jamalshw

It really does feel like this team is just a closer away from having no real holes. So the quotes from Hyde about getting him right and needing him and all that are true (until there's a deal). We know they're not DFA'ing Kimbrel, but I would hope they at least consider IL (if an option) or relegating him to mop up at least for a week or two to work on things. Put Suarez or Cano or Coulombe in the 9th for the time being. Overall, though, I don't really like any of our guys in 9th and do think a deal (Helsley?) is needed. I love Cano and Coulombe as set up. I'd like to continue to see what Suarez can do in the pen. Perez and Webb seem like solid options in middle relief. Baumann and Kimbrel are the obvious issues at the moment and if I'm being honest, I still don't quite trust Akin.

I think Hays comes back as a weak side platoon player with just an occasional start against RHP. Given we're about to face a string of righties, I'm not sure how frequently we see him in the next few series. I think he's basically the OF version of Jorge Mateo at this point. As for McKenna, he has the better tools defensively and the metrics bear that out, but McKenna is more error prone whereas I feel more confident in the play being made by Hays. McKenna is probably the better guy to spell Mullins in CF and while he's likely to get to balls Hays may not in that role, I feel better about Hays at least making the plays he's supposed to make.

Before the Burnes deal, I would've said a deal like this is impossible. Now, I say, it's just highly unlikely. Obviously, Burnes and Miller are vastly different given service time. Helsley, being closer to free agency, seems to be more up Elias' alley and the leader in the clubhouse right now for who I expect to be the acquisition. That said, Miller would be absolutely insane. Imagining a Bautista/Miller backend in 2025 is just sick. But...the control, injury risk and potential for him to be transitioned into a starter all complicate things so much. If it's Mayo+ to get it done, I'm out. If it's Kjerstad+ I reluctantly do it (provided the + isn't that much). I do think it's possible the A's would look for more solid quantity than one big piece to help them build the club. The Orioles certainly have the depth to offer more than any other team if they're willing to go with back-end top-100 guys to get more MLB-ready (or near MLB ready) quantity.

Meh...I missed Kevin Brown, but I didn't hate the broadcast. There were still errors, but if sounded smoother and better to me.

I like all the creativity here and love the fact that even if we were to move someone like Holliday or Westburg to CF, you still cannot get all the top position players currently at AAA or AA in the lineup everyday. That certainly means we still have excess talent that could be used as a trade chip. Of course, there is also the likelihood someone doesn't pan out due to production or injury. If Mayo were to stick at 3B giving you Mayo, Henderson and Holliday in the infield, I think I would be include to keep Westburg as a super utility guy that still plays most everyday as you flex guys around and keep them fresh with days off. Each of Mayo, Holliday and Henderson can get a day off each week and Westburg can filter in at DH and learn some OF, too, and fill in there. The type of role Ben Zobrist had for a few years, an everyday player without an everyday spot. That also builds in an injury buffer where a single injury anywhere on the field doesn't really hurt. The other key is Basallo. If he can stick at catcher (even as a part-time catcher), that would be amazing. We all love the Adley/McCann duo, but imagine an Adley/Basallo duo catching and DHing. With both in the lineup nearly everyday, you can carry a third catcher (which would be a luxury available particularly if you have someone in that super utility role). The options are plentiful which is what makes it so exciting.

He's at 68 pitches now. I think the goal for him was probably around 80. I think Hyde gives him the fifth, but as soon as someone gets on base, we see the bullpen get active.

That DP helps...maybe he can get the 5th if he can get this last out quickly.

Basically because of the catchers interference and all, Bradish threw an extra 14 pitches. Instead of 5-6 innings, I think 4-5 is now the expectation.

The idea of a Mason Miller/Felix Bautista tandem in the backend for a few years is tantalizing and a huge advantage in the postseason. Given our depth in MLB ready position players and our complete lack of pitching prospects outside of Povich and McDermott (who himself cannot seem to find the strike zone this year), I'm more willing to take the risk on dealing elite position player prospects for young, controllable pitching. The problem with Miller though is the heightened risk of an elbow issue which means he could be out 18 months+ if he needs TJS, but even if he doesn't he's currently limited in how much he is used. Given that, Basallo is a bit too steep a cost for me.

His path to staying in baseball is as a utility player. The more positions he can play, the more likely he is to stay in the league. Good for him. But I don't anticipate him back in Baltimore. We saw them go Kjerstad when Hays even though the team is very lefty heavy. With Mateo getting looks in CF and Cowser able to play there for a bit, there really isn't any role that he's next in line for (or even 2nd or third in line). Even learning 2B doesn't get him in a next in line position given Norby.

Depending on how early in your 30s you are, the 1996 and 1997 seasons were solid. But as a guy in his late 30s, that's all I got beyond the 2012-2016 stretch, but I'm hopeful this will be more reminiscent to the stretch this team had before either of us were born in the late 60s through the early 80s.

The way Kjerstad is hitting, he's probably the next one I want "freed" but I think Mayo will be the next one we see. Assuming Kemp is gone for Holliday, Urias is probably the next most "replaceable" player. He's off to a rough start, but is still a solid player...but he'd be the next to go to make room for a mega prospect and Mayo playing 3B opens that spot for him (one could argue Norby, but those are the only two with a path that doesn't involve an injury or deadline trade. For Kjerstad, he's a replacement for Santander or O'Hearn if they go down. Depending on the Orioles' comfort with Cowser in CF, perhaps he'd also replace Mullins on the roster in case of injury.

I kinda wonder if we hear about an extension for him (at least buying out the arb years) given they did call him up a few days early.

I'm cautiously optimistic...but will wait to get my hopes up until a couple days after his first rehab start. But with Means and now--soon--Bradish rehabbing, there's certainly reason for optimism. It should also trickle down to help out the bullpen.

I think it could be the 13th or the 15th for one player, probably Holliday. There won't be more than that this early unless there's an injury. Kjerstad certainly deserves a promotion, but we haven't seen Cowser get the ABs, add Kjerstad to the mix and it gets worse. Hopefully, we see Cowser playing LF regularly and Hays and O'Hearn turning into essentially a platoon. Hopefully Cowser gets a few looks in CF, too, giving Mullins a break here or there. The next most likely guy to move after Kemp, is probably Urias and that could be an opening for Mayo...but it's hard to find an opening for anyone else on this team until the team is ready to move on from O'Hearn--and I don't see that happening for a while.