7Mo

A good friend of mine pitched in AAA for 6 years then started coaching. I heard him answer the same question dozens of times: "What's the difference in a pitcher who's successful in AAA vs MLB?" "Consistency. Lot's of guys have great stuff. How often can you do it?"

Good point. I have an idea which list is longer.

You'd rather the posts about what a disappointment Adley is?

I noticed an interview a few days ago when he was asked the difference in his play from NY to the O's, he repeated playing time several times. I question if he won't encourage a trade when he's not in the lineup everyday. That may not mean much, but Hicks being traded this month is very much in play, IMO.

Thanks for taking the time to gather all of this. Kyle Freeland is a local kid for COL and it doesn't look like they'll consider trading him. My guess is someone overpays for ERod so that knocks us out there. Montgomery feels like a fit for us. Personally I don't think we add a rental even if the prospect cost is really low but if we do, Lance Lynn might be a target. He's having a lousy year this year but maybe they've spotted a correction he could make.

He's the only person who's mentioned an arm slot change too, isn't he?

17, good sign.

Can't agree with your conclusions at all. To watch that play and argue he's not quick to the ball, or that his throwing motion is too long, I can't agree at all and I'd be surprised if many other people did either.

Are you going to mention that his plant foot was skidding and he was throwing off balance? Or do you call that poor footwork?

No need to give up on '23. AL East Last 20 games: Rays 10-10 Orioles 11-9 Yankees 9-11 Blue Jays 9-11 Red Sox 11-9

No need to give up on '23. AL East Last 20 games: Rays 10-10 Orioles 11-9 Yankees 9-11 Blue Jays 9-11 Red Sox 11-9

It sure looked like they were headed to platooning him with Frazier with Westburg switching from 2B to 3B until Westburg got hit. That's not limiting enough....but it's a step in the right direction.

I'm not disappointed in the pace at all and I think Elias is well satisfied with where we sit today. I think his target is more October '24 than this year. And I don't disagree with that approach.

Ben said right on the top of the left hand. I've watched a few times and it looked like the wrist at the back of the hand.

You would prefer to keep McKenna rather than O'Hearn?

I don't think his value has dropped from the time he took the job.

Do you think he took the job without assurances he'd be able to run things and have the needed resources?

You're consistent. I'll credit you for that.

He also flew to Texas immediately after last deadline and talked about "liftoff". Elias is disciplined and measured in everything he does. He has a boss that repeatedly promised to "open the books" and then didn't. I think Elias believed what he said when he said it. Both about "there is money there when it's time" and about "liftoff". I think he believed what he was being told at the time. Based on what we've seen from Elias over the last few years and what we've seen from John Angelos, do you think Elias was lying?

I think wildcard is pretty close here. I don't share quite as much unbridled enthusiasm but looking at it from a standpoint that Elias must be pleased with year over year progress the last 2, and knowing he has a lot more coming next year, I can't see a lot of prospects traded in the next 30 days. I think he does have to look at it from the Tampa perspective over the last few years where they needed to move some prospects because they would become Rule 5 targets if they remained with the organization but that still lets him keep the names prominently floated here over the last year. Obviously it depends on who brings back what kind of value but I think how you would set the 40 man come Rule 5 draft dictates who is traded this month. I think we wind up adding 1-2 MLB relief pitcher(s) that aren't one of the big names. Depending on what analytics show them, and what they think they can do to help someone, I would expect more Pierce Johnson (not a name) than Scott Barlow (name) as an example. As many others mention, I think one of Ortiz/Mateo is a bridge to Holliday. I would think Ortiz has much greater trade value so even though I really believe in him, I think he's gone come Aug 1. If you can get decent value, I'd like to see Mountcastle and McKenna traded. If you trade Mountcastle, I can't see Urias traded this month. I'd love to see a value return for Mateo but I just don't believe it'll happen. Wildcard has more faith in Voth than I do but I'm optimistic by nature so I'll hope along with him. I tend to think Rodriguez needs more time than another month to reign in his command. Maybe Charles helps by late August. I don't see any way we're seriously in on a Corbin Burnes or Cease or that caliber. I tend to think we add one starter but I don't see Elias dealing more than 1-2 of our top 10 prospects to do so. And I can't see him dealing any significant prospect for a rental. He'll be looking for 2+ years of control I'd guess. I'm anxious to see what Elias does, although I wouldn't be surprised at all if it's not much.

That's what I've been hoping for, Frazier and Mateo job share. I think Westburg gets one game a week off but otherwise, I hope they play Westburg at 2nd and 3rd and move Henderson between SS and 3B.

Houston needs a 1st baseman badly.

Wouldn't have to be a new bag either.

This is where I am too. It seems clear that this is not a year to push all the chips to the center of the table. It's yet another step in the growth of the organization. With that in mind, I'd love to see Ortiz and Westburg playing every day with the O's, even if their growing pains cost us a few games. If, however, there's some legitimate area of weakness that needs work at Norfolk, I wish someone would explain what that is. But given that they're fine with Ortiz sitting on a MLB bench, that certainly doesn't seem to be the case with him.

Got it. Thanks.