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What do either of those guys have to do with Tony? Basallo certainly wont be in the outfield in Baltimore any time soon, and unless I am mistaken Coby Mayo has pretty much played exclusively 3B and 1B more recently. Mayo is easily inserted onto this team with Urias spot. Basallo may be up at some point next year, maybe not. I dont think Elias would rush him as a 20 year old. So if you sign Tony to a 3 year deal and then you have Basallo as a C/1B/DH option in Sept of next year, but mostly starting in 2026 there is no roster crunch.

Well, yes. If it was either or. But I see no reason why we shouldnt be able to extend Adley and Gunnar to longer more "lifetime" deals and Tony to a shorter 3 year deal. I'm assuming the solution you envision is Cowser in LF, Mullins in CF and Kjerstad in RF? So its a question of Mullins vs Santander. I like Tony's switch hitting versatility- we would be in some trouble vs LHP with Cowser/Mullins/Kjerstad

Thats fair regarding Kjerstad's defense in LF. But I am willing to bet he will get better with time and experience. We have all of those guys on the roster right now, so there is no more or less roster crunch than now- thats just a Hyde decision on playing time and it seems he has shifted in that direction already. Also, theres an offseason of potential movement. I would keep the switch hitter who plays a solid, not spectacular, RF, is beloved in the locker room, and hits for a ton of power.

Kjerstad in LF Cowser in CF

Yes, and that "some team" should be the Baltimore Orioles.

Makes a lot of sense to option Povich until hes eligible to come back after the break, and if Kjerstad is going to sit these next two regardless then Concussion Protocol him and he wouldnt miss any extra time. I do agree that they would not call up Mayo, probably Stowers or Norby.

Probably mad that he threw Volpe off him like a rag doll on the steal attempt. A ridiculous take, but I would not put it past them.

There is not a chance in hell Adley is catching Sunday. Day game after a night game plus a lefty pitcher. That pattern has been McCann all season long.

You still have Westburg at 3B and Mateo/Norby/Holliday as options at 2B. Not sure I would call that no Plan B. We dont need to act like Urias is some sort of all star. If Mayo flops, the alternative I posted above would not be so much worse than Urias every day at 3B, and in fact it might be better.

I still think we should kick the tires on Berrios or Gausman. Guys we would have after this season that are proven, and yet shouldnt cost what Crochet or Skubal will.

Cowser, Mullins and Kjerstad all homer today and have multiple hits. So, who sits for Tony tomorrow? I guess going with all the lefties, and playing O'Hearn at 1B and Tony or Kjerstad at DH is an option as well. Good problems to have.

As the bluejays continue to fade, I cant help but think that they would be a trade fit if they decide to sell. Specifically Gausman and Berrios. Gausman is under contract for 2 seasons after this one, and Berrios has 4 years with an opt out after 2 years. So you would essentially have both of those guys for 2.5 years which would be a big boost for 2024, and the coming years with Burnes likely gone and Bradish out for 2025. They are both on hefty contracts (for Orioles standards) but with our payroll and new ownership group you would think that wouldnt be a huge problem. Not sure what the asking price would be for one of, or both, of those guys but worth looking into. I know its hard to look at trading within the division, especially what would potentially be a "blockbuster" type of deal but I just dont see a ton of options on the trade market right now outside of the White Sox, A's and Rockies and none of those teams can match what the bluejays have to offer.

Well then that helps us a lot!

I agree with you, he has been great as the platoon guy at 2B and offering versatility at SS and CF when needed. But He is playing every day now, not in a platoon role. Hopefully Holliday has earned his and the organizations confidence soon and we can get to a strong platoon 2B situation.

Why would you move Gunnar off SS? I didnt see any reason to do it last year after watching him play SS, and I sure dont see any reason to do it in the next few years after seeing him play exclusively SS this year. He will be 24/25 in the 2026 season, hardly at the age where he may have lost a step and need to shift to 3B. Its unfortunate for Holliday to be the one to have to adjust, but I would imagine SS is Gunnar's for the foreseeable future in Baltimore. He is a top 5 SS in baseball currently (Gunnar, Betts, Seager, Witt, Elly) and the argument could be made that he is top 1 or 2.

hows that xERA looking?

The Reds are starting 2 lefties this weekend. Not happening.

Yes- but KB comment was referring to a pitcher who came back in for the following inning after retiring one batter to end the previous inning. I think thats the difference. They can be pulled with less than 3 batter minimum between innings but if they come back out for the following inning they would still have to fulfill the 3 batter minimum.

Gunnar is fine is sounds like and is said to be on track to join the spring lineups next week.

I think I remember seeing this video from last offseason, but awesome regardless. It was a larger group camping or west coast trip with Gunnar, Adley, Vavra and Stowers if I remember correctly.

That wasnt a slight at Adley. I look at him in the same light. They are 1a and 1b to me. They are the face of the turnaround.

Gunnar is the heart and sole of this franchise at 22 and is "ours" I think this one has less to do with "value" and more to do with that. He is far too important to our team and direction.

Are those free agents better options solely based on not having to give up players in a trade? I dont see how any of those are better options otherwise, and even with giving up premium talent I'm not sure I see it.

I dont know that being good at SS just automatically translates to 3B. Not saying hes not better at 3B, but I just liked what I saw of him at SS. There is no guarantee that either Ortiz or Holiday will play a better SS in the big leagues either. Gunnar is on pace to be a free agent at 27 so not sure we'll have to worry about him in his 30's. Would love that, but I have no faith in Angelos to allow the kind of extension its going to take. But he's also about as athletic as you can be at 6'3 225. Hes not some lumbering big man.

It seems like a lot of people sleep on Gunnar's defense at SS. He is elite and should be locked in at SS until proven otherwise. He was amazing defensively when he took over the position full time.