Orioles West

I love Gunnar, but I don’t see him as a true leadoff hitter. I don’t know that there is a great option atop the order based on the current O’s roster.

I agree Wells would be most effective in the pen -- maybe, if Bradish does pitch, that's when Wells moves to where he should be.

Irvin. And I'm not sure it will be a tough choice at the end of this month.

It’s a great question — and I think my answer evolves as the season goes along. By that I mean, during the AL East title race, once Bautista was hurt — I didn’t care how we won at all, as long as we won. Laugher, luck, steal a win with a weird play/error or a walk off home run, I’ll take it. Outside of that, I guess I give a slight edge to the dramatic walk off, like the O’s have done twice this week, compared to the two waffle stomping victories over the Angels to start the season. McCann’s clutch hit capping a come back after the super long rain delay, was pretty damn cool.

I haven’t yet questioned a waiver wire Elias move — until now. Every other move all made sense in some way, even if it was for AAA depth or a temporary patch to cover injuries. I’m not sure about Kemp’s war numbers, but the eye test is, his best days are well behind him and there are 10 guys in the O’s system who can swing the bat as bad for less money.

Number one, two and three on the DR list are to secure Elias and everyone Elias wants around. Also, I like the city connect jerseys — it did take an adjustment period, and I prefer their classic black O’s jerseys for Friday night games — but they grew on me. And I love the Baltimore “B” on the hat.

I think this is where I'm at. I'm hopeful, but there are no guarantees. Elias has shown he can do a lot without big market money, so I don't see huge changes coming, but hopefully some more investment in keeping talent around versus developing talent for other teams.

I do think today hit on all cylinders — a lot of exciting Opening Days, but this one does feel different. It’s a vibe I felt in Sarasota 10-days ago. Prior years O’s fans have displayed a well earned sense of cynicism, be it bad drafts, budget constraints, horrific signings or no signings, etc. Ed Smith Stadium was like an amusement park. Fans were….happy. Happy in line for food, happy in the stand, happy buying anything with B-More stamped on it in an overcrowded, cheap T-Shirt inventory fan shop. The place sold out again (both games I attended) versus the half empty ballpark I experienced the last time I visited Sarasota. New cool ownership group, a team coming off a 101-win AL East title year, competitive spring, tough roster choices, an Ace on the hill, a chance to have financial support for all levels of operations (stadium to the roster) and a GM who seems to be getting warmed up — all seem to be contributing to my unreasonable optimism and enjoyment of today’s launch into 2024.

This thread has a chance to be my favorite OH thread of 2024.

If I wasn’t already happy with the change in ownership — dude is having FUN — very cool.

DR has consistently called Elias “the best GM in baseball” — I imagine he wants to keep him around.

I have no animosity toward McKenna. Ultimately, to me he’s that AAAA guy who filled in as needed during a rebuild. We’re rebuilt. Time for a hug and a DFA. Besides, with the bat, he’s no Lenn Sakata.

I really like this take Roy, as the Orioles have certainly lifted me up as well. The O’s were gifted to me by my grandfather. He was an umpire on the eastern shore of Maryland 20-years, to all levels of baseball that needed an ump in the area. A massive fan of the game and the team, and Brooks was his favorite player by far and away — he passed that torch and that passion on to me from the time I was born until his last day. He passed on years ago, but I still hope he can hear me when I complain specifically about the Birds or in those bright spots like last year’s awesome run. It can be difficult to describe just how grateful I am for this gift, but I think your post covers it rather well.

I agree. I suppose the owner change is the metaphorical icing on the cake that launched with two consecutive winning seasons.

I recognize that I have a lifelong obsession with my hometown team - the Orioles are probably loved at an unhealthy level -- but too late to save me now. I am way, way too happy about the potential of this 'next chapter' which really started with the hiring of Mike Elias. Someone already used "LFG" and I heartily concur. Let's *&^%$#@) Go O's!

I think we will have a more definitive answer to this question a year or two from today — we will find out if Elias’ overall strategy has been hamstrung with budgetary constraints or not by ownership. The new boss could be more willing to invest more consistently in payroll or not.

If there was a way to have MLB year round, I’d be all for it. That said, I imagine because the post-season expanded on the back end, they are starting the season earlier to avoid the World Series drifting farther into November.

I can’t argue with optimism, and I would love back-to-back division championships. I also prefer your prediction to mine. But it’s baseball, stuff goes sideways sometimes. Even if it does, we’ll be competitive every time we take the field, and that’s my favorite part.

Interestingly enough, I was asked my prediction purchasing some unhealthy, overpriced food at Ed Smith Stadium versus the BoSox last week. The gentlemen behind the counter overheard me talking about the Bradish injury with another fan in line and asked me as soon as I got to the register, “So, are we gonna win 100+ again?” ”No, but we’ll be fun to watch again this year — I’m going 90 wins and a Wild Card.” I should probably stick to this, because there are witnesses to my fairly safe prognostication. Biggest factor to me on the slight backslide is Bautista’s injury. So many clutch moments, I think he will be missed a bunch.

Cash poor roster based on payroll may have been a better way for me to put it.

Until Elias sees otherwise too — he has to operate like he has been and assume that the budget is minimal and his only resources are limited. Until the new ownership group is approved, being a cash poor team is the world the O’s live in.

I wonder if the service time shell game will be tackled during the next MLB/MLBPA contract negotiation. Is Holliday going to get better faster against big league pitchers or minor league arms? To me, the current service time systems hurts the teams in the short term, because they can’t go with the best roster and hurts the players who have to wait it out for longer team control.

Bonus points for utilizing temerity - great word! However, as the great Dizzy Dean used to say, “It ain’t bragging if you can do it!” That fun stuff aside, I highly doubt Holliday would brag in such a manner. By all appearances, he seems like a humble kid.

I think Holliday could suggest to management, “If you can find that ball, you can send me back down.”