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Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Orioles - Claimed Diaz

Baltimore Orioles - Claimed OF Matt Diaz off waivers from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Hooray! This is the first time I’ve really been excited in a good sense about something the Orioles did for a little over a year. Diaz has little star potential, but he’s a solid, overlooked player, on the verge of being a Phelpser, and is probably the 2nd best outfielder in the Orioles’ organization. There’s no reason that Diaz can’t have a solid little career of the pre-suck Marty Cordova or Bobby Higginson variety.

Sure, the Orioles will screw it up somehow, but at least let me enjoy the brief, shining moment in which I can dream about an overachieving young player making and Surhoff being sent to Timbuktu or Duluth or Bullamanka or wherever mediocre outfielders go to die. Maybe to Tampa Bay for Jorge Cantu? They do still employ Chuck LaMar and Cam Bonifay, though sadly Syd Thrift was asked to “retire.”

Diaz, Matt - 2005 ZiPS Projection
————————————————————————————-
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB BA OBP SLG
————————————————————————————-
497 78 149 39 3 16 82 31 90 13 .300 .348 .487

Dan Szymborski Posted: February 23, 2005 at 09:20 PM | 50 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
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1. Mike Emeigh

Posted: February 23, 2005 at 09:51 PM (#1161906)

I'm a little bit less enthusiastic about Diaz than Dan S. is. I think he's a useful bench player (he'd be more useful if he was an LHB).

Durham is configured as something of a cross between Fenway and Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Left field is relatively short, with a version of the Green Monster (it's blue, so it's called the "Blue Monster"), and RF is wide-open with the Fox TV station building serving the function of the B&O Warehouse. The prevailing winds tend to blow out toward right-center. It is a good power-hitters' park, perhaps unusually so, and there have been a fair number of guys who have power spikes when they come to Durham. I tend to discount the power numbers there, perhaps more than I should, but I think guys like Toby Hall are good examples of why we should. Hall hit 57 home runs in the minor leagues, in about four full seasons. 19 of them came in just over half a season at Durham in 2001.

-- MWE

2. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: February 23, 2005 at 09:58 PM (#1161921)

I'm likely b/w Dan S. and Mike E. on this one. My thoughts (along with those of a few other people) are in this discussion of TB prospects - includes Diaz H/R splits.
Oh - don't tell MGL, but Diaz had huge platoon splits in '03 IIRC.

3. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: February 23, 2005 at 10:00 PM (#1161925)

Wow! From Rotoworld:
"Outfielder Matt Diaz has rejected Baltimore's waiver claim and is now a free agent.
The Orioles waited until Diaz was on release waivers to claim him, making this a possibility. Had they claimed him the first time through, Diaz would have had to report. Baltimore still could sign Diaz, but we assume he wouldn't have rejected the claim unless he had some place he'd rather be. Feb. 23 - 4:58 pm et"

4. Dan Szymborski

Posted: February 23, 2005 at 10:13 PM (#1161953)

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

5. Sean McNally Posted: February 23, 2005 at 10:19 PM (#1161965)

Muahahahahahahaha! Comedy Gold Jerry!

6. rlc Posted: February 23, 2005 at 10:20 PM (#1161968)

but we assume he wouldn't have rejected the claim unless he had some place he'd rather be.

Given that other team claimed him the first time through, is this "place" a baseball stadium?

Maybe the O's just need to offer him more than the MLB minimum...

[Mike thinks] he's a useful bench player (he'd be more useful if he was an LHB).

Not to the Orioles. They really need a right handed outfielder to keep Bigbie on the bench vs. lefties.

7. rlc Posted: February 23, 2005 at 10:21 PM (#1161969)

Dang - "given that NO other team claimed him..."

8. stephen Posted: February 24, 2005 at 02:52 AM (#1162372)

Why do I bother rooting for the Orioles?

9. MM1f Posted: February 24, 2005 at 03:03 AM (#1162392)

God I love Matt Diaz.
I know that Durham is a nice hitters park and all so maybe hes not quite the player I think he is but he's been so huge for the Bulls the last year and a half. He's fun player to watch in AAA.

10. 6 - 4 - 3 Posted: February 24, 2005 at 03:28 AM (#1162428)

Gotta love them Orioles.

11. Old Matt Posted: February 24, 2005 at 03:29 AM (#1162434)

Classic. Absolutely classic.

12. The Answer to the TWolves (GMoney) Posted: February 24, 2005 at 04:04 AM (#1162515)

Wonder why he rejected the claim. He's only a Sosa injury away from getting some playing time. I can't think of a team in more desperate need for some OF production, well maybe the Cubs.

13. GotowarMissAgnes Posted: February 24, 2005 at 04:26 AM (#1162587)

I don't know...maybe the prospect of spending 5-6 months in Ottawa? It's not like the O'd were likely to give him BJ Surhoff's valuable spot.

14. Darren

Posted: February 24, 2005 at 04:36 AM (#1162611)

Looking at his track record, you'd think his BB-K ratio would catch up with him, but it hasn't yet.

15. 1k5v3L

Posted: February 24, 2005 at 04:39 AM (#1162619)

Maybe AZ can sign him so Green and Gonzo can block yet another young promising corner outfielder.

16. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: February 24, 2005 at 05:05 AM (#1162679)

It was an 'issue' for him in college too.

17. RP Posted: February 24, 2005 at 03:16 PM (#1163257)

Is there any downside to claiming a player the first time he going through waivers? (vs. when he's on release waivers?)

18. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: February 24, 2005 at 04:43 PM (#1163414)

"I can't think of a team in more desperate need for some OF production, well maybe the Cubs."

I can.

19. The Answer to the TWolves (GMoney) Posted: February 24, 2005 at 04:45 PM (#1163420)

If they go with

LF: Matt Lawton
CF: Jason Bay
RF: Craig Wilson

The Pirates OF would be pretty decent. They will most likely end up with Tike Redman in center though.

20. 6 - 4 - 3 Posted: February 24, 2005 at 04:55 PM (#1163439)

LF: Matt Lawton
CF: Jason Bay
RF: Craig Wilson

So you want to move Wilson to right to open up 1B again for Darryl Ward?

21. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: February 24, 2005 at 05:10 PM (#1163469)

Gmoney, your plan seems to preclude Pitttsburgh ever starting a flyball pitcher. :)

"Is there any downside to claiming a player the first time he going through waivers? (vs. when he's on release waivers?)"
That's the question of the hour, per this transaction. I don't know - anybody?

22. 6 - 4 - 3 Posted: February 24, 2005 at 05:14 PM (#1163478)

"Is there any downside to claiming a player the first time he going through waivers? (vs. when he's on release waivers?)"
That's the question of the hour, per this transaction. I don't know - anybody?

I could be mistaken, but I believe on the first round the team would have to immediately place the claimed player on their 40 man roster. If claimed on the second round, then the player could assigned to the minors and wouldn't have to be added to the 40 man roster until called up or the next Rule 5 draft.

23. Golfing Great Mitch Cumstein Posted: February 24, 2005 at 06:12 PM (#1163583)

ATM reports that Diaz refused the waiver claim.

24. Golfing Great Mitch Cumstein Posted: February 24, 2005 at 06:14 PM (#1163585)

Sorry I just glanced at the thread. I will do better next time.

25. Ted Without A Kluszewski Posted: February 24, 2005 at 07:50 PM (#1163771)

Bet you guys who don't listen to the Durham PA announcer every summer have been pronouncing Matt's name in your head like Bo's last name was pronounced. Not so!!

26. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: February 24, 2005 at 08:08 PM (#1163825)

6-4-3,
Could be. That makes more sense to me than any other explanation I can come up with - but I can't envision a scenario where the player wouldn't have refusal rights - making it merely an institutionalized way of saying "I like you."

As Ted notes, it's pronounced 'DIE-as'.

27. It's Spelled With a CFBF, But Not Where You Think Posted: February 25, 2005 at 01:48 AM (#1164443)

The Braves are relying on Brian Jordan and Raul Mondesi in the outfield; a Matt Diaz/Ryan Langerhans platoon in left would be pretty cool.

28. 6 - 4 - 3 Posted: February 25, 2005 at 02:03 AM (#1164470)

I think Diaz just wants to start the clock on his major league service time, which is understandable. Also, there's obviously a big difference between making $316k a year versus $55k.

As a free agent, he might be able to negotiate a deal where he'd have the option of demanding an unconditional release if he's not added to the 25 man roster out of spring training or something.

29. 6 - 4 - 3 Posted: February 25, 2005 at 02:04 AM (#1164473)

Er, not start the clock, but continue it (he's played in 2003 and 2004). I assume that he has one more option for 2005; can anyone confirm this?

30. esseff Posted: February 25, 2005 at 02:38 AM (#1164528)

6-4-3,

He may have 2 options left.

He was optioned in 2003. But in December 2003 he was outrighted off the 40-man, meaning it wasn't necessary to use an option on him out of camp last spring. His 2004 major league time came after roster expansion in September, so it's very possible that he never used an option last year.

31. Brandon in MO (Yunitility Infielder) Posted: February 25, 2005 at 03:26 AM (#1164625)

The Royals have signed Matt Diaz to complete their plans to sign a corner outfielder

32. 1k5v3L

Posted: February 25, 2005 at 03:40 AM (#1164652)

According to the team's official site, the Royals have signed outfielder Matt Diaz.

No mention of whether it's a major league or a minor league deal. Diaz should get an opportunity to beat out Abraham Nunez and Aaron Guiel for a spot in the Kansas City outfield. David DeJesus, Terrence Long, Eli Marrero and Matt Stairs are guaranteed jobs. Feb. 24 - 10:02 pm et
Source: royals.mlb.com

33. 6 - 4 - 3 Posted: February 25, 2005 at 03:43 AM (#1164655)

That makes sense. Thanks. Checked out his history, it looks like it is:
07/18/03: Contract purchased
07/30/03: Optioned
12/08/03: Outrighted
09/01/04: Contract purchased
02/08/05: DFA
02/18/05: Released
02/24/05: Signed a minor league deal with KC with NRI

Given that he's already 27, I can understand how he doesn't want to spend another year in the minors. By adding him one year but then outrighting him the next year only to add him, he missed out on the chance of being either a sixth year minor league free agent this past winter or out of options after this one.

34. esseff Posted: February 25, 2005 at 04:23 AM (#1164736)

But I believe it's the fact that this is the second time he's been removed from a 40-man roster that gave him the right to become an FA.

35. DKDC Posted: February 25, 2005 at 04:40 AM (#1164753)

Royals sign Diaz

36. Old Matt Posted: February 25, 2005 at 04:45 AM (#1164758)

Allard has gained many notches in my books in the past year or so.

37. 1k5v3L

Posted: February 25, 2005 at 04:46 AM (#1164759)

Linking mlb.com articles is pointless. The links get screwed up.

38. Old Matt Posted: February 25, 2005 at 04:49 AM (#1164762)

Linking mlb.com articles is pointless. The links get screwed up.

Linking any article is pointless. You're better served just placing the url in the text.

39. Ozzie's gay friend Posted: February 25, 2005 at 05:32 AM (#1164808)

about damn time allard

40. DKDC Posted: February 25, 2005 at 06:08 AM (#1164863)

Is that better?

41. NTNgod Posted: February 25, 2005 at 08:03 AM (#1165002)

The blurb in the KC Star about the signing:

Matt Diaz isn't likely to fill the Royals' need for a power-hitting corner outfielder, but club officials view his potential as worth the risk of a minor-league contract.

The Royals reached agreement with Diaz after he became a free agent once he rejected a waiver claim by the Baltimore Orioles following his release by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

“We like his power, and he adds some depth,” general manager Allard Baird said. “The only way he would compete for a big-league job at this point would be if one of our guys under major-league contract gets hurt. He knows that coming in, but we do like him.”

42. Dan Posted: February 25, 2005 at 08:09 AM (#1165010)

Reject Baltimore to join KC on a minor league deal? Talk about 6 of one, half-dozen of the other...

43. 6 - 4 - 3 Posted: February 25, 2005 at 08:16 AM (#1165017)

but club officials view his potential as worth the risk of a minor-league contract.

Um, duh. $55k (or less, as they can cut him if he really disappoints in spring training for around $10k, severance plus the spring training per diems).

44. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: February 26, 2005 at 07:02 PM (#1167319)

"But I believe it's the fact that this is the second time he's been removed from a 40-man roster that gave him the right to become an FA."
Yes. I'd forgotten about his outright in '03.

45. GotowarMissAgnes Posted: February 26, 2005 at 08:45 PM (#1167425)

So, does this say something about how youngish players regard the Baltimore management or is there something else behind this?

46. Neil Posted: March 02, 2005 at 02:56 PM (#1174565)

In Dan's introduction:
Sure, the Orioles will screw it up somehow...

Boy, pretty prophetic, yeah?

47. Bull Pain Posted: March 02, 2005 at 05:04 PM (#1174893)

I believe he turned down the O's claim because he doesn't want to play in Ottawa. He's a Florida guy and is no fan of the cold.

48. RP Posted: March 02, 2005 at 05:20 PM (#1174923)

Anyone want to make any predictions re the Orioles? I think they'll surprise a lot of people and win 87-90 games.

49. 6 - 4 - 3 Posted: March 02, 2005 at 06:37 PM (#1175177)

If the Orioles played in the the AL Central, then 90 wins might be a possibility. In the AL East and having to face Boston and New York ~40 times a year, it will be hard for them to break 85.

50. It's Spelled With a CFBF, But Not Where You Think Posted: March 04, 2005 at 05:47 PM (#1180367)

So does the Hudson extension not get an entry?

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Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Orioles - Claimed Diaz

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