Pickles

You can cut up people's numbers to make them look better or worse than they actually are, but that's not really good analysis. He basically had a horrific July last year. His Aug/Sept OPS was basically 775, which was actually higher than his OPS on the season. Nobody can deny he had a terrible start to this season as well, but you're talking less than 50 ABs and the likelihood that he was probably playing hurt.

I'm not sold on that right now. I think Cowser has superior traits- he's faster at least. But Hays' arm is a real weapon, and while he has a strong arm, Cowser is not nearly as quick or accurate delivering the ball as Hays. Same with range. Yes, Cowser is faster but Hays takes more direct routes. Cowser is certainly a lot better than he was last year, and if he continues to improve he should eventually surpass Hays, but I'm not sure he's there yet.

I think Hays will see more CF time than Cowser.

Sure. Anything's possible. However, it's extremely unlikely that Hays has reverted from essentially an average regular to a 5th OF in his age 28 season. And discussing that possibility is a world away from the laughable claim that McKenna is better than Hays.

I don't really disagree with any of this. I am probably more confident than you are though that give Hays 100-200 at-bats and he's going to perform pretty close to how he has the last 3 years or so, which is far beyond anything McKenna could dream of. But I don't have a problem with McKenna as a 5th outfielder, playing very sparingly, as I would like HK to get more consistent playing time in AAA.

I know you hate it when people put words in other people's mouths. I know that's a pet peeve of yours. Glad you're not a giant hypocrite or anything, desperately flailing, ever more and more desperate, to defend a terrible take.

Cherry picking stats to make your argument is not as convincing as you think it is. Again, no person with the most elementary understanding of baseball, would give at-bats to McKenna over Hays. I'm starting to realize the problem.

Uh, yes he is. And any argument to the contrary is a stupid one not based in reality.

That sucks, Frobby. At least you threw your phone away. That's annoying, but it beats some dirtball stealing it and making money on it. Or worse with your data.

Bro, I asked a question. Hays is way better than McKenna. Don't have an aneurysm.

Yeah, it's my fault I asked a simple question and you immediately, ironically, accused me of "jumping to conclusions" and go nuclear on me.

How well Hays plays will determine his role. I expect him to play a lot better than before he got hurt. But there's no good argument to be made that McKenna is a better option.

Wow, a simple question was enough to get your panties in a wad, wasn't it? Let me posit instead that a simple question was enough to reveal how stupid what you said was, and instead of just copping to it, you decided to feign outrage, and then double down on the moronic take. Way to go. You're a superstar. Anybody who wants to see McKenna play over Hays is actively wanting the Orioles to be a worse team. So yeah, it's a stupid take.

You'd rather watch McKenna?

Branch Dickey is classic. Well struck.

To turn bp pieces into an everyday player.

Giving up a potential everyday player, who projects to have 30+ hr power, for volatile relievers sure isn't a value play.

That's what I would think as well. It is the LHH for the RHH though and McKenna is obviously the least valuable player, but that makes the most sense. Hays starts against all LHP, and depending on how he hits, a certain number of RHP, and McKenna is 5th OF/defensive replacement for Santander.

I agree with this. I don't think they'll suddenly "change" strategies, but I expect them to alter their strategies from series to series.

Who goes for him? McKenna's comported himself well. He might well get claimed.

This.

dAtA A small sample size of save percentage. That is one data point. Who is the better option then? Use the data.

Did he pitch his worst ball last season because it was in the 9th, or did he just happen to be pitching his worst ball at that point in the season? I'm going to need a bigger sample size. He sure just looked fine in the 9th right there, in a much more difficult save situation than is typical. He's leading the league in ground ball %. He strikes out plenty of guys in conjunction with that. I seem to recall a guy named Brittong was a great closer without top end "swing and miss."

There's not a perfect answer, but avoid back to backs seems to make the most sense.