orioles22

He was one of the better starters in the league last year overall, so I could have seen him in the Orioles' rotation to start the season, but I always wish these guys could force their way to the rotation by dominating at AAA. I hope Lowther and Kremer and company are a little better at Norfolk this year than Akin was last season.

I doubt any of the Norfolk pitchers (other than Akin) will be ready before August. I'd love to see someone like Cashner added to the rotation. I just don't believe the storyline that paying Cashner for one season will mean less money for player development.

I'm pleasantly surprised. I've been hoping we'd add a quality defensive shortstop. I don't see how adding a few short contracts like this could hurt anything in the Orioles' future.

It feels like a reason to be extremely cheap to me. Are the Orioles spending more than everyone else on other areas than every other organization while we are spending the least on free agents?

I remember when we were saving to pay Tex. I don't think spending some on one-year contracts would do anything to slow our rebuilding program

I'd be more in favor of locking up some of our young pitchers when they get here.

Happy to see that confirmed. The organization must have decided they would prefer to see him in left, if he can handle it.

I think the hint might come from the fact he played most of those games in left in August - or at least it seemed that way.

I can understand that, but a month of baseball there should give the organization an idea of if he can play there. He was playing first base when I saw Norfolk early and he seemed at least average there.

Are there no scouting reports on Mountcastle in left late in the season? To answer the question, I hope/expect Hays to play center and Mountcastle to play left (at least most of the season). I don't expect much from Stewart, but I never mind to be wrong if it benefits the Orioles.

Best non-pitcher then... I hope Means can continue to dominate. I'd be happy if he can be.a No. 3-4 type for the next five years or more.

Then extend him when it's time. I don't think he will cost as much as Manny. I'd like to see Mountcastle in left, Mancini at first and Nunez at DH with Stewart in Norfolk or somewhere else.

I hate the idea of trading our best player and I'm not a fan of Stewart. I'd much rather see Mountcastle in left and Mancini at first and let Stewart fight for the DH job.

So, is Hays considered a rookie in 2020? How could he lose eligibility after the season ends?

To me, it was. I was a big Arrieta fan. He was one of the best in the International League in 2010, won 10 games for the Orioles in 2011 and was gone less the two years later.