Julio or Riske

[twentysix]

I can't remember, tried looking it up. I know it wasn't an original thought, so I must have read it somewhere. It obviously wasn't an official statement out of Cleveland 'cause a team would never say something like that. Therefore, it seems to just be a very logical theory and nothing more. Sorry, it's just the conspiracy theorist in me coming out.

Actually I was wrong about the arbitration, he made that much last year. he had arbitration this year and got a 1 year contract for $720,000 and he's eligible again after this year.

Also, there's no way they were gonna pay Urbina to be a set-up guy, no matter what they say in public. I can't see Urbina even entertaining the idea of signing with a team (especially a non-contender) if they didn't tell him he'd have a shot to close.

[jpbusta]

Riske

[Talyn]

I say Riske. I got a bad feeling about Julio.

[DieHardCubbie]

I would go with Riske too.....better ratio numbers....

[justinA]

Julio.. he'll get 40 this year easily considering he has 36 last year in only 71 Oriole wins.

[Melo255]

I like Riske. As was said earlier he was way better ERA and WHIP numbers. The Orioles aren't going to be a good team this year at all. They made some improvements but so did every other team in the AL East. The big difference is that the Orioles didn't upgrade what the need the most-pitching. Most of the time they are going to lose and when they do win I don't think it's going to be close since it will be a win because of an offensive explosion. My 2 cents

[Carnac]

Riske

Big year. Wickman may be an afterthought by the time he returns.

[stumpak]

Avoid Julio:

1) The Orioles will be lucky to have anymore wins than last years. In case you haven't noticed, they are at best the 4th best team in a tough division. There pitching blows, and there offense is hihgly overrated (Palmerio old and worhtless, Javy will not produce like last year, etc.)

2) DeJean, good likelihood Julio will lose his job when he blows a few saves, which will happen.

3) The trend the past few years is for teams out of contention to dump their so-so closers down the stretch to serve as set-up guys on other teams. Julio is certainly so-so.

4) He had a fluke year in 2002 in terms of WHIP and ERA. He blew in these areas throughout his long minor league career, expect numbers here like 2003, not 2002. He will hurt you in WHIP and ERA.

There are better options, Riske is one of them.