AlbNYfan

I believe Hays is what he is and will fluctuate too much in either direction. He is a very good/great fielder which is a plus at CY. He seems to be a great team player. However, Hays, seemed (to me) to have lousy AB's that shut down potential big innings, K's and GIDP...I could be wrong. I don't know whether he pushes too hard in those situations, but that is my observations.

I am concerned about Mullins offensive production. To me he just seems to wear down as the season progresses and I'm worried about him not aging well. Those that are concerned about Hays...IMO he is what he is and may be the least likely to have a drastic change offensively in either direction. McKenna?? I will be disappointed if he is on the opening day roster.

I am not sure "he" knows he can do it. He seems to have all the tools. but sometimes (to me) he still looks like "a deer in the headlights" vs I have this. He still seems to get to high pitch counts early. Good hitters seem to be able to fight off pitches. I hope for the best and respect your projections, but I am not quite there yet.

You really equate the two?? I am not talking an emotional correlation...I am not talking recreational vs professional. I am talking about a short-term career and potentially a million dollar plus loss for every year he is denied at least a chance. Stowers is certainly not an isolated case. A guy like McKenna, who would likely be in same situation if in the Oriole's minors today, is a lucky guy (we let Yaz go????). I realize there is no easy solution (that's why I rooted for a guy like Watkins, that was ready to hang it up and his wife convinced to give it another chance). We often treat these guys like disposal player cards. They are not cards. Yes, it's a chosen career, some get a considerable signing bonus, but to come close to a dream and financial rewards of that dream has to be tough (that is the emotional context).

I feel it's a "travesty" for any Mil player stuck in an organization and can't get a chance because of its depth. The clock is always ticking for these young men. Lack of service time, arbitration eligibility can cost a young player millions, even though he is not a star. Deal them, give them a chance.

Stupid?? Not sure....most thought the first million $ contract was stupid, same for 10, 50, and so on. It will become the new norm for "great" players. Look at football, every new QB contract has to exceed the previous one. If people think that won't happen welcome to denialism. I have two (maybe more) main objectives: 1) It enhances the haves and the have not franchises. 2) News media, MLB website will continue highlighting Oh, Judge...whether they go 0-4 with 3 K's, or 4-4 with 2HR's. The individual players become the game not the team(s).

I believe you are wrong. There will be a significant "trickle down impact". Do you think the number Gunnar/Boras may have been seeking to sign a long-term contract stayed the same after Oh's signing? Adley?? Soto next year..I mean, didn't Soto turn down 10-440 from the Nats? You don't think agents have a new baseline for stars?? And if teams can't afford the stars, it makes secondary players more expensive.

I swore I would never get into the hate "Angelos" discussions (not really a discussion, but a hate therapy session), but here I am. Peter was (is) not a great owner. He failed in many aspects of the game. The why's and how comes can be discussed. Now, it's not in PA's court, but his family (always a problem with the wealthy). The team should be sold IMO.....but I prefer some group with a strong, local connection including charitable contributions. Someone that considers Baltimore their home and not some way to increase their wealth (which will likely matter no matter what). I know nothing about the Carlyle group... but if it is a hedge fund group the hairs on the back of my neck stand up...I want a person, not a stockholder group to be responsible for the Orioles. The grass is always greener..be careful what you wish for, Change for the sake of change is not the way. I'm out of cliches!!

If a player "can't" hit, strike zone judgement isn't quite as important IMO. Pitchers will throw strikes to players who are not likely to hurt them. His OBP is likely to suffer greatly against MLB pitching.

That's great. $5,000, do you think the MLBPA could afford it???

The O's won 101 games this year and no playoff games. How many teams have won 100+ games and turn over their rosters to the extent suggested here? I certainly don't believe becoming stagnant is a positive thing, but I think there will be some growing pains watching these guys adjust to the next level. Most will become average ML players, 1 or 2 better than average and a couple will fail to adjust IMO. To be fair, I haven't seen many of these players perform, other than highlights. In the past, it seems to me, many of the players that are rated + this, + that look very average or below when they finally come up. The current roster certainly has some room for improvement. Do these players deserve a chance? Yes. But, I will not be happy if the roster becomes so loaded with "prospects" adjusting that the mantra becomes "This is a young team that will get better by'25 or '26". There has to be some tough decisions made by Elias and others. It is exciting times for the O's and it's certainly going to be an interesting off season.

Religion is not new in the clubhouse. Back in the day Pat Kelly use to hold a service on Sunday mornings. Famous discussion between Kelly and Earl (Weaver): Pat, "Earl, you have to walk with the Lord." Earl, "I'd rather walk with the bases loaded."

I don't expect this team to win 100 games next year, 90 may be a challenge. A lot of things went right with this team. Yankees sucked (Judge injury and poorly constructed team despite the $$$ spent), Blue Jays just seemed indifferent, Red Sox, who knows what you'll get. But, those teams (and others) are likely to spend a lot of $$$$ on free agency . Ohtani's contract may have a similar effect as Tiger had on lesser golfers paydays..trickle down economics certainly works in professional sports. That said, I certainly don't expect the O's to sign any "major" free agents. There are a lot of believers here that think there are solid players ready to move up. Maybe. And/or Elias can use some of these players to get a proven MLB player. I don't think Mullins is aging well. I have a love, hate relationship with Hays. I am sort of meh with Urias. I am not sure about how Westburg fits in (I don't see him at 3B). O'Hearn, his only asset to this team is being lefthanded. I like Santander. And yes, I like Mateo, for another year. Pitching?? Who knows?? Bradish (solid, likely to get better), GR (which GR will show up next year), Means (stay healthy, or nagging injuries), Kremer (will he learn how to work out of problems). There shouldn't be any inning limits next year with these guys. BP?? Most BP candidates have flaws (that's why they are in the BP and not starters) IMO. Wells, Hall, etc...Just need starters to get into and through 6 and an occasional 7th more often. I enjoyed this team immensely and believe next year's team will be just as entertaining, but 100+ wins will be tougher IMO.

GR had the "deer in the headlights" look yesterday. Big crowd, "must win" game. Maybe if the O's had won Saturday things would have been different. He should have been more relaxed after given the 2 run lead. The two infield plays, the one Mountcastle made a great play on GR's throw and the fluke hit in the basepath didn't help. High pitch count and an umpire that squeezed him a bit.....Tough day for a rookie.

All teams are "flawed", all teams lose 1/3 of their games.

Seeding is stupid. The best division in AL (maybe baseball) battle it out for the right to play lesser teams in the other two divisions in the third round for the AL Title. It's boring too. They've played each other 12 times already. Due to the season schedule and playoffs, TB/T may end up playing each other 8 games in a row and 11 of their final 13 (potential) games. Must see baseball, not so IMO.

How did the other three make out?? The O's will win close to or over 100 games this season without being a "feared" power hitting team. Many feared power hitting teams will be on vacation in six days. Power does not always equate to wins.

Up 0-2 and walk a batter. Might as well hit the batter and save pitches!!!

Likely hurt the team?? The team is 4-2 since his injury, losing the first two games to TB. They certainly weren't going to rush him to the IL. Definitely instances where the team could have used McKenna?? Really??

Urias's D should be fine.....but, you have to have some concern. The throw last night was poor, but O'Hearn should have had it. I actually have more concern with O'Hearn at first than Urias at 3rd. O'Hearn just doesn't look comfortable there yet. His stretches just appear awkward. I like Westburg at 2nd. I'm sure he can handle routine plays at third. I'm not sure he has the arm.

I like Adley. He has a better eye than most umps and his great eyes have cost him on close pitches. I, also believe he takes too many close pitches that he could likely put in play. In Umpires We Do Not Trust.

Safe by an oven mitt? I have some issues with the "mitt". How regulated are they? One size fits all? Visually, to me, it seems like it adds at least an inch to a player's hand. A player would be stupid not to use one. Yesterday's play at the plate, if he wasn't wearing a mitt would have been a more obvious out. I also have some other issues with added equipment, especially elbow pads. A batter gets a base if the ball just ticks the pad? Some seem pretty big. That's an offensive weapon if a player uses it. Lastly, I have a beard question...ball hits a beard of a long bearded player...Does he get HBP?? I suppose he does, but, to me it seems crazy. I know ticking a uniform is a HBP, but I've seen umps tell a player to tuck in jersey if it's too obviously hanging.

It seems to me that the'23 O's have had more big innings (4 or more runs) than I ever recall. In addition, it also seems the team as a whole is more disciplined, not going for the long ball necessarily, take a walk (AR, GH and even RM) and hit him where "they ain't". Fun to watch with the overall team speed. This team does not play base to base ball, depending on the long ball.

Demeanor on the mound. Was he suppose to be all smiley?? The mound without having your stuff and struggling is a pretty lonely place to be. You try things and they don't work and it gets lonelier. Gibson for the most part seems to be able to struggle through rough spots, not pretty but he often finds a way. Flaherty does not have the ability. GR yesterday in many ways reverted to his earlier starts. Up, 0-2, 1-2 and loses the batter....walk, HBP, hits. High pitch counts. People like it when he K's people. I prefer innings with pop-ups, weak ground balls and a low pitch count. It didn't happen yesterday. Flaherty disappoints, but I'm more worried about GR. Too many innings?? Just a hiccup. I don't know.

If Urias and O'Hearn make plays on those 2 ground balls 7-2????