[Orioles FO promotions]

I’d like to see Elias promoted to majority owner. 

[Which of our AAA prospects has the biggest impact on 2024?]

I went with Ortiz, because I attend many Tides games and he puts up one or two web gems every game and had an .885 OPS at AAA.  

[Infield alignment]

One of the upsides of the current playoff system for a team like the Orioles, with a ton of unproven ML talent, is that we can afford to take good long looks at prospects at the ML level.  If we don’t win the division, it’s not the end of the world. The wildcard appears to be just as likely a path to the World Series.
    That being said, I think we should start next season with an infield of Gunnar 3b, Ortiz SS, Westburg 2b, Mountcastle/O’Hearn 1b and either Mateo or Urias as a backup, depending on which wasn’t traded in the offseason.   Around the end of May, we should know if Ortiz is ready for the show, and either he sticks, or is dealt with. If Ortiz sticks, make Westburg UTI and deal whichever of Mateo/Urias was the backup and  bring up Holliday for a trial at second .  If Ortiz can’t cut it, move Gunnar to short, Westburg to third and bring up Holliday. 

[Adley, Hays, Mountcastle finalists for Gold Gloves]

I’m guessing the only reason Cedric didn’t get a nod was because of time lost. 

[Fastest Orioles of All Time]

On 10/13/2023 at 10:36 PM, WillyM said:

Though he won AL pennants in 1969, 70, and 71, Earl Weaver didn't win a Manager of the Year award until 1973, when he transformed the Orioles from a team that waited for the three-run homer to an aggressive base-running team, featuring eight players with stolen bases in double figures.

I was a little surprised when I looked it up and found that the guy who led that team in stolen bases was someone I remembered more as a big bopper - Don Baylor, who swiped 32.

Baylor had very good speed.  But I have to concede that he probably wasn't as fast as Mateo, who stole 32 this year despite not getting on base as often as Baylor did.

Baylor was my favorite player. Broke my heart when we traded him for Reggie. He didn’t have much of an OF arm due to an old football shoulder injury. Because of his great speed, they used to say he had a better chance running the ball in, than trying to throw the baserunner out. 

[If Elias told Holliday right now that he was in line to play 2B/backup CF?]

4 hours ago, DirtyBird said:

Or because the ROY has a spot on the left side of the infield, the #1 prospect in baseball is an infielder, and there is another prospect who is the best infield glove in the system.

That’s why by the All Star break, I hope to see Gunnar at 3b, Ortiz at SS, Holliday at 2b and Westburg as utility infielder. 

[If Elias told Holliday right now that he was in line to play 2B/backup CF?]

I don’t think he should be told anything directly. It should be understood, that if he has a very strong spring training, he has a good chance of starting the season at second base in Baltimore. Let an outfielder back up Mullins. 

[The four teams that won 99+ games are 1-8 in the postseason so far]

Would there be anything stopping the O’s and Tides from playing a scrimmage or two during the break?

[World Series Credibility Issue]

7 hours ago, vab said:

Honestly, if the Orioles win the World Series as a wild card you're going to feel like it's illegitimate? 

Not illegitimate, but not nearly as sweet. 

[Now that the bar has been raised, what’s your definition of a successful season in 2024?]

2. Win division again and 5. Win ALDS series. Anything less will be disappointing. Anything more will be gravy.   For 2025, win World Series or bust. 

[Game 3]

No walks on defense. 

[This can be done]

This season we’ve had one 8 game winning streak, two 7s, two 5s, five 4s and six 3 game winning streaks. No problem. 

[The 2023 attendance thread]

Now that Snyder is gone, the Redskins will once again be the darlings of DC and the Gnats will suffer. 

[My dilemma shows what a great job Elias has done]

I will have to DVR and watch our likely division clinching game on delay, because I’ll be attending our AAA affiliate (Norfolk Tides) in the International League Championship. 

[High up on the list of things that drive me crazy…]

33 minutes ago, Frobby said:

Leadoff walks are also on my short list of things that drive me crazy. 

Especially when we have a lead. 
 

While we’re listing peeves, striking out with less than two out and a man in scoring position.

[Who is the most underrated Oriole of all time?]

Joe Orsulak

[Connor Norby 2023]

On 9/7/2023 at 7:05 PM, scarey1999 said:

He was supposed to be playing LF at Norfolk once Holliday was promoted (Holliday and Ortiz would split time between SS and 2B), but Ortiz has been out with an oblique issue so Norby has stayed on the dirt. 

Norby has not played in at least the last three Tides games

[John Angelos continues to remind us how awful he is]

6 hours ago, drjohnnyfever1 said:

https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/baltimore-orioles/chris-davis-5397/cash-earnings/

Still shocking to me.  Has to be the dumbest contract ever...

Especially when you consider, we increased it when no one else was bidding. 

[9/3 Rubber game against the Dbacks.]

47 minutes ago, ExileAngelos said:

Not calling him out of the baseline is a complete outrage. Like needs to go before the commissioner can't happen again and worthy. 

+ if Gunnar didn’t have to go so wide to make the tag, he gets the runner at first. 

[Kevin Brown absence explained?]

Where is Kevin Brown now? Did I miss him mentioning that we once had a losing record or something?

[Robo-Umps Now!]

18 hours ago, Frobby said:

They are still tweaking the electronic strike zone down in AAA.  My guess is it’s still at least a year away. 
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/triple-a-strike-zone-pitch-clock-being-tweaked-for-stretch-run/

At Tides games the batter or pitcher can challenge a call. They then show an animated version on the big screen like Wimbledon and the call is either changed or kept. It takes no more than 10 seconds and if the call is overturned in the challenger’s favor, his team doesn’t lose a challenge. 
 

At one game, they only used the roboump and it was wonderful. You could see where every pitch was and there was nothing to challenge. 

[AL East Winner Vs WC]

34 minutes ago, dystopia said:

Should just do away with the 3rd WC. That was just a money-making gimmick.

Should do away with divisions altogether and have a balanced schedule. Then have top three teams advance to the postseason with #1 getting a first round bye. I realize this will never happen because $$$ trumps the quality of the product. 

[Can Mateo and Mullins combine for 100 steals.]

On 2/22/2023 at 7:39 PM, Big Al said:

I predict in the next five years, someone will steal 100 in a season.

And unless someone beats him to it, it will be Enrique Bradfield. 

[Orioles biggest problem]

14 hours ago, OriolesMagic83 said:

My opinion of JA is so low, I feel like Dan Snyder would be an upgrade.

Blasphemy 

[Kangaroo court]

This has gone off the rails.  The intention of the post was to get an idea of who might emerge as a clubhouse leader on this young team.  I merely used the Mateo example because it made me think of the kangaroo court of the Frank Robinson era.