jtschrei

If the O's are confident he can put up a .750 OPS and has the potential to be an .800 OPS guy or higher, then I think the O's should sit tight this offseason and let him have the 3B job next year. He was a very high priced signing out of Venezuela. He has put up good numbers in the minors. He has worked hard at 3B. He's definitely not great there (remember when we had Manny, sigh..) but Nunez seems competent. Eye test -- he's got a nice swing. Bottom line: I don't think Mountcastle is better than him at this point and so it's his job.

Exactly. By the way, I watched Gausman's start last night -- free MLB.tv game of the day. He's pitching completely out of the stretch. I know folks have already mentioned that as an adjustment the Braves made based on the data showing Gausman was much more effective out of the stretch. To me, Gausman's mechanics do seem simpler obviously. The heater was coming in 93-94. Maybe the control was a little better but I'd have to look at the data. Still, he looked like the same guy. He got into a little trouble after the Braves staked him to some leads. Seemed like wanted to cough up the lead a few times, but he didn't. It was a combination of things. The Pirates have been in a funk at the plate (this according to the Pirates announcers who were calling the game). The Braves defense seemed superior to the O's. I mean, there were some hard hit balls. It's not like Gausman went out there and mowed folks down completely. There were a couple of very nice running catches made in the OF. Swanson made a nice play at SS. Still, Gausman looks better out of the stretch and confidence is obviously a huge thing.

The Gausman trade was part salary dump. There's no way around that. DD made the best deal that was on the table. Yes, we could have waited until the offseason, but there is no guarantee that the offers would have been better. Deals get done at the deadline because there's real urgency. Gausman might have hurt his value and sucked the last two months for us. Plus, does it make sense to hold onto Gausman next year when the team is probably going to lose 90 games at least? I don't know. I just can criticize the deal that much. Would I have liked a better return? Yes. If the choice was keeping O'Day and getting better prospects, would I have liked that better? Yes. But we don't know if that was actually on the table. There weren't many ways for the O's to cut salary. Davis and Trumbo are untrade-able. This was a way to get $10 million off the books. Let's hope for the best with this 3B Encarnacion.

This dude is going to work. The question I have is will he get the right coaching. I think ‘Mr Dickerson’ will provide excellent coaching on defense. I worry about the hitting coach....

Agreed. His swing looks good. Buck has been playing him pretty regularly. I think there could be something there. The results aren't quite there, but I see potential.

Right. I know. I think he's a better hitter than that. I think he's an .800 OPS guy, but we'll see. He was .826 OPS last year.

Eye test- Mancini looks better at the plate. He’s a ball player and his makeup is fantastic. We have to get rid of Trumbo and slide Mancini to Dh with some games at 1B. I’m saying it, that’s the number 1 offseason priority.

I’m from Baltimore and there’s no hiding from the city’s violence I’m sad to say. The further decline of the city plus an mlB team in DC has seriously hurt the Os business. All of that said, the right potential owner would look at all Of those challenges as an opportunity. Among DC, philly, NYC, Boston, Baltimore sticks out. Of course it would help if our own governor didn’t act like Baltimore was a wasteland. Whatever. a. I’ve said it once I’ll say it again. The Angelos family would never sell to anyone except an ownership group with deep local ties, headed by like the Ripken’s. b. The Orioles, together with Camden Yards, represent a major opportunity for the patient investor. Baltimore will come back just like DC, Philly and NYC. I’m really not worried about them moving. I’m much more worried that we’ll Never win another WS in my lifetime.

I'm thrilled for Flash. Anyone who thinks our record would be much different if we had Flaherty is wrong. Here's the thing about Flash -- very good infielder. Beckham has not impressed me at all at 3B. And now with Schoop down, I do think Flaherty would be playing quite a bit for us. I miss Flaherty's defense. I think this bat will level out and revert to career norms.

Cakes can do no wrong. I've got no problem with it.

When you see Santander in person, he looks like a stud. I'm just talking about his height and build. He stands out. He's having a good spring so far. Hope he keeps it up.

What's not to like? We get him basically for free. Isn't the NYY system loaded? I like the pick.

I always expect Angelos to win in court. I liked FRobby's take -- this is a minor setback. Eventually, I think this deal will be re-negotiated to be more team friendly to the Nats. Long-term, all MLB teams are going to have to think about how they broadcast their games. I'm 40 and I have cut the cord and so have my friends. I don't think anyone in their 20s is signing up for cable tv. The revenue will be through mlb.tv.

Lights out performance by Givens. Wow! In total command. Glad we finally converted him to a reliever :thumbsup1:

Dickerson is really the most aggressive 3B coach I have ever seen. I mean, he's aggressive for little league. Most of the time, I like it. I was not surprised he sent Hardy. And given how poorly we get runners home, I don't have a problem with it. Surprised he held Stubbs later in the game. The best we ever had was of course Cal Sr. But I remember thinking Demarlo Hale was excellent. The worst.... hands down... Tom Treblehorn.

The principle of trading near ML-ready talent for rentals is a bad one. EdRod has showed me that to my face.

I was so mad I turned it off. Very happy to find out later that Lough hit a walk off. We needed that one. Seemed like we had blown it.

I think Lew Ford can contribute on the ML level. I think he's better than his ML numbers from last year indicate. I have no problem with him making the team if Pearce or Dickerson get injured.

Really liking what I'm hearing about this guy right now.