Can_of_corn

I agree but that would be the reason. Not everyone's main goal is a ring.

The reason would be guaranteed money, lots of it. It's easier to go ring chasing after you've made your mint.

I'd say the more pitchers that get taken off the market the less leverage the O's have. At least I've always thought a diminishing supply of goods is more impactful than a correspondingly diminishing supply of demand.

They do have other guys that could step up. Or they could make a move at a latter date if they need to. Trading one of those two wouldn't handcuff the team. I agree that the infield situation is different.

Of course not? I'm just reacting to the information we've been given.

Maybe they should spend a first round draft pick on a plus defense center fielder? Maybe a college guy that will move through the ranks quickly?

I don't think it's interesting, I think it's Roch carrying water for his boss.

I'd consider a pitcher that slots into the top 3 of the O's projected 2024 rotation a "difference maker". Or sufficient quality.

Is it? They had their first round draft pick moved back 10 slots this year. That seems bad. They are also handing money over to their competitors, some of which might even spend it on their teams instead of pocketing it while crying poor.

You can't expect to get quality without giving quality back. Unless you are a rando on a message board....

Being willing to trade Colton Cowser does not mean you are treating your farm system as a rummage sale. That's nonsense. Five untouchables means you aren't really willing to trade for a difference maker.

Sure? I guess it's cool they are at least talking. But if it doesn't lead to anything than it was just a fart in the breeze.

You do also have to pay him ~33M.

It's amazing to me how good he is in Center field. They can give him some at bats at DH while Stanton is on the IL.

Boras saying they are talking doesn't do much for me honestly. Actually signing someone, that would do something for me. It's easy to say we've been talking. Do you think the O's are actually in daily contact with the Boras camp over extensions? Or do you think Boras might be exaggerating?

He said location wasn't an issue weeks ago.

No way that doesn't work out for them,

He had already made that clear.

They might be interested but not at the numbers being offered.

The thing is, a lot of teams are hung up on pitching. Most teams want at least some pitching back when they trade a pitcher. It's part of the reason I don't care for the draft bats and trade the excess for pitchers strategy.

Cool. But I also expect Boras to say anything and everything to make himself seem more important. Of course he's going to have a quip ready for that question.

Huh? Guy has always had issues with his command. Any given appearance he could be lights out or a dumpster fire. Didn't he come up real big in a high leverage spot his second or third appearance?

Hopefully it's not the Givens signing.

They clicked along to a fourth place finish in 2023. I'm not dismissing them by any means but they aren't the threat they used to be.

It's simple. I think it is a poor long term move for the team. It's going to keep them in penalty for cap purposes. It's going to help keep them dependent on outside talent. The Yankees are truly dangerous when they can produce star players out of their own system and then supplement them. As for what they can do? They can make the playoffs most seasons. They aren't nearly as scary as they used to be. I'll trade a stronger 2024 Yankees team for a weaker team going forward.