Tony-OH

Updated through today's loss to the Pirates.

Nice memory. I don't remember him.

I really don't understand why Wandisson Charles was given a big league spring training invite and why he's being given so much work early on in games. Sure, the arm is nice, but he's does not belong in the big leagues. I have to question why he's a guy they brought in at a big league invite level. He was awful last year in A-ball. Just a questionable decision all around and makes me wonder about the scouts that felt he was worth a look at big league camp. Or was he a pick of the "scout nerds" who never some him pitch but like the pitch shapes? Would be interesting to know.

I literally was about to say the other thing. Who in the hell wants to wear these ugly things?

Holy crap this is fast with the 15 second pitch clock with no one on. Must faster. Still trying to decide if I like it or not.

Good freaking Lord, these guys are awful. They keep missing plays or barely getting to the action in time. they must be using the local middle school AV club to be the director.

First, I'd like to know who took over the Pirates spring training games because they are now awful broadcasts. They barely are talking about the game. Good Lord. Great play by Henderson at 3B!!!!

Oh, I thought the OP was saying they still have not changed. I have been to like two games since COVID and I buy food and drink at the park.

By the way, if you want a 50% discount on MLBTV, become a "fan" at https://www.mlb.com/mlbpaa/membership/fans. It costs $25 and I think you get a shirt and other discounts, but in about 15 minutes, you get a link for 50% off for the year.

I think the Orioles were always looking for a way to get rid of the food policy that allowed people to bring in their own food and drink. COVID just gave them a good reason to do so and I doubt we will see a situation where that goes back. Now, $10 bleacher seats are a good move. I've always thought they should include a cheap ticket opportunity for bleachers or upper concourse in the outfield or down the lines past 1B.

This could mean two things in my mind. They feel Westburg has more value in trade if he's considered a 3B/SS/2B infielder and also that they do NOT view him as a first base option if something happens to Mountcastle or if he struggles badly this year. I think it would be bad if O'Hearn/Lewis/rest of the cast of 1B rejects are getting everyday PAs playing first base with the Orioles while Westburg is tearing it up in AAA while being blocked at 3B/SS/2B.

Wouldn't the Orioles still have Mullins, Stowers, Vavra and McKenna to play the OF? Even in your scenario, you would rather have a Urias, Henderson, Frazier infield with Mateo in the OF, vs Henderson, Mateo, Urias with Frazier in the outfield? I don't think the Orioles would. At the end of the day, the Orioles best defensive alignment when Mateo plays is at SS, and even if some crazy scenario occurred with multiple injuries, the Orioles are just going to run him out to whatever position anyways so he doesn't need to move around during spring training. At the end of the day, it is silly to suggest that Mateo needs to move around this spring to show he's versatile or that it goes against anything the Orioles currently do with keeping players versatile.

I will take your refusal to create an actual scenario where it makes sense for Mateo to play anywhere else but SS as your defeat in this discussion. You are right, no need to go in circles. You were unable to defend your position and lost. Let's move on.

Rob, I'm not making this a big deal all, I'm just showing you how silly your argument is. You still have not given a real scenario where it makes sense for Mateo to play anywhere but SS with the Orioles current projected roster. You can't just can't say hot bats or injuries, what actual scenario does it makes sense to have your best defensive SS play somewhere else on the field?

See, now I was thinking Frazier, Mullins and McKenna collide and they all have to leave the game and Santander is at DH. That would leave Stowers in RF, with Vavra and Mateo able to play the outfield. Even then, McCann would just go to 1B with Mountcastle to LF, Vavra to CF and again, Mateo goes to SS with Gunnar going to 3B and Urias to 2B. I guess in theory, Mountcastle could move over to 3B, keeping Gunnar at SS with Urias moving to 2B and perhaps allowing Mateo to play the OF. The fact that we are trying to think of silly ridiculous scenarios is exactly why Mateo is playing nowhere but SS while with the Orioles.

You can stand by your thoughts, but you are being completely and utterly silly while digging your heels in for no other reason than because your Rob! Again, tell us a situation where Mateo would play anywhere else but SS. Give us one scenario with the current roster that it would make defensive sense to play him anywhere but SS?

He won't be because I think it's clear they plan to play him at SS some as well. He'll also probably get particularly tough lefties off.

Gunnar goes to 3B and depending on what relievers they have available (RHP vs LHP) then either Frazier or Urias goes to the bench.

That's disappointing. While I do think Westburg can play effectively at 2B and 3B, he really should get some 1B time. Hopefully he just means this spring in games because there are so many current options there. He should get some playing time this year at 1B IMHO.

Lol, you are really being extra hard headed in this thread. As Frobby stated quite clearly, there is no defensive alignment that includes Mateo where he's not playing SS. Is he capable of being versatile, sure, he has in the past, but what situation are you playing Mateo anywhere but SS? With Frazier's ability to play the outfield, I can't think of one scenario where he would need to play anywhere else. You are right, the Orioles absolutely like versatility in their players, but when you have a guy who has proven to be an elite defensive player at SS, you don't play him elsewhere. I mean, are you upset Mullins isn't playing left or right field? No, because anytime he's on the field he's the best defensive CF. As for Rutschman being comparable because he's going to get some time at 1B, you are just being silly. You know that is just to rest him behind the plate and I know you know that's important for a catcher.

But Mateo's only real value is his defense at SS. Why would you want his bat in the lineup anywhere else? When Mateo came here he was not considered a plus defender anywhere, but was thought to have bat potential and of course his speed. So they moved him around, but it's clear his value is at SS and on the bases. . Even if you bring in Mateo late in games for PR duties, you have to imagine if he's going to come into the game then he's going to play SS.

Updated through game three 14-2 loss to Tampa. Gunnar Henderson will start at 3B today against Pittsburgh.

Feel free to start 2023 player pages with INFORMATION about them in spring training.

Feel free to open up 2023 thread for players now that they are playing in spring training.

Thanks..