Baltimore's New Players

[Dennie Cunningham]

Hoping Eric Bedard or someone out there has their viewpoint on the new players we obtained via trade/free agent this year. Most of these players in trade are new to me. What do you think their contributions to the team will be THIS year and in the future........thanks

[Erik Bedard]

No problem.

Let's start with the players obtained in the Miguel Tejada trade. Troy Patton was the Astros' top pitching prospect, however, he was diagnosed with a torn labrum and will miss at least the entire 2008 season. He may become an effective major league pitcher, but it's not as certain as it once was, to say te least. Matt Albers was the Astros' #2 pitching prospect going into the 2007 season. He didn't pitch well in 2007, but has really impressed in ST and thus far in the regular season. Some were hoping he'd win the fifth starter role out of spring training, but he didn't, and is currently pitching great out of the bullpen. Luke Scott is a guy who has a ton of power potential, but is a bit of an unknown due to having been used in a platoon role during his time in Houston. The Orioles will let him start in LF and see what he can do. Dennis Sarfate is a reliever with great stuff, but not much command. The Astros acquired him from the Brewers late last season, and he was lights out for them. If he can command his pitches, he could be a future closer. Mike Costanzo is a minor league 3B who the Astros acquired from the Phillies in the Brad Lidge deal. He's blocked at 3B by Scott Moore (and eventually Billy Rowell :crossfingers: ), but the O's have been working with him to see if he could become a catcher. He's got a lot of power, but not much contact ability. He probably projects as a 1B in the bigs if he can't play catcher.

On to the Bedard deal...

Adam Jones was clearly the centerpiece of the Bedard trade. He was the Mariners' #1 prospect for several years, and is a true five-tool player. He should be in CF for the O's for a long time to come. Chris Tillman was the Mariners' top pitching prospect. He's 19 and will start the season in AA Bowie, and don't expect to see him for a couple years. He's got outstanding stuff, though, so when you do see him, he'll probably be good. Needs to work on his command, though. George Sherrill will close for the Orioles this year. Last year, he was basically a lefty specialist for the Mariners, but the O's think that he has the makeup to close. Tony Butler is the longshot prospect in the group. He's in Single-A, and while he's put up good numbers thus far, scouts don't like him much, and with the depth of pitching prospects in the O's system, don't expect much from him. Kam Mickolio is really, really tall. He might be a quality middle reliever, but that's probably about his ceiling, as his stuff hasn't been described as closer-quality.

More later.

[Erik Bedard]

Others...

Scott Moore was acquired last August in the trade that sent Steve Trachsel to the Cubs. He's got some potential, and could be a starter for a few years, but don't expect too much from him. .280/.360/.440 would be about his ceiling. Rocky Cherry was also acquired in that deal. He is pretty much a fringe MLB reliever at this point in his career. His best attribute is his poise on the mound. He's not a guy who will melt down on the mound. His stuff isn't overly impressive, though, so he's not going to be a main figure in the club's long-term plans.

Luis Hernandez was claimed off waivers from the Braves in October of 2006. He's a good-field, no-hit SS. And by no-hit, I mean can't hit at all. He's only 24, so maybe the bat might come around, but it's not likely.

Randor Bierd was the Orioles' Rule 5 pick, so they'll have to keep him on the roster all year or offer him back to the Tigers. He'll probably stick, though, after a great spring and early regular season. Coaches are really impressed with his out pitch, which has been described as a cross between a splitter and a changeup.

Greg Aquino was acquired from the Brewers this offseason. He's got a live arm, and could be a capable reliever. He hasn't been great thus far this season, or at any point in his career, but he had an okay spring, and hopefully he can turn it around.

Finally, Alex Cintron was signed recently to play SS at Triple-A Norfolk. He's 29, and has pretty much been labeled a bust. He'll be the first guy called up if Luis Hernandez isn't good enough.

[J W]

I noticed that Matt Albers has a sinkerball. Hopefully he can develop this way; I've always been a fan of the sinkerballer / defensive infield approach. You can't hit HRs if you can't get the ball out of the infield!

Last season, with Albers still developing, he gave up a mediocre 18 HRs in 110 IP. Not too good for a sinkerballer's standards... but really no different a HR/IP ratio than any other pitcher on Houston's staff (not named Roy Oswalt).

Albers' problem was the same problem haunting many other current Orioles -- walks. Albers gave up 50 walks, and 4 BB/9IP last season. He's done much better in the spring, and has yet to walk a batter in his first two appearances of the season.

So out of those ten players we received for two, we have five contributors on the 25-man right now (Albers, Jones, Sarfate, Scott, Sherrill). And Moore is on the active roster too; thats 6/12 from the three trades, 50%. Not bad at all for immediate dividends.

It's still way too early in the season of course but it's nice to see all five of these players contribute to the four-game winning streak... some in dramatic fashion!

[Erik Bedard]

Let's not forget the addition by subtraction part. Gibbons is finally gone because they just couldn't keep Scott Moore off the roster, Danys Baez won't ruin everything again, Tejada and his ego are gone... all that's left is to dump Payton and maybe Huff.

[hatepaste]

Let's not forget the addition by subtraction part. Gibbons is finally gone because they just couldn't keep Scott Moore off the roster, Danys Baez won't ruin everything again, Tejada and his ego are gone... all that's left is to dump Payton and maybe Huff.

I still like Huff. I liked him when they signed him too. He's got a good bat, and is still fairly young. Depending how things go in the minors this year, I would be ok with trading Huff at the deadline. Especially if he does well and his value goes up.

Payton I would be plenty happy to get rid of.

Can't forget Hernandez, he could get traded too, especially if Weiters keeps tearing it up in the minors.

[Erik Bedard]

It's been what, a week? While I'd definitely love to see Hernandez gone, Wieters isn't ready yet.

Huff is playing well enough that they could definitely get somebody good for him if he keeps this up. Then again, knowing MacPhail, he could get somebody good for him right now.

[hatepaste]

It's been what, a week? While I'd definitely love to see Hernandez gone, Wieters isn't ready yet.

Huff is playing well enough that they could definitely get somebody good for him if he keeps this up. Then again, knowing MacPhail, he could get somebody good for him right now.

Yah only a week, but hopefully it is a good sign to come from Weiters. And not just him, maybe like Quiroz too. If they feel he can hold it down for August and September, could trade Hernandez at the deadline.

On the flip side, I think catchers are tough to trade at the deadline. Need time to learn the pitching staff and so on.

[montydad]

I like Huff too. I hope the fans start cutting him some slack soon. We're all human.

[Erik Bedard]

I don't hate him. In fact, I never really saw what all the fuss was about. I'm just saying that he makes a lot of money, and he's having a great season, and he won't be around when the O's are good, so why not trade him?

[montydad]

He's certainly swinging a hot bat. I hope they wait it out just to make sure we don't have a 'Why Not?' season.

Probably wishful thinking, but after the last few seasons, we're allowed to dream a bit.

[NJMetfan4life]

What about George Sherrill.

[J W]

What about him? Ok, why not look at how everyone's doing?

Miguel Tejada - 177 PA with Houston, .345/.379/.527 - 137 OPS+

Matt Albers - 108 BFP, 2-1, 0.99 WHIP/ 2.30 ERA - 181 ERA+
Mike Costanzo - 129 AB (AAA), .233/.301/.357
Troy Patton - out for season
Dennis Sarfate - 76 BFP, 2-1, 1.62 WHIP/ 3.78 ERA - 110 ERA+
Luke Scott - 133 PA, .271/.346/.407 - 108 OPS+

Verdict: early on it looks like a win-win as the Orioles net 3 solid players on their 25-man roster while the Astros get their veteran superstar. Albers has been the surprise of the deal.

Erik Bedard - 148 BFP with Seattle, 2-2, 1.34 WHIP/ 3.48 ERA - 113 ERA+

Tony Butler - 145 BFP (A), 1-2, 1.29 WHIP/ 3.97 ERA
Adam Jones - 147 PA, .235/.286/.368 - 80 OPS+
Kam Mickolio - 89 BFP (AA), 0-1, 1.50 WHIP/ 3.60 ERA
George Sherrill - 80 BFP, 1-0 (15/16 saves), 1.21 WHIP/ 3.79 ERA - 110 ERA+
Chris Tillman - 178 BFP (AA), 3-0, 1.18 WHIP/ 2.87 ERA

Verdict: I thought early returns would have been in Seattle's favor here, but with Sherrill doing his job so well it actually goes to the Orioles. Jones hasn't hit yet but his defense has been superb. Tillman is smoking AA competition and may see MLB action as early as next season.