Moose Milligan

We're going down this road again because it's a Thursday and we don't have anything better to do.... You bring up some decent points but it's more important for an organizational standpoint to get a guy like Westburg playing time instead of someone like Frazier. And that's why it's a horrible signing because the decision making behind it and the reasons to justify it are horrible, e.g., he stands in the left handed batters box, he can play multiple positions when we have players who can play those positions better. Odds are against him for having a career year. And even if he does, he's only here for a year. So what would that do for the long term outlook of this team? It's not just the fact that he blocks Westburg/Ortiz for a year or a better part of a year, it's that the move just doesn't provide an answer for the long term outlook of this team.

Nah, we have one of these every year or so. I would say the thing that sets the Frazier deal apart is that the intensity and the animosity is aimed at a subpar player in a way that's not been matched before. Well, maybe that's not true, it was aimed at Odor all last summer, with an eye on the horizon to the end of the season knowing that he wouldn't be brought back and we could celebrate that. The Chris Davis saga. It wouldn't be the OH if there weren't someone or something that a lot of us were up in arms about at any given time. Each team has a particular whipping boy, unfortunately for Frazier he's the one for 2023. This is a big part of it for me, but not always for this reason. The 8 million sucks but it's 8 million that could have been earmarked for a better pitcher than Gibson. And so for me, these two deals are linked. Gibson might be a modest upgrade over Lyles but that doesn't address that we needed a better pitcher, at legit #1 or #2. They should have taken that 18 million and made a bigger move on a starting pitcher, of course it'd have to been for more than one year though. Or just signed Gibson and not spent 8 million. This sums it up well, although I think the McCann move, while not noteworthy was pretty solid. As solid as a backup catcher move can be. And yes, there's not much else to talk about.

Oh no! #3?!?!?!? Why does Keith Law hate the Orioles!??!?!?!

Gray Fenter in the news. Probably wins 12 games this year, in the ROY running.

Even FSU Mollz gets it.

I agree with pretty much all you wrote but a slight quibble here. We can talk about Povich, Bradish...he did bring those guys in via trade. Signed guys like Cionel Perez and Felix Bautista off a scrap heap. I agree they might not fall under "top tier outside talent" (some of those guys are more top tier than others) but he has augmented a good core. Now he's not augmented it (I know this is what you were talking about) with a really good FA signing or a big trade.

Pickles is thrown out of Jeopardy for honing in on SG's Daily Double.

....the answer is THE DAILY DOUBLE. Sports Guy, you can wager all of your money or some of your money. The answer is: I played at a High Level in the National League for 5 seasons before cratering and coming to Baltimore on a 1 year, 4 million dollar deal. I lasted 44 games before being DFA'd. Who am I?

From a defensive perspective, he's good enough. I think your outcome is very likely. I'd like to hold onto him as a utility guy. If we're going to trot out terrible Sunday lineups, I'd prefer to have a good defender out there and someone who can swipe a base, too.

Then you've still got a very cheap player in the 90th percentile for speed. I don't see what the complaint is.

The LH and playoff experience aspects are ridiculous. If he wanted a LH bat, fine, he should have got someone who's an actual threat from the left side. And who cares about his playoff experience? I agree that we'll see Westburg/Ortiz on the roster at some point this season but the hurdles for either one (or both) to have to get there are a bit absurd. Elias has worked hard to accumulate these prospects, it's an impressive amount of talent. IIRC, someone said that there are 11 different players that have been named to various Top 100 lists. Time to let these guys play. Frazier is, like, a 2007 Orioles move.

Yeah, it's puzzling to say the least. I'm assuming Elias thinks there's something that Westburg needs to work on and it could take the better part of a season before he's fully ready. What that is? Who knows. I'm not blindly trusting Elias here, mind you. I like him and I think he's done a great job overall but blocking Westburg at 2B (and, really, the entire 2B position from anyone else) for a whole season is a weird move to say the least.

Pitch clock will be interesting, as will be limiting the amount of times a pitcher can throw to first. I'm under no illusion that limiting pitchers throws to first is what will solve the length of game problem but I'm looking forward to more stolen base attempts.

In regards to Law and Cowser, I believe someone posted it the other day but here's why:

https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/9933/how-do-baseball-players-age-investigating-the-age-27-theory/ Around 29. As usual, @Frobbyis correct though. It's best to look at a player individually. In regards to Mateo, someone who looks to be in really good shape and has top end speed, I highly doubt that his skill set and abilities will crater between September of 2022 and April of 2023. But you never know.

I don't know if the younger generation can be appealed to by throwing random games up on Peacock and hoping for the best. It starts before that. MLB needs to do a better job of getting kids involved with the game at a young age before they can find something else that's faster pace like soccer or basketball or lacrosse. If they're trying to target kids that are 10+, it's probably too late.

IMO, that's kind of ****ty. I get having an exclusive autograph contract with Fanatics and Topps and all that, that's fine. And with the Caravan thing, too, whatever. It's not as if people are getting screwed on getting an Adley autograph, they're still getting one, just not on whatever they want. I get why some are upset, but they're still getting an Adley autograph that they can keep nice for themselves or go try to make some cash with it on Ebay. Whatever. I hope Connolly is correct that Adley will keep signing before the games, that's important. I don't really want/need his autograph but kids do and keeping them engaged with the team and baseball in general is something that Fanatics and Topps shouldn't get in the way of.

This ain't Diamondbacks Hangout homie.

Povich at 54 is strong. I like him, I'm not sure if I like him that much but regardless this is good to see. Twins trade was totally worth it.

So then we agree that the Bill James info you provided from ‘82 is out of date.

Agree or disagree that training and conditioning and science for athletes has come a long way since 1982?

Keeping tabs on other posters age to that degree is ****ing weird.

That one. Their 2nd tier (and above) programming package.

Younger folk who's ditched traditional cable right here. I get MASN because I made sure that the streaming service I selected to get basic channels had MASN. And I have Netflix, HBO Max, and Prime and Apple TV. I don't know if I have Peacock in all of that mess and it's going to be obnoxious to figure out to what lengths I'll have to go to watch my stupid baseball team. Am I going to have to download an app or something and agree to their $7.99 per month bill if I don't cancel it within the next 5 days, their hopes for monthly recurring revenue riding on people being too lazy and/or stupid to remember to cancel? Probably. Will I? Probably. Is it annoying? Definitely. And for people who aren't afraid of technology like myself, it's not too much of a bother to do it. Forgetting 8 bucks a month or whatever it is, is a light Indian burn on a forearm, not an all out titty twister that would leave you grapsing your chest and wondering what the **** you did to deserve it. But for luddites like my parents? I can't wait to get the inevitable phonecall where they're wondering where the Orioles are, how come they're not on MASN and "WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE TO DOWNLOAD THE APP?" That's just a delight. Anyway, two big middle fingers and a Roseanne Barr National Anthem crotch grab to MLB for continuing to be idiots. I'm sure whoever stumbles across an Orioles/Cubs game on Peacock will be absolutely riveted and become a baseball fan for life because of your genius marketing.

4, 1, 3 2.