Hot Stove Chatter
Written by jpilson on November 21, 2009 – 3:39 am -A few more tidbits have been circulating since free agency hit open season on Friday. Lots of chatter that theOrioles are interested in bringing Erik Bedard back. While I am not surprised to hear this type of rumor, especially considering that Bedard’s health leaves him as a less that desirable acquisition, I am shocked to hear how strongly Roch Kubatko feels about the level of interest the O’s have and the likelyhood Bedards ends up back in Baltimore.
I’m still inclined to predict that Bedard signs with the Orioles and eventually heads the rotation. As Law writes, it’s a buy-low opportunity. And Bedard enjoyed his stay in Baltimore, though the losing wore him down like so many others.
The Orioles’ best chance to upgrade the rotation comes from the collection of pitchers whose medical records will get as much attention as their won-loss records. And Bedard appears to be the front runner at the moment.
I have long loved Bedard’s stuff and despite the haul the Orioles brought in when he was traded, I was a bit disappointed to trade a pitcher of his ability. But I did grow tired of what I perceived to be a poor attitude by Bedard and his lack of ability to work deep in games and stay healthy. Frankly, considering the Orioles face to face experience with Bedard, I would think they would stay away, When you add in that he will not be healthy to start the season and is coming off a torn labrum, I would think that would be two huge strikes against him. In his favor, he could come cheap and he may welcome another stint with the Orioles. If healthy, is he worth the risk?
Adrian Beltre is also a player that the Orioles are rumored to want. I like Beltre’s glove, but I don’t think his bat is that good, even away from Seattle’s cavernous Safeco Field. There is speculation that some of Beltre’s health problems have slowed his bat, but there is no guarantee he will get his bat speed back even if the injuries are behind him.
John Smoltz is another name I am hearing the Orioles may consider as a possible closer. I actually think this might be a good move. If Smoltz is fine with not starting anymore, he could be effective as a closer. Smoltz seemed to struggle the 2nd and 3rd times throw the batting order in his starts last year. Closing would alleviate that problem and would allow him to go max effort for an inning.
At this point I would prefer trying to trade for Dan Uggla over signing Beltre. And if the Orioles are going to bring in Bedard, they will likely need to bring in another starter who the Orioles can count on for more innings. Perhaps Jon Garland or Braden Looper could get a look.
Tags: hot stove
Posted in Orioles |
November 21st, 2009 at 4:13 am
I for one would love to have Bedard back. It’s nice to hear that he enjoyed his time in Baltimore. Sure he’s a little surly with the press, but I never heard anything about his attitude affecting how he interacted with other players or coaches.
I wonder when he’ll be ready to pitch again?
You should check out Dempsey’s Army’s analysis of if it’s worth signing any 3B at all. It’s pretty good.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:10 am
Wow, I couldn’t disagree with you more on Uggla. He has a hefty price tag associated with him along with anyone lost in a trade. I am not ready for the O’s to be throwing away Erbe for rentals.
As for Berdard, you were the biggest Bedard fan when he was a bird. Just because he was anxious to resign with Baltimore doesn’t mean he had attitude problems. I’m not saying they should throw away money on him, but I think he would provide some leadership in the rotation where Guthrie may not be able.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:37 am
I don’t think Uggla would be a rental and his bat is much bette than Beltre’s. Uggla is also not tied down to 3B should Josh Bell be ready sooner than Brandon Snyder. I also do not think that Uggla would cost the Orioles Erbe.
As far as Bedard, the guy has never been a leader. He has great talent, assuming he can come back from a torn labrum. That is no small task. It is an injury that has often spelled doom for power pitchers. I have heard rumors that Bedard was not well liked in the locker room and to me he is not a reliable guy who will give you 35 starts a year or work deep into games consistently.
I was enamored with his talent while he was in Baltimroe, but considering his injury status and his personality factors I am not sure it is wortth the risk. I think the O’s are considering it because he could come cheap. Not sure that is the best reason, or the best strategy considering the state of the franchise.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:08 am
What’s the point in signing ANY of these players?
It’s just a halfassed attempt to appease the few fans they have left.
Peter Schmuck wrote that the Orioles are expected to be “deliberate” when it comes to free agency and new additions to team.
Yea, that’s great. Already tempering expectations by saying they are gonna act slow as molasses while other teams do everything possible to improve their teams. And the worst part is we’ve got money to spend.
If you haven’t realized by now, I’ve given up hope on “the plan”. This team will be horrid again next year and I have serious doubts that I will EVER see a winning team (let alone a playoff team) in my lifetime.
Just another “rebuilding” year ahead I guess.
It’s really almost comical at this point.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:35 am
Well if there’s really no hope, Mark, then what’s the point of paying attention at all?
The point of signing “any” of these players is to improve the team. There are really two different things that MacPhail and the Front Office have to do. They have to build a team that will compete over the long haul. That takes time. I don’t know why people don’t get that. Minus a few good years in the 1990s (when they basically bought all of their talent), the Orioles have been a sick system for a long, long time. Andy MacPhail is slowly but surely making it better. It’s hard to have patience but if you can’t tell the difference between now and a few years ago I don’t know what to tell you.
In addition to that, they also have to field a team immediately, and to do that adequately you have to consider going after guys like Uggla. Especially with all of the young pitchers coming up, they need a team that will be as prepared as it can be without sacrificing the overall goal.
I’ve certainly never thought that MacPhail was half-assing anything.
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:00 am
I feel like we can’t start questioning the plan until the 2010 campaign is over and if we haven’t seen any improvement, we can start worrying.
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:17 pm
OK.
Get back to me after 2010.
I pay attention because I love this team.
I also don’t buy for a second that the “plan” is gonna work.
WHAT IS THE PLAN?