To me the Marlins trading for more slot money was the turning point. I don't see them doing it unless they have a deal in place with at least VVM. I'm not sold that his brother is a package deal. The O's or another team could very well end up with junior.
Assuming Davis is on your team (and you are forced to play him) why Mancini at first? Davis isn't the first baseman he was but I still think he's got the edge on Mancini.
I still don't get the "hot" thing. You look at the process and how the player has done overall, not if he's swinging a hot bat.
Stewart wasn't "hot", last year Hays was "hot" when he was called up. I'm not at all sure it makes a difference.
Irrelevant as the team did the smart thing and extended him early.
You could say that those struggles would have happened regardless. I've not seen any studies that show position players adapt more quickly to the major leagues if they have spent just long enough to get another year of control in AAA.
So if Diaz and Hays show they are ML ready at the All Star break you are good with releasing Markakis if you can't find a trade partner? Or moving him into a PH/bench role?