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Monday, September 08, 2008

Camden Chat: Truthfully speaking, I hope we let Kevin Millar go

A round of Sagatal for the house!

The article also mentions that Millar is the type of guy MacPhail wants on the Orioles. See, I want pretty much the exact opposite. Instead of “fun-loving, trash-talking, gear-grinding veteran” Millar, I would like a first baseman that can hit better than .243/.330/.412 (95 OPS+, 6.8 VORP, .262 EqA, -.030 MLVr).

It’s not that I dislike Millar or his shenanigans or personality. On the contrary, I think he’s a fabulous rah-rah guy and a wonderful cheerleader. He did some great stuff this year, and is a big reason this team was really fun to watch for a little while.

...Now, considering how superb the division is and the expectations this club had, that’s not so bad. But it’s still bad. They’re not good enough. And Millar is not going to help the team get better, no matter how many hot-foots and pie-faces he lays on the rookies or how many funny videos he organizes.

But as realistic as I’m trying to be about this, and as blunt as I want to be about the fact that I think bringing Millar back would be a horrible idea, it really does feel sort of like I’m putting down a dog that I love. I know it’s time to say goodbye, but it’s not the easiest thing in the world, either. It’s a little bit sad, but old, declining, ineffective ballplayers are not the guys you rebuild with.

Repoz Posted: September 08, 2008 at 10:56 AM | 9 comment(s)
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1. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: September 08, 2008 at 12:16 PM (#2932877)

Maybe MLB should expand the rosters to 26 or 27 and let those extra spots go exclusively to guys who aren't any or very good at actually playing baseball, but who allegedly bring such amazing intangibles to a team that their placement on the roster is still somehow justified.

I don't question the existence of guys whose value to a team is regulated to the clubhouse and dugout, though I question giving them any decent amount of playing time because of it. Of course, this is the Orioles we're talking about, so questionable roster makeup and management is a constant we've all come to expect.

2. Petunia Posted: September 08, 2008 at 01:06 PM (#2932933)

I'd support such a roster exemption. The question would be, how many MSM pieces extolling the intangible virtues of these players would be required before they'd qualify?

3. Gamingboy Posted: September 08, 2008 at 01:32 PM (#2932963)

Maybe MLB should expand the rosters to 26 or 27 and let those extra spots go exclusively to guys who aren't any or very good at actually playing baseball, but who allegedly bring such amazing intangibles to a team that their placement on the roster is still somehow justified.

That's what coaching positions are for. (ba-dum-dum)

4. jwb Posted: September 08, 2008 at 01:32 PM (#2932965)

Bench coach. If he has aptitude for remembering how many outs there are and noticing if a first baseman is circling behind a runner, first base coach. He doesn't do anything well enough to allow a manager to define a role for him. He's awful in the field, so the Doug Mientkiewicz role is out and he can't play anywhere but first base. He doesn't have any pronounced batting splits, so you can't define a platoon role for him. He's only a significantly better hitter than the O's shortstops, but is that worth a roster spot? If it is, couldn't they fill it more cheaply and with a player who offers some defensive utility?

5. Crispix Attacks Posted: September 08, 2008 at 01:40 PM (#2932976)

I do think it would be nice if there could be bench coaches who were allowed to step in and play in an emergency, like used to happen 80 or 90 years ago, instead of having to go through a whole rigmarole of quitting and then un-retiring as a player and then signing as a free agent. The Mets came close to that scenario with Sandy Alomar recently. It seems like only catchers are allowed to become MLB-quality coaches/managers immediately after retiring; every other type of player has to spend a decade or more coaching in the minors first.

6. OCD SS Posted: September 08, 2008 at 01:41 PM (#2932978)

Hell, the O's didn't even get his best work. No one can take "Rally Karaoke Guy" away...

Unless you wanted us to put him on the field.

7. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: September 08, 2008 at 02:03 PM (#2933023)

I'd be perfectly fine with having Millar back as a bench guy. A 95 OPS+ is perfectly decent for a pinch hitter and backup 1b. But there's no way he should be a starter. If the Orioles sign Teixiera, Huff should DH, Scott stays in LF, Montanez should be the 4th OF, and Reimold should be traded if they can get a decent infield prospect for him. If they can't sign Teixiera, move Huff to 1b, Reimold to DH, Scott stays in LF, and Montanez is the 4th OF. Either way, Millar would be fine off the bench, but if he's going to be unhappy in that role then forget it.

8. Adam Jones is birdlives' constant Posted: September 08, 2008 at 03:19 PM (#2933145)

Either way, Millar would be fine off the bench, but if he's going to be unhappy in that role then forget it.

He would definitely ##### and moan. I'm not terribly concerned about 1B. Replacing his production should be easy given his VORP. I'm more interested in watching what will happen with SS next year. The rumor mill is saying that the O's want to trade for a SS prospect using a pitching prospect or I imagine Reimold. But I don't see that happening. The rotating carousal was ridiculous this year. I imagine the O's will sign another Castro type. And what's up with this garbage about wanting to keep Huff next year?

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Monday, September 08, 2008

Camden Chat: Truthfully speaking, I hope we let Kevin Millar go

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