IPlayGM

I’m aware. But I do think you can have different philosophies with human capital vs finances. At least from my point of view, I would like to be more aggressive this off-season financially while still being conservative with the prospects as far as moving them. Elias/team may stay conservative with both. We shall see.

I think that’s a different conversation. Trade deadline costs you human capital, not just money. I think our discussion is more along the lines of spending money.

What I mean is that I could see a scenario where ownership set a number for payroll and Elias decides it is not the right time to push the budget to the very top due to where the team is development wise, being fiscally conservative and maintaining flexibility. But now that the team is at a point where it is full on go time, he will want to add. So now we will see if it is ownership is a partner in pushing us over the edge.

Sure. I agree regarding the prices, that just seems like posturing for various political and social reasons. I am still holding true that this is more Elias than ownership, but time will tell, at least I think it will.

First time I have seen McKenna and super in the same sentence. Sorry, mean spirited…

This is where my hopes lie as well. The one starter should be a guy you think can start a playoff game ala Gray, and then try to have a great bullpen. A rotation of Bradish, Gray, GRod, Means, Kremer is really solid.

Do we have direct confirmation that this is actually happening, ie. ownership limiting spending? I know the general feeling is that this is happening, but has it been proven? To me this is the perfect marriage of Elias being fiscally conservative, especially in the time period/status of the organization/rebuild and Angelos being willing to be cheap. But the sheer numbers suggest that they could increase payroll pretty significantly and still make a nice profit. I guess what I am saying is that I don’t buy it. I think the lack of spending to this point is more Elias than ownership. But that would mean that there are meaningful dollars spent this off-season due to the progress and current state of the team. So I think my theory will be proven one way or the other in the coming months.

Those signings would go over like a fart in church around here…

I think him leading off is our best case scenario, and would indicate that his bay has made the necessary improvements. Having that speed on base in front of the next few OBP machines would be scary!

I think those two things cumulatively are going to be very expensive.

If this scenario plays out and Jackson starts the year in AAA, I think the most likely scenario when he is ready is Mateo DFA or traded. Assuming the rest are holding their own.

I think acquiring one legit starter would make a huge difference. To me, it then slots everyone else right where they should be, especially Kremer as a 5. I would like to see Hall stretched out in the Spring just to see, and be completely happy if he ends up back in the bullpen.

Couple thoughts on the hitting/fielding: There are 2 philosophical ways (imo) to improve the team, one is to focus on improving your top end talent, and the other is to raise the floor. I don’t see the Orioles doing way one, especially externally, so I would think they will focus on improving the floor of the roster. When you look at Texas, their lineup 1-9 was pretty relentless. To improve the total roster, this would be my play: 1. Replace Urias, Frazier and Mateo with Holiday and Ortiz With these infield guys playing so many positions, I think a 2 for 3 replacement actually makes more sense for playing time purposes, plus it allows for another addition below. 2. Add Cowser and Kjerstad to the outfield mix with Mullins/Hays/Santander This allows Hays to play less but in a rotation, and hopefully you get more sustained play from him. 3. Replace O’Hearn As much as I appreciate what he did this year, I don’t think it’s sustainable. 4. Find a backup CF, preferably a RH This was a glaring weakness on our roster this year. 5. Add Norby. This is the one I’m not sure how it fits, but I feel we need to make it fit. This guy feels like Justin Turner. We got rid of him because he didn’t fit and all he has done since is hit. I would hate to lose that. You start the year with Westburg 3B, Holliday 2B, Ortiz utility playing 3+ times a week, and when Mayo is ready you make him fit.

I would have started him in left honestly

As much as I’m looking forward to Hestons career, I trust Ohearns ABs tomorrow more.

Really could use Ceddy to be some resemblance of himself. They said on the broadcast yesterday that he was 2 for his last 40….and then he struck out…

I see a great chance that Kremer starts. That dude has been money in the biggest games. Why wouldn’t we think he won’t do the same in the playoffs?

I understand your point, but 40 HRs with a solid OBP won’t be a waste no matter where he plays.

None of my earlier comments are meant to disparage Ortiz. I was beating the drum all year for him to be up and be the everyday SS. I think he has a chance to be a really good player. I just don’t feel he is going to be the primary SS for the Os now that Gunnar has had the year that he just had. I certainly won’t be upset to be wrong. My ideal scenario is Ortiz SS, Gunnar 3B, Holliday 2B, Mayo 1B, Westburg super sub. Just not sure if that happens.

Do you mean better defensively or overall?

I would take that bet. Gunnar has locked down being the primary SS.Not saying he won’t play some 3B, but I will be very surprised if he isn’t the guy there.

I’m not sure I see a scenario where Holliday moves Gunnar off of short other than him being much more superior with the glove, which seems doubtful. As much as everyone (including me) loves Jackson, Gunnar is the alpha male at this point. And you don’t move the alpha male off of his position for any other reason than someone else is better there.

In Hyde’s presser after Tuesdays game, he talked about how Bradish reminded him of Arrieta, when he arrived in Chicago, made some adjustments to his offerings and took off. I hadn’t thought of that comparison but it is pretty interesting. As to the rotation going forward, as much as I am up for the Os spending money, I’m not sure I truly see the need. Your top 3 pitchers are Bradish/GRod/Means. You have Kremer/Wells/Irvin. If you want to go all out and get a guy that slots in with the top 3, I’m not going to get upset about it, but I am pretty comfortable with this group moving forward. To me, adding would be a luxury, not a necessity.

Yeah I think it is more of just the time of year, and just having him focus on what he needs to focus on. They probably learned a lesson from Cowser that there is little need for him to focus attention to defense when they just need his bat.

You definitely stuck your neck out early on that one so I will give you credit!