Oriol3s

I also think that once rosters expand, we'll see less Davis and more Mancini at 1B while the try out some younger outfielders. I'm 100% positive that they will expect him to be better in 2019 (because how could he be worse), and won't cut him unless he actually is worse than this year.

Honestly, Diaz is a HUGE prospect to get back for 2.5 months of Machado. A Top-100 guy who might be Top-50 this offseason. That's a better value than a comp pick next year, plus there are 4 other guys who might contribute in 2-4 years. Not amazing, but way better than letting Manny walk at the end of the year.

I don't think they DFA him with 4 more years left. In a very unlikely scenario, maybe they can convince him to walk away.

In the "How Low Can He Go" thread, I predicted his OPS couldn't fall below .450 He's at .454 right now. Another 0-fer game and he's below that mark. So lost at the plate. So unable or unwilling to make adjustments. So sad.

Absolutely agree. It's a TON of money, and Davis can't simply walk away. He's just been so bad, I wonder if he would ever consider a small discount to walk away but still keep a lot of the guaranteed money. Tonight's game (it's just 1 game, right?) shows that the problem is not just Davis. The whole team gets shut down and somehow doesn't hit for power anymore. Craig Gentry(!) had 3 of the team's 5 hits, and the only one for extra bases. Playing Davis probably doesn't make this team much worse than whoever replaces him (Rickard via Mancini move to 1B). At least they only struck out 3 times ?

You're right, but Davis is on a truly historic trajectory this season, and without a MAJOR adjustment that he may not be capable of making, he won't get any better in the next 5 years. This situation is becoming something no team has EVER had to deal with - the money and years left combined with such low (very negative WAR) production. Something will have to give, and I no longer know if it will be the Orioles granting a release or a negotiated buyout to save the team money and a roster space, and to save Davis some sense of self-respect.

[Narrator]: It was not the low.

I had this exact thought. Can MLB quickly allow for a "designated" fielder, but the pitcher bats in his spot?

If Davis continues to "hit" at this rate (no indication he won't), and if he continues to be a starter, then yes, it will be the worst ever. According to this article, -3.9 WAR was the worst for a regular position player: https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/all-time-single-season-team-the-worst-of-the-worst/

Batting Davis 4th is insane even if you're trying to end up with the #1 draft pick. Honestly, it's more like Buck is daring Angelos to fire him. Who knows, it may be defiance on his part because the FO isn't listening to him. Or he's blindly going on "tack records" that are no longer good. To answer the OP, it could get to .450. I can't fathom an ML hitter falling below that.

Alvarez doesn't play the field, which limits lineups. DFA Wright if you want to keep Alvarez for now. The short bench is also hurting team flexibility.

Call up Rickard now. DFA Alvarez. Or call up DJ Stewart if you want a lefty batter. He can't be worse, right?

Come on now, he'll swing and miss far more than 27 times a season.

I also feel like Buck was talking up Hunter publicly to give Hunter a boost. The kid's had a lot of setbacks, and Buck wants him to focus on the positives now and the future. I can't imagine he'll be with the club unless as a late season call-up, and even then, I'm sure his innings/pitch counts will be limited throughout the season to a degree.