above teams but I don't think the move hurts anything really.

[PuffyPig]

Guererro hit fairly well last year and is going to a team who can use him in LF or DH.

Berkamn didn't hit last year and is going to a team who has to use him in RF.

And both make $8M.