[Iglesias signs with O's]

On 1/6/2020 at 2:34 PM, MurphDogg said:

Major League quality defender at short. Nice to have with a young pitching staff.

Glad the O’s signed him.

[Connolly: As fans, would you be OK with your team cheating if it meant winning a World Series title?]

On 1/29/2020 at 11:04 AM, Moose Milligan said:

Dan Connolly over at @TonySoprano's favorite website, The Athletic, posed the question in the title.  It's not really a great piece of journalism or anything, he just wanted to see what people would say.  Most people said no, some said yes.  If you've got an Athletic subscription, it's worth checking out.

Anyway, I'm opening it up as a poll/discussion here.  I figure what most of you will say is "no," just curious to see if there are any dissenters.

Look how many players have cheated? A corked bat. Doctored baseballs. Pine tar on a bat. Drugs used by some players. I don’t like cheating. But to smear the Astros when there are other ways players or teams have cheated. Being an Astros fan in Texas doesn’t excuse cheating I suppose but I think there have always been cheating since baseball began. 

[Is Mouncastle as good a hitter as Mancini was prior to his rookie year?]

2 hours ago, Eric-OH said:

Elias has failed to elaborate on Davis simply being at Spring Training several times.  Almost like Belichick he’ll admit to Davis being there but not too much after that.  We both noticed the same lack of Chris in that statement.  I wonder if decisions have been made and contingencies are already in place.

I hope so. 

[Beckham returning?]

6 hours ago, Aristotelian said:

I guess there's no such thing as a bad minor league contract. Otherwise, hard pass. 

Hard pass anyway.

[Buck interviewing for Astros job]

1 hour ago, weams said:

He's be the best thing you could hope for. 

You could be right. 

[Buck interviewing for Astros job]

2 hours ago, Frobby said:

Not strictly Orioles-related, but since we’re discussing the Astros’ situation on this board, this certainly seemed like fair game.

 https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28495642/source-astros-interview-buck-showalter-managerial-vacancy

Buck seems a little Old School for the Astros, but maybe that’s a good antidote for their current situation and perhaps Buck can learn some new tricks in an organization that has a very strong analytical bent.   

As an Astros fan I don’t think Buck is the answer.  

 

 

 

[Baseball Season: Sunday Notes]

1 hour ago, Aristotelian said:

Dont forget the big Chris Davis comeback.

Oh geez. I’ll be glad when Chris is off the team. 

[Mancini avoids arbitration, signs for $4.75M]

On 1/11/2020 at 8:31 AM, JimGinSP said:

 

Here’s a conspiracy theory for ya.   Stay the course with Mancini (playing him mainly in the OF) while the O’s are non contenders in order to suppress his future value.   Is it really so much different than holding back the time clock on prospects?

I have no idea.

[Mancini avoids arbitration, signs for $4.75M]

7 hours ago, MurphDogg said:

Per Roch.

MLBTR projected $5.7M

I hope the O’s are smart enough to play him at 1st not in the OF. 

[Miguel Castro robbed at gunpoint in D.R.]

5 hours ago, atomic said:

Victim blaming aplenty in this thread. 

Well whatever that would scare the hell out of me. 

[The Astros and Red Sox Punishments]

7 hours ago, Mr. Chewbacca Jr. said:

I thought teams and players were pretty vocal about it. I was actually kind of surprised with how candid some players were on the record.

My guess is Lunhow, Hinch, and Cora get suspensions, with a big fine for the Astros.

I think that’s fit punishment. 

[O's claim IF Urena from Jays]

2 hours ago, Can_of_corn said:

Good, he has experience coming out of the pen.

Out of the pen? 

[Farewell OH]

1 hour ago, Luke-OH said:

I never thought I’d be writing this, but I’ve accepted a position as a Scouting Analyst Consultant with the Orioles.

I’m keeping my day job and working with the team on a part-time basis, but I obviously won’t be able to publicly discuss players anymore. 

Thanks to everyone here for their encouragement and for everyone who disagreed with me or asked for an explanation, you all helped me improve as an analyst. 

I’m going to do my absolute best to try and help the Orioles get back on top in any way I can. 

~Luke

Good luck Luke.

[Meanwhile, back at the ranch…]

5 hours ago, atomic said:

I am not sure he beat any odds as the Orioles were tanking.  I think on any other team he would have been sent back.

Look how few minor league players make it to the bigs? To me that’s an accomplishment. You could be right that other teams may have sent him back. But still this man made it to the bigs. 

[Meanwhile, back at the ranch…]

18 hours ago, maybenxtyr said:

He's already done well in a sense. He beat the odds and had a season in the ML's. He most certainly should be proud of that accomplishment. 

Yes he should. 

[Which of these would constitute a successful decade (choose as many as you like)?]

2 hours ago, Frobby said:

What will it take for you to consider the 2020’s a successful decade for the Orioles?    Take into account the current state of the team and the competitive environment in which they compete.

I’ve thrown out a variety of scenarios, and you don’t need to limit yourself to one choice.     Do we have to win a World Series for the decade to be successful?    If we do, does it matter what happens in the other years?    Is consistent contention more or less important than one ultimate chsmpionship?

If there are scenarios not included in the poll that you would consider a success, let us know about those, too.    

Option 2 for me.

[Oscar Colás - Time to Spend Some of That Int'l Money?]

2 hours ago, ArtVanDelay said:

I had never heard of him until now but I'm sold. No reason to not spend that money. 

I agree.

[MASN: Four Remaining Expensive Signings]

1 minute ago, weams said:

I think that the Orioles are looking to cut Payroll more. 

They may be. 

[Will the 20's be Roaring for the Orioles?]

36 minutes ago, Philip said:

I think that’s incorrect. Once the system is up and running, there won’t be any need for anymore tear downs. The Cardinals are ALWAYS good. Now that the Astros have their own system going they will always be good. No reason to think the Os will be any different.

I don’t think so. But we can hope. 

[Orioles sign Kohl Stewart, DFA Marcos Diplan, Diplan clears waivers, outrighted to AAA.]

5 hours ago, Philip said:

Any idea what the FO saw in him?

I don’t know squat at him. Hopefully he’ll be good for the team. If not then oh well. 

[Hess is copying the Means plan]

8 hours ago, scOtt said:

I love it when a plan comes together!

Sorry but I hated that show. 

[Winter Solstice!]

1 minute ago, Roll Tide said:

Yep ... but it will get colder before it gets warmer 

Sure does. 

[Happy Holidays!]

On 12/20/2019 at 8:51 AM, Going Underground said:

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through Oriole Park ,

Not a player was signing , not even a minor leaguer to take a shot in the dark,

The uniforms were hung by the warehouse with care,

In hopes that Adley Rutschman soon would be there,

The front office employees were nestled all snug in their beds;

While visions of many straight playoff appearances danced  in their heads;

And mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my Oriole cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long Oriole losing way nap,

When out on the field there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my seat to see what was the matter.

Away to the warehouse window I flew like a flash,

Hope it wasn't the Winter Warm Up that was not such a great bash,

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

But a few good players I have not seen in years,

With a influx of young talent so lively and quick,

I knew Elias finally turned the Orioles around ,he must be St. Nick.

More rapid they all arrived from the minors they came,

And Elias was ecstatic he had many great players now to play the game,

To the top of the standings to the top of the AL East,

Now the Orioles were a formidable AL Beast,

As balls that were blasted ,they would fly,

No obstacle for these Orioles to ask why,

So up to the top the Orioles they flew,

With the slew full of  fine players, and some great pitchers too,

And then, in a instant I saw the analytic proof,

The Orioles were in the World Series and it wasn't a goof,

As I saw a great team that was turning around,

Another Oriole season that they were playoff bound,

Saw all the Oriole fans  dressed in Oriole gear, from their head to their feet,

This Oriole team, the one that cannot be beat,

Soon  I knew I had  nothing to dread,

For a #1 draft pick from which they were led,

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

We beat the dreaded Yankees in the playoffs,those jerks,

He sprang to the batters box , to his team he gave a whistle,

And away the ball  flew ,trajectory of a missile,

But I heard him exclaim as the ball went out of sight,

“Happy Orioles win the World Series,it is like Christmas and to all a good night!”

 

Happy Holidays to all and a Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all..

[Tigers sign Schoop to a 1-year $6.1M contract]

1 hour ago, MurphDogg said:

Thought it was interesting, a fellow tanking team spending actual money to make their team slightly more watchable. I guess this increases the O's chances for the 2021 #1 pick.

Can look at it as the Tigers attempting to buy a prospect, if Schoop has a good first half he will undoubtedly be traded at the deadline.

Good for him.

[Prospects under pressure to perform]

17 hours ago, Redskins Rick said:

i abhor strikes, and hope to hell, I never live through another.

The owners can be a stubborn lot, and the players can too.

Throw in clowns like Boras, then you have dysfunctional. IMO

The fans are the ones that truly lose in a strike,

 

That’s true. Billionaires and millionaires don’t lose in a strikes. Fans do.