Post by White Sox GM (Michael) on Jan 24, 2015 10:38:07 GMT -5
Our first GM interview is with Jeff, the outspoken leader of the Baltimore Orioles. In 2014, led by some superstar performances, Baltimore easily captured the AL East crown before losing in the Divisional Round. Jeff has already made headlines this offseason by making several huge trades, surprising Orioles supporters and dissenters alike. I sat down with Jeff to discuss the state of the Orioles.
You won the American League East in 2014 by 48 games. How do you see the division playing out this year?
I see it being a much tighter race this year as forbz has foolishly chance course and scrapped together a mediocre roster with the prospects and picks he acquired through his rebuild last year. Jimmy also has a very good team and could win the division or finish third, all depends on when his prospects come up.
You've made some huge changes to your team, trading stars like Yu Darvish and Jose Bautista while acquiring Jarred Cosart, Paul Goldschmidt, Tyson Ross, and Drew Smyly. What is your direction that is driving these deals?
With Jimmy’s imminent rise to domination, I felt I needed to create a younger, locked up, and more sustainable team, without sacrificing much production this year.
You consistently talk about building a strong core. Do you think you've achieved that?
Yes I believe I have build a very strong core. My rotation although without a brand name player, is very deep and all on scale. Cosart, Smyly and Ross lead my rotation, and are all (4)’s or (3)’s packed with potential. Then I have Miguel Gonzalez, AJ Griffin, and Josh Collmenter, who will all be around for 3 years or more. Relief wise im led by the up and coming Tony Watson and Sean Doolittle. Of course my hitting is led by the best contact hitter in baseball, and a top young power hitter in the league who also swipes some bases and hits for a great average. Both of those guys are locked up VERY cheap for many years which is why I like them so much. I’d also consider Kinsler a part of my core, although he could move considering I have Altuve. Hes a top 5 tool 2B on a great contract.
What players should we specifically watch to have surprise seasons in 2015, and why?
I believe that Drew Smyly is the player to watch on my team next season. The kid is packed with potential and has really improved every year thus far in his career. On top of that the move to the Rays towards the end last year proved to be whats best for him, so hopefully he keeps drinking that Tropicana OJ, or steroids, im cool either way.
Your farm is thin and has been for a while. How do you manage to still put out a competitive team without any influx from the minors?
I made the playoffs last year no? Well as previously stated my goal has been since day 1 I was here is that I plan on developing a nice young core and progress and make that core better until my core is both sustainable and dominate. At the moment I have very little $ committed long term, and almost everyone on my team is on scale. Why get prospects when u can get the ones that already made it through the minors. Saves a few years.
Who wins a first-to-home race: Ben Revere on foot or Paul Revere on horse?
Jose Altuve
How the hell is Jose Altuve a good Major League Baseball player?
I don’t know. Hes a gift that was sent from god. Or kevin.
More pleasant last name: Drew Smyly or Tyler Flowers?
Goldschmidt
Who wins the next World Series: Orioles, Rays, or Red Sox?
I think BAL. Although truthfully im more confident saying that I it won’t be Rays, then saying it won’t be me.
Any final thoughts?
Thanks again to Jeff for participating in our Meet the GMs series.
You won the American League East in 2014 by 48 games. How do you see the division playing out this year?
I see it being a much tighter race this year as forbz has foolishly chance course and scrapped together a mediocre roster with the prospects and picks he acquired through his rebuild last year. Jimmy also has a very good team and could win the division or finish third, all depends on when his prospects come up.
You've made some huge changes to your team, trading stars like Yu Darvish and Jose Bautista while acquiring Jarred Cosart, Paul Goldschmidt, Tyson Ross, and Drew Smyly. What is your direction that is driving these deals?
With Jimmy’s imminent rise to domination, I felt I needed to create a younger, locked up, and more sustainable team, without sacrificing much production this year.
You consistently talk about building a strong core. Do you think you've achieved that?
Yes I believe I have build a very strong core. My rotation although without a brand name player, is very deep and all on scale. Cosart, Smyly and Ross lead my rotation, and are all (4)’s or (3)’s packed with potential. Then I have Miguel Gonzalez, AJ Griffin, and Josh Collmenter, who will all be around for 3 years or more. Relief wise im led by the up and coming Tony Watson and Sean Doolittle. Of course my hitting is led by the best contact hitter in baseball, and a top young power hitter in the league who also swipes some bases and hits for a great average. Both of those guys are locked up VERY cheap for many years which is why I like them so much. I’d also consider Kinsler a part of my core, although he could move considering I have Altuve. Hes a top 5 tool 2B on a great contract.
What players should we specifically watch to have surprise seasons in 2015, and why?
I believe that Drew Smyly is the player to watch on my team next season. The kid is packed with potential and has really improved every year thus far in his career. On top of that the move to the Rays towards the end last year proved to be whats best for him, so hopefully he keeps drinking that Tropicana OJ, or steroids, im cool either way.
Your farm is thin and has been for a while. How do you manage to still put out a competitive team without any influx from the minors?
I made the playoffs last year no? Well as previously stated my goal has been since day 1 I was here is that I plan on developing a nice young core and progress and make that core better until my core is both sustainable and dominate. At the moment I have very little $ committed long term, and almost everyone on my team is on scale. Why get prospects when u can get the ones that already made it through the minors. Saves a few years.
Who wins a first-to-home race: Ben Revere on foot or Paul Revere on horse?
Jose Altuve
How the hell is Jose Altuve a good Major League Baseball player?
I don’t know. Hes a gift that was sent from god. Or kevin.
More pleasant last name: Drew Smyly or Tyler Flowers?
Goldschmidt
Who wins the next World Series: Orioles, Rays, or Red Sox?
I think BAL. Although truthfully im more confident saying that I it won’t be Rays, then saying it won’t be me.
Any final thoughts?
- Altuve gets no love in this league
- Brett Oberholtzer for MVP
- Josh Harrison, Ben Revere, Erick Aybar, future $ OTB
- I like putting together a half-assed, expensive, old roster, only to tear it down the next year and do a half-assed rebuild. Who am i?
Thanks again to Jeff for participating in our Meet the GMs series.
