Ruzious

I think Wells is our closer for the next several years, but I see your point.

Yeah, and I think everyone knows that all things being equal, the O's are going to have to pay a bit of a premium to get quality free agents. And while that's obviously not a good thing, it's also not something that should make us throw our hands in the air and just whine about not being able to compete. Make a few moves showing we're committed to winning, and all of a sudden, we're not a terrible destination for free agents.

No matter who the player is, his last year is the best indicator of what he'll do in the future - unless there's an injury or some other reasonable cause for the dropoff. And I even said the current year doesn't completely erase what he's done before. I think if someone gives Davies a multi-year deal at 10 plus mil a year, they will regret it. Do you disagree?

Lol, ok.

Agree to disagree. I don't think there's any comparison between the 2. There's just too much going against Davies, imo. This year doesn't completely erase what he's done in the past, but it is the best indication of what he'll do going forward. His peripherals are really bad - there's just no reason to believe he'll do better playing the brutal schedule Baltimore plays in the stadium Baltimore plays in.

I'm hesitant to give up Bauman. Could we take him out and put in Brnovich?

Hayes, Henderson, and Scott for Skubal? Yes. I think Skubal would be a great get for Baltimore - exactly the type of player we need. But not for Gallen. He's an interesting target, but he's little older and hasn't thrown a lot of innings these last 3 years.

You're probably right about the money he'll get, but I would rate him a journeyman at this point in his career. If the O's signed him, I'd expect further decline pitching in the AL East - especially with half his games in Baltimore. I'd much rather sign 1 EdRod than 2 Davies'.

We'll find a way or make one. Err or our motto be.

That's fair - as long as dumpster-diving like that is only used after exploring better options.

Can't they just waive money at the problem to make it go away? Maybe mulch up a whole bunch of bills and sprinkle them into the field. Voila.

Zach Davies - also a 28/29 year old ex-O? I would not target him. He's having a bad year, and I don't see a reason that he'll bounce back.

Wait what? He's only played for the Red Sox. Are you and Philip thinking of someone else?

He's gotten hit a lot this year but it's been the BABIP - easily the highest of his career, and he's had the highest SO rate of his career and tied for the lowest walk rate of his career. This makes up for his poor ERA and ERA+. He's no TOR, but he's a solid #3 starter. I think folks are over-estimating what he's gonna get in free agency.

What about trading Hays for Skubal or Gallen? We could buy a free agent (like Soler, Pederson, or Rosario) to replace him until guys like Stowers, Colson, and Kjerstad are ready.

It's in the book of unwritten baseball rules that you are required to keep your long-time fan favorite CFers and SS's at those positions for 2 years after they're no longer adequate at them.

Yeah, that was way off the plate. Not sure how an ump screws up like that on a big call.

Hey, I listen to you... most of the time.

Definitely Trey. I'm pretty sure he couldn't even see the 3rd base coach until he was halfway to 3rd. Mountcastle really improving that OBP. I think he's answered all the critics about his selection.

It's certainly not the first time he's done that this year - getting thrown at by a mile at 3B with play right in front of him. Give him credit for the big hit, but then he inexplicably runs us out of a chance to go ahead.

Brad Hand's name really match up to the movie - not just Ray Walston's Mr. Hand character, but Judge Reinhold's character was Brad Hamilton. Duuuude.

And Werth wasn't even particularly good his 1st 2 years with Washington, but in his first year, they improved from 69 wins to 80, and then 98. I believe that putting their money where their mouth is and just the act of showing that they really cared made a difference. Of course, it didn't hurt to have young Mssrs Strasburg and Harper.

When the Nationals "over-paid" to get Jayson Werth, a lot of people thought it was particularly beneficial because it established credibility that the organization was committed to improving their product, and the fans bought into that and started to get excited about the team. Would doing the same with Bryant have a reasonable chance of having that same type of effect for the O's?

C'mon Cedric! - there's no 29/29 club.

Yeah, there's no getting around the fact that his ERA was 8.23 4 starts ago. The fact that he's lowered it to 6.90 isn't really impressive by itself - but the fact that he's done it against all good teams gives him a chance. How he finishes the season will be the proof in the pudding.