jamalshw

I live in South Carolina so it's not a convenient drive, but I did buy ALCS tickets right away last year (obviously that didn't pan out) but didn't purchase any tickets (yet) this year. I could see myself making the drive up if they happened to win the next two for a ALDS or ALCS game. But with how the team has performed the last half of the year I can honestly say I was significantly less excited this year than last. Of course, I did watch every pitch and followed all the reports and media leading up to the game so I'm still invested, but it's certainly a bit different.

It is incredibly close for me and it depends on the conditions of the question. If you want to know which player I'd rather have on my team (personality and chemistry aside) for this postseason run all else aside, I'll say Witt, but again, it's close. And if we are factoring contracts, it's still Witt since he signed an extension. If it's money being equal who do I want for the rest of their career, it may be a slight edge to Henderson. He's one year younger with most of a season less experience. His first full season was better than Witt's first full season. He's second full season was better than Witt's second full season. We will see what he does next year. Overall, though, it's splitting hairs for me, but I do think Witt is the better player right now.

Understood. My comment was 100% above vibes. They went 2-4 over their last six and lost 3 of 4 to Seattle to drop out of the division and into the wildcard spot. It wasn't a months long limp like the Orioles, but that--at least in my book--counts as limping in. They had no apparent "momentum" going in, but still turned it around. That was the point.

I'd like to see them take 2 of 3 and feeling good going into the playoffs, taking the last two series. I know Texas limped in last year and then went all the way, but I would feel more optimistic as a fan if they took 2 of 3 with the offense looking like its clicking.

It depends. Is Kremer your #3 in the wildcard round or is that Suarez? Kremer has pitched very well against the Yankees this year. If the Yankees hold on to the top record over the Guardians and are the Orioles' ALDS opponent if they make it out of the wildcard round, do you hold Kremer to start Game 1 against NY? Of course you have to get there first. Still, if you do get there, Burnes wouldn't be on "normal" rest until Game 2 and then Elfin in Game 3. If it's a sweep, it doesn't matter either way. BUT, if the Orioles plan to use Kremer in Game 3 of the Wildcard round, he doesn't start again in the regular season. If they plan on Suarez, both he and Kremer could start in the Minnesota (though I wouldn't expect more than 4-5 innings from either as just a brush up start).

One of them should pitch. The Wild Card round is just 3 games (tops). So at least one of Suarez or Kremer is not starting in the wildcard round. I don't want my #4 starter having not started a game in so long going into a Game 4 in the ALDS (hoping and praying we get there). Having him fresh for the wildcard round as a potential reliever in a all-hands on deck scenario makes sense, but it I think I'm holding one back (the one I want to start Game 3) and starting the other in the series against the Twins.

Honestly, they're going to the playoffs. I'd like to see the Orioles sweep the series just so we don't have to see the Yankees celebrate the division title in front of us....but overall for the Orioles' hopes for this season, it really doesn't matter that much for the standings. That said, I'd love to see the Orioles get clutch hits, hit with runners in scoring position and score a ton of runs. Kremer, Eflin and Burnes as starting in their last games (at least for Eflin and Burnes) before the playoffs so it'll be nice to see them throw well and same with the pen. I'm more interested in seeing the team start to turn things around and show signs they aren't going to just roll over in the playoffs. Ideally, that leads to a series sweep (or at least a series win), but if Brian Baker (who hopefully isn't on the playoff roster) comes in and blows a game that was well played otherwise, I'm not all that concerned.

For the real answer, I'm going with 9 in the regular season which I think will be just shy of being enough against the Yankees. I'll then go with a knock out in the wildcard round, winning 1 game, so total: 10. The more optimistic answer, I'll say Rutschman heats up, Grayson, Coloumbe, Webb and Westburg all return (Urias too), Burnes returns to form, and they go at least 11-5 in the last 16. Win the division. And then win 3 in the ALDS, 4 in the ALCS and 4 in the World Series, making it 22.

The bullpen needs help. Anderson was as dominant as they come in 2019 and 2020 before injury and seems to have bounced back...at least somewhat in 2023 and to start 2024. He's got swing and miss (though not as much post-injury). I like the move and is (at worst) a lateral move for some of our bullpen guys with a chance you find lightning in a bottle.

I mean, Gibson would help, but if I'm being honest, I didn't want him re-signed. We needed a TOR guy and got that with Burnes and went into the season with Burnes, Bradish, Grayson, Means, and Kremer. Of course, come spring we learned that Bradish was dealing with an issue and Means was delayed. With that added information, Gibson would've made some sense, but he was signed so early in the offseason. The other issue with Gibson is he's always been a first half pitcher more than second half. That wasn't as true last year (though June-August weren't great, but he bounced back in September) but is holding true this season. He's pitched to a 4.04 ERA overall, but is nearly a run higher since the start of July. Honestly, I thought we were stacked going into the season. And then while I wanted a better option than Rogers as the second guy at the deadline. Adding 2 starters seemed to be sufficient at the deadline. The issue still, for me, isn't quantity as much as quality. With Bradish and now Grayson down, we lost our #2...twice. Here's hoping Eflin can keep doing what he's done his first 2 starts and Rogers can find his way.

This. I love this deal if it's a minor league deal and Davis goes to AAA as a backup in case Mayo struggles. But I want Mayo to be given at least 2 more weeks. If he's struggling at a Holliday the first time level at that point, then Davis is a fine insurance policy.

I think its clear that Burnes needs to be resigned or that we need a Burnes replacement at the top, but with the deals made and then the return of guys, I think the rest of the rotation is at least in an okay spot. Grayson has been a bit up and down, but he's a solid guy. Eflin for 2025 and Bradish for 2026 gives you another solid 2-3 (Bradish maybe more, but I'll give him a healthy year before I'm expecting too much). Kremer, Rogers, Povich, McDermott, Wells, etc. should be able to fill in the 4-5 holes. What Elias has managed to do at this deadline is put himself in a favorable position to add the needed SP in the offseason without being desperate for quantity. To me, if Burnes is happy here, the easiest option is resigning him. I'll be for more $ and years than we've historically gone with a SP, but it would be the best option. If that doesn't work, however, there are other options with $$ or prospects to get the needed piece.

Only ones I'm confident about are Gunnar and Santander. I think they will easily top that number. I tend to think Adley will. He's been in a huge funk, but when right, he's a .800 OPS play. O'Hearn will likely be right around there. And then, the likes of Cowser, Holliday and Mayo each have a chance, probably in that order. Essentially it breaks down (to me) like this: DEFINITELY WILL: 1. Henderson 2. Santander 50/50 OR BETTER: 3. O'Hearn 4. Adley 5. Cowser 25-50%: 6. Holliday 7. Eloy WOULDN'T BE COMPLETELY SHOCKED: 7. Mayo

At this point, I really want the Orioles to get Skubal just for the Tigers' fans reaction when they don't get what they think they will.

I mean, I'd trade Kjerstan, I don't even know who that is...but I'm not trading Kjerstad, Holliday, Mayo, Westburg and Basallo. That's just crazy talk.