foxfield

This is of course a pretty well reasoned post...but it comes undone a bit at the end. Valuing players and trading value for value is what every good GM strives to do. And saying we have Beavers so we can trade Kjerstad is of course correct, but you absolutely don't want to devalue what you get in return for talent because you have more. On the margins, sure. But if you value your work, and it is clear that Elias does, and you believe these guys still have value, you don't just give em away because you have plenty. I know that is not what you are really saying. But the counter is also true. I don't think keeping people to have 1-9 homegrown is a thing. And I would rather trade Kjerstad for a bat that might push us over the edge than trade him for two middling relievers. He is more valuable than that today even taking into account the wide range of outcomes he could have. I believe we will make trades before the deadline. I don't think Elias cares where the starting 9 comes from but I think he will look for true upgrades.

This is true. But it is especially true in situations where there are no outs and a runner on second.

You have to get 2 outs. You have an 11 run lead. You face the top of a lineup that had one hit on the day. I might give up 7 straight home runs in this situation, but I ain’t walking 2 guys to start the inning. Two outs. He is frustrating.

You have basically answered your own question. If Grayson didn’t agree he could file a grievance. He didn’t so one might assume, regardless of how serious, he agrees with the course of action.

Nice game. Expected nothing less. Last two nights we have even had some creative bull penning.

I will say that in 1970 I didn’t think the Yankees were going to destroy Oriole pitching. And if I did, I wouldn’t have said it out loud. Sure I was only seven. But yeah it is starting to stand out that many still think of this team as if it is a pretender. I expect a win. Every night. Every series. Why would you not? Do I think the East is assured? No. But it goes through Baltimore. Do I think the WS is assured? Of course not. But I do think one or more is coming.

I appreciate the reverse jinx thing and Roy does it well. But one of the things that annoys many of us about the Yankees is that they expect to win. There was a time when that’s how it was for us. Personally, I’d rather have that back. The Yankees pitch pretty well and if they stay healthy they will be tough. But tonight we got some breaks and we did lots well. Grayson wasn’t masterful but he did the job. Perez, Cano and Coulombe were sharp enough. The O’s played good defense and Gunnar became the Youngest player in MLB history to hit 10 HRs before May 1st. But most of all I sat in 3rd base Box seats with a lot of folks who expected the Yankees to win and I enjoyed the heck out of it. My favorite play was Santander and Gunnar forcing out Stanton at second on a single to right. Reverse away Roy. But the time is coming when we should expect this. And tonight felt good. Ain’t the beer cold!!!

Glad he is ours.

I have noticed this as well. Sure hope he delivers.

There are an awful lot of assumptions here that are premature. Athletes want to perform and Kimbrel has every reason and right to do the same. My guess is that he wants to perform well enough that the O’s pick up the option for next year. He knows his body better than anyone and we don’t know the situation other than he has seemed off. We also know his usage rate is unsustainable. It’s a tough time for the O’s but hopefully there is a way to manage. Good to see Means have a very nice outing in his rehab. My guess is we are about to see how creative Elias and Hyde can be with mixing and maxing pieces. …Crosses fingers.

I did not look it up, but as I remember the Orioles actually did try to resign Cruz. He wanted and got a longer contract that turned out to be a good deal. At the time it seemed prudent that the Orioles balked at that.

I didn't use the word logjam, it was in the OP. That said, while the jam may well be at the back of the rotation, the fact that giving Bradish and Means a whirl to see where they are forces some moves. IF either one of them is not what we need, then anything that is DFA'd can't come back and that would be an issue. Yes we still want more and better pitching, but without the ability to simply option guys and find out, it creates a log jam to determine what is best moving forward and it creates risks if either Bradish or Means are not serviceable somewhere.

I don’t see anything that said the Orioles had too much pitching talent. Or why you would read it as such. Simply another way for you to drop your belief that until the Orioles have the three best SP in baseball, they are not serious WS contenders. And while that is admittedly an overstatement of your point, I think it’s you who has a pie in the sky view.

The answer to the question is obviously no. Now if the question was would Gunnar have been worthy #1 pick the answer seems obvious that he would have been. But taking him where he went allowed the Orioles to maximize their draft which is what every team hopes to do. You can argue whether Adley was the right pick but if Gunnar went first there is no way the two picks work as well for Baltimore.

I don’t think I could make a list of 26 people I’d rather have than Gunnar.