Pickles

To the question at hand, I think first you have to ask yourself how much playing time each will get and how valuable you think they will be in that playing time. I think Mountcastle gets around 400 abs, regardless of the exact day he comes up. I'd like to see him put up a WAR. I think he'll hit ok- certainly not middle of the order guy right away- but I think he'll play enough outfield that his defense will bring his value down quite a bit. I think Hays is handed the CF job from the jump. I don't think he gets 700 abs or anything, because he's never shown that kind of ability to stay healthy. I think he can get as many bats as he stays healthy for, which I'd ballpark around 550. I'd like to see him put up 2 WAR. I would not be shocked if he significantly outperformed this. I would also not be shocked if he can't stay healthy and is middling. I was disappointed in what I saw of Stewart. I think they'll give him a chance this year and give him some PAs, especially early. Frankly, Mountcastle is going to take a lot of Stewart's abs when he does arrive. His playing time will fluctuate the most with how he is performing this year the most out of these guys. 300 abs and 1 WAR might even be ambitious. So, I think 1200 abs or so and 4 WAR or so, is a median guesstimate for their cumulative impact next year.

Well, maybe. I could see that happening. I wouldn't punt him for nothing over 2 mil in salary. That's just me. If they do that, well, more power to them.

Well, to be fair, my initial ask was far higher than the article you provided sets the #. I said 9.8; the article said 9.1, so you could take that down a bit. I think it is very reasonable to think he ends up below 9. I think it is likely he ends up below 8.8. I don't think the difference between 9.1 and 7.7 is going to be much of a determining factor for how the O's can allocate their resources.

I think the most likely outcome is they settle. He doesn't ask for 10. He asks for like 9.8. The O's offer 7.7. They settle at 8.6.

I would take the under.

What if you had already made 100 million? Would it be worth it then?

Plenty of people have a lot of respect for the game. And for themselves. Clearly, Davis has very little of either.

Of course he has a choice. Again, it's a simple one. Retire with over 100 million in career earnings. Or continue to embarrass himself and disprect the game, organization, and fans to get every last filthy penny. And I don't have to pretend to respect him for making the second choice.

Retire and live on the hundred+ million dollars he's already accumulated. Or embarrass himself and disrespect the game, the fans, and the organization in order to get every last filthy penny.

I get that. But he's already cashed over 100 million dollars of those checks. If he respected himself and the game, he could manage to forgo the rest.

I don't analyze the character of the players from afar. Just because somebody flips a bat after a homerun doesn't make them a bad guy for instance. But I'm at the point where Davis' behavior is indefensible imo. If he wants to really "step up" and respect himself, the game, and the organization, he'd retire immediately.

Shut up Chris. Just go away. Nobody wants to hear anymore from you.

Hopefully, he announces his retirement. I honestly don't understand why doesn't just retire and walk away. He's made over 100 million in his career. He's got deferred payments coming to him for over a decade from now. Honestly, think about it logically: Are you happier having to embarrass yourself in a very public waqy every day for many years to have 150 million OR to be able to retire in you early 30s, spend time with your young family, live fairly anonymously and have 100 million dollars? Seems like a no-brainer to me. He cannot be enjoying himself.

I'm all for it. I think the Player's Union might object.

Not over this.

How long could they suspend him for conduct detrimental?

I know the stats don't tell the whole story, certainly at that level, but the O's are well represented on the pitching side. In addition to their top 3 that you mentioned, they have another 5 or so guys in the top 50 of the league era-wise. That hitting side is the complete opposite. Sorted by OPS, besides De La Rosa, who is about 15th overall, the O's don't have another guy in the top 100 it looks to me. While there may be some environmental factors involved, I think it is safe to say the pitching for the O's in the DSL is more promising.

Not if he sticks at catcher. Which is an option. If the pick is a catcher. Not if he is a first baseman. Which was the point.

I wish I had more knowledge. From the video: the second I can't see much in the lower body, but obviously hell of a result. The first video definitely showed an inefficient load. A lose it or use it load. If he's improved upon that: great. That would help him keep his walk rate. However, I don't think it will improve his hit tool. Guys that hit .260 in the MiLs over 2000s ABs rarely hit for average or get on base at even an average rate in the MLs. I guess what I'm saying is, I think you must really believe in his power. To not only show up in ways it hasn't generally, but to also improve a poor hit tool. I'll cross the first bridge but I ain't charging up the hill after it. If I were to make it a bit of a pissing contest I'd rather take a chance on that kid from Oakland to learn to get under the ball a bit than this kid to learn to barrel it more. (Not that I think he's a better hitter, but a more valuable player as the true SS.) I say this with all humility. Truly. Tony's work here has always been great. I saw the other conversation about the 2011 ospect lists and there's no doubt: The OH was on Eduardo Rodriguez before anyone else. Same with Britton before him. What you've added in the last 18 months or whatever has been great too. So thanks for all you do and keep it up; keep some lights shining for us fans through what is going to be a rough period at the ML level.

Bit of a contrarian question for Luke. VanMeter has over 2000 MiL abs, mostly in hitter's leagues. He has a BA under .260. And even in his "breakout" AAA performance this year, he hit .253 with a .309 obp. What's to suggest that he isn't a very low .200 hitter in the MLs, without a lot of pop?

Sounds like Bedard. Minus the curve. That's not a bad prospect.