Series Thread: It's the O's 5/3-5

[donaldson79]

DMN today:

"He has always been a streaky hitter. I talked to Buck Showalter and he said he's never see Cruz this locked-in. He has been locked-in for two months. With Nelson, it used to be a week and then he would fall off the face of the earth for two weeks. Not this year. He has been the most consistent hitter in the big leagues this year and that goes against his nature."

That's a pesky team the Rangers haven't played well against in the past. A 7-4 trip was very good. The bottom could have fallen out of this. If they went 4-7 or 3-8, they would have been 10 out and it's see you next year. Give the players and Wash credit. They had a very good trip and more than survived in a very tough situation." Fraley

Daniels: “He is basically 100 percent in all areas except for the muscles around the knee that he injured. So, what we don't want to have happen is we put him at risk. We don't want him to go field a bunt or cover first base and that leg isn't strong enough. He could end up hurting himself by either re-injuring the knee or rolling an ankle because the leg muscles just haven't had enough time to develop."

"I think the end of the month is a possibly, but I would say the beginning of July is probably more realistic."

Having finally returned to trusting his fastball, Feliz had his third consecutive strong outing for Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday, going two hitless and shutout innings against Omaha. In his last three outings, Feliz has allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out four.

 

[jta4437]

DMN today:

Daniels: “He is basically 100 percent in all areas except for the muscles around the knee that he injured. So, what we don't want to have happen is we put him at risk. We don't want him to go field a bunt or cover first base and that leg isn't strong enough. He could end up hurting himself by either re-injuring the knee or rolling an ankle because the leg muscles just haven't had enough time to develop."

"I think the end of the month is a possibly, but I would say the beginning of July is probably more realistic."

Assuming Holland here, but it never actually says who they are talking about

 

[donaldson79]

Assuming Holland here, but it never actually says who they are talking about

Yep, and I should have inserted Holland's name here.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

No telling what type of pitching we may see from either team tonight. Got two real Jekyll and Hydes on the mound.

 

[terpsfball09]

we've talked to kendrys morales exclusively lately. Apparently several other teams have as well. But my friend told me to not expect him to last more then 2 weeks post draft. His swing looks great, he's just yet to see live arms this year. Won't be that much money either.

 

[donaldson79]

No telling what type of pitching we may see from either team tonight. Got two real Jekyll and Hydes on the mound.

Joe Saunders has been a whole lot more Mr Hyde 2011 hasn't he? I mean like almost exclusively.

 

[jta4437]

Yep, and I should have inserted Holland's name here.

No biggie, I was confused at first b/c there wasn't really a transition, just figured I'd clear it up for future readers

 

[jta4437]

Joe Saunders has been a whole lot more Mr Hyde 2011 hasn't he? I mean like almost exclusively.

Well he's only made 2 starts, one bad and one good can't really say he's been anymore of one than the other

 

[scotsman1948]

we've talked to kendrys morales exclusively lately. Apparently several other teams have as well. But my friend told me to not expect him to last more then 2 weeks post draft. His swing looks great, he's just yet to see live arms this year. Won't be that much money either.

been reading that most think he will sign with the Yankees. they waiting on the latest medical report on Teixiera before they make a move but expect they sign Morales before the draft

 

[donaldson79]

Well he's only made 2 starts, one bad and one good can't really say he's been anymore of one than the other

True....but small sample size. I believe for the past 18 months + (2nd half of 2012) in the majors he's had a very tough go of it.

I'm pulling for him. Seems like a decent enough guy, and I do think he puts 100% effort in.

 

[donaldson79]

I was talking about 5-7 for the rest of the year, not prorated, and I'm being VERY generous (in my mind)

But him not taking the QO WAS a complete failure, he never had any to much value, once the Mariners put the QO to him it only made sense to go back to Seattle, b/c no team was going to pay him what he wanted AND give up a draft pick to do so

He is what he is, a solid bat with a little pop and not a lot of walks that can't play defense and when he does its 1B, that doesn't hold much value in the scheme of things

Difference is that Cruz actually does play a little OF, not well, but he does play the OF and probably provides a bit more power potential than Morales, as much as I bash Cruz for his decision making, Morales is even worse, he's just not that good and only helps a team in need of an extra bat that doesn't already have a permanent DH type

I've gotta give credit where it's earned and you nailed both Cruz/Morales and their off season moves.

I agreed 100% on Morales, and was equally 100% in the opposite corner with Cruz.

You'd tha man

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

been reading that most think he will sign with the Yankees. they waiting on the latest medical report on Teixiera before they make a move but expect they sign Morales before the draft

Would be stupid to wait till 2 days before the draft (starts Thursday) to sign him.
Would be even stupider for Morales.

Yes, I realize he has no market currently...but if he holds off till after the draft, more teams interested = bidding war = gets more money.

 

[scotsman1948]

Would be stupid to wait till 2 days before the draft (starts Thursday) to sign him.
Would be even stupider for Morales.

Yes, I realize he has no market currently...but if he holds off till after the draft, more teams interested = bidding war = gets more money.

no argument but the Yanks are willing to lose a draft choice and pay the big bucks. what's a draft choice to them?

 

[Justinkm83]

The way I look at it is we potentially already have a lot of money invested in 1B even though he is gone for the season we are expecting (more like strongly hoping) he will be able to come back next season and have success. I think you have to do that given the investment. In the mean time, you have Moreland, who is a guy they like, that can fill in. And also Murphy which I agree makes much less sense but he can do the job.

Morales waited this thing out to get a player friendly deal and I just don't think, even if we get involved in it at any level, that we will be willing to go where other teams will. My reasoning is simple:

1. Budget and overloading at DH/1B- we are already at the highest team salary we have ever seen. Signing Morales would not only add to that it would also likely require several years which would give us a stock pile of 1B/DH's. Lets not forget discussions we have had on Beltre's decline on defense as well. Morales is also much more of a DH than a 1B too and to play it safe with Prince we also might want him to DH some next season. Choo is also another potential DH in 4-5 years but I doubt it will require that much to sign Morales.

2. Injuries and poor pitching- Given the vast amount of injuries this season, it honestly might be foolish to be buyers this early. Adding a solid bat isn't going to make up for the AL's 3rd worst ERA. And there is no guarantee that Holland is going to help very much when he gets back. It might be the end of the season before he gets back into rhythm. We are an average AL offense (7th) and though Morales would improve the offense and likely help improve that rank. I think its pretty rare that a team advances very far in the playoffs or even makes them with the numbers our pitching staff has put up so far this season.

I'm not giving up or anything, this would just be my perspective if I was financially invested in the team.

In short, I would be all about us signing him as a fan but from a business standpoint, unless he goes for really cheap- I don't think it makes sense.

Now if he stays a FA near the trade deadline and pitching has picked it up a significantly- that's a different story.

We save a little bit of money on Harrison and Fielder this year that can be used to sign Morales. I don't think the difference would be huge. We could always trade him later which shouldn't be hard to do at the money it will take to get him. We don't have a back-up 1B or a DH for that matter. IMO it makes a lot of sense. Send Choice down and let Morales DH.

 

[jta4437]

no argument but the Yanks are willing to lose a draft choice and pay the big bucks. what's a draft choice to them?

There's no way they move on him before the draft, and draft picks mean a lot, even to the Yankees, especially for someone like Morales

 

[Justinkm83]

DMN today:

"He has always been a streaky hitter. I talked to Buck Showalter and he said he's never see Cruz this locked-in. He has been locked-in for two months. With Nelson, it used to be a week and then he would fall off the face of the earth for two weeks. Not this year. He has been the most consistent hitter in the big leagues this year and that goes against his nature."

That's a pesky team the Rangers haven't played well against in the past. A 7-4 trip was very good. The bottom could have fallen out of this. If they went 4-7 or 3-8, they would have been 10 out and it's see you next year. Give the players and Wash credit. They had a very good trip and more than survived in a very tough situation." Fraley

Daniels: “He is basically 100 percent in all areas except for the muscles around the knee that he injured. So, what we don't want to have happen is we put him at risk. We don't want him to go field a bunt or cover first base and that leg isn't strong enough. He could end up hurting himself by either re-injuring the knee or rolling an ankle because the leg muscles just haven't had enough time to develop."

"I think the end of the month is a possibly, but I would say the beginning of July is probably more realistic."

Having finally returned to trusting his fastball, Feliz had his third consecutive strong outing for Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday, going two hitless and shutout innings against Omaha. In his last three outings, Feliz has allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out four.

That's great news about Feliz. We desperately need him to get his shit together, and start helping the big league club again.

 

[Justinkm83]

I just read that the Royals might get involved but they would have to move some salary to do so. I wouldn't mind trying to acquire Billy Butler, who is the one they would try to move. He's had a down year so we wouldn't have to give up much I wouldn't think. He's a good hitter and has always hit well in our park.

 

[Justinkm83]

Shin-Soo Choo DH
Elvis Andrus SS
Mitch Moreland 1B
Adrian Beltre 3B
Alex Rios RF
Michael Choice LF
Leonys Martin CF
Robinson Chirinos C
Rougned Odor 2B


Nick Markakis RF
Manny Machado 3B
Nelson Cruz LF
Adam Jones CF
Chris Davis 1B
J.J. Hardy SS
Delmon Young DH
Jonathan Schoop 2B
Caleb Joseph

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

Profar said he doesnt expect to play this season.... fyi.

 

[Justinkm83]

Texas Rangers Tanner Scheppers, Jim Adduci head to Frisco for rehab - ESPN Dallas


This team needs Adduci back. The guy is a good ball player, and was hitting .432 before getting hurt.