clapdiddy

I think the thing that disappoints me more than anything else is the lack of production from Santander, Hayes, and others who we thought could contribute this year. It's very discouraging that we are going into September with nothing (outside of Mullins, Means, Mountcastle, and maybe a couple of relievers) that truly look like they could be long-term assets. Combine this with having no one outside of Rutschman and Rodriguez as "top-notch" prospects, I just don't see this team competing in 1 or 2 years. I'd like to think we could do some things like sign or trade for some players that might get the team to 70 - 75 wins next year. I do like the idea of getting a couple of vets for the rotation...even overpaying if necessary. Even that, however, seems far-fetched. I don't know what the answers are. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that Elias and company know them, either.

Way to go, weams! Could not think of a better guy to be the first OH HOFer.

Reading this article makes me long for the ritual Spring Training articles with the infamous "I like the way the ball comes out of his hand" type quotes. Ready to see some baseball!

Tampa knows when to hold 'em and knows when to fold 'em. I mean this with the utmost respect.

I understand the Mom's frustration, but get a life. I realize this was something her son really wanted, but it sounds like Boddicker was doing a nice thing by taking the time to talk to another fan. I don't know Mike Boddicker myself, so I don't know if he's a jerk or not. To me, this guy's mother was the "bad guy" in this incident. And like others...I don't get the whole thing about autographs. At least, not to this extent.

He'd have to be for us to sign him!

Yup...I was there for this one, too. Amazing game...the crowd reminded me of Memorial Stadium that night.

I think that ball Griffey hit is still orbiting the earth.

Starting pitching is a helluva drug!

I've been watching baseball for 35 years and the length of the game has never bothered me. If the length of the game is what bothers everyone else, maybe they shouldn't let the manager go to the mound and talk to the pitcher, then make the move. Or, they could prevent batters from stepping out to adjust their helmets, gloves, crotches or whatever else they need to do before each pitch. Maybe they should cut back on the between innings time. Or...get rid of the replay system.

Agree wholeheartedly with this post. If a team has the ability to carry a LOOGY on their roster, why should it matter how many batters he faces?

Nope...stick to the plan.

Good points from both of you. I was thinking that keeping all of the milb teams in MD could be good for attendance, but it makes sense to hold on to Norfolk.

Going back to the original topic...wouldn't it make more sense to move the AAA team to Bowie and let Norfolk go?

And there were a ton of recruits there tonight. Probably lose them all after this fiasco. I think Locksley is in WAY over his head. But, in fairness to him, PSU takes any recruit from the DMV that they want that doesn't go to Bama or Michigan. They are a far more talented team.

Bleier has been getting by on smoke and mirrors for his tenure here. I cringe every time that guy enters the game. That being said, he didn't try to show Flores up. If he said something, it wasn't "in your face" until Flores made an issue of it. Flores should have let it go and talked to him later instead of blowing up like that. I do agree with others that this has no bearing on Flores' ability as a coach.

I don't know if anyone saw it, but on the post-game, they actually showed highlights of Chris Davis ALMOST getting hits...talking about how "unlucky" he was. You know you are bad when the network your team owns shows clips of you almost getting hits.

The problem with this year's staff is that they pretty much all stink. End of story. I think a few guys have some talent to be decent pitchers, but they have command issues and the only person that can fix that is the pitcher.

I feel the same way about Blaine Knight...who we went over slot for last year.

Said it before, and I'll say it again. I would immediately like to see an outfield of Stewart, Hays, and Santander. I would release Chris Davis and make Mancini the permanent first basemen, with Nunez as the full-time DH. Like others have stated, I'd like to see the continued development of guys like Hall, Rodriguez, , etc. I definitely do NOT want to see this team tank the rest of the season. We will still be in the top 3 or 4 picks in the draft, and I'm OK with that. I actually like watching this team now. Also, a strong output by Givens, Bundy, Villar and Mancini could make them movable in the offseason.

Wilkerson and Sisco seem to be totally lost at the plate right now.

Wilkerson should not be playing center field. And Hess is awful.

These are great points. If the FO feels he's ready to contribute, he should be here. I think service time would be a bigger deal if he were 21 or 22.

He did make a nice running catch on a ball to his right. It was a well-hit line drive that looked like a hit off the bat. I think Wilkerson hit it.

I think he can be a productive outfielder. He strikes me as a 20 homer guy who will play decent defense. I see him as more of a 2 WAR type player...and there's nothing wrong with that.