AlbNYfan

Or Mountcastle?

Grayson should have cruised through the Sox line up today, and through 3 he did. Not complaining, he got more work in. By contrast Voth yesterday faced a much more difficult task with the Jays line up. Too many BB and not helped by error by Gunnar. I'm not really trying to compare the two, one is supposed to be a potential ace, the other a #5. Trying to size up which had a better performance considering their supposed roles this year.

I realize it's still "early" in ST, but at what point should there be some concern about his performance to date. There has to be something wrong and perhaps it should be done at the camp rather than games. I also believe the game is hard enough that you give him a position to play and let him play it. Don't jerk him around at SS and 3B, pick one and let him get his work there. As Yogi said," The game is 90% mental, the other half is physical." Don't mess around with a kid that has so much talent, keep it simple.

12.7 cm

They will never realign with Yanks, Mets, Phillies and Sox in the same division. They want as many of those teams (and others) in the playoffs and ultimately the WS as possible. MLB has nightmares about teams like the O's, Pirates, Reds, KC facing each other in the WS......TV rankings would be terrible. I'm not too crazy about a division with the O's and Senators (opps Nationals) either. It's hard to create true rivalries. Dodgers/Giants are only rivals their Bronx, Manhattan connection. I like geographical alignment to a point, but look at the records of teams in the AL Central for the past few years...unbalanced schedule, close to half their games within the division and still end up close to 100 games below .500, yet someone makes the playoffs. 4-8 team divisions?? Top two teams in each make the playoffs..I don't know.

Being a home plate umpire can be a tedious job. On an "easy" night he has 300 pitches, on a bad night, probably 400 plus. It seems to me that pitchers with good control can expand the strike zone over the course of a game and pitchers that are all over the place rarely get the close pitch. Likewise, batters with "good" eyes are given calls that free swingers aren't. It is going to be interesting. Some mention the difficulty in north and south, but, in addition it's where the ball crosses the plate and not where the catcher catches it. If a batter sits deep in the box a ball with a huge break could be a strike when it crosses the plate and be below the knee by the time it gets to the batter. Players, managers look for consistency in the calls. Robo ump should at least do that. Teams won't need to "scout" umps to know what a strike will look like tonight. I think, as mentioned here, that they may consider a challenge rule would be idiotic. I like some of the human element to the game, but a bad home plate umpire has too much control of the game.

Pitch clock may not have much of an impact. I hope there is an adjustment in sloppy weather. I wouldn't want a pitcher throwing a ball 90 mph with a wet ball or when the mound is slippery at me. I believe other rule changes in combination with the time clock may have an impact. no shift...will 2nd basemen need to have better range, quicker first step. Limited pick off attempts and change in base size will mean more steals? Need for better throwing catchers? I could be wrong, but I think team speed and defense will be more important than in previous years. I like to believe (hope??) that the O's overall team speed and D might pick up a couple more wins next year (along with a front of rotation pitcher-a couple more wins).

If you want certainty buy FTX..oh wait. You can win 120 games and still not get to the WS. The NCAA basketball starts with 66, 68?? now. One winner, the other 67 losers?? I think the O's will be in a decent position next year with smart moves, not moves that just for the sake of moves. Maybe not a WS but a good run at it.

You may be right. Mercenaries will go where the price is highest. If he wants a Scherzer like contract, then it's a waste of time for Elias to even kick the tires IMO. I guess there is a considerable difference between need and ego in top tier athletes in all sports.

I doubt that $$$ will have the biggest impact on where Verlander lands for his "last??" contract. He has an estimated wealth of over 150 million. Unless he has some geographical attachment to the Mid-Atlantic (Old Dominion) I think the O's would be very much on the outside. I think he's probably looking at teams with WS possibilities, not having to uproot family, and other things ahead of $$$...but that's just me.

Please explain how this works...who runs the clock (HP umpire)?? If so, the guy is responsible for calling 300+ pitches, now the clock. Will it be on the scoreboard? How is it called?? I'm sure it's all figured out, but I worry about consistency. I mean the NFL (Lamar Jackson) seems to get a few calls his way when the clock hit zero. Also, what about in sloppy conditions? Cleaning spikes, rubbing down ball. Catcher and pitcher can't agree on a pitch. I, as a batter, don't want some guy, feeling uncomfortable throwing a ball 90+ at me, but has to or a ball. Lastly, you may say pitcher X takes an average (mean?, median? mode?) of 18.1 seconds.... but I'm sure there are times when pitcher X is 20+. Add to that the new throws to first base rule...if some of these pitchers have been around years not having to deal with these rules, how will it affect their game?

Just saw somewhere??? that he will opt out....not sure the reliability of the source. My no on Abreu in any case.

IMO, you are half right..NO!! Two right handed first basemen?.how many HR's in Maybe 10 next year if he plays at Camden, below average D, Old, $16 mill last year ?? If you are going to pay close to 16 mill, the better option in Rizzo, 3 years younger, lefty, power

Nope.

It just reminds me that although the O's will have 24 or so less games with the AL East next year, they will be adding some tough series on their schedule. Many think not playing so much of an Al East schedule will automatically improve their record...I'm not sure.

Pretty absurd notion "building around one player" in baseball. Angels, Ohtani 9+WAR, Trout 5 WAR...14 WAR between the two. Angels finished 16 games under .500 baseball with two of the better players in the game. Does the rest of the team's WAR add up to a -30?? IMO you need 4-5 everyday players to build around plus 3 front line starting pitchers, bull pen with a decent setup man and strong closer. Baseball is not basketball.

This season was certainly enjoyable compared to recent years. It was the first time in years where I got my money's worth on MLB Extra Innings....FWIW, I did not think the O's would be last in the AL East and I thought the Blue Jays would win the East. That said, looking at 2023: 1) Was 2022 an aberration or reality?? I think Hyde will be on the hot seat if things go South. 2) How will the change in schedules affect the O's? It is assumed that 24?? less games in the East will ad some W's. I'm not sure..they will have to play Dodgers, Padres, Mets, Braves. More travel adjustments, seeing more pitchers for the first time. I know it's the same for all teams, but some may adjust better. The good news for me is that I get 6 or 7 less YES network games when watching the O's (18-19 games was brutal). 3) The shift rules..will the O's benefit or be hurt by it? 4) Limited pick off moves? How will the O's pitchers adapt to it..more step off rubber, improved TTP. 5) Increase in base size...if I understand it correctly, the "square" will increase by 3 inches...which means the distance between bases decreases by 6 inches...more steals?? Speed more important? A good defensive catcher more important than offense? 6) Roster moves. You all have your ideas on needs, some I totally oppose. But obviously some have to be made. No change for the sake of change. Spend some smart $$$. I like hitting, hitting them where they ain't, I like defense and speed. I like pitchers that throw strikes and change speeds. Spring training is going to not be getting in game shape but adapting to the changed game. Those that evolve will win, those that don't are screwed.

That may be true, but McKenna is less than 50% on any aspect of hitting. IMO, a no hit, role player, with speed better have more to his game than D. He should be able to lay down a bunt. I can accept Hays as a third/fourth OF'er next year. I am not sure about Stowers yet, but you have reported that there are others in play at AAA. Off topic, but can you tell me why pitchers are allowed to tap their lead foot a number of times after coming to a set position. It seems to me it is a move to the plate that "deceives" the base runner and it is a move to the plate, a balk. People complained about Luis Tiant..this is worse.

IMO, you can say the same thing about Hays, occasionally the ball hits the bat. As far Mateo goes, I believe he should be dealt. I am not a big fan of moving people around in key positions. Also, I am not a fan of McKenna...a fourth or fifth OF'er, with speed, that can't lay down a bunt...adios.

I would guess 4 players must be on dirt cut out or closer when the pitch is thrown. Two on each side of second base. The penalty?? Infield ump raises hands..pitch is an automatic ball??

I'd be happy at .500 and finish 4th in the division this year..ahead of Sox

As much as I'd like to hate Judge (for being a Yankee), I can't do it. He is a monster and seems like a class guy. People talk about Ohtani, Soto...I'd take Judge. I don't think he is much of an outfielder, other than arm strength, but at what 6'9", he could be a great 1st baseman. I don't know what it would take to steal him, but just not facing him would give the O's more wins.

You have to wonder (or I do) how much if any, Canada's COVID restrictions helped improve their home record. 11 above .500 at home, 4 below on the road.

It may say Nationals on his uni, but IMO, Soto only represents himself. Look at me!!

I lasted one week of the '21 season watching Maikel Franco, a guy that appeared to be just looking for another payday. His defense was atrocious....almost laughably. Replays showed a guy that frequently didn't move a step before it was by him.