Bird's Eye View

By Bird's Eye ViewSports Baseball

Bird's Eye View episodes

February 08, 2016 Episode 150: Farm Aid
Leading Off
Hey, we claim this is a weekly podcast, but it’s only true during the season. After a three-week hiatus, we have returned to bring you all the lack of insight and baseless opinion that can be mustered from what the Orioles have been up to lately. This might get a little bumpy, so buckle up. We start, as always, with The Drink of the Week. Make sure to tell us what you’re up to via Twitter (@birdseyeviewbal), or on Untapped (jakee4025 and magn8606).

This Week on the Twitters

Girl, if you think more than two feet is impressive, you never spent a weekend with me. Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww yeah.
— Seductive Tommy H (@SeductiveTommyH) January 23, 2016

working on something exciting and new, i suggest you bookmark https://t.co/WWPHqByanj
— Josh Sroka (@joshsroka) January 26, 2016

I wonder if Dave Matthews and Willie Nelson will perform at Camden Yards for Orioles Farm Aid. On proceeds go to fix our farm system.
— Orioles Uncensored (@OsUncensored) February 1, 2016

Dear O's fan on Amtrak who commented to me at 5:30 am that they still need pitching – I'm now awake and agree with you. I'll pass it on Thx.
— Jim Duquette (@Jim_Duquette) February 4, 2016

How important is a fifth starter to #Orioles? Maybe not so much. #OriolesTalkhttps://t.co/D85TiUBoH7
— Rich Dubroff (@RichDubroffCSN) February 1, 2016

Mortgaging the Farm

Embed from Getty Images

Remember FanFest, when Dan Duquette told us not to read the “crap” in the national publications about how thin the Orioles farm system is? Yeah, that makes for a great line, but the “crap” is still being written. The Orioles farm system is thin.
The question is: should the Orioles be trying to win right now, at the expense of improving the system? Yes. We’re talking about the 14th pick that might be sacrificed if a player like Yvonni Gallardo or Dexter Fowler.

Cobbling Together the Rotation

Embed from Getty Images

We’re going to warn you now: this might get weird. Scott wonders would it be possible for the Orioles patch together the fifth rotation spot out of their leftover parts? Could Despaigne, Worley, Wright and Wilson serve as a collective fifth starter, while also logging innings in the bullpen and riding the Norfolk Shuttle?
We talk through this approach, and how the 2016 Orioles might resemble the 2012 Orioles in approach to the pitching staff.

Blowing the Save

43 min
January 19, 2016 Episode 149: Deferred Interests
Perhaps you've heard - Chris Davis will be an Oriole for seven years. And now we wait to see if the team is done for the offseason, or if this team has any other acquisitions up its sleeve.
The post Episode 149: Deferred Interests appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
1 hr 4 min
January 19, 2016 Episode 149: Deferred Interests
Leading Off
So… anything new happening in your corner of Birdland? Pretty quiet around here. Except, of course, for the #ChrisDavisWatch coming to an end with the largest deal in franchise history. So, yeah. There’s that. Jake and Scott return from a vacation to the most magical place on earth and pull up lame (well, lamer than usual) in their first show back.
After checking in with the Drink of the Week (who knew that juniper had such healing qualities?), it’s time for…

This Week on the Twitters

Going home and watching #DieHard today. #RIPAlanRickman
— Andrew Stetka (@AStetka) January 14, 2016

@bmorons So goes the best nickname on the team, the #Chentertainer.
— JT Gwozdz (@Gwozdzilla) January 12, 2016

Thinking of getting on a podcast. Any good ones out there. I got a lot to say. Some good some bad but mostly hilarious.
— 10 (@SimplyAJ10) January 7, 2016

@BirdsEyeViewBal "Terds the word"
— Aaron Chauncey (@aaron21222) January 8, 2016

"130 million do I hear 130? O's call 130 do I hear 140? O's again, 150, 150 for Davis! O's. 160! Wait do you guys know how this works?"
— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) January 16, 2016

The Chris Davis (Diamond) Watch

Embed from Getty Images

Well, it happened: Chris Davis and the Orioles agreed to a 7-year, $161MM deal. What does it all mean?
Well, it means that Peter Angelos got what he wanted. All along, we’ve been saying that Angelos never lost a negotiation that he cared about. …. well, he got the player. Did the Orioles “win?”
In this segment, we roll out the therapist’s couch and ask “how does that make you feel?”

Pitching In

Embed from Getty Images

Let’s be honest about the pitching situation, shall we? It’s… sub-optimal. And that’s being polite. Rather than dance around it, here’s what Ken Rosenthal has said on the subject:
A starting pitcher should be next. A starting pitcher has to be next. A rotation led by a front four of Chris Tillman, Ubaldo Jimenez, Miguel Gonzalez and Kevin Gausman simply is not good enough.
Yes. This. The Orioles spent $161 on a hitter, when they really need to improve their starting rotation. We discuss what is left on the market, and how likely the Orioles be active.

Blowing the Save

1 hr 4 min
January 05, 2016 Episode 148: Orioles Magic Kingdom
The guys examine whether the Orioles can truly be one of the worst teams in the American League, and whether they can take solace in a Disney-esque Orioles branded theme park. Yup: it's that part of the offseason.
The post Episode 148: Orioles Magic Kingdom appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
49 min
January 05, 2016 Episode 148: Orioles Magic Kingdom
Leading Off
If you’re reading this, Bird’s Eye View wishes you the happiest of New Years. We hope that 2016 brings you happiness, wealth, and an Orioles World Series Championship. The offseason remains inactive, even though a number of Top 20 free agents (including one #19 who used to play in Birdland) remain on the board. Here’s hoping Dan Duquette can pull some of his late-offseason magic.

This Week on the Twitters

Nine #MLB free agents who rejected the $15.8 million qualifying offer remain unsigned. Market is slow moving this winter. @FOXSports
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 4, 2016

@keithlaw pretty sure they're just adhering to the dress code of the NYAC
— G (@gjwcs12) January 4, 2016

I had to take Imodium most days I pitched to plug myself up.
49 min
December 22, 2015 Episode 147: The Farce Awakens
Spoiler Alert: this episode has nothing to do with a galaxy far, far away. Unless, of course, you count the one in which the Orioles fail to make a splash in the offseason.
The post Episode 147: The Farce Awakens appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
55 min
December 22, 2015 Episode 147: The Farce Awakens
Leading Off
With FanFest come and gone, it’s time to settle in and wait for the hot stove to kick into high gear. The Orioles are still waiting to hear back from their number one target, as we hear in the Chris Davis Watch. Meanwhile, Orioles fans simply hope that they won’t end up with a lump of coal in their stockings for Christmas. And yes, we mean David Lough.
Join us for a Drink of the Week, and let us know what’s on your bar tab. Look for us on Untappd at jakee4025 and magn8606.
This Week on the Twitters

ICYMI: Hoping to hear #Orioles fans serenade Kim Hyun-soo with his cheer song this season pic.twitter.com/vqxQasnHVA
— Dan (@MyKBO) December 17, 2015

Hyeon-soo Kim in Baltimore. pic.twitter.com/aiVTJuWfwA
— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) December 17, 2015

Who's your #ManCrushMonday? Ours is Santa #GetYourDrinkOn #Baltimore #HappyHour https://t.co/8BqtusKvey pic.twitter.com/kpryLK7upv
— Drink Baltimore (@DrinkBmore) December 21, 2015

The Orioles bullpen suggests that maybe the most important thing in pitching is being different. Need to try & cut out the middle for study.
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) December 15, 2015

Tweet! Tweet! Is this thing on?
— The Oriole Bird (@OrioleBird) December 9, 2015

I tried to find the best non-Baltimore home for Chris Davis, and, well, this wasn't where I expected going into it: https://t.co/HAYoY3dD1Y
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) December 19, 2015

FanFest Review

FanFest was last weekend (yes, really), and though the attendance was a little light (~11,500) compared to years past, the atmosphere was still electric. Scott and Jake share their thoughts on the event, including:

* Attendance
* The role of Brady Anderson
* The wisdom of the opt-out contract structure
* The wisdom of putting all your eggs in Chris Davis’ basket
* The fate of post-game pies
* FanFest MVP?

KATOH Projections of Orioles Prospects

Chris Mitchell of Fangraphs stops by to talk to us about the KATOH projection system, which he developed to produce long-term forecasts for players who are still in the minor league phase of their careers. His recent article on Fangraphs details the Orioles minor league system, and tells us where our baby birds rank within the system, and how that compares with other organizations.
Other topics include the benefits/pitfalls of being an Orioles or Yankees fan, and what kind of pizza Alex Rodriguez would eat at 4:00am. It’s Bird’s Eye View: we leave no stone unturned. Check Chris out at Fangraphs and on Twitter ...
55 min
December 08, 2015 Episode 146: Living in Infamy
The 2016 offseason is rolling along. The Orioles may not have made a decision on Chris Davis, but as of the start of the Winter Meetings, the team has inked Mark Trumbo and Darren O'Day (maybe?).
The post Episode 146: Living in Infamy appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
52 min
December 08, 2015 Episode 146: Living in Infamy
Leading Off
The Winter meetings are in full swing. Expect lots of exciting, vague statements including the phrases “reportedly” and “sources.” Also expect heartbreak – it’s the birthright of every Orioles fan. The O’s have been somewhat busy, inking Mark Trumbo and (depending who you believe) have a deal in place with Darren O’Day.
Join us for a Drink of the Week, and let us know what’s on your bar tab. Look for us on Untappd at jakee4025 and magn8606.
This Week on the Twitters

@BirdsEyeViewBal #Baseball and #ArrestedDevelopment tweets are the best kind of tweets
— Kirsten Cooper (@kdizzle0317) December 6, 2015

@Orioles I'm excited because it's a chance to get together with THOUSANDS of other O's fans and celebrate our Orioles together! #OsFanFest
— Adam Berg (@Real_Ice_Berg) December 4, 2015

Otterbein's Bakery and @FlyingDog are teaming up to release #cookie-inspired craft beers https://t.co/Zp0tUiy9y2 pic.twitter.com/JYqkUAjuwf
— bake magazine (@bakemag) November 5, 2015

Source: Teams that have open jobs in the rotation are talking to unemployed starting pitchers.
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) December 5, 2015

Let's assume for this exercise that the O's spend $25 million a year and bring back Davis.
— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) December 6, 2015

After doing that, the O's are now at $142 million, with essentially the same roster that went 81-81, minus its best pitcher.
— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) December 6, 2015

#Cubs interested in Kevin Gausman, BAL interested in both Soler and Baez.
— Julie DiCaro (@JulieDiCaro) December 7, 2015

The Orioles have hired former Red Sox senior advisor Jeremy Kapstein as a consultant to GM Dan Duquette.
— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) December 7, 2015

Perfect, looks like I'm all set after last season.
52 min
November 24, 2015 Episode 145: It’s Getting Chile
It's slow... the Orioles offseason is off to an expectedly slow start. What better time to be mean to otherwise decent Nationals fans, and go Around the Bases?
The post Episode 145: It’s Getting Chile appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
50 min