[新聞] Mailbag: Are more moves in store?

看板Orioles作者odyy (raison d'etre)時間17年前 (2008/01/04 01:36)推噓0(0推 0噓 0→)

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From:http://kuso.cc/36oD -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mailbag: Are more moves in store? Are the Orioles satisfied with their team even though they have done very little this offseason? And do they have interest in any free agents? -- Nate M., Silver Spring, Md. In short, the answer is no. The Orioles aren't particularly satisfied with their team and will likely make a few more trades before Spring Training commences. Those moves will likely make the team younger and less expensive, and more to the point, more in line with what a rebuilding organization might field on an annual basis. Baltimore has tried to do both things in recent years -- restock the farm system and sign high-priced free agents in an attempt to perpetually contend -- and found it nearly impossible. Now, with new management in the form of team president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, the Orioles have decided to tear down much of the team and start from scratch. They're well aware that they may have to punt on the 2008 season in order to restore the organization to stellar health, and they're willing to make that sacrifice to contend sooner rather than later. Baltimore has some interesting prospects, but many potential difference-makers are at least two seasons away from contributing at the Major League level. That's why the Orioles have elected to trade some of their veterans for younger players, and that's why they'll be looking to bring in some modestly priced players to compete for jobs as opposed to a big-dollar acquisition who would garner huge headlines without markedly improving the team. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why don't the O's just give staff ace Erik Bedard a contract for whatever he's worth? He's obviously a front-end starter, and it would be a good idea to have him leading the staff if they want to be competitive within the next five years. -- Anthony, College Park, Md. This is the biggest dilemma facing MacPhail and his rebuilding project, and you can see the value in either strategy. Baltimore doesn't have a better trading chip than Bedard, who could likely bring in multiple high-ceiling prospects. Then again, it might take another decade to develop an arm like his, so a contract extension also seems advisable. Following the latter path is quite complicated. For one, there is no clear-cut answer as to what Bedard is worth, and the Orioles may not agree with his representatives as to a fair price. Even if they did, Bedard may rightly feel that he deserves even more to waive his first shot at free agency, if he's even willing to do that at all. Bedard has quite a strong bargaining position, but the Orioles don't have to make a decision overnight. If they don't get a trade offer that they feel is strong enough, they can keep their ace to start on Opening Day. Bedard is under contractual control for two more years, so Baltimore could deal him at next season's trading deadline or even next offseason. MacPhail has said that he's not worried about losing leverage as Bedard gets closer to free agency, and he's cited the rabid interest in Minnesota ace Johan Santana to prove his point. As Anthony noted, you have to like Baltimore's chances of a quick turnaround more with Bedard in the fold -- but only if the Orioles find a way to keep him long-term. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Where does Nick Markakis fit into the short-term and long-term future of the team? -- Johnathan T., Chapel Oaks, Md. Markakis fits into the short-term and long-term vision in precisely the same ways -- as Baltimore's regular right fielder and No. 3 hitter. The former first-round pick is an emerging force in the American League and should garner perennial All-Star status as he adds more power to his well-rounded offensive game. With just two seasons under his belt, the Orioles have the luxury of building around Markakis for the next few seasons. He'll be the rock of the lineup as Baltimore rebuilds, and the operative plan is to have a contender in place by the time Markakis reaches his peak. It will likely be three or four seasons until that happens, which leaves plenty of time. If you look through the Baltimore pipeline, you can see a lot of young talent that will need time to refine itself. Recent first-round picks Brandon Snyder and Billy Rowell are two or three seasons away from making their big league debuts, and top prospect Matt Wieters is expected to be ready by midway through the 2009 season. There's a lot more depth in pitching, which has been the focus of Baltimore's Drafts in recent seasons. Adam Loewen, Daniel Cabrera and Jeremy Guthrie have already seized rotation jobs, and young arms such as Garrett Olson, Troy Patton, Radhames Liz and Hayden Penn are on the verge of sticking in the big leagues. Without aspirations of immediate contention, the Orioles can afford to let those pitchers sort themselves out. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Who will be the team's new backup catcher? -- Terry D., Belleville, Ill. In a small transaction, the Orioles signed Guillermo Quiroz to a big league deal at the Winter Meetings. Quiroz, a former bonus baby out of Venezuela, was a highly touted prospect who has had some health issues derail his ascent to the Major Leagues. Now, he finally has a job earmarked for him on a team that has nothing to lose by playing him. Quiroz dealt with two cases of a collapsed lung during his Minor League apprenticeship, and he's bounced around a little bit in recent seasons. Despite that, he's just 26 years old and has shown signs of skill both offensively and defensively. The Orioles will let him back up Ramon Hernandez, a job that fell to Paul Bako last season. For his Minor League career, Quiroz is a .241 hitter with a .319 on-base percentage and a .401 slugging mark. Those numbers are partially affected by his injury woes, and his potential is best noted by his stop at Double-A New Haven in 2003. It was his last stop with any team for which he played 100 games or more, and Quiroz batted .282 with 20 home runs. He hasn't had that kind of success at Triple-A, but a litany of assorted ailments has limited his playing time since 2005. Now that he's out of options, Quiroz, who batted .266 with six home runs in 71 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City last season, will finally get a chance to see if his potential can turn into production at the Major League level. -- Let's Fly Orioles!!! -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 61.230.14.102