1. Mr. Vertigo first let me say to have someone of your stature with us on the OTB Blog is, well words can't describe it. I guess the first question on everyone's mind would be just what caught your attention to join OTB. I mean it was no secret that for awhile there is was circling the drain and there were a couple other leagues that ironically are defunct now that may of seemed more appealing.
I was actually a member of OTB at the very beginning and through several installments since then. As you can tell if you look through the member list and see that I have the 3rd or 4th most posts of any OTB members in its history. That played a big part in my return to my old stomping ground and I'm very glad to be back with OTB under the management of Jason and Donnie. Finding out that my real life favorite team was open sealed the deal.
2. It has been said that you and the Commish himself Donniebaseball have have quite the history together in mogul. You even were in one of his other leagues. It seems to me you may have more incite what the fine GM's here in OTB can look forward to in the future.
It is true. Mogul Genesis, run by none other than our own DonnieB, was one of my favorite leagues I've joined. I arrived at the tail end of MoGen 1.0, taking over a team called the Detroit Steel and making a surprise run to a World Series championship. I can't recall what forced a reboot into MoGen 2.0, but I had a lot of fun until it too saw an unfortunate ending several seasons later due to circumstances better left unsaid.
I actually enjoyed the league so much, it served as a major inspiration to the league I currently run -- The Global Baseball Association.
3. Ok. I can't keep up the act I gotta bring out the Maddog and hit it hard. On the record what is your relationship with Clypse aka the Clipper. I mean its gotta be more than just a midnight rendezvous. You and him have had more back alley deals than Nixon during Watergate. I mean for real over half of your deals have been sending the Clipper his former players and we aren't talking your average Joes; Springer, Lawrie, Perez, and Candelario. Inquiring minds want to know..
First of all Candelario was dealt to the Blue Jays by Clypse before I took over.
Clypse and I share a common bond in our 49er fandom, but that has nothing to do with me making so many deals with him. I made it well known that those players were on the block, but everyone else seemed hesitant to pull the trigger on a deal that had them giving up anything I was really interested in.
Lawrie was playing shortstop for the O's and he proved by his play on the field that he's not really competent at the position. With our guy Manny entrenched at 3B, it made sense for us to deal him. I'm very happy with what I got in return for those players. Those deals will set the tone for future Orioles teams that I assure you will be competing for AL East titles on a consistent basis.
With the Yankees plucking superstars from other teams in the league and stacking their team and the Orioles with no farm system to help improve where they were at, selling off players and building for a stronger future team seemed like the obvious choice.
And while the players we traded are very good, we kept the true Orioles superstars in Manny and Bundy here.
4. Now, I know everyone else here likes to just sit on your every word, but I am here to dig for the truth. What exactly is your plan for the Orioles to finally do what Clypse couldn't do.... take down the Evil Empire. I mean you methods for any other GM would have fans rioting, but they trust the track record...... For Now!
The plan is to develop a consistent pipeline of talent coming from the minor leagues. To build a deep, strong, affordable team through the draft and trading players who can help a contender but aren't vital to our future success. So, that way, if we are forced financially to move a player or lose someone to a long-term injury, there won't be a significant drop-off in talent.
While it's true that we have dangled Machado and Bundy, no team seems comfortable in giving up what it would take to convince us to move them. So they will be our foundation that we build on.
When I finish putting together the team I want, the Orioles will play great defense, have a top rotation, get on base and hit a lot of home runs.
5. I want to get your reasoning on moving a few youngsters that looked primed to take the Orioles to the next level. Their names being Chris Reed, Chris Perez, and even to a lesser extent Brett Lawrie. I mean one fully expects a new GM to put his stamp on the team, but this left me scratching my head.
I actually think we sold high on Chris Reed. To me he seems overrated. One of those players whose make-up looks really good, but never actually performs up to those abilities. And that trade netted us the 4th overall pick - a switch-hitting shortstop who we think will develop into an excellent hitter and play great defense at a premium position.
The Carlos Perez deal got us a plethora of young talent, including Talamantes who, with one more jump, could easily replace Perez in the rotation. Add to that an underrated Anthony Alford and a dozen more solid prospects and draft picks, It was an easy deal to make.
I've already discussed part of my reasoning for dealing Lawrie. But also, he wasn't gonna be here when we were ready to take over. Despite his recent peak drop, I'm very excited about the 16-year-old 3B we got with the 9th overall pick. I think he could turn into a big-time slugger. I will admit, even though you say lesser extent with Lawrie, this is the one deal that I'm a bit concerned about getting good value out of.
6. Realistically speaking for the fans and trust me they are growing tired. What is your outlook? When are the Orioles going to get over the proverbial hump and whom are some guys they can look forward seeing in the future.
Any rebuild I do, we're usually looking at about 3 seasons before we see results that say "serious contender." The outlook for the Orioles is in great shape though. We've turned a non-existent farm system into one of if not the best in the league in a very short amount of time. And we still have some very good players that could reap even more rewards.
Who to watch in the future?
SP Furio Guinta - Even though his last name is misspelled because apparently U.S. immigration still to this day has a hard time getting names right. Guinta is only 17, has a major league fastball and is a future ace in the making.
OF Anthony Alford - He has great speed and can get on base. With another jump can be a great lead-off hitter. And he plays excellent defense.
SS Oscar Acosta - I've mentioned him already, but I think deserves being mentioned again.
SP Jose Talamantes - Carlos Perez' heir apparent.
And many more. Albert Leong, Alonzo Harris, Alex Foley, Rigo Sanchez, Micheal Hegstrand.
7. Last but not least... if you and the Clipper were to have a midnight redezvous, where would it be and what color dress would he be wearing?Levi's Stadium. Under the lights. Gold sequin dress and red heels.
There you have it Ladies and Gents straight from the horses mouth. BTW Clypse my mom has a Gold Sequin Dress you can use but you are on your own for the red heels. Well this has been another installment of Donnie "The Maddog" Baseballs Down and Dirty and until next time. May the odds ever be in your favor.... uhhh god i need my own catchphrase.
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