LookinUp

I think it gives us the option to do it when the best opportunity arises, be it in the offseason or next deadline. Considerations...what is selling high, now or later? We want to sell when value is high. Also, are we able to sign pitching this offseason or as FA in general? If not, a trade sooner than later might be appropriate. Either way, we have assets that provide options.

Cowser is the future in our outfield. I'd imagine they can hold him back for an extra year of service time, but I could also imagine that they move on from 2 of our current OFer and make a spot for him on opening day. I suspect, based on this pace, that they intend to keep him in AAA until after he gets the extra year.

I predict today's the day for Gunnar.

Let me put it another way. Contreras would have to accept a contract, including years, where his primary role is as backup catcher and DH, and the O's would have to compensate him for that contract more than other teams will compensate him in $ and years to be a starting catcher.

This would be creative and not out of the question for a team with an otherwise low payroll. I just assume he’ll get paid too much for the Os.

You mean Odor isn’t the only one capable of hitting in the clutch?

And from the O's perspective, being likely to have a future owner themselves, would they want that extra liability on the books? We can't know that either.

They're really only trade chips because of the log jam.

Exactly. You can't evaluate a potential Trout trade without all of the variables: 1. Change of ownership, wishes of new ownership group, value of sale, etc. 2. Failing org top to bottom. 3. Expensive Contract 4. Declining value/health issues. Essentially, #1 will drive the future direction. They may go full rebuild or look to bring in better people, supplement Trout/Ohtani and try to win sooner. It's impossible to know what they'll do, but MLB Network did say that if they trade Trout now, they'd be doing it for pennies on the dollar. So take that for what it's worth.

Cowser is the best OF profile in the org, majors or minors, already. It's a matter of him not failing when he goes to AAA. If he is what we hope and what he looks like now, it's a matter of time until he's here. Assuming Santander/Vavra at DH, that still leaves 4 OF in Hays, Mullins and Stowers plus Cowser. That's a log jam. Ortiz is a plus defense guy at SS and 2B who has been hitting the snot out of the ball. Norby has been hitting the snot out of the ball. They're not quite the same offensive profile as Cowser, but they'll be ready in the first half of 2023. Gunnar is #1. Mateo looks to have become a plus all around SS. Westburg's numbers in AAA are similar to Gunnar's, and he plays a good 2B. Plus you have Urias and Vavra. Looks to me like a +2 person IF logjam and a +1 person OF logjam.

In the spirit of John Means, Jorge Lopez, Felix Bautista and Tyler Wells, I don't think it's a bad list. The question is not whether these guys are capable of taking up pitching spots 4-13, it's whether a few can fill spots 1-3 over time, or be useful chips in a trade for such a guy.

And do you protect him? I'd wager that depends on some mix of his current stuff and his injury risk.

Outside of Rodriguez and maybe Baumann, it's a list that still needs to mature. The rankings will change a lot over time. We need to hope that a couple of these guys take major steps forward so they can be a future #2/3. I do think we can be comfortable in knowing we have a lot of guys who can eventually be back end of the rotation types.

You could use this article to make some kind of semblance of a top 10 international list comprised of these guys, in some order. I'm sure some of these positions will change as they grow. 1. Basallo (C) 2. Hernandez (SS) 3. Bencosme (IF) 4. Estrada (2B) 5. Tavera (OF) 6. Arias (SS) 7. Deivy Cruz (P) 8. Juan De Los Santos (P, throws 100 and may start) 9. Anderson De Los Santos (SS) This list doesn't include guys acquired in trades, FWIW.

That's what Sports Guy is saying.

But then you have Ortiz, Prieto and Norby in AAA, and guys coming behind them. You could argue all 3 will be "ready" by mid 2023. You basically have one half season to figure out who will be on the ML team, and if there are several starters in the bunch, you then have to figure out who stays and who goes for other needs.

Yeah. The way is to DFA both Nevin and Odor and give 3B and 2B to Henderson and Westburg, with Urias and Vavra as depth.

The good news is that prospects aren’t ultimately going to be judged on their first couple of months in pro ball. They picked him for a reason. They paid him for a reason. Now it’s up to him and the player development staff to take the next steps. Hopefully we’re seeing the first signs of that now.

He's an interesting dude. His OPS in Norfolk (.827) is now higher than it was in Bowie this year (.817). He's .878 in August despite a bad start. He also has 18 ks and 16 walks in August. That is a significant development that we hope changes his profile a bit. It comes after a July where he had 26 ks to 5 walks, a June with 21/6, and a May with 30/11. In 2021 he was basically a 2/1 ratio of k/bb. He was promoted to Norfolk in early June, so that can't be blamed for the slump. Basically, he was terrible through July and early August but has otherwise been a stud. Oh, and he's still at 7 errors, which he was at on 8/7, so he's had a clean 2+ weeks in the field.

No tiebreaker games anymore, so that won't be the issue. Just if the season is lengthened for a rainout.

I said this in another thread, but I wouldn't be surprised if they waited at least another day or two just in case there are rainouts and make-up games that extend the regular season. I'm guessing he comes up Thursday or Friday, but would be happy if it's today.

They’re going to make him eligible for the playoffs. Book it.

Tony recently made a comment that Rom's changeup just hasn't gotten there. Seems like that change matters more as you move up levels and guys can handle low-mid 90s velo.

Seems like a Jeff Kent profile. He wasn't supposed to be a great prospect, but his bat carried him and his defense was solid enough. I don't think he'll be confused for Robbie Alomar, but being sure handed (if he is) helps.

And if there's a rainout or two? My guess is late this week, or even as last as next week.