The Orioles have officially announced the hiring of Joe McIlvaine as special assistant to Executive VP Dan Duquette. McIlvaine, a former player, was the Padres GM from 1991 through mid-1993. He then transitioned to the Mets GM post from August 1993 through 1997. Since then, he has experience as a special assistant with the Twins and Mariners.
Here’s more out of Baltimore:
- Hyun-soo Kim is projected to be a roughly league average player, writes Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun. FanGraphs’ Steamer projection system foresees a .273/.338/.420 batting line with 18 home runs. Duquette had praise for Kim, citing his high average and penchant to walk more than he strikes out. Meanwhile, manager Buck Showalter complimented Kim’s “big personality.” He believes he’ll be a good clubhouse fit despite the language barrier. The team is still in the market for an outfielder, but Kim is likely to start in either left or right field. His experience in the KBO came in left field.
- A decision to sign Yovani Gallardo and/or Dexter Fowler could have far reaching repercussions, writes Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun. Both players rejected a qualifying offer and thus will cost a draft pick to sign. The O’s farm system is considered to be lagging behind many others. Forgoing their top one or two picks could hamstring future rebuilding efforts. As Schmuck writes, this is the club’s best opportunity to upgrade the roster – especially if the current unit fails to reach the postseason. Baltimore has an uphill battle in the always tough AL East where none of their rivals will offer an easy contest.
if kim comes even clost to fangraphs prediction,orioles will be very happy
There’s no way of telling if those draft picks will net big returns but signing these two guys does make O’s better. Farm can get better thought trade and signings worry about the mlb team
You are worrying about the mlb team when you worry about the farm. The farm is the future. For a team that Doesn’t have one of the highest payrolls the farm and trades are the best way to stay competitive. You need somthing to trade from.
If the Orioles sign Fowler and Gallardo and they go bust either because of injury or they just don’t simply play well. It will be a disaster.
However, if we make the playoffs because Fowler is a legitimate lead-off hitter and Gallardo solidifies the rotation, there is Joy in Mudville aka Charm City. It’s that simple
I wouldn’t say Mudville more like murderland
Problem is if fowler has a 3 win season, gallardo does as well, they still arent a playoff team. They literally need everything to click on their side and even then they are probably last in the division.
Is that all of bmore now I just thought it was in some areas
If the O’s are spending international signing could seed the farm. And if this season is a bust they can sell for prospects.
Sell what though? Machado, Adam jones and chris davis arent going anywhere. They have 5th starters galore. Weiters maybe but most playoff teams are set at catcher. They have 5th starters, o day on a long deal for a reliever, and these free agents they might sign on multiyear deals which looks bad to trade.
Been a fan forever I remember 83 when I was a kid . Having a good farm has only help other teams when players got good they left. Forever O’s fans and myself complain that we did not spent money to keep guys or get guys. Let them spend the money and if they don’t get anywhere trade for a farm team. You can always but FA anytime
“Forgoing their top one or two picks could hamstring future rebuilding efforts.”
You could just as easily say that the O’s farm system is so wrecked that 1 or 2 picks isn’t really going to fix the problem either, so they as well try their luck for a couple of years at the big league level with Fowler and Gallardo.
Yep, instead of building the farm system like most thought he would. Duquette has pretty much gutted it. Worst trading GM the O’s have had since Syd Thrift.
So as it is the O’s have a 3yr window with most of their good position player signed until after 2018. I guess they’re going for it with half measures. Like the O’s always do!
I’m looking forward to seeing Kim in action. From what Brady Anderson says from working with him in CA during the winter he has a really good work ethic and attitude. O’s need players that can get on base and if Kim can hit .280 I bet he could have a .350 obp to go with it.
The O’s need Fowler and a pitcher badly. If they don’t contend and Fowler has another season like last year he could easily be traded next offseason for a better prospect that is closer to the majors than whomever they would have drafted with the #29 pick. Gallardo, I am not so sure about. He seems to be a junkballer who had a miracle year last year. Imho he will be a bust in Baltimore. I think they should have gone after Latos. Even if the rumors are true that he is a clubhouse cancer I am sure Showalter could keep him in check. If the O’s flop and decide to rebuild in a couple of years they will still have some good trade chips to stock the farm. Heck, they could play we pick what we want from just about any team for Machado alone. Plus, Britton Gausman, Jones, and Bundy (if he can ever get healthy) will bring back nice returns.