foxfield

I am looking forward to the first "big" Oriole signing...and hoping it isn't followed by internet pictures of the lad's High School Prom...in 2008.

We all want some normalcy to return. And I won't be political, but in general if given a choice, I think people would sign up for this ending at Easter. I think when we look at the massive steps being taken, with sports, schools and businesses, that the reality is this will go on far longer than weeks. Nobody wants that, and surely if it runs that way, there will be scars. I am resigned to the fact that I must assume I have it along with everyone in my family. And that we must....must...make sure we do everything in our power to make sure we do not give it to anyone else. Yes, it means things will be different. Maybe it means no baseball until June or July...maybe not at all this year. So instead of debating the Orioles starting pitching, we can critique Tony's simulated start to the season. (Note to Tony...couldn't you run 10,000,000 sims and find the one where the Orioles have a Why not 2020 Campaign?). Stay as light hearted as possible, as friendly as can be and approach this with the Brooks Robinson approach. Everyone is a friend and everyone is a fan. We can do this. Imagine

So, it's Matrix Baseball and you are "the one"...

Shirley, you jest!

THIS

I think Hyde has no issue imparting meaning from samples...small or otherwise. I think the hardest part for a manager working a rebuild is not completely dismissing the utter lack of talent. What do you expect him to really say here. Well, if we can pitch to our ability and hit to our ability and if I can steer this team to its greatest possible outcome....we will only lose 103 games? I think he is merely trying to be positive and that is consistent. The relievers have looked encouraging and the hitters have not. His spin is not really placing value but looking for positive signs. I think you are right, in that it's a double standard, but I think Hyde has no illusion of the numbers or what they mean.

Who is Davis? More baseball irony for 300 please Alex.

Well, for the good of the game. Also, the trade off would be more money for everyone. So...I think members would like that overall a heck of a lot more than say, Davis being cut 3 years ago.

Not to derail a good topic, but would it be a good move for MLB to consider trading guaranteed contracts for more guaranteed money for MLB players in their first 3-4 years and also minor leaguers? Would the game be better off? Perhaps it's just wishful thinking given the dumb money owed Davis...but nobody seems to mind NFL walking away from contracts...

Baseball is tremendous game. Chris Davis has been terrible...historically bad for two plus years. I agree that at this point the absolute worst thing may be an improvement like you describe above. But in terms of likelihood, the chances of that much improvement are slight. And if we carry the example to the extreme and push him to an even bigger jump, folks will begin thinking he could be moved. It would be a great baseball story for Davis to rebound to something close to what you describe. And I think Davis is arguably blocking 1B/DH now even with the bump to 26. But until the O's are climbing I don't think they care. They will cut him when they have to, or he will quit. In the meantime, we get to hope for improvement. I think they know where they are and I think Davis knows where they are. I hope he crushes 50 this year. He may be off to one of the better starts in camp. It won't last, but why not hope that it does! That would be so cool.

It is early. I do not worry about days like yesterday. First, it's just good that baseball is back. Second, our primary goal may well be to secure the #1 pick next year. Third, while we want to see progress, especially from players we believe will be here as we begin a climb to competition, failures like yesterday reinforce my second point. If none of that makes sense...read both posts in Drungos box above this...They are spot on.

https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-sweep-orioles-with-6-run-inning-c232928936 https://www.espn.com/mlb/game?gameId=370526118 First let me say, throwing at guys IS dumb and dangerous. Of course, it has happened forever. If there were no DH it would happen less, at least in my opinion. But what the astros did was dangerous too and I find it odd that your inconsistency over actions that could hurt careers is dismissed as mob mentality. Pitchers were demolished in seemingly historic fashion. Asher gave up a team cycle in the second inning of a game. The Orioles in this May series basically have their 5 year window of competitiveness destroyed. You have no room for what if? You have no concern that Asher, or Kevin Gausman, now out of baseball, were not injured here. Gaus threw 6.2 innings on the road and got beat 2-0...on two monstrous shots by Jake Marisnick and some guy named Carlos Beltran. Im not saying this isn't an easy excuse or that typical bad Oriole development needed no help from Houston and it's scheme. But as they were in 16...when the O's traveled to Houston they were gobsmacked. After they got swept in 17...they were never the same. You don't care about those guys and the millions they might have lost? Only the ones who got injured in beanings...or brawl? First let me say, throwing at guys IS dumb and dangerous. Of course, it has happened forever. If there were no DH it would happen less, at least in my opinion. But what the Astros did was dangerous too and I find it odd that your inconsistency over actions that could hurt careers is dismissed as mob mentality. Pitchers were demolished in seemingly historic fashion. Look at 2017 when the Baltimore was still a contender but limped into Houston on a three game losing streak before being swept for the second year in a row (i believe) in Houston. On May 28, Asher gave up a team cycle in the second inning of a game. O's lose 6-2. The Orioles in this May series basically have their 5 year window of competitiveness destroyed. You have no room for what if? You have no concern that Asher, or Kevin Gausman, now out of baseball, were not injured here. In that same series, Gaus threw 6.2 innings on the road and got beat 2-0...on two monstrous shots by Jake Marisnick and some guy named Carlos Beltran. Im not saying this isn't an easy excuse or that typical bad Oriole development needed no help from Houston and it's scheme. But as they were in 16...when the O's traveled to Houston they were gobsmacked. After they got swept in 17...they were never the same. You don't care about those guys and the millions they might have lost? Only the ones who got injured in beanings...or brawls? I'm just saying there is room for discussion. Your dismissal of one as mob mentality....and then linking it in similarity to steroids...is not a good look. Steroids by the way, also hurt careers and that is not debatable. The debate regarding steroids is always going to be about who was or wasn't and whether steroids is the same level of cheating as greenies or spitballs. You are always thought provoking and I appreciate that...it makes for great discussion. Thanks

Well, if we are fair, I can see how an Oriole fan might resent the amount of money spent on Davis, when we might have invested those dollars a bit more wisely and kept...Manny, for instance. That may not be fair to Davis, but I can see that resentment. I wouldn't agree with that position, but I wouldn't say I couldn't respect that person as a fan. But I would agree that a fan that actually harbors ill will for Davis is moving into a different area of resentment.

Sorry for a late response, but I jumped back to read a bit. I'm pretty sure 2 of those three played together a lot more than a handful of times. But I admit, I didn't look it up. 😎 As to your question 8703, I would have to think there is a chance. But let's face it, there are very few places yet where positions are locked down. The 2020 Orioles are gonna have a bunch of actors auditioning for future roles. The cast is gonna keep changing until there is more talent. (in a display of my grasp of the painfully obvious)

The interview with Roch is interesting. I think it is clear that regardless of what anyone thinks of the contract or Davis, that he cares. I don't mean in the "i'll try anything" mode. But more on the lines of he wants to be the feared hitter he was, and that it bothers him that he has not been that guy. Of course, this interview like others, gives an impression that maybe he does not actually believe he can improve. It does seem that everyone knows this is the last chance to make it work. I hope he crushes it! How could you not. But I am relieved in the feeling that this is the moment. And I will be genuinely hoping he makes a great flash.