Ripken

Yeah, it's clearly this one. He's not only screwed this season but next, too. The Burnes get looks like a replacement now more than an improvement. Elias still needs to do more, which is familiar territory.

Because they know how well McKenna plays the OF in Fenway?

We'd all love for Means to pitch and be effective but I wasn't counting on him anyway. Any success there would seem like a bonus to me. Bradish, though, is very different.

Ummm...

That has me stepping back from the ledge a bit. There was certainly a lot of news to take all at once this morning. The only one that has me concerned is Bradish, but that's a huge one. There are some options out there. Maybe the Orioles negotiating position has weakened with this news but the remaining FAs have to be getting somewhat nervous, too, with all these players reporting.

I've seen this discussed a few places. They'll have to reach an agreement. It would be very damaging to both sides otherwise.

Irvin is a lock. If Tate is healthy, he's basically a lock. So, one of Baumann and Webb. I'd like Baumann to earn it.

Such a bad idea. Really don't understand why it keeps being mentioned.

There isn't. I really don't get this one.

I'm not sure 36 year old JDM, playing half his games in the Grand Canyon, is that bat.

Probably not. On the other hand, if it's close, consider that McKenna can't play SS and Mateo is a better pinch runner. I don't like either player but Mateo looks a lot better on the team if he's doing all those jobs and freeing up the backup-RH-CF roster spot so we can keep another player. Said differently, I don't want both Mateo and McKenna on the team, especially if Urias and ROH stay put - there's only so many limited backup types we should be carrying.

T. Rowe Price Park at Camden Yards. Seven words in a stadium name should be illegal.

Neither.

10 (in 2011)

I would hope so. I don't really like either player but if Mateo can be backup SS, and backup CF, and pinch runner extraordinaire, alleviating the need for someone like McKenna, than I'm happy to have him. I don't want him starting much but, beyond that, I really don't want all three of Urias and Mateo and McKenna (or some other backup CF) all on the team.

Yep, good call. DD deserves more credit than he gets. The larger point was getting really good [bullpen] seasons out of those two last year when no one really saw that coming. I wonder if Charles could be that guy this year.

Love Hays - and Mounty and others - but most aren't long for the org. All this MILB fun is going to cause some pain going forward. Winning cures all.

Charles has those big strikeout numbers that could maybe turn into another unexpected dominate reliever. Elias seemingly pulled Felix and Cano out of thin air.

I'd be okay with Oreo Park at Camden Yards.

Ortiz and Stowers were the two guys I really thought Elias needed to move, or make room for, this offseason. He's done so with Ortiz, who had more value. I really doubt Stowers ever plays regularly in Baltimore. Even with the current starting OF potentially being replaced in 2 years, Kyle should not sit in Norfolk any longer. I think the easy answer is, barring another Orioles trade or injury this spring, to trade him for, well, something of value. I don't think he alone returns a good bullpen piece this year (though he could be coupled with another player) so I'll go for trying to get a young, lotto ticket type return.

Right. The thread is dumb.

I voted to extend Elias. Truth is though, I don't worry about him leaving. The new ownership is a group of very intelligent, wealthy people who aren't about to let the architect of this potential dynasty get away. Beyond that, I think Elias very much loves what he's building here and it would probably devastate him to walk away from it.

Yep. It was destroyed here when he posted it.

And Jackson.

I said no simply because the payroll is now pushing $100M, which still isn't a lot, but I think that's more than JA would have approved were he the only ownership voice.