Yardball85

LOL. Everyone saw this coming from the Orioles. And now Roch can defend them.

I don't know that anyone is "counting" on those guys either. But they are all higher-ranked prospects than McDermott, so I have a better feeling about their chances of success than McDermott's.

Good thread topic. Markakis and Hays have to be up there. It seems like this past year at least, teams took notice and knew not to run on Hays. Side note: Worst arm I have ever seen (non Oriole) - Johnny Damon. Ramirez cutting off his throw will never not be funny.

It is absolutely standing still. The team should be adding players and improving while the new guys come up. Wasn't that what we were always told? They'll spend when they are competitive?

Ooops, I misread the prompt! I thought it was win the Wild Card Round and the Divisional Round. I'd prefer the 100 wins if the end result in the playoffs is the same.

What guarantees do you have that the team wins 100 games? Sure, I would also say we do not need to make any more moves if we win 100 games (though I would hope we have enough starting pitching for the playoffs). But it is just as likely that they win 85-90 games and are fighting for a wild card spot as it is they win 100 IMO.

Soooo stupid.

C'mon. The Orioles did not win 101 games because of Gibson, Frazier, and Irvin. It had nothing to do with Elias's moves in the offseason and who knows, had he gotten a good starter (I was screaming for Eovaldi), the Orioles might not have been swept in the playoffs. This offseason is no different. Yes, the Orioles are good, and will be good this year. But that does not excuse Elias from failing to upgrade the team. Kimbrel for Bautista is a big downgrade, Means' health is still a question mark, and who knows how the prospects will all perform (Cowser struggled last year). He should be making moves to improve the team.

Ryu and Bauer work for me. Paxton is okay. The rest, pass.

If this is John Angelos or one of his cronies: Hi. The vast majority of Baltimore strongly dislikes you.

but but but... everyone is guaranteed to repeat their success in 2024 AND stay healthy!

Touche. That wouldn't be fair to him to ask the Orioles to get out of the bottom five in payrolls.

They should sign Stephenson AND upgrade the rotation. Crazy concept I know.

Agreed. I think his no-hitter, while fun, is possibly increasing his value and worth in many people's minds. Hopefully not ME and co.

Fair point. Definitely not guaranteeing anything from Irvin. But I remember Lorenzen from his Cincy and LA days (used to hit too I think) and am just not all that enamored with him. He will probably cost 1 year $10M, whereas Irvin is dirt cheap.

Agreed. Get Cease or Valdez, or just roll with Irvin, who was perfectly solid last year after the rough April.

Reports of a Kittredge to Cardinals deal being close and the Orioles being among other teams interested in Ryan Brasier.

I begrudgingly do 1, 2, and 5. No on 3 and 4, since 1 and 2 is basically at my limit.

So you've heard something about Povich as part of a package to Houston for Valdez? What else have you heard? (Taking this with a grain of salt but interested to hear what you'd have to say).

True, but I remember in 2008, all we had to look forward to was the return for Erik Bedard lol. I kind of pity them.

Makes sense to all of us. Let's see if Elias thinks the same way (obviously you have to account for teams like the White Sox, Mariners, and Marlins demanding too much, in which case Elias should hold onto the propsects).

Which is pathetic of them. Not saying you're wrong, but would again show the Orioles are not serious about actually upgrading the team in the offseason.

1 all day for me.

I thought Ryan O'Hearn would be DFA'ed by June.

Makes sense. Most people aren't in the office where I work either (though I am, ugh), so only fair that GMs would too.