ForceEight Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 So our biggest free agents are as follows: Cruz, Miller, Markakis, Hundley, Young, and probably Johnson. Which should we try to keep, and for how long? Cruz is probably pigeonholed to the AL given that he's made himself a clear DH. I can imagine him wanting four years and not getting it here. Miller is probably the most valuable asset of the bunch. He could be paid/played as a closer for likely ten teams off the top of my head. Markakis wasn't going to be paid $15m again next season. I don't think he's going anywhere, but that pay cut will be huge. Hundley's probably the second or third option for catchers on the market this offseason, and I would think someone would find him more valuable than the Orioles with Wieters on the way back. Young, in my opinion, is the second most valuable piece after Miller. He's clearly identified himself at this point as a role player, but those are increasingly important pieces these days. Johnson, if not finished, is probably awfully close. Any other thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papasmurfbell Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Cakes should be allowed to walk unless he takes a steep pay cut. His speed is noticeably slowing now. It is not like he is going to be worth being some great DH when he can't field anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrubberRaven Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 God I'm glad you don't run our teams... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papasmurfbell Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 So you think his skill set has stayed steady? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForceEight Posted November 1, 2014 Author Share Posted November 1, 2014 I think Markakis is worth more to us than to most any other team. That's the difference. He might not be the fastest guy anymore, but he's still an above-average fielder with a great arm. The power is gone but he's still a reliable hitter. Those are things that you pay for. Not for $15m per year, but they are valuable nonetheless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cravnravn Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Off the free agent topic: Can we just cut Davis & Weitz? I like the platoon of Joseph & hundley, and as ks alluded to earlier when Davis got busted, he was batting 190.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc. Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Davis is free, so don't have to cut or offer. Anyone who prefers the Joseph, Hundley split is silly. Neither is as good in any aspect of their game as Wieters, and we practically get him for free this year... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papasmurfbell Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 I think Markakis is worth more to us than to most any other team. That's the difference. He might not be the fastest guy anymore, but he's still an above-average fielder with a great arm. The power is gone but he's still a reliable hitter. Those are things that you pay for. Not for $15m per year, but they are valuable nonetheless.Sometimes he is late getting to a ball in the out field. I don't care how good his arm is if he can't get to the ball fast enough. That said what will his skills look like in 3 yrs since they have eroded to this point now? That is why you let him walk or he takes a big salary cut. When he has eroded to the point that he can only be a platoon guy then you can't have starter money locked into him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrubberRaven Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 So you think his skill set has stayed steady? Worth $15 mil? No. Still valuable to our team at the right price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papasmurfbell Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Like I said take a pay cut. I figure start at $10 mil per yr and go down to $6 mil as the contract goes on is about where he is worth having around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForceEight Posted November 1, 2014 Author Share Posted November 1, 2014 I don't think anyone has an argument there. I would also be somewhat surprised if he manages to get that $10m out of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc. Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 I wouldn't be surprised if they pay the option because Angelos likes him so much. I would be interested to see what Nick gets in the market. I could see bidding push his contact up over that 10 number pretty fast, not that that means we should pay it. I could also see Nick in NY next year, which would be sad, but I don't know that is be worried. Question is, if you play Jones in center, I'd keep de Aza in a corner... But who fills the void? Not sure whos out there or who we have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cravnravn Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 If the Yankees paid 2 mil for roberts they'd gladly shell out 10+ mil for Markakis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc. Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 2m was a bargain on Roberts in many ways. Regardless, we know the Yanks will pay whatever number no one else will... And they'll get less for each dinar than anyone in the league. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papasmurfbell Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 2m was a bargain on Roberts in many ways. Regardless, we know the Yanks will pay whatever number no one else will... And they'll get less for each dinar than anyone in the league. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc. Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 O's officially declined the option as of last night, but are in negotiations for a multi year deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thundercleetz Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Davis is free, so don't have to cut or offer. Anyone who prefers the Joseph, Hundley split is silly. Neither is as good in any aspect of their game as Wieters, and we practically get him for free this year...I thought Davis had one more year of arbitration? I think we have to keep Davis for his last year. His potential alone is worth the shot. I would hate to see him hit 40 home runs for someone else when we could have had that production cheap for one more season. If he's as bad as last season, then he's gone at the end of the season. At least he provides good defense and power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papasmurfbell Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Yeah you have to keep Davis for this season and hope he lights the world on fire before the trade deadline. They should have traded him last winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc. Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 O's made Cruz a qualifying offer of one year at just over 15m. If he rejects and goes elsewhere, we get draft picks. Good move. Not sure we'll hold him with it, but I don't want to over pay him not sign him too long given his limited use in the field. I definitely see someone topping the offer, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papasmurfbell Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 It is a very smart move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thundercleetz Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 "@Olsen_Don: FWIW: Orioles are kicking the tires internally on a few top free agent players, plan on making a serious bid to one." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
varaven45 Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Do we know which ones ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc. Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Well the top tier are Miller, Cruz, Markakis. I would imagine the most serious offer will go to Miller. They've already made an intro offer to Cruz and I just don't think Markakis gets anything so outrageous that he wouldn't at least listen elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc. Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Sorry, I may be off here... Internal made me think internal players but now that the market is open this us obviously referencing the bigger picture. I'm betting they're looking at a lot of guys, but no clue who Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thundercleetz Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 I don't really see any hitter worth going after except the Cuban outfielder Yasmani Tomas. Huge power potential and only 24 years old. We were one of the teams that attended his workout in the DR. We need a left fielder, but I'm sure someone will pay Tomas a lot of money. Outside of that, a few big name pitchers available: Scherzer and Lester. Both are sure fire #1's. IF we are looking to spend big money, I'd much rather sign Miller, build the bullpen, and try and lock up Wieters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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