Butler or Shealy to Baltimore?

Just speculation by a Baltimore sportswriters, but they do need a first baseman and we have seventeen.

Do they have anything we would want? The MLB talent doesn't seem to match up well, but their minor league system has improved, particularly in the pitching department

over 3 years ago RoyalsRetro 22 comments 0 recs |

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Shealy for Wieters

that was easy

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by Matt Klaassen on Jan 8, 2009 11:47 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

heck,

we could even throw in Buck for their troubles. I love GM-ing!

"Greinke and the Brain" (R) (C) TM

by SittinByTheFoulPole on Jan 8, 2009 11:49 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah!

Why don’t they put US in charge?

WTF, self?

by minda33 on Jan 8, 2009 12:12 PM EST up reply actions

what about Shealy for Nolan Reimold? Reimold is a little Kila-esque in that he was a 24-year-old in AA ball last year, but unlike Kila, he has consistently hit for power on every level (25 dingers last year) and like Kila has great plate discipline. Not sure what his defense is like, but if it gives us an excuse to boot Guillen out of RF a year early, I’d be all for it. My question would be, would Shealy be enough? I would consider Shealy+, depending on who the throw-in is, but I would think that Shealy + throw-in for Reimold would be a good deal for both teams.

by DarthYoshi on Jan 8, 2009 12:05 PM EST reply actions

we're looking at + Buck on everyone of these

Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.

by 306008 on Jan 8, 2009 12:36 PM EST up reply actions

who is "we?"

by DarthYoshi on Jan 8, 2009 12:39 PM EST up reply actions

all of us.

Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.

by 306008 on Jan 8, 2009 1:29 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

i was just thinking this as well

Shealy + Buck for Reimold + random arm?

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by doublestix on Jan 8, 2009 6:26 PM EST up reply actions

depends on who the "random arm" is

Buck is a legitimate #1 catcher, albeit a very unremarkable one (but that is sort of where MLB catching is right now—a few truly outstanding players and then tons of mediocrity). He’s worth a B/B- level prospect. I’d go for Shealy + Buck for Reimold + Erbe.

The thing is, I’m not sure why the O’s would be our best trading partners for Buck, simply because he will have a job probably only so long as Wieters isn’t ready for full-time MLB duty yet, which isn’t going to be very long at all. The O’s could sign a placeholder catcher on the cheap and without giving up any talent, especially since they have to know they won’t be contending next year anyways. So I can’t imagine they’d be willing to give us much for Buck, certainly not what his value really is compared to a team with a bigger organizational need at C.

by DarthYoshi on Jan 8, 2009 6:59 PM EST up reply actions

edited to add

I’m not so sure the O’s would go for Shealy + Buck for Reimold + Erbe. :)

by DarthYoshi on Jan 8, 2009 7:00 PM EST up reply actions

I really don't understand

Why they don’t just put Huff at 1B?

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by RoyalsRetro on Jan 8, 2009 12:14 PM EST reply actions

I agree

but maybe the are trying to dump his contract while they rebuild — he’s a good hitter, but they aren’t goingn to contend next year anyway…

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by Matt Klaassen on Jan 8, 2009 12:22 PM EST up reply actions

Top 20... Which do we pick?

Baltimore Orioles Top 20 Prospects for 2009

All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change. Don’t get too worried about exact rankings at this point, especially once you get out of the top 10. Grade C+/C guys are pretty interchangeable depending on what you are looking for.

1) Matt Wieters, C, Grade A: Best prospect in baseball. Mutant cross between Mauer and Piazza.
2) Chris Tillman, RHP, Grade B+: Want to see sharper command, but I’m very impressed overall, especially given his age.
3) Brian Matusz, LHP, Grade B+: Not David Price, but should advance quickly due to sharp command of solid stuff.
4) Jake Arrieta, RHP, Grade B+: Very high ceiling, command still an issue at times, but can dominate.
5) Brandon Erbe, RHP, Grade B: Made progress after difficult ’07 season. Double-A transition critical.
6) Nolan Reimold, OF, Grade B-: A bit old for a prospect now, but power bat should carry forward.
7) Zach Britton, LHP, Grade B-: Love the groundballs this guy gets, young, good stuff, a sleeper.
8) Brandon Snyder, 1B, Grade B-: Horrible glove, but bat took a big step forward last year.
9) David Hernandez, RHP, Grade B-: I still think people are underrating this guy. Needs to lower walks.
10) Troy Patton, LHP, Grade C+: If health reports are accurate, he should rebound. Useful pitcher but not likely a star.
11) Kam “The Almighty” Mickolio, RHP, Grade C+: I am Mickolio. I need control for my fastball. Waahhooo…arrruuddicacacaa
12) Bill Rowell, 3B, Grade C+: I will cut him slack due to youth, but at some point he needs to hit. Bad reports about makeup are troublesome.
13) Ryan Adams, 2B, Grade C+: Interesting bat, raw, needs better discipline.
14) Xavier Avery, OF, Grade C+: Very fast, very young, raw, won’t move fast.
15) Oliver Drake, RHP, Grade C+: For some reason, this guy stands out as a sleeper to me.
16) Brad Bergesen, RHP, Grade C+: Polished strike-thrower type. For some reason I like him. Maybe a Grade C?
17) Pedro Beato, RHP, Grade C: Velocity down, mechanics a mess, reportedly did well in instructional league.
18) Caleb Joseph, C, Grade C: Good glove, power bat, but plate discipline a question.
19) Lou Montanez, OF, Grade C: Too old for higher grade, could rank higher on this list if you want immediate impact.
20) L.J. Hoes, 2B, Grade C: Fast, gets on base, athletic, a long way away.

Others include Colin Allen, Matt Angle, Jose Barajas, Tim Bascom, Jesse Beal, Jason Berken, Bobby Bundy, Tony Butler, Mike Costanzo, Tyler Henson, Kyle Hudson, Bob McCrory, Greg Miclat, Nathan Moreau, Wilfrido Perez, Felix Romero, Chorye Spoone, and Richard Zagone are also included and should be considered interchangeable with the Grade Cs above depending on what you want to emphasize.

If there is someone else that you really think should be included, make your case. I always miss someone. Space is limited and some of the players above will probably get cut if I have to add someone else.

Grade-wise, I think I like Hernandez more than most people, but that’s been true for three years. The guys 13-20 are all pretty tentative with the grades, lots of Cs I considered for C+ in this group, and some of that will change.

SYSTEM IN BRIEF: This organization has rapidly improved over the last couple of years. Drafting early has helped that, but willingness to actually spend money on good players (Wieters, Arrrieta, Matusz) is a key factor that some other early-drafting teams have missed. Trades have helped bring additional depth, and they’ve shown some ability to develop sleeper types. High school bats such as Snyder and Rowell have brought mixed results, but overall the level of talent in the farm system is something that Baltimore fans should be happy about.

Reports on these guys and over 1,000 others can be found in the 2009 Baseball Prospect Book. Pre-order now for January 31st shipping.

Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.

by 306008 on Jan 8, 2009 12:43 PM EST reply actions