IPlayGM

His name will be Grayson. I’m with you, I think it’s bullpen arms, potentially multiple.

Hopefully he is sliding into his role of a guy that starts 2-3 times a week, and then is available to PH. To me that is his optimal value.

I’m a big fan of getting Hader. Cano, Hader, Bautista at the end of games would be tough, and it would allow the rest to sink into more comfortable roles. To me, that is potentially great team improvement with one acquisition.

This is why I value him more than Mateo. Bench bat. Especially if they find a way to get Ortiz up. In my opinion, you will need a guy to pinch hit more than you will pinch run.

I will take that bet.

That is insane, and also makes me root for him more!

CHIP is ROCH….always thought something was up…

But is it? Their AAA numbers would not say that. It is so weird to me how the Os have treated them so oppositely. Westburg is brought up with trumpets blaring, hype videos, etc. Ortiz is yo-yo’d back and forth, given 30 sporadic at bats and now deemed the lesser player. I would venture that if you bring Ortiz up and give him equal playing time, thoughts would be different. And that isn’t taking anything away from Westburg, who I am extremely impressed with.

Pretty cool coverage, and pretty informed honestly. This is why I am in the “upgrade the bullpen aggressively “ camp. Then this off-season can be the time to replace Gibson with a significant upgrade.

Understood. Seeing him in person, I would agree, he is huge already. I guess he could be a Salvador Perez type, but I would guess Perez is the exception to the rule.

Curious, why do you say that? Just simply on how big Basallo is already? Or have you read more about their projections?

Was thinking about this this morning. Our rotation next year with no additions is: Bradish/Wells/Means/GRod/Kremer Still have Irvin, and then the Johnsons/Povichs of the world. I don’t think we are in terrible position there actually, albeit a little thin in depth. I wonder if the strategy will be to use trades to grab younger starter prospects to ultimately replace these guys a couple years down the line. Not saying I necessarily agree with that strategy, but that starting 5 doesn’t seem too shabby to me.

Felt like last nights game was Gunnar saying, “wait a minute fellas, I know we are excited about our new young shiny toys but let’s not forget who the #1 prospect was!”

Agree with your timeline. Santander this off-season, and then Hays only if the value is right. But I do wonder if you work out a contender/contender trade deadline trade with let’s say the Marlins for Taters and get a pitcher back.

Look at it this way…who would you rather have Hays/Mullins/Santander Cowser/Mullins/Kjerstad + Hays/Santander trade bounty… I think that will end up being a no brainer, the only question is when do you do it.

Certainly seems like quite a bit of decent options. I would prioritize bullpen during trade deadline and upgrade rotation in the off-season.

Just posted this in the minors thread…regarding Heston. I keep shuffling between two questions: How can he actually come up this year? With his performance, how can he not? Obviously things will settle in over the next month or so, and we will see how the young guys in Baltimore progress, but Heston seems like he could be the most impactful lineup guy that we could bring up. I’m just having a hard time figuring out how to bring him up without making a pretty significant trade, which I just have my doubts that Elias would do mid year.

I keep shuffling between two questions: How can he actually come up this year? With his performance, how can he not? Obviously things will settle in over the next month or so, and we will see how the young guys in Baltimore progress, but Heston seems like he could be the most impactful lineup guy that we could bring up. I’m just having a hard time figuring out how to bring him up without making a pretty significant trade, which I just have my doubts that Elias would do mid year.

Part time player is a perfect role for him in my opinion. I would be just fine seeing him pinch hit late in a game. I guess the question becomes if you move on from Mateo in lieu of Ortiz, who is your infield bench? Does Mateo stay? Or are you okay with Westburg/Henderson being your “backup ss”?

Unfortunately, I think we know what that “whatever reason” is…

Agree with all points on here, but I just don’t think he will truly learn/adjust until he is up here getting major league hitter feedback. He needs to miss and get the immediate result of missing to a major leaguer. I know that’s not necessarily what we want in our rotation as we are contending, but it’s not like we have a better option to go to at this point.

If I was the GM of the Orioles (see screen name) and looking at what we have currently plus future decisions, I would have Ortiz up playing SS. You have multiple scenarios that can play out: 1. Both Ortiz and Westburg play well. At that point, you have a great young trade chip once Holliday graduates. 2. One plays much better than the other. Once Holliday graduates you have your 2nd baseman. 3. Both play terrible. You still have Urias, Mateo and Frazier insurance for this year, and Urias/Norby moving forward. I don’t see the downside to this.

Ya think?!? Based on where he is and their mentality to go for it, cannot see a trade fit there.

Obviously this is Bowdens opinion. I would pay good money to truly know Elias’ thoughts on this strategy. I do think that a mix of trade some prospects and trade from MLB depth would be best for the health of the franchise, but I am just a fan at home and not the boss. So I guess we will see his thoughts through action (or lack there of) in the next month+.

Was just saying this same thing to friends last night. With how our starting pitching is, we need a 2012 level bullpen, which to me would require Tate coming back and being Tate plus one legit bullpen acquisition.