Orioles Targeting Izturis

Izturis is one of the best defensive players in the game and can play 2B, SS and 3B.

But then again, John MacDonald is unreal defensively as well and he is a bench player because he, like Izturis isnt really handy with the twig.

Either way, Izturis will be an cheap and affordable upgrade at short and will provide great defense, speed on the bases and some base hits.

I guess this is an ok buy low proposition. But it's not going to lead to anything useful long term. How about developing a decent SS for once?

Low Cost - Low Talent. Orioles fans have been getting used to this. and it pisses us off. Signing Millar, Payton and Trachsel over the past couple years.

Izturis is just another Castro but younger. Good glove and no ability to hit off speed pitches. He also doesn't walk.

So in other words the 'Offensive Minded SS' promise was more BS.

I must confess some mixed feelings here. On the one hand, I'm dead set against signing a pricey aging vet for longer terms and more money than they're worth and in some cases, losing a second round pick as a consequence. On the other, it's imperative that we upgrade at short both defensively AND offensively. First, let's take Renteria out of the equation. I'm not going to sit here, a month after watching the Phillies roll over Tampa Bay in the World Series, talking smack about how the A.L. is so much better than the N.L., but it's undeniable that ol' Edgar...for whatever reason...cannot put bat to ball in the American League. First in Boston, then last year in Detroit, he's looked awful. The O's would be CRAZY to even consider signing such a bum. Furcal is preferable, but would likely require a contract out of line with his production, given the Orioles' recent futility and the competition for his services. The same might also be true of Orlando Cabrera, who, at 34, is three years older (and slower) than Furcal and who'd cost us our second round pick as a Type A FA (as opposed to Furcal, a Type B). While his 'fiery' personality might make for a fine fit in Baltimore- desperately in need of a team leader with a history of winning and a mindset to match- I think his age and what it could mean in terms of future production, the cost, and the lost draft pick, combine to take him out of the running.

That leaves trade targets, with Khalil Greene and JJ Hardy the most prominent names being bandied about. Hardy, in particular, intrigues me and it might be worth exploring what it could take to bring him over from Milwaukee (Greene doesn't interest me in the least, though his glove is pretty sweet). At just 26, Hardy is, only now, entering his true prime. While perhaps not as defensively savvy as some of the other guys mentioned, his offensive upside- particularly in the power department- offers far more to dream on, and his current production supports the promise. It's difficult to say what the Brewers would want in exchange, given Hardy's age, but also the club's desire (it seems) to replace him at short with top prospect Alcides Escobar, but it seems clear that they'll have some gaping holes in both the rotation and bullpen. Could an offer that includes, say, George Sherrill (even if it's as a cost-controlled lefty set-up man instead of "All Star closer"), Kam Mickolio, and one of either Daniel Cabrera, Olson, or Hayden Penn, get it done? I have no idea, but it seems worth looking into.

As for the long term, Hardy looks good for a productive five or six years and his defense is good enough to stick at short for at least the next two or three. The only slightly intriguing prospects in the O's system are Blake Davis, who doesn't figure to hit enough to become a big league regular, and Garabez Rosa, who played last year in Rookie ball and won't be ready for another three years, minimum (and that's assuming he develops into a decent player; Rookie ball isn't the best indicator of future success and his plate discipline is terrible...for now. He IS only 18 or 19 though).

In next June's amateur draft, there could be a few decent shortstops available, but it seems unlikely that the consensus No.1, Grant Green, will be on the board at No. 5, when the O's pick. That leaves kids like Miami's Ryan Jackson, draft-eligible sophomore DJ LeMahieu, Florida Southern's Robbie Shields, and high school star Mychal Givens, who most scouts seem to like more as a pitcher (then again, there were plenty of scouts who preferred both Nick Markakis and Adam Jones on the mound). All of them have talent, but only Givens is a clear-cut first round talent and all have warts. Maybe we'll cut lucky again, as we did in 2007 when Wieters fell to us at No. 5 (good omen: the Pirates again have the pick before us), and nab Green, but otherwise...well...it may be time to make some tough decisions.

Developing from within is the preferable way to fill any position, but sometimes circumstances dictate another route. Considering the importance of a quality shortstop and the dearth of true two-way studs capable of filling the role, the answer may have to come from outside of the organization...and it could cost us.

It's a reality we, as fans, may have to embrace with a resigned knot in our collective stomach; fearing which fan fave or future star has to go for the greater good. Such a sacrifice cannot be taken lightly and it MUST not fail. That means acting correctly, not quickly; finding the right fit. And if that guy's not out there, it means playing it smart and NOT forcing your hand. Maybe you lose five more games over the course of another frustrating year of rebuilding and maybe you trot out Cesar Izturis instead of Rafael Furcal (or even JJ Hardy). In the long run, as the O's slowly piece together the wreckage wrought over a decade of mismanagement, it may be the splash NOT made that eventually returns the Birds to their former glory.

Crosby might be worth a Single A reliever, but you know Billy Boy is gonna want Tillman or something. Ridiculous. I doubt any team would really consider moving a top SS prospect but I'd like to see MacPhail inquire about guys like Reid Brignac (TB has Bartlett now- who they love- and Beckham on the way), Alcides Escobar (maybe Milwaukee's crazy for JJ), Elvis Andrus (Texas needs pitching, right?), etc. It's a longshot, but...

RE: milehigh78

Why do you say that? I'm sure Beane realises that Crosby's value isn't very high at the moment. To say that Beane will demand Tillman is just foolish. He has dumped Kendall and Bradley for not much return. The most I think the A's can hope for is a Kotsay type deal where the A's pay off more of Crosby's contract in exchange for a better prospect.