The Orioles pursued trading for San Diego Padres outfielder Melvin Upton Jr., who was dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.
They reportedly were going to send Ubaldo Jimenez and two minor leaguers to the Padres for Upton – but the money that needed to exchange hands was the sticking point.
So the Orioles didn’t end up with Upton, which as I wrote earlier Tuesday, isn’t a bad thing. You can get my thoughts on that here.
Yeah, you’ve heard this tune from the barkeep before: These Orioles need to strengthen their rotation. That should be the first priority, second priority and third priority.
I’m really all not that concerned about an outfield spot. Sure, the Orioles could use a Joey Rickard type with Rickard on the shelf (thumb) until September. A guy who can play center field in a pinch, provide good defense at all three outfield spots and pinch-run and pinch-hit some.
But, to me, that’s a guy that can be traded for in August. Not a major piece in July.
No, I believe the Orioles’ main focus has to be starting pitching. And I know most of you agree. (Sadly, we also agree there’s not much available and it will be overpriced.)
But I’ve heard from some people that said I was wrong on the Upton/outfield thing (I’m not counting those who just wanted Ubaldo Jimenez gone). They feel the Orioles do need another solid outfielder, whether it is to get Mark Trumbo out of right field or to spell Hyun Soo Kim against lefties.
To me, that’s a luxury and not a necessity (especially with Nolan Reimold around). But I wanted your two cents.
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Every year - same story. O's NEED starting pitching. An extra outfielder would be nice i suppose, but i agree it isnt exactly a necessity.
agreed
Trade for an outfielder? Why? The only way I would trade for an outfielder is if I could find a team willing to take the contract or either Jimenez or Davis off our hands! (OK..maybe I'm being a bit facetious about Crush) I'm a surprised they designated Borbon though, I think they're taking a chance/risk for a few weeks with that move. If he doesn't clear waivers, the brass must feel as though Reimold could handle center if need be for a game or two. We may end up seeing LJ Hoes again. Can Yaz play center?
Yaz? Can't see that as an option now. But otherwise, yeah, it's a calculated risk. They think Borbon will pass through and rejoin the organization.
I don't think we really need another outfielder all that badly for the next month. Come September 1, any number of guys will be available from Norfolk and Bowie to provide some backup. Jones is looking pretty healthy right now, Kim is healthy, Trumbo is serviceable and his bat needs some kind of spot in the lineup, and Reimold and Flaherty are available off the bench as needed. We traded for somebody who was supposed to be a pretty good outfielder last year too, and that didn't work out so well either. Lets just focus on pitching for now.
drink chip.
Only as a secondary minor move. They need a starter, big time and we shouldn't let this recent good stretch fool us into ignoring this weakness.That being said, I don't want some half-assed option, at the expense of anyone named Sisco,or others in that mold. We already have that type of guy in our system, so it's going to be difficult to do.
Not a lot of others in the Sisco mold in this system. But I get what you're saying.
No matter how great my desire to see Ubaldo wearing another team's uniform, I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment. Pitching needs to be the priority here and those pickings are slim to none. Kim is back & we have Reimold. It can wait until September.
I had to laugh when my friends that are Braves fans assured me that no matter how much I would like for Ubaldo to be gone I'll be glad that we dodged the Upton bullet. I'm hopeful they are correct.
That's another thing. He's having a good season in 2016. But he was awful not long ago.
I don't know how anyone would think this team needs an outfielder. I'd rather keep Kim in against lefties than anyone they could possibly trade for. Only benefit to that Upton trade would be to shed Ubaldo but Upton's contract is even bigger. He was on the decline before he even left Tampa and San Diego only took on that contract because they had his brother who was one of thr best outfielders in the game at the time. At this point I wouldn't be upset if they didn't even trade for a starter since the price is exuberant. Go to a 3 man rotation once the playoffs start, Tillman, Gausman, Gallardo can get some playoff wins. Keep the prospects. I can't go through another decade long losing period.
Agree. Stand pat, build the farm. I think Bundy can settle into the 4th guy role right now and Worley hasn't been too shabby lately. Play Kim every day. OK,, he can have a day off every now and then. Best hitter on the team right now.
The Kim versus lefties thing is an interesting issue. He played against lefties in Korea. But they didn't have many -- if any -- throwing like lefties routinely do here.
I'd love to have CWS Adam Eaton: 1) Really good defensive OF; 2) Very good lead-off skills; 3) Good OBP.
O's scored 100 fewer runs in July than June. Losing road record shows they miss homer-friendly OPACY. Need better balanced attack because when they ain't hitting homers they ain't scoring.