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Sure, with the way Givens has been pitching lately, and especially since Cashner is not a reliever.

I'd expect another international player, but one who is a bit more accomplished than the two Cashner brought back. Elias really wants to improve the level of international talent. That may be the best way to show Dominican families that the O's intend to be players for top talent next year and beyond.

And how important relievers are vs. back of the rotation starters (Cashner).

Givens may be more valuable than Cashner.

First, Jones turns down a deal to the Phillies in 2018, then Cashner in 2019? Gonna give Andy and Matt a complex.

That could also be true.

He'd have to average 7.2 innings in each of his last 12 starts for it to vest. Unlikely.

I thought it was just something he said for the hometown fans.

If he retires, we don't have to pay him, and they could probably fight him on the bonus money.

Apparently, the Phillies were the only other team in on him. I guess Elias thought the Red Sox offer was better.

Did you see the return Cashner brought from the Red Sox?

Just keep elevating the talent at every level and some will rise to the top.

Mancini + Cashner + cash to the Indians could bring back a nice prospect. The Indians are in the 2nd WC spot and only 1.5 games behind the Rays for the top spot. They've been playing a lot better, pulling within 6.5 games of the Twins, but could use a starting pitcher and right-handed hitter. They don't have any money, so they would need the O's to pay most of Cashner's salary. They have some well-regarded middle infielders at the lower levels of their farm system. Could be a fit.

Silver lining: I only had to watch about 20 pitches of this one to see where it was headed and change the channel.

I thought I'd be able to retire by now.

What else did anyone expect him to say? Which GM would have said something like, "We'll give him a few more months and then reevaluate his place on the roster?" GM's try to put everything in the most positive light possible. They also try to never badmouth a player. He said exactly what I figured he would. It sounded very much like some of his previous comments about Davis. I wouldn't read anything into these remarks.

I figured, but it could have gone either way.

I was referring to bringing him up to Aberdeen, not Baltimore.

I'm guessing they wanted to start him in a non-competitive environment so he wouldn't feel pressure to produce positive outcomes right away. Let him get his feet wet and then move him to a team that is competing for something.

Good point.

Not a football fan.

Is there another Adam Jones?

Seems like a pastels kinda guy to me.