Can_of_corn

You don't like the idea of paying him a million so you can pick up a 17 year old Dominican at the deadline?

For her that counts as smiling.

That will probably work for you the first couple of Grapefruit league starts.

Probably working on his change up.

Well that's not a good AB.

He's way ahead of Harvey in the competition for which washed up star gets to end his pitching career with the Orioles.

Tricorn hat?

It's the idea of the thing.

You paid for something?

They really need to trim those toenails.

If he retires he will no longer be the rep. So I don't see why that would make a difference.

Why should he care? Folks have retired before.

Interesting that Rutschman isn't catching so far in spring training.

Sure.

I think he realizes this might be his only chance to sign a big deal.

I'm hopeful it's Mountcastle. But I don't expect the O's to assume the risks and instead I think they will play it safe.

Despite the fact that players have agreed to larger ones. And it's "unimaginable" not "unreasonable".

I'm not super interested in extending Means. I'm just running with the idea that he's actually a #2 going forward, which is not something I think is likely. If he is a #2 you should try and make a deal.

Or he didn't make a mistake and signed a deal he's happy with. I haven't heard about him having an issue with his contract. Maybe you have? We don't know these people. We don't know what they want. I don't think saying something like I can't imagine is accurate. Deals that look to be under market get done. Players also, I am sure, turn down deals that would turn out to be overpays.

I live in a world in which Ronald Acuna signed for 8/100 and Ozzie Albies signed for 7/35. I can imagine Means signing the deal Frobby posited.

I didn't say it wasn't a factor, just not as big a one (particularly on a lower mileage arm) than it would be for a position player. Archer was 29 when he was traded and had almost twice as many innings pitched than Means does currently. Means, on the other hand, is getting stronger and throwing harder. If Means is a proven #2 in 2023 I don't think his age is going to scuttle his trade value.

Sure the deal would have to make sense. But if a deal is there I think you take it and don't dither away the opportunity.

Exactly how many super recent examples were you expecting? Not even the Rays pull of a deal like that on a yearly basis. I think the Shields deal is very comparable. I'm also unsure of why you are dismissive of Archer. I've not seen much evidence that the age of a highly regarded (#1-2) guy impacts their value to anywhere near the extent it does position players. Means is a pretty low mileage arm. If you can trade him with 2-3 years of undermarket contract attached you will get a sold return.

I don't think you can afford to play it safe and go year by year if you are the O's. I think they will need to identify good candidates for early extensions and pull the trigger and assume the risk. Now is Means one of those guys? I don't know.