I'm starting to get baseball fever

[jrmzt]

Orioles beat the Sox today. Sox really struggling despite all their new additions to improve their "defense".

[DERRENMATTS]

Actually, at this point, I'm looking forward to seeing my team lose, and believe it or not, it disappoints me wkhen we win.

What kind of fan am I, who cheers my team to lose?

The kind of fan who knows that losing now could very well mean a bright future later.

For years, the front office tried to add a good player here and there, and all that did was give us a few wins. So rather than getting a top pick, we'd get a pick in the 5 - 10 range. This has prevented us from getting that stud position player, and that stud ace.

I think it was in '02, that we won the last 2 of 3 games against the Yankees, giving us a slightly better record than Texas--with that, they picked Mark Teixeira one pick ahead of us. What's the good in that? So we win a totally meaningless game against the Yanks in the final series of the season, and that caused us to miss out on a stud first basemen.

And this has been the case for the last decade. Every year we miss out on being the worst team in the league, winning just enough to net us the 5th pick and up. But look at the Rays--they were terrible for years, getting the top pick year after year. That has allowed them to draft lots of good young talent over the years, and now its finally starting to pay off. They've got a core of terrific young players who will be their mainstays for years to come and allow them to compete against the Yanks and Sox.

So that's why I want my O's to suck this year so we can grab that top pick next draft--which looks like it could be this uber talented 3B named Rendon. Talks right now is he's a once in a generation type of batter, and if that's true, I want him.

[jrmzt]

Apr 26, 2010 1:45:02 GMT -5 DERRENMATTS said:

Actually, at this point, I'm looking forward to seeing my team lose, and believe it or not, it disappoints me wkhen we win.

What kind of fan am I, who cheers my team to lose?

The kind of fan who knows that losing now could very well mean a bright future later.

For years, the front office tried to add a good player here and there, and all that did was give us a few wins. So rather than getting a top pick, we'd get a pick in the 5 - 10 range. This has prevented us from getting that stud position player, and that stud ace.

I think it was in '02, that we won the last 2 of 3 games against the Yankees, giving us a slightly better record than Texas--with that, they picked Mark Teixeira one pick ahead of us. What's the good in that? So we win a totally meaningless game against the Yanks in the final series of the season, and that caused us to miss out on a stud first basemen.

And this has been the case for the last decade. Every year we miss out on being the worst team in the league, winning just enough to net us the 5th pick and up. But look at the Rays--they were terrible for years, getting the top pick year after year. That has allowed them to draft lots of good young talent over the years, and now its finally starting to pay off. They've got a core of terrific young players who will be their mainstays for years to come and allow them to compete against the Yanks and Sox.

So that's why I want my O's to suck this year so we can grab that top pick next draft--which looks like it could be this uber talented 3B named Rendon. Talks right now is he's a once in a generation type of batter, and if that's true, I want him.

Only problem with that is because of the ridiculous discrepancies between baseball franchises, can the Os afford to keep their studs? After all Texas who you mentioned, lost Teixiera to the Yanks..The Yanks pretty much buyout any talent they want and the same goes with the Sox..it takes a special loyal player like Mauer who will stay with his home city but other than that, most players will be lured by the bright shining lights of NY and the big paydays. The Rays are excelling now but you can almost just feel that soon you'll see a coupla of their players on the Yankee roster.

[freshnthehouse]

Rarely in baseball is there one prospect that stands out enough that he's worth tanking the season for. These last two years would've been good ones to do it, with Strasburg and Bryce Harper being available.

I don't think draft position has been the problem. They just has to learn to draft better. Between Mussina in 1990, the Orioles have only managed to produce one above average player, and that's Markakis (though the book is still out on Matusz and Weiters). That's awful. But McPhail in charge it looks like they should be going in the right direction. I know a lot of folks say they have a top 10 farm system right now.

[DERRENMATTS]

Baseball, more than any other sport, is hard to determine which player will live up to his potential. For every Chipper Jones there's a Brien Taylor. For every Derek Jeter, there's a so and so player.

But at least you get that chance to grab a highly talented player. Maybe we could have grabbed Teixeira. Maybe we might get lucky and grab the next Griffey, or A-Rod, etc..

Then again, if you are good at judging talent, you can find a guy like Albert Pulols later in the draft. Or how ridiculous is grabbing Mike Piazza in the 62nd round, as a favor to your friend?

But this I know--because we had high enough picks in the past few drafts, we were able to land Matt Wieters--the next All-Star catcher, and Brian Matusz--the next Andy Pettite. This year there's a Bryce Harper who could be a beastly hitter, and he's most likely to go in the top 2 picks. Where do we pick? #3

[jrmzt]

Orioles considering calling up top prospect Arrieta.

[DERRENMATTS]

Jake Arrieta is supposedly our next young gun to make the majors. Chris Tillman is actually ranked higher, but he's already tasted the big leagues last season, so that's why I consider Arrieta the top pitcher who'll be the next to have his cup of joe with the big boys.

Not sure if I see him as a starting pitcher though. Definitely got a power arm, and if he keeps his pitches low, he'll find more success--but he might be better off as a bullpen guy.

[freshnthehouse]

The Orioles played a solid series vs. the Twins this weekend. getting a split on the road is nothing to sneeze at.

[DERRENMATTS]

Yeah, our hitting is starting to come around. Need a couple of more bats to get on fire, and we'll be fine.

[jrmzt]

Wow the Orioles are a really hot team right now. Who knew one manager change was all it took!