LookinUp

Help me out. Who is he? I absolutely don't think they think Vavra is a MLer.

I think of him like Ryan Flaherty. A super util guy who plays everywhere. I'm not defending this. I just think Elias values it, particularly because he's a LHH. And I get that the price tag is high. Seems stupid for sure.

I'm not ruling out a corresponding trade (it was my thought too), but I think this move is meant to add a LHH who can play defense. A starter and/or a super util guy who can get Hays, Mountcastle and Urias/Westburg out of the lineup at our stadium. And I think Elias values that. And I think Vavra's arm is just too bad to be ML caliber. So I'm guessing he isn't happy about this move.

I take him at his word that he intends to get 2 SP. Maybe they're both through FA. Not sure. I do believe another is coming though and I really don't think it'll be Wacha. Or another possibility is they sign another cheap guy like Wacha and also make a trade.

I like that you went 31-50 and then 51-75. It's an interesting break point that I think starts to demonstrate the extent of our depth. IMO, the 31-50 is a pretty impressive group. Several of those guys at least have a chance to perform. Odds are a few will really develop and maybe become really good prospects or MLers. From 51-75, there's still some hope in there, but much less. So I feel like the O's system has essentially gone from a 10-20...ish player system years ago to a 40-50 player system now. I obviously have no clue who will and won't succeed, but there's potential in here.

I'm not so sure about that. I think his defense is well known, but there's still skepticism about the bat. Either way, he's a useful prospect. If the bat comes along, his value skyrockets. Not sure why we've all seemingly forgotten about the possibility of a trade.

Coby Mayo said on a podcast that Ortiz is definitely the best infielder in the system. I'm sure he was referring to defense. I just think it's noteworthy because I hear nothing but people gushing about this kid's glove.

Yeah. If I personally owned the O's, I'd definitely be considering alternatives to this FA market. That said, I want Eovaldi. Always loved him. And I feel like this public negotiation with the Yankees is crazy. First they leak they're going big to get others to exit the market. Then Rodon's team leaks it's not enough. Next another team will enter the fray and that will be leaked. Then the Yankees will probably cave and over pay again. One alternative is for Boston to sweep in and sign Rodon with no leaks.

If you can find a Rays fan forum, I'm sure there's hand-wringing about not getting more guys. Good luck finding one though. Their approach isn't exactly one that generates a lot of fan interest. And that's part of the problem.

This thread is all over the place, and mostly because we didn't sign Bassitt. Kinda funny if you think about it. As it relates to long term extensions for young talent, all I really have to say is I assume a new ownership group will be different than the current ownership group. Let's hope that happens very soon. Who knows, maybe the intra-family squabble made that happen sooner than otherwise expected.

What is whining about whining about whining? That's winning, my friends.

First was actually Baerga. Just saying.

It'll be really interesting (though not necessarily that important) to see who they start opening day if they don't sign a Bassitt/Rodon level guy.

Gibson's a lock more than Bradish or Kremer, IMO. If we add another high-level starter, that's a decent 5 for sure. Add 2 more and it's a luxury.

I definitely think it's an option, particularly if they're comfortable with their bullpen and don't have a burning need for another bench bat. But nothing's certain, that's for sure.

A lot of teams are going to a 6 man staff. Makes sense given Rodriguez's year last year too. Don't want to eat all of his innings early.

Good point. DeGrom, Verlander, Judge and maybe Rodon might need to fall before the next tier signs. Trades could happen while we wait though.

Due diligence is information gathering so you can put it with the rest of your information and come up with options/a game plan. Might be information that eliminates the option. Might be information that creates other options. We don't know. The need-to-know-right-now in this and other threads is...well I'm just not like that I guess.

From the O's perspective, it's due diligence. Possible it could turn into something, but due diligence nonetheless. From the Agent's perspective it another "competitor" to point to in negotiations. From Heyman's perspective it's clickbait.

No. He went there in person. When he threw, the radar gun just registered as ZOOM!!!!@?, so teams are impressed.

You're only playing Gunnar at SS if you're signing a 3B, right? Is your idea to sign Correa and move him to 3B right away?

The stats would strongly indicate otherwise, but it seems like they still like Maikol Hernandez. I wonder if that's just because of the obvious - his bonus - and they don't want to give up on him or if there's something they're seeing in BP or whatever that isn't translating yet.