Greg Pappas

It is. It's so odd that when I spoke with my brother last night about this, he reminded me that I did indeed watch all the Orioles games last year by using ExpressVPN ($12.95/mo) on MLB.TV's website. Bad memory moment: for some reason when I posted earlier yesterday, I was focused on remembering that I initially couldn't.

Yes. I lived in Frederick the past three years until moving back to Harford County in August. Again, must have misunderstood. My brother suggested I use a VPN. Might be a good idea.

I was curious about this, as I was unable to see many games as part of the MLB.tv package last year. If I could watch every game, I'd do it. Maybe I missed something?

First, thank you for making me realize I had typed over the very important part of the OP that specifies this would only be intended for struggling guys, either at the big league level or even in the minors. Maybe not even struggling per se, but perhaps some guys that just feel something new would raise their game to a new level. So, I was confused at first when you mentioned a 7/175 pitcher. I've updated the OP. Again, thank you for getting me to fix it.

Yes, the odds of a pitcher being able to throw a specific new pitch nearly as well as the best guys, is remote. The thought is trying to present something new to them, or at least taught in a different way.

Again, I understand the major changes that have taken place in coaching, analytics, and the use of video and other technologies, and they've been super effective. We agree on that. It's your dismissal of hands on teaching from the type of guys I mentioned that I disagree with. No need to continue the back and forth. I honestly do, however, appreciate your thoughts on this. You make some good points.

I do like the current technologies that are really helping guys to be better. Yet, to just outright dismiss a personal touch, and hands on learning of high quality conveyed experience, as problematic, seems way off-base.

How can you know what the older guys know? That seems presumptive. Maybe you're right, I don't know, but you say it as if it is a truth, rather than speculation. Maybe both things can be helpful to getting the desired results. It shouldn't have to be an either/or. Again, just a concept that seems worthwhile to explore. I could be wrong.

I appreciate this, though I suspect there are real differences between watching videos of current major leaguers and learning first hand from the best guys how to throw a particular pitch. It just seems like such a good idea, in general. I'd LOVE to chat with Elias about such things to hear what he thinks.

That's certainly possible, but I'd think we'd have read about something like this throughout the years.

I've brought this topic up once before, but after doing a search could not locate it. I think it would be interesting to explore creating an off-season teaching environment where struggling/stalled pitchers that could use a new grip or pitch to improve their odds of success, from big leaguers to minor leaguers making their way up, could get help from outstanding retired veterans or pitching coaches. These are just examples, but imagine learning a knuckle ball from Tim Wakefield, or a knuckle-curve from Mike Mussina, or a curveball from Gregg Olson, or a slider from John Smoltz, or a changeup from Tom Glavine/Trevor Hoffman. Naturally we'd have to pay these type of guys to teach, but learning that new pitch can be potentially career altering. More often than not it won't work, but you're not creating this for the failures, but for the ones that become better. That makes it all worth it. I don't know who to mention regarding grips, but maybe some guys are known as great teachers of a specific grip. Bring them in if you're able. And, BTW, this is not meant to discount what our pitching coaches do, but to potentially have even more refined experts available. Having this as an official thing we do every Winter may intrigue certain guys to give it a try, that otherwise would not look much into it. I know all pitchers work on improving their crafts and specifically their weaknesses to try to stick, and I do hear on occasion that Pitcher X is working on a new pitch or grip, but the latter is not as often as I'd suspect. Naturally there are cases where a pitcher's stuff is not the issue, but rather control (capable of throwing strikes when wanted) and/or command (placing the ball more precisely where you want). In those cases a new grip or pitch may not be a solution. Yet if I had average or better stuff ( FB, CH, CB, SL, etc...) and could throw strikes with decent command, but was just not getting to that goal of being an established, quality big leaguer, then something new may be what the doctor ordered. We've seen successes before, but most often that pitcher cannot quite make it work. But, again, we would only need a success or two to really make this work. Do you like the concept? What are your thoughts?

Dillon Tate (29.9 on OD) seems like he should be 35+, as it feels like he's been here forever. Yet, he's younger than Cano (30.1).

I was going to add Irvin as a lock, but decided to see if others felt the same. If Tate is healthy and looks good, he probably makes it as well. I did mention in another thread that I felt Heasley would make it, but unless he looks phenomenal this Spring (new pitch or new... something LOL), I think he'll head to Norfolk.

Posters assume the following: The staff begins the year as Burnes, Bradish, GRod, *Means, and Kremer The pen begins with five locks, in Kimbrel, *Coulombe, Cano, *Perez, and Wells No other pitchers are acquired before the start of the season. Predict the other three bullpen pieces (multiple choice) that will begin the season in Baltimore. Lefties are noted with an * asterisk.

Ahhhh thank you for that. I understand now. So a 5.0 WAR Rutschman would be slightly more valuable than Gunnar at 4.8. While WAR doesn't account for everything, it's still a solid at-a-glance way of measuring players in comparison to one another.

IF Holliday does indeed make the team, where in the lineup would you speculate he'd get most of his AB's? Would batting lead-off be too much, too soon? Would you ease him into this by batting him in the bottom third of the order? I think it's a matter of time before he finds his way to batting lead off.

https://www.mlb.com/news/mike-elias-on-jackson-holliday-orioles-spring-training Elias discussing Holliday this Spring, “I see Jackson being able to bounce back and forth between second and short, depending on the day’s alignment,” Elias said. “I think you’re going to see him at second base a lot during Spring Training, and I know [manager] Brandon Hyde is going to try to put the kid in a position to make the team and give him a real shot for that.” Based on his words, Tony's scouting report, and Gunnar's outstanding play at SS, I imagine Elias sees Holliday as a better option at 2B, and capable of playing short as needed. Again, just speculation on my part, as it's very early in Holliday's career and he may yet become a strong defender at SS, giving Hyde even more flexibility. With Holliday and many other intriguing things to see unfold, it'll be a very exciting Spring.

On today's episode of As the O's Turn, we'll take a look at Jackson Holliday. With varying opinions on his abilities at SS, we'll be intently watching to see how he looks there. With another off-season of physical maturity, could he have improved his range and arm strength to be a strong option at SS, or will he be pegged for now as our future 2B? Check back tomorrow for another episode of As the O's Turn! Good topic, btw.

Hit a paltry .670 OPS over six minor league seasons. Only 23, seems like a depth addition.

I like Heasley's upside and have him making the pen on OD. Could be a Cano surprise or wash out, but something in between is likeliest. I'd be happy with him just being solid.

Just a general question... can be replied to in regards to this season and/or in the years to come.

What are your expectations for our payroll, whether this season or in the years to come? The current MLB payroll list courtesy of Spotrac. 1 New York Yankees $304,691,666 2 New York Mets $295,351,859 3 Houston Astros $253,473,141 4 Philadelphia Phillies $238,812,617 5 Atlanta Braves $232,575,000 6 Texas Rangers $225,590,000 7 Los Angeles Dodgers $214,131,666 8 Toronto Blue Jays $212,191,784 9 Chicago Cubs $204,920,000 10 Boston Red Sox $180,023,181 11 St. Louis Cardinals $175,011,667 12 Los Angeles Angels $173,858,094 LEAGUE AVERAGE = $160,343,266 13 San Diego Padres $156,815,453 14 Arizona Diamondbacks $147,751,716 15 Colorado Rockies $147,555,000 16 San Francisco Giants $144,343,333 17 Seattle Mariners $143,408,333 18 Chicago White Sox $141,333,333 19 Minnesota Twins $128,471,190 20 Kansas City Royals $121,654,570 21 Detroit Tigers $113,603,333 22 Washington Nationals $110,191,429 23 Milwaukee Brewers $106,694,960 24 Cleveland Guardians $102,913,928 25 Cincinnati Reds $100,868,333 26 Baltimore Orioles $100,598,668

Moose you romantic fool...

With him under contract through the end of 2025, I see no current reason to extend him. We'll be better served waiting to see how things develop with Cowser, Kjerstad and others.