luismatos4prez

It's worth noting that Druw Jones is off to a rough start this year. Jacob Berry and Elijah Green have been bad as well. Termarr Johnson looked strong last year, but only just played his first game this year yesterday due to injury (and is primarily a 2B already). Kumar Rocker has been strong in his first 2 professional outings. Extremely early returns say Holliday was the right pick.

I disagree, I think he'll be back soon

Thanks Tony! Sounds like a #7-10 style spot starter like Spenser Watkins.

Agreed, though I think Kremer is another bad start away from getting demoted as well.

Yeah, I'm starting a Garrett Stallings thread. I think he's interesting. He's 25, was acquired in the Jose Iglesias trade. His numbers last year were horrific in the first half, but in the 2nd half (July on), he got hot and had a 3.52 ERA, 3.53 FIP, 9 K/9, 1.83 BB/9 in 69 IP in AA. In his 2 outings this year, he's picked up where he left off. 10 IP, 7 K, 0 BB, 1.80 ERA. Maybe he's just an org guy on a heater, but maybe he's figured something out. Of course, I only scout the stat lines, so maybe Tony or someone else can give more perspective. Reports I've read suggest he's a control guy with underwhelming stuff.

Hindsight is 20/20 but it makes sense to bring in a 96 sinker with guys on base and you need 2 outs.

Called it

The White Sox bullpen stinks, we can get them late

That's not what I heard. She clearly said Hyde was jealous of his hair.

It's nice to be here in a year where the club expects to win. 3 pages in a day debating the merits of a long man/spot starter. Love the passion from everyone.

https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/645/713/888.jpg Had no idea Tipper Gore was an Orioles fan.

Don't look at the Orioles' lineup today.

Here's a random tangent: Batting average is way down across the league since Gwynn played of course. To the degree that over the last 80 years, Luis Arraez has the highest BA+ (129) in baseball with a .318 career average, even higher than Tony Gwynn (128) with his .338 career average or Ted Williams (128) with his .344 career average. Okay, back to Holliday.

This is like when Ryan Flaherty left and hit .300 for the first week of the season and folks dragged DD and Buck for letting a guy who clearly had finally learned how to hit. Then, crickets when he came back to Earth and had a .590 OPS that year.

I didn't want to make a new thread for this, but I noticed Grenier wasn't on the bench in Norfolk's game last night. He played SS in Norfolk's game on Saturday and went 3-3 with 2BBs and a great play in the field. If you look at his player page here: https://www.milb.com/player/cadyn-grenier-663760 it says he's on the Voluntary Retired List. Did he have a great game and then leave on a high note like George Costanza?

Wow! A 17 run lead in the 8th turned into a save situation.

Other Thoughts: - Cowser and Norby aren’t eligible next year but hopefully will be in Camden Yards by the end of this season if they rake. I expect Westburg won’t have to wait till next winter either. - Brandon Young and Kyle Brnovich could be interesting post-TJ picks for a team (like Tyler Wells), we’ll see if they pitch this year or not. - Of the long shots, I like Ryan Watson and Xavier Moore’s chances the best. - If I had to pick today, I’d protect Westburg, Kjerstad, and Haskin. - Here’s last year’s thread. Some of the midseason hot takes in there seem ridiculous now, mine included.

I’ll be using this thread to predict the 40-man roster adds next winter. Last year, I enjoyed tracking the rise and fall of guys and eventually predicted the adds correctly. I like checking in every month or so and seeing how things have changed. Below is where I see things currently with eligible guys. Tony’s ranking in parentheses. The Long Shot category includes other eligible guys that made Tony’s Top 75 or that I find a little interesting. Locks: 1. Westburg(6) 2. Kjerstad(10) Bubble: 3. Haskin(28) 4. Handley(33) Unlikely: 5. Pinto(35) 6. B. Young(37) Long Shot: De Los Santos(34), Strowd(39), Rangel(40), Moore(41), R. Watson (52), Feliz(53), Peek(56), Cullen(57), Gillispie(62), Hoffman(63), L. Valdez(65), Bellony(66), DeLeon(68), Servideo(70), Brnovich(74), A. Hall, Fontana, Stallings, Deson Any disagreements or predictions?

"I've done my job. Time to go put my gear on" - Adley, after hitting a single

23rd in attendance in baseball last year. We were 13th in 2014. The fans will be back when we win.

I believe you get ML service time and salary once you're added to the 60-day IL. They want to delay that as long as possible for him this year. Guys on the 40-man but in the minors make a lot less than ML minimum.

Some guys with high OBPs flame out in the majors. They have good eyes and discipline to lay off wild minor leaguers, but they can't catch up when ML pitchers challenge them in the zone. DJ Stewart and Joey Rickard are two examples that come to mind. I think Vavra will be a similar caliber of hitter, though with some ability to play the IF.

I get why people are against it, but this tournament has been excellent PR for baseball both in America and internationally. Huge viewership numbers, a ton of social media attention, and electric crowds. Plus, the players clearly care a lot. In sports news, I've seen more on Turner's grand slam than anything in March Madness so far, really great for the game.

If you could redraft that year, would you rather have Lawlar (consensus Top 15 prospect) or Cowser and Norby (both borderline Top 100 guys)? Their two bonuses about equaled Lawlar's. I like Cowser and Norby, but so far I'd say Mike picked wrong there. It will be interesting to check in again in a few years.

Attaboy Cedric! Orioles CFs love the WBC.