jamalshw

I don't know if you need to wait that long for Straily. I'd like to see Eschelman given a shot. Lord knows we need help in the rotation and pen. The Broxton/Williams thing is a push for me. I don't see either having a place on this team long term. Eschelman might as a No.5 starter or a long reliever if the command is really that good.

Agreed. At this point, I'd love to see a Norfolk rotation of: Akin, Lowther, Zimmermann, Wells, and Eshelman. I think we've seen enough of Rogers and Ortiz. They both either need to be sent back to Bowie to work things out or converted to relievers at this point. If you want to spot start them here and there or some other guys to keep the innings in check for the others, fine.

That's probably because SUPER BOWL L look like someone typed one too many Ls.

This seems largely like a nothing to see here type move to me. Does anyone have any more information on Eshelman. Does he have a shot? Is there something that Elias and company can tweak to help get him closer to his second round potential? Or is this simply a Triple-A rotation filler move while giving up something that expires in less than a month and has next to no value to us anymore?

He wasn't going to hit like he did in April all year. He's going to have slumps. Now, we get to see if he's able to get out of it. Ultimately, I would consider the season a success for Smith Jr. if he's able to end the year with an OPS+ in the mid-90s or better. For a first full season, that's something that you can build on.

It appears the Jays have DFA'ed Dwight Smith Jr. He appears to still have an option and while our OF is probably one of our deeper areas going forward, Smith may be an interesting guy who has looked good in small samples in the big leagues. Is he worth a look?

We're dealing with a tiny spring training sample size. For those smarter than I am and able to watch some of this at bats, does he look different at the plate from last year. Has he approached his ABs differently and do the pitches he's hitting look good or is he just getting great pitches to hit?

Interesting, though I think the fit is a lot easier without Escobar and I really hope they go that route. I just don't see value in him other than to serve as a motivator for Martin and Jackson as prior to his acquisition, it was assumed both would be carried. I'd love to see it play out mostly as you call out above, but with Martin getting the bulk of the work at SS, Escobar off the team and another OF on the roster, maybe Stewart as I think this is our best chance to look and see if he has any chance to be a spare part going forward since we have a plethora of outfield talent that is likely to break in over the next year and a half.

Of course some will not make it--in fact, most probably won't--but I was just noting that Elias saying, "there are players on the current roster that will be here when the team is a contender" may be more than just lip service. There are some that may very well be here and its likely at least one or two will (albeit not necessarily in the role we think/hope).

It really depends on how things play out. I don't think we have the stars of the next playoff team on the roster, but guys like Mullins, Mancini, Scott, Stewart could potentially be here. They may be bench or platoon bats or just a middle reliever. Elias could also be talking about the guys in the organization, too, not just the big league roster. I'd expect the aforementioned players along with the likes of Mountcastle, Diaz, Hays, McKenna, Hall, Rodriguez, Kremer, Lowther, Ortiz, Tate, Bannon, Hall, etc. to at least form some portion of the roster for the next winning team, even if just a portion .

Yes, sorry all, it's 4th rounder. I read Meoli's tweet too fast, but the general idea still remains.

I'm not sure if the fact he was a first rounder in Elias's first draft in Houston is a good thing or not. He could know something and feel he can get him to capitalize on his talent. Or, he could be living in the past.

I think San Diego is a possibility. I don't think it really fits with what they should be doing, but neither did the Eric Hosmer move last offseason. They seem to do really well building a farm system, but their actions on the Major League roster have often been headscratchers. I don't see Milwaukee as an option. They're already loaded in the outfield with Yelich, Cain, Braun, Thames, Santana and Broxton. They won't be able to offer him the ABs to entice him to go there.

Nunez should go into Spring Training as the favorite for the position and I would only give it to Mountcastle if he is ripping the cover off the ball against Major League level pitching early in games. Otherwise, lets see if Nunez can be a viable big league piece as either a bench bat or a fringe starter. What he's done since getting called up is encouraging.

I have no desire to see Dosch or Joseph get any ABs over Nunez. I'd be okay with a call up for either as a thanks for being good org players, but don't see either as anything more than that, org players. As for Wilkerson, he's a potential utility guy so I wouldn't mind him getting some ABs at 3B along with other spots around the infield.

I actually think we see more than one 30 HR seasons from Mancini. His 162-game pace in his career is 27 so it's not unrealistic to think he goes to 31 or 32 a couple times. That said, 30 HRs today is more like 20 HRs of yesteryear. The pop with a career .323 OBP still leaves him as a solid-to-good hitter at a position where you really need to be well above average with the bat to offer real value. I think, ultimately, with Mancini we have a solid 6-hole hitter on a good team. That's not great, but certainly has value.

This is where I am on Nunez. I like him well enough to play the next year or two and show whether he can be something or not. He'll have a chance until Mountcastle can push his way up (if he can stay at 3B). From there, we will have an idea of whether Nunez can be a useable piece for the future.

I'm on the other end. I really hope they DO trade Givens. Not because I don't like him, but because I don't see him getting moved unless the Orioles get a ton in return and right now we need a top end prospect or two more than Givens. I don't see the Orioles competing for a few years and by then, Givens will be nearing Free Agency. I think Givens is the type of player a team like the Braves may go after. He's got control and helps the bullpen now as well. I don't see Atlanta dealing for rentals like Machado, but could go after Givens. Here's an interesting concept: what if we deal Gausman and Givens to Atlanta? Could that yield some top end talent? They're likely looking for another (more proven) major league arm in the rotation and bullpen. This gives them that, but also gives them a couple of guys with some level of control.

I'd like to see the Orioles send down Santander after he clears the Rule-5 status and then give Hays, Mullins or Stewart the spot. I'm good with whichever of the three is swinging the best in a few weeks when the time comes.

I'm glad the Orioles are pushing for more patience amongst the younger players. I wish they'd prioritize that when acquiring players, too. I hope Mountcastle can develop at third. He probably does, too. That's the clearest path to the big leagues as OF and 1B are far more saturated.

But you're not the only one.