Looking ahead to O's free agency
When I was in elementary school, every December we made a chain of paper links. We tore off a link for every single day leading up to Christmas. It helped satisfy the anticipation. Orioles fans eager for a big free-agent signing can do that too. They'll need about 700 links or so.
O's boss Peter Angelos says they'll reel in a big fish once the team is closer to playoff contention, which most likely means in advance of the 2011 season. Let's start counting the days!
Because it's never too early to start planning, here's a roadmap for the offseason that precedes 2011 Opening Day:
Priority signing: Albert Pujols (who has an option for that year but will most likely want to bat behind Matt Wieters.)
Add some arms: Josh Beckett, Brandon Webb and Jeremy Bonderman.
SS probably still needed: J.J Hardy, Jose Reyes and Jhonny Peralta are all worth a look.
Outfield possibilities: Brad Hawpe, Carl Crawford, Magglio Ordonez and maybe Jose Guillen. Get all four of them so there's some options for the manager.
The future is indeed bright. Can we purchase 2011 season tickets right now or should we wait?
(A list of 2011 free agents is here.)
Comments
Rick, i thought you were immune from the kool aid that this town drinks but your article makes me believe that you are smoking something much more dangerous, like CRACK.After this years team finishes with a worse record then last year and the pitching staff pitches to a higher ERA then last they will have to give away tickets for the 2011 season.
Posted by: blancione | March 23, 2009 2:32 PM
There is nothing wrong with a little crack in the kool aid.
Especially when guys like Matusz, Arrietta and Tillman will be up anchoring the staff.
It is apparent now that blancione has to go spam all of the Orioles blogs with these ridiculous diatribes.
Roch, Schmuck, here, Malewski and I'm sure Connolly is up next.
Posted by: bms | March 23, 2009 3:57 PM
Hey BMS your a day dreamer.Are you the one that wanted to bet somebody that the pitching staff era would be lower this year. I will bet you anything that this won't be the case.I will also bet you that this team won't win as many games as last year. Out your money where your mouth is..
Posted by: blancione | March 23, 2009 4:35 PM
1B: Forget Pujols - if the Cards can't lock him up, you know the Red Sox will get him.
SS: JJ Hardy is the best bet out of that bunch, he is the younger than Rollins (can't see the Phils not signing him for life) and Peralta will be a 3B (can't field at SS).
OF: Not interested in any of the OFers because Crawford will be traded to team that will be able to sign him and the others are too old (Ordonez), or play terrible defense and suspect because of Coors (Hawpe), or just plain stink with a bad attitude (Guillen).
Arms: Forget about Josh Beckett - the Red Soz will resign him. The Diamond Backs will also resign Webb. That leaves Bonderman - he might be available due to injury history and Porcello and Verlander anchoring the rotation. The Tigers may pass in trying to lock him up. However, if the Big Three plus two of the second tier arms (though Spoone has just as much stuff as the Big Three) are here, doubt the O's will be interested.
Posted by: peanutgallery | March 23, 2009 4:47 PM
1b may be a problem, and SS, J.J. would be a nice addition,however, whats wrong with the outfield we are trying to establish, barring any injury it is as good as any out there right now.
Posted by: Alex Keller | March 23, 2009 5:31 PM
We won't ever have to worry about Puljols coming to B-more. Its going to take at least 5 years to convence any top tier free agent to sign and that's only if the team can develop most of the young players (CF,LF,C,P) into studs. The Os are, without a doubt, destined for last place in '08 and I don't see NY, Bos, or TB getting worse in '09.
Posted by: DSpedden | March 23, 2009 7:12 PM
The team will be in desperate need of a 3B & 1B in 2010. I'm very certain that the team will have the same type of desperation for a LF as well. If Huff hits .280 - 30hr- 90rbi this year, and knowing how he really feels about the city, I wouldn't expect him back. The team wouldn't be willing to give him an extension for more than 1 yr. at 5 mil., and I'm sure that he'll want 3-4yrs at 7-8 mil. That's four positions not including pitching.
Posted by: DSpedden | March 23, 2009 7:18 PM
I likete speculation, but Angelos just needs to shut up. I mean, we never hear from the guy and now he says that we are going to make "big splashes" in free agency in 2011? I understand that he needs to make us understand that we won't be competitive this year (like we need him to tell us this), but why even get our expectations up?
Posted by: Mr. Deez | March 23, 2009 8:12 PM
blancione --
No, it wasn't me that made any bets. I've acknowledged many times that this year is going to be tough.
However, while it may be rough at points, it is so much easier to swallow after years of ineptitude and the lack of a farm system.
We have quite a bit of depth now, thankfully. The "calvary" is coming and soon. I'm all for Andy's plan of not rushing our (for once) LEGIT prospects.
On another note, I would be willing to bet, that yes the O's WILL win more games this year. The focus on defense, a solid bullpen, Wieters, and some of the pitchers that WILL get a shot down the line has me very willing to put my money where my mouth is.
I really don't foresee Eaton, Hendrickson in the rotation all year. I don't doubt for a second that Bergeson will be called up this spring and if guys like Patton, Penn and perhaps even Tillman get to play in the yard, our staff ERA should be better than last year in any case.
Posted by: bms | March 24, 2009 12:36 PM