How Good Will the Orioles Be?

[Chappy]

Upon further review, the Orioles look like a pretty darn good team at this point. They may not have the greatest rotation, but Gonzalez, Tillman, Jimenez, Norris and Chen is not too shabby with some solid depth behind them. The lineup looks good enough and the pen is okay.

 

The Jays are basically f***ed at this point unless Morrow can provide a healthy season and one of the young arms step up.

[Anemic0ffense]

But even if Morrow is healthy, will he be good? The guy is just so consistently inconsistent. Dominate one game, s*** the next.

[Chappy]

But even if Morrow is healthy, will he be good? The guy is just so consistently inconsistent. Dominate one game, s*** the next.

 

The inconsistency is a concern, but if he can give this team 150+ innings of reasonably solid pitching, it will go a long way. Basically this team is f***ed anyways.

[The Cats Ass]

They'll be alright. Especially when they have a rotation of Bundy, Gausman, Harvey.

[flafson]

They look as good as the 2013 Jays.

[Abomination]

They may not have the greatest rotation, but Gonzalez, Tillman, Jimenez, Norris and Chen is not too shabby with some solid depth behind them.

 

The depth behind them is interesting, but that listed rotation is a disaster (imo).

[woods of ypres]

I think the O's finish second or third.

[Chappy]

On paper better than us, especially if they land Santana as well.

 

Jay, they don't need Santana with some of the arms coming up. I honestly am starting to think they could win a WC spot, and at the very least keep it interesting down the stretch. This is a team that is going to be very good by 2015.

[Chappy]

The depth behind them is interesting, but that listed rotation is a disaster (imo).

 

That rotation looks better than ours.

[Chappy]

I think the O's finish second or third.

 

I am thinking anywhere from second to fourth. Jays look like they have last place locked up at this point.

[Chappy]

They look as good as the 2013 Jays.

 

Except that 4/5 of their rotation pitched in the ALE and the other was in the AL. Add in the depth and they look a lot better.

[Chappy]

Just saying bro...............

 

Ervin Santana - S - Royals

Enrique Rojas of ESPN reports that the Orioles, Rangers and one National League West team are "very interested" in Ervin Santana.

Rojas also noted that he wouldn't rule out the Blue Jays as a potential player for Santana as well, even though general manager Alex Anthopoulos said this week that the team was unlikely to sign a free agent starting pitcher. With Ubaldo Jimenez off the market, look for Santana to get a deal completed sooner rather than later.

Related: Orioles, Rangers, Blue Jays

Source: Enrique Rojas on Twitter Feb 22 - 1:09 PM

 

Yeah they may land him, but I don't think they need him at this point, in fact he likely will block some better options coming up.

[Chappy]

I agree, but if they pay large for 1 year, who knows, they'll gain a pick back if they do.

 

One year sure, but I think he ends up with a 3 or 4 year deal.

[G-Snarls]

Orioles are no joke but they're not division-winning or even 2nd place good

 

Again the AL East could be tight. I can't see BAL or TOR finishing better than 3rd and I can't see NYY TB or BOS finishing worse than 3rd. Obviously something's gotta give and at least one team will be surprisingly good or bad just like us and Boston last year.

Edited February 23, 2014 by G-Snarls

[saskjayfan]

Except that 4/5 of their rotation pitched in the ALE and the other was in the AL. Add in the depth and they look a lot better.

 

You talk like with Baltimore you know what you're going to get....yeah....last year their rotation posted a 4.57 ERA. Jimenez helps potentially, but the rotation is still not very good.

[Chappy]

You talk like with Baltimore you know what you're going to get....yeah....last year their rotation posted a 4.57 ERA. Jimenez helps potentially, but the rotation is still not very good.

 

ERA? Their rotation has Tillman and Gonzalez who are probably better than anything we have right now. Add in Jimenez and that is not a bad top 3. Chen and Norris round out the rotation which leaves room for improvement but with Gaussman basically ready to step in and others coming up the pipeline, they will be a lot better than most people think.

[Chappy]

Orioles are no joke but they're not division-winning or even 2nd place good

 

Again the AL East could be tight. I can't see BAL or TOR finishing better than 3rd and I can't see NYY TB or BOS finishing worse than 3rd. Obviously something's gotta give and at least one team will be surprisingly good or bad just like us and Boston last year.

 

They are good enough to get into the conversation now. If their rotation can be somewhat respectable, they will score enough runs to make things interesting.

[kgm1]

O,s like the Jays will go as far as their rotation takes them . I have said all winter Morrow is the key for the Jays and Jiminez and Tiilman will be key for the O,s .

 

Jays have a better BP and If Morrow really becomes what his talent indicates and Dickey is healthy we can match up with anyone then it is all about someone stepping up into the 4th spot and giving the Jays a chance to win.

[G-Snarls]

New thread

[saskjayfan]

ERA? Their rotation has Tillman and Gonzalez who are probably better than anything we have right now. Add in Jimenez and that is not a bad top 3. Chen and Norris round out the rotation which leaves room for improvement but with Gaussman basically ready to step in and others coming up the pipeline, they will be a lot better than most people think.

 

Why do you see the upside in the orioles and not in the Jays....Tillman is crap...he's not even as good as buehrle.....Dickey can't be good, Morrow can't be good, drabek, Hutch, Happ...terrible.....but that gonzalez, tillman, rule and Gaussman is a young guy who will step forward for sure......You should change your location to orioles bandwagon.....love that bullpen in Baltimore.....they are going to be super..

[John_Havok]

I see them as a 0.500 team. They're below-average at 2B, LF, RF, and likely DH right now, and for the start of the season you can add 3B to that list. Their rotation is two mid-rotation starters (Jimenez/Tillman) and a bunch of back end guys. Very, very similar makeup to the Jays right now IMO.

 

Yep.

 

even going position by position...

 

Rotation is about the same.

Pen - Toronto

Catcher - Baltimore

1b - I prefer Edwin personally because I think Davis' 30% K rate will ultimately catch up with him. CAll it a tie

2b - both suck

SS - Edge Toronto

3b - edge Orioles

RF - Toronto

CF - Very close.. Jones better pop, doesn't walk as much but doesn't K as much either, Rasmus better D. Call it a tie

LF - A healthy Cabrera would give this to Toronto

DH - Lind vs Criz... tie

 

Really, anyone who's down on the Jays should be just as down on the Orioles. There's just as many question marks for them and they have just as big a checklist of things that need to go right in order to contend.

 

Health and who ends up with the most checks on their list of things to go right will finish better.

[Chappy]

Why do you see the upside in the orioles and not in the Jays....Tillman is crap...he's not even as good as buehrle.....Dickey can't be good, Morrow can't be good, drabek, Hutch, Happ...terrible.....but that gonzalez, tillman, rule and Gaussman is a young guy who will step forward for sure......You should change your location to orioles bandwagon.....love that bullpen in Baltimore.....they are going to be super..

 

Where did I say I don't see the upside in the Jays rotation? I just think the Orioles will be better than most people expect.

 

Also on a side note you are kind of a f***ing *******.

[saskjayfan]

Where did I say I don't see the upside in the Jays rotation? I just think the Orioles will be better than most people expect.

 

Also on a side note you are kind of a f***ing *******.

 

I don't agree with you so I'm an *******....isn't calling someone an ******* against the rules or something..lol......that saskjay...the one who has an overly positive outlook for the jays and posts on jays fans messageboard...what a prick......you're a funny duck there super moderator.

[Chappy]

I don't agree with you so I'm an *******....isn't calling someone an ******* against the rules or something..lol......that saskjay...the one who has an overly positive outlook for the jays and posts on jays fans messageboard...what a prick......you're a funny duck there super moderator.

 

It's ridiculous that you expect people to be optimistic about the Jays. The Jays certainly have a lot of upside, but that does not mean other teams don't as well. Realistically the Jays will be fighting to stay out of last place this season. You don't have to get so bent out of shape when people don't have their Pom Poms out for the Jays.

 

As for calling you an *******, it was well deserved. I made post why I think the O's will be better and you simply threw a tantrum. Grow up.

[Chappy]

I think he called you an ******* because you have a habit of getting overly defensive about posts and then calling people out as "bad fans" or whatever. Over the last week you've done it to two people who moderate this forum without pay.

 

Precisely. He could have made a well thought out argument to prove his point, instead he threw a tantrum.

[GD]

I think he called you an ******* because you have a habit of getting overly defensive about posts and then calling people out as "bad fans" or whatever. Over the last week you've done it to two people who moderate this forum without pay.

 

Not to mention putting words in peoples' mouths based on what he perceives as "evidence."

[saskjayfan]

I think he called you an ******* because you have a habit of getting overly defensive about posts and then calling people out as "bad fans" or whatever. Over the last week you've done it to two people who moderate this forum without pay.

 

 

Please....where have I called anyone a bad fan in any post. I state my opinions. I don't hate on AA. I wish AA would have got fired, because I believe the disposition of the fan base. I'd be a rich man if I had a nickel for every person who's used the term fat greek on this board.

[saskjayfan]

It's ridiculous that you expect people to be optimistic about the Jays. The Jays certainly have a lot of upside, but that does not mean other teams don't as well. Realistically the Jays will be fighting to stay out of last place this season. You don't have to get so bent out of shape when people don't have their Pom Poms out for the Jays.

 

As for calling you an *******, it was well deserved. I made post why I think the O's will be better and you simply threw a tantrum. Grow up.

 

You called me an ******* and I threw a tantrum...lol I guess you make the rules so I'm the *******. I do not agree with your assessment of the Jays. I realize I am in the minority around here for my beliefs. My positions have been well articulated. You can choose to disagree and state why, or clarify if I've taken your words out of context or you can call me names. Whatever floats your boat.

[Chappy]

My positions have been well articulated.

 

Why do you see the upside in the orioles and not in the Jays....Tillman is crap...he's not even as good as buehrle.....Dickey can't be good, Morrow can't be good, drabek, Hutch, Happ...terrible.....but that gonzalez, tillman, rule and Gaussman is a young guy who will step forward for sure......You should change your location to orioles bandwagon.....love that bullpen in Baltimore.....they are going to be super..

 

I think we differ on our interpretations of 'well articulated'.

[jaysfan2014]

Not sure on 3B there, as it depends on Machado's health, and him actually developing further by increasing power and hopefully improving his plate discipline.

 

Machado did seriously regress in the 2nd half of the season (.240/.277/.370), while Lawrie improved significantly (.283/.346/.417) as he got healthy.

Defensively, though, Machado is further ahead than Lawrie. Machado could easily play SS if he weren't blocked by JJ Hardy.

 

2B depends on who the Orioles march out there between Flaherty, Weeks or Schoop.. otherwise, most of your evaluation is accurate.