Moose Milligan

I'm not saying everyone coming out of a bullpen these days has to have electric stuff, but Vespi isn't confidence inspiring at times.

I'll refrain.

Hilarious that Diaz got to the majors and decided to keep a number that screams "Spring Training invitee."

Okay Vespi, no need to make it interesting now.

Even if he doesn't develop power, he should surpass Joey Rickard's season walk record by the end of September if he keeps this up. Joey Rickard is a low bar to clear, but I think Vavra could get there relatively easily based off the professional plate appearances as noted.

Lol Diaz. Whatever.

It's so nice to see. It really makes guys like Hays and Mountcastle more...I hate to say it, but intolerable.

Adley up again, YES.

Mateo, holy ****. Don't need Lopez tonite!

I know it's typically a thing to look at the post ASB goals, but to me the second half of the season really starts after the trade deadline, especially now that it's a hard deadline. While the trade deadline doesn't split the season down the middle in terms of games played/games remaining, this marks the point of the season where the most changes to a roster are likely to occur aside from roster call-ups throughout the season, especially if you're a team like the Orioles. That said, what are you looking for in the final two months at the ML (not system-wide) level? As far as I'm concerned: Staying close to .500 as possible. Remains to be seen if the loss of Mancini and Lopez are significant enough to knock this team off the pace but as we go along here, I want to see if .500 is something they can attain for the rest of the season. At LEAST I'd like to see them win 70+ games. I think that's very realistic. Adley Rutschman's continued development. Continued development of Mateo and Urias. Is Mateo turning a corner? Bautista in the closer role Can Akin finish strong? Can Mountcastle have a respectable final two months or is he a guy we're going to look to trade soon? Are there any pieces to keep in this patchwork rotation? And before anyone says they want to see Henderson, Hall, Westburg or anyone else in the top 5-10 being called up, just don't. DO NOT. It's not happening. Elias isn't starting service clocks now. You know it. I know it.

But this is an Adley Rutschman thread.

I don’t get it either. He might be better than McKenna but this could also be a push. This doesn’t make us that much better or worse.

Ok why

Thanks, but I’m sure I’ll say something stupid soon.

Initial reaction isn't great, but we got 4 arms for a guy who we, IIRC, picked up off waivers and rehabilitated into a good (not amazing) closer. I think the role of a closer is a bit overrated and I don't think Lopez was an elite one. Also, it's not as if we don't have a guy (Bautista) who looks like he could step in and actually be elite. Lopez was looking amazing and he had a few hiccups right before the All-Star Break and he's blown a save after the break, too. I think we sold high on him. That said, for his sake I'd like to be wrong and I hope he has continued success in Minnesota because he seems like a good dude. As far as the return we got, like I said...4 arms for a guy that, 6 months ago, no one thought anything of. And all of a sudden people are acting like we traded prime Eckersley for spare parts. We have to see how Lopez does in his new digs and we have to see if any of the arms we got today turn into valuable pieces. This isn't one of those trades you can jump to conclusions on, despite the fact that that's exactly what sports message boards are for.

you guys think Elias is gonna start service clocks now? C’mon, I thought you were paying attention.

Saying he went to Harvard was the joke. Those Ivy League types get all upset when you confuse one school with another.

I will agree that the Lopez return isn't initially overwhelming. But we need to see how these guys pan out. I'm not getting my hopes up, but still.

I don't think Elias, TJ and Harvard educated, is doing trades just to do trades.

We got an arm (albeit an injured arm, but TJ surgery these days is a slight bump in the road) from the arm factory that is Tampa Bay. I'm happy about that.

Tip of the cap to Mike Elias for sticking to his plan and not letting pollyanna fans think that this is a year they should be going "all in" in an attempt to get a third wild card berth. Good to know we've got a GM who's not resting until his plan is complete. That's discipline and not chasing shiny objects. Any fans who are pissed off about this will most likely forget how they felt in early August 2022 in a year or so when there's a legit contender on the field. Mike, if you're reading, now trade Santander, too. Keep it going.

Harvey is so terrible though. Lyle’s has actually been a surprise. I know Elias doesn’t think this team can clinch a wild card but it’s still quite a drop off between the two.

Rangers jerseys are cool. 70s vibe. And the 70s patch on the sleeve, the baseball with the cowboy hat, one of my all time favorites.

Lower now.