Sanfran327

This is my #1 concern with (what I assume is our collective, objective impression of) our approach to building our roster. It's very difficult to make the jump from good to great unless you get a massive swell of homegrown talent bursting at the same time, which I think is what ME is banking on. It almost has to be. And I think we have the players to do it, as I think Holliday, Kjerstad, and others will have a big impact on our lineup next year, combined with continued growth from Rutschman and Henderson and a return to form from Mullins. While I'm a firm believer in a bird in the hand, ME has shown consistent elite draft prowess, and I would expect his 2nd rounder to be a good one, with potential to contribute to the ML team within 3-4 years. Unless we lock up our young stars soon, we'll always have to keep an eye on the future. I agree with you fundamentally, but I fear that payroll limitations will always keep ME's eyes down the road. It's going to be interesting to see if ME will have the cajones to trade ML stars for cheaper, younger talent ala "The Tampa Model". I think we're a few years from that yet, but if it's coming, it's going to be fairly soon.

Push for 100 wins again (would be satisfied with something like 96+; that's similar enough for me when considering the volatility of season-to-season results) and an ALCS appearance would be great. Can't really control the division thing, but 96+ wins will almost assuredly get us into the postseason, and making the final 4 would be a good development. I'd also like to see the emergence of 2 all star caliber bats anchoring the middle of the lineup, with one of them in the MVP conversation. We had a good, even-keel lineup this year, but it was silenced a little too frequently. Two studs in the top 4 would help keep the embers going, rather than having to endure periods where the flame is snuffed out entirely. I think physical and mental development of our young core will help this goal.

Mr. Splash is cheesy, but that section sells out every night. People love it. Great, fun idea. The City Connect bashing is so tired. We've come a long way since the botched "leaked" photos, and I actually really like them. Plus, the people of Baltimore seem to really like them, which is probably the most important thing. This organization needs a grassroots fan base again, and every little bit helps. Their social media is engaging as well, which is something that I think they've done a good job with for a long time. When you're laughably bad, you've gotta be able to laugh at yourself. They'll continue to build on all of this, but it's all trending in the right direction.

It's amazing to me how many sports organizations still don't get this. Any team that relies on revenue in the slightest to succeed needs to be doing whatever they can to attract and serve fans. Before Elias showed up, it was apparent that the O's didn't care about the fans, as the gameday fan experience had reached new lows for me. Now they are going above and beyond to connect with and grow the fan base, and that's what will eventually allow us to keep some of our new favorite players around.

I'm not sure Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould could have cooked up a crazier storyline of mixed threads than that day. Still unbelievable to me to this day.

I wasn't sure what thread to put this in, and it probably doesn't deserve it's own, but does everyone remember what anniversary it is today? Never mind - LOL. I didn't see SG's post.

FWIW, he's striking out nearly a batter an inning. Last night was a down night in that regard, but the Nats were flailing, and he let 'em.

Why would they do that if they can find a viable 5th option for the rotation? IMO, you don't make him a starter for 1/2 the season then go find someone else. If he gets any starts, it's as a spot starter IF he's stretched out enough to do that.

Those 4 are a lock for the rotation. Obviously. No chance Hall is in the rotation. I think they've established his role pretty clearly and they like him in it. Ideally, he fully develops into a secondary closer / LH 8th inning guy that's just nails and you don't every have to worry about him. He's got that ceiling. Wells is harder. Did this year prepare him to go deeper next year? I'm not so sure. He really only made it about 60% of the way through the season before he became ineffective, and I'm not sure that's enough to expect him to get through ~35 starts or whatever the normal workload is for a healthy SP. He could fill the same role I described for Hall. Or the two of them plus Cano could become the closer committee, assuming Bautista has a procedure this fall and misses 2024. I think we'll either sign or trade for a Kyle Gibson type of rotation arm (hopefully better), or maybe even keep Gibson around, and watch our 4 SP locks pitch like a bunch of 1s and 2s next year. I am very comfortable with our 2024 SP outlook.

LOL. Fine. Point stands. We'd still have 4 more bites at the apple of our own.

I agree, but I also think that there's a very strong chance that we start the Boston series with a magic number of 1. Not much suspense left there, IMO, with Toronto hosting the Rays for the final 4.

Sure. If we've already clinched, send him out whenever you want. Forgot about that - thanks. Unless of course we're still able to surpass the Braves. Does that do anything for us? Not sure I've seen a clear answer on that yet. Most people still think the WS winning league gets HFA, which hasn't been the case for a bit.

Side sessions will tell you whether or not the elbow is holding up, but nothing about how effective he is. I think we have to see him in a game this week, preferably two, and see if he's still able to slam the door. And I am not suggesting putting him out there T9 with a 1 run lead, just demonstrate that he can still set the side down in order, or in 4 batters or less like he'd done all season. It can and probably should happen with a +/- 5 run lead if we find ourselves in that situation, but I do think he has to see some live action before the post season.

But this is the fun anxiety, like Christmas Eve. I'm glad the guys are able to rest, but I am looking forward to seeing how this week unfolds.

Has to be the Astros. They've been there and know how to win deep into the post season. Seattle is good, but just as young and dumb as we are. Plus they're famous for choking. I wouldn't love to play the Rangers, but of the 3 teams out of the west, I'd choose to play them if I could. Wouldn't love playing Tampa, even as injured as they are. They can still pitch like crazy. Would love to bash the hell out of Toronto in the playoffs.

Like I said in that other thread, it ended up working out way better than my plan!

We need this off day so bad. Been begging for one. The team needs rest and they deserve it. But now there’s blood in the water, and I want to see our guys celebrating the division title so bad I can’t stand it. I’ll be climbing the walls tonight for sure Baby steps to 6:35 tomorrow…

It certainly wasn’t how I drew it up - it was better. Both starters going at least 7 and getting the W while giving the bullpen major rest heading into an off day. Can’t draw it up any better than that. Now we kick back and wait for the next champagne celly for the division title.

Logically, this is 100% true. But if we get a win/loss result today and the magic number drops to 4 with 7 to play, that’s a huge deal. Tampa isn’t going to win out.

With Tampa starting 2 hours before us, I think a little scoreboard watching is in order tonight. If they lose today, we have to do everything we can tonight to steal a win and then punt tomorrow.

That’s why I’m really not that worried. Nobody’s forgotten how to play. This team has not fallen off a cliff after 155 games. The bullpen had absolutely nothing to give last night, and we have two more days of this to get through. Honestly, my idea is more about doubling up the rest than anything. Ultimately, I think we win the division with or without my crazy idea, and then we get some thing like five days of rest before the ALDS begins.

Why can’t we? Talk me through it. I don’t care if we lose 30-3, just gut it out. Rutsch, Gunnar, Mullins, Urias, and O’Hearn need to take a seat for a day. The forfeit idea is good if that’s really an option. I’m also very close to DFAing Lopez and putting Fuji on the IL with a sneeze injury.

I don’t think there’s much more to it. I don’t think they’re choking, I don’t think they have the yips, and I don’t think they’re cursed. This is what happens when you have to play the final 23 of 162 in 24 days. If I’m Hyde, I’d consider manufacturing an off day. Tampa plays before us today, and if they lose, I’d manage tonight like a playoff game to try to get double credit on the magic number. Then I’d rest all of our frontline players and plan to have position players pitch 4+ innings on Sunday and just punt that one to get our guys “2 days of rest” with the off day on Monday. Then we get to start fresh at home for our final 6 against 2 bad teams and let the magic number dwindle. Perhaps a little unorthodox, but these guys are dragging in the field and the bullpen arms have absolutely nothing to give right now.

Honestly, I don't watch MiL stats, so thanks for sharing. You're right, I don't think he's going to be able to help us any more this season.

I agree with Roy. Personally, I'd rather see Wells than McKenna, but I'm not going to argue.