IT'S ON NOW!

Q1: Is Ruben Gotay better than Jose Bautista?
Q2: If so, why did the Pirates not claim him?

Atlanta J-C (RR):

An endorsement from Tom Glavine, who played with Gotay (pronounced Go-tie) last year, helped his cause.

"I think he's just the kind of guy that when he gets into games, he's going to battle," said Glavine, who watched Gotay hit .349 (15-for-43) in "close and late" situations last year.

"I just remember last year it seemed like whether it was a spot start for a David Wright or for Luis Castillo down the stretch when Luis got banged up — it seemed like every time he got in a game, he got two hits," Glavine continued. "When he was in a game, he never did anything to hurt you, and more times than not, did a number of things to help you win a game.
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Gotay gives them an experienced bat to help bridge the gap until utility player Omar Infante returns in late April from a broken hand.

Gotay hit .288 as a pinch-hitter last year and .318 vs right-handed pitching (though only .181 vs. lefties). He played 37 games last year at second base, five at shortstop and two at third base.

"His experience and pinch hitting — he did a good job last year," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "Obviously he knows the division. All those things are very helpful."

Gotay and Thorman are the type of players the Orioles should be trading for, mid-20s guys who are blocked by position in their own organizations. That big kid from Maryland(!) the Braves got last year is going to take all the AB at first for the Braves so Thorman might be available.Gotay can't beat out Reyes or Castillo with the Mets so again he could be a find. I am not sure how Atlanta got him unless he has to go through the NL first.

Baltimore will probably finish last in the AL East but without the virtue of playing and developing young infielders. 36 year old Kevin MIllar will get 500 AB at first, Melvin Mora will get the same at 3rd and a year from now the Orioles will still not have an infield.

If they had a Gotay, the proposed Roberts trade with the Cubs for young pitchers would make sense. The Cubs have no young infielders to offer. The last young prospect they had, Scott Moore, is already an Oriole. Will he get a good trial at 3rd or 1st? No, he will be a 25 year old utility player while the old guys play.

The Orioles are a bad team because of poor decisions on signings and giving declining older players contracts and playing time. They managed to finish 4th the last 2 years while playing Brandon Fahey in the outfield and Chris Gomez at first. A team that will most likely finish last has one attraction - lots of playing time available to give to younger players. Not the O's; their lineup is mostly guys in their 30's who won't be around in two years.

If Kevin Millar got hurt, they would probably try to get Sean Casey from Boston or Doug M.from the Pirates (who also make the same kind of bonehead decisions)

For me, the question isn't whether he's better than Bautista (though he might be). It's whether he's better than Luis Rivas, and I think the answer to that one is pretty obvious.

Gotay is a nice pickup for the Braves, not like they needed more depth there.

"Q1: Is Ruben Gotay better than Jose Bautista?"

No.
Even in Gotay's "breakout" year in the MLB last year his numbers were barely better than Bautista's. Bautista is decent 3b, especially at his price. Gotay's minor league OPS the last couple years havn't even been better than Bautista's MLB OPS numbers.
I guess Gotay has the advantage of being two years younger and being able to play 2b, but he doesn't play 2b or 3b well and his age doesn't seem like a huge edge to me because he doesn't look like a guy with a lot of development to make (but what do i know).
Bautista is two years older and has only played 2b on rare occasions but is a better hitter, seems to be more naturally talented and he is (i think) considered an above-average 3b (where as Gotay isn't even average anywhere) and can play the OF.

They managed to finish 4th the last 2 years while playing Brandon Fahey in the outfield and Chris Gomez at first.

I don't think playing Fahey in LF was really a problem. Its not like it cost the Orioles the playoffs...
They had established guys at 2b, 3b, SS (Roberts, Mora, Tejada).. guys who you wouldn't humiliate by benching for some slap hitting kid who looks like hes twelve. I think the Orioles knew if Fahey was going to be an MLer it was going to be as a utility guy, and that his glove was not in doubt, but that they needed to see if he could hit. So, to get him in the lineup they threw him in left to see what they had in him, and increase his versatility a little. I think they were doing exactly what you said in his case, giving PT to a younger player.
The Orioles havn't been well managed but I think you're crazy if you think the Orioles brass actually thought of Fahey as a real OF.

As for claiming Thorman and Gotay, it couldn't hurt but I don't know who you'd drop from the 40 man. The Orioles have some interesting IFs on the roster who I'd rather have than Gotay. Luis Hernandez is really young, has a great glove and has shown a glimpse of maybe being able to hit a little. His upside is much higher than Gotay's and both players downsides are comparable. I see Hernandez as POSSIBLY a starting SS with a good glove and a fringey (but playable) bat. Scott Moore has shown some versatility and some power potential. Gotays upside seems like a 2b with a fringey glove and an average-at-best bat.
I guess they could have cut Fahey after he completely imploded last year, and was never all that great to begin with. Maybe they are counting on him to be the backup SS this year to keep Hernandez in AA or AAA.

I'm rooting for Thorman but hes nothing for any team to worry about. He is a first baseman who can't hit. When he can actually find the baseball with his bat he can do a little with it but right now he can't even do that. I don't know who they would cut to add him. Bynum offers a lot more speed, defense and versalility and is probably his equal or better at the plate right now.
Thorman might have more longterm potential than Millar but at least Millar can still put up a respectable showing againt MLB showing...something Thorman is far from doing. And honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if Millar is a better player over the next three years than Thorman.
Gibbons sucked last year, but was fine before that, will probably be a better player than Thorman over the next couple years and probably has a garunteed contract

Also, the end of spring is a tough time for any team to add players since they have mostly set their rosters. Hence you see teams trying to squeeze guys out of options through waivers now.
The O's getting Quiroz from the 'Stros was a good move though. Cannon arm, might be able to hit for a decent average with a few doubles.
Quiroz on the Os means that JR House's comeback from injuries and a brief football stint has been successful by making the 'Stros opening day roster

Gotay > Jose Castillo.

Sabean, as usual, asleep on the job.

I like Ruben, but I hope he does as well as the last utility IF they poached. The one and only Chris Woodward.

I like Ruben, but I hope he does as well as the last utility IF they poached. The one and only Chris Woodward

And gets as many 1B starts as Woodward.