http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/02/offseason-in-review-baltimore-orioles.html

The last line of the article is the root of most of the polarization on here this winter:
"Whether you liked the Orioles' offseason depends on your philosophy on this question: should a rebuilding club spend significant money for the sake of respectability?"

Is this todays "filler" post???

what role did AM have in this

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I think Andy's chief contribution was pressuring the organization to finally get something done to get out of Fort Lauderdale. The nuts and bolts were handled by Alan Rifkin.

Considering I've read that the Reds considered Sarasota sub-par, it gives a sense of how abysmal the Ft Lauderdale facility was. It shows how screwed up the front office's priorities were that it took a decade to get the spring training situation fixed -assuming it is. If the renovation goes forward, I'd think it should help player development to have minor leaguers nearby.

If one truly wants to understand the differences in ownership between the O's and Ravens look no further than they're respective training complexes.

"Whether you liked the Orioles' offseason depends on your philosophy on this question: should a rebuilding club spend significant money for the sake of respectability?" - quoted from scant article

"The [above] line ... is the root of most of the polarization on here this winter." - Guru76

If one thinks that is the only reason the Orioles should have been more proactive the past two off-seasons, then I don't know what else to say.

As far as Sarasota is concerned (really, as far as the Orioles are concerned with Sarasota), I will believe it when it is so finalized, they are actually playing catch on the field with another team waiting in the wings.

If this ownership had even a beginner's handle on spring training sites, the Orioles would be in a place that would be conducive to winning. And that might have meant Arizona, although not necessarily.

I'm sure whatever i that isn't dotted yet or t that isn't crossed yet is just another way to try gain leverage, the only game in town for this owner.

And in the end, the team has what other teams have fled from already -- the same deal that has been going on since Miami was their home.

Respectability. Ha!

Even if the Orioles are within sniffing distance of .500 or better when the season ends, the team will not evaluate who has value, who had a career year, and who is a keeper. They will keep all of their players with a tweaked mantra stating: Why should be rock the boat when we are on the doorstep of respectability, winning, or whatever?

Translation: Why spend the money when we have people believing we are on such a right course, nothing else is needed?

Hidden translation: Why spend the money when we have players whose tenure means we can leverage them?

Bottom line: Why spend the money?

Respectability? Is that really a consideration by this team?

The recent returns (since BJ Surhoff was sent to Atlanta, if you want to call that "recent") aren't good.

Before that we had Peter the Grate knows best. Or at least better than Frank Wren, Pat Gillick, or even Johnny Oates.

Hi Mr. Schmuck

The Orioles will be much happier in the new location. My wife and I are retired and go to Florida every year for two weeks to follow the team in Spring Training. We are very excited about this young team and it reminds us of the Baby Birds all over again! The Fort Lauderdale site was getting pretty dingy and we wondered last year why they didn't at least put some new paint on it. I guess they new they were moving anyway so they didn't want to spend the money.I have not signed on in awhile but I don't see many familiar names on the last few blogs other than the Waspman, Shamrock,and the Oceanwarrior.

This is great Pete , but when are the O's going to spend real money for real talent ? I yearn for meaningful games in Sept. and Oct. , not happy talk in Feb.

This is great Pete , but when are the O's going to spend real money for real talent ? I yearn for meaningful games in Sept. and Oct. , not happy talk in Feb.

Pete,

Can you remind readers why the Reds left...and if they considered the place sub-par, why they just didn't strike a deal to fix it up, like the O's are trying to do.

And why did the White Sox leave before that...just because they wanted to go to Arizona??

No one under 60 prefers sarasota to FT Lauderdale

Its a shame a deal couldnt be worked out with FTL. Problem is angelos thinks that everyone should give him the billionaire discount

He didnt want to pay airport land prices for airport land

I know everyone here would rather get less than their real estate is worth though so they'll probably rush to angelos defense on this one too

damn it, i used to go to 20 ST games a yr too

Oh yeah. Still cant figure out why they turned down jupiter back in the day either ???

Hiya, Pete. I've spent many a day out a place on Lido, and I've got a couple of recommendations for you. If you want to go fancy, Columbia on St. Armand's Circle is great, but right next door is a place more your speed-- Cha Cha Coconuts. Have a cold one on a hot day for me!

Oops, meant "Colombia", of course.

Spy

I also yearn for meaningful games , so does Wayne , Gil , and many others .
Only way to play meaningful games is to acquire talent . The O's problem is they dont believe in paying ' market rate' on talent , nor engage in any bidding with other clubs for talent .

The O's , as well as their Kool Aid gang , prefer the 'happy talk' because its CHEAPER .

Jason:

If my memory serves me correctly, the Reds left Sarasota to move their spring training out to Arizona as well. They are apparently sharing a stadium out there with Cleveland. Two Ohio teams sticking together.

" If one thinks...."
givith thou a breaketh!

Pete: Spend some time on Siesta Key. It's the best beach on the gulf coast.

Pete, when it's redone, do you get the sense that it will be just up to par or do you truly feel that it will be a showcase for ST stadiums? I know the people behind it have A+ resumes so I am guessing it will be very special and hopefully a place that the O's can finally call home for the spring.

I lived 24 years in Aberdeen, and spent the last 14 in Sarasota.
The reason the Reds left was because they wanted to go out West, the reason Sarasota dragged their feet was because deep down they wanted the Red Sox to move from Ft. Meyers.
The place is very nice, and the area is very pleasant, although sometime traffic in and out of the stadium during day games can be a pain if you don't know your way around.

Definately hit up Yoder's for the pies, Gecko's for the wings and burgers, and Siesta Key for good times and good drinks when the weather warms up.

Thank you Allan , I do believe you are 'spot on',,,,,,,,,,,,,,

They won't be anywhere near smelling .500! There is way too much dope being smoked if you can even say a number of wins greater than 70! Where are the runs going to come from, AM was buying the bats and I;m waiting! For that matter, we have one washed up pitcher, one phenom rookie, a couple of throwers and Guthrie.

Lets try and keep it real, manage the expectations of what the warehouse has given us, and pray that every prospect we have produces at a level twice that is expected!

Remember, I told you so!

The Truth will set you free!