Hi:

I am hoping someone can give a logical answer to this. The Orioles are in a "youth - rebuilding mode", yet the White Sox's just signed the new "Can't miss prospect" for 3rd base to 11 million. If being 19 and a 4 or 5 tool player is not a sure sign of someone that would fit into the new Oriole's plan, then what gives. Mora could have sold him on the O's and helped develop him so we would have been set for a long-time at 3rd base and at a cheap price in the long-term. PLEASE is there anyone with some logic that can be agressive in management? PLEASE SOMEONE explain to a true O's fan when the dividends will pay off in the investments in player development?

The kid has alot of talent, and the Orioles certainly need to do a better job of scouting in all parts of the world. Also, as the White Sox have had luck with Cuban scouting in the past, most recently with Alexei Ramirez, it seems likely that they know what they're doing. That said, he cost them $11 million right off the bat, which is alot for a kid whose weight has been ballooning and who allegedly has big discipline issues. He signed with Chicago because they opted to give him a shot at his chosen position, 3B, but the fact that other teams would not allow him that opportunity thanks in large part to those same weight and discipline problems has to tell you something. The O's NEED to get better in the international field, but with them gearing up to (hopefully) dole out big-time extensions and FA signings, 11 mil for a boatload (literally) of just potential is a bit pricy. Although we are a fairly wealthy team that could conceivably afford a risk like that, and I certainly wouldn't have minded if we did.