Orioles Acquire Joe Saunders In Exchange For Lindstrom

[Matt P]

I read that wrong. I agree with him not being worth 4 times Ayala.

They are shaving 10 million off next years payroll with Lindstrom traded and Gregg coming off the books. Both can be replaced by players currently in the organization.

[TuckerBlair89]

I read that wrong. I agree with him not being worth 4 times Ayala.

They are shaving 10 million off next years payroll with Lindstrom traded and Gregg coming off the books. Both can be replaced by players currently in the organization.

I have a feeling that money may go towards a SP too.

[osforlife]

Not sure what braindead person suggested to DFA O'Day, miracle we got him off waivers. I was also suprised we got Ayala for only 1 mil. Probably because of his age, relatively high FIP, and first season with success in 4 years. I'd take another year of Lindstrom.

[A_K]

Not sure what braindead person suggested to DFA O'Day, miracle we got him off waivers. I was also suprised we got Ayala for only 1 mil. Probably because of his age, relatively high FIP, and first season with success in 4 years. I'd take another year of Lindstrom.

In short, there's no amount of empirical evidence that will dissuade you from the mistaken belief that Matt Lindstrom is worth paying $4 million to pitch for one season in middle relief?

[osforlife]

In short, there's no amount of empirical evidence that will dissuade you from the mistaken belief that Matt Lindstrom is worth paying $4 million to pitch for one season in middle relief?

I guess I have been a fan before I've been an imginary GM. I really liked Lindstrom for some reason. I usually have knee jerk reactions on trades and post them before I really think everything through. That being said, Lindstrom has been very good this season. Our bullpen has carried us this year and Lindstrom is right in the thick of things. I believe one or two average arms over Lindstrom and say...Ayala I guess would have us at more losses. All those extra inning scoreless innings. The scoreless innings to keep the team in the game only to find the Orioles have gotten the lead back.

[ofahn]

I guess I have been a fan before I've been an imginary GM. I really liked Lindstrom for some reason. I usually have knee jerk reactions on trades and post them before I really think everything through.

I have always believed the old adage

The true sign of intelligence is admitting to yourself that you have a flaw. The true sign of character is admitting to others that you have a flaw.

POINTS! for smarts and guts.

[A_K]

I guess I have been a fan before I've been an imginary GM.

Fair enough.

[Matt P]

So, he gave up more runs in his first start than Steve Johnson gave in both of his.

[ofahn]

The key question becomes: Would this team be improved by adding Saunders?

The first impression is NO. Let's hope that things get better from here.

[A_K]

The first impression is NO. Let's hope that things get better from here.

When evaluating the trade we should keep in mind that Saunders is replacing Tommy Hunter, who is exceptionally terrible as well. Hopefully our five man rotation works out to be Hammel, Chen, Tillman, Britton and Gonzalez.

[ofahn]

Hopefully our five man rotation works out to be Hammel, Chen, Tillman, Britton and Gonzalez.

I just didn't see him as an improvement over Steve Johnson or Miguel Gonzales; and he wasn't in his first start.

P.S. I could see Hunter as piece in a deal with your home town boys for Headley. I read the piece today in MLB Trade Rumors quoting Byrnes as saying they want to keep him. I'll believe that when I see it. They will need a spot for Gyorko, they have two many holes to fill to not use him as currency while his value is still high, and moving him to the OF would only diminish his trade value. We'll see.................................

[A_K]

I just didn't see him as an improvement over Steve Johnson or Miguel Gonzales; and he wasn't in his first start.

I'm still very skeptical that Johnson could continue being as successful as he's been after more teams get scouting reports on him. I agree that Gonzalez is a better option. Luckily we didn't give up so much to acquire Saunders that the Buck and DD will keep starting him even if he continues to be ineffective. If he's bad in his next start, chances are Hammel will take his spot in the rotation and Saunders will move to the pen. If Patton gets healthy and they need to release either Saunders or Wolf, it'll still be the case that we gave up so little that it isn't a very big deal.

P.S. I could see Hunter as piece in a deal with your home town boys for Headley. I read the piece today in MLB Trade Rumors quoting Byrnes as saying they want to keep him. I'll believe that when I see it. They will need a spot for Gyorko, they have two many holes to fill to not use him as currency while his value is still high, and moving him to the OF would only diminish his trade value. We'll see.................................

Hunter would definitely be much more valuable pitching in the NL and especially Petco Park. I'd hope the O's would be in on Headley in the offseason if the Padres try to move him again. Problem is, the new Padres ownership group seems determined to send a signal to the casual fan that they're financially committed to retaining players (totally illogical contract extensions given to H. Street and C. Quentin), so I wouldn't be surprised to see them offer Headley an ill conceived extension, despite his two remaining years of team control.

Really though, I don't know what they're doing with Gyorko. It's time for them to get the guy some MLB at bats to continue his development. They played with moving him to 2B earlier in the year, but I imagine that didn't go too well.

[LA Detective]

I just dont see it in Saunders right now. He has been horrible all year for the most part. He even struggled against lefties Wise and Dunn which scares me for being a the lefty specialist....I would rather have Johnson or even Arrieta after his last couple starts. Plus Matusz has better numbers against lefties and has looked pretty good in the short time in his role. I would ride the SJohnson wave until they figue it out. He looks so in control out there. On the other hand, got to trust DD/Buck..they have been pretty right this 2nd half and must see something in Saunders and Wolf...They both were pretty solid in recent years.

[ofahn]

The first impression is NO. Let's hope that things get better from here.

IMO THAT qualifies as better. All we need is any of our SPs to give us a Quality Start and we have about a 70% chance of winning.

[Matt P]

Nice bounce back outing for Saunders. He looked much better this afternoon. Maybe he really just wasn't settled in for his first start yet. They are going to need him to pitch well with Tillman potentially out.