7Mo

You lost me. Talking about Mountcastle??

He's 0-11 with 5 K's. I hope it's not an automatic as to when he comes back.

Not trying to argue with you, but would you personally choose to keep playing Mateo? Frazier?

I agree with that thought in general terms. Believing that Frazier and Mateo will have trade value over the next 5 weeks is something I don't agree with. At this point, they are who they are. They won't lose value sitting on the bench the next 5 weeks.

I think depending on too many rookies at once is a valid concern. At the same time, for as smart and detailed as Elias and Sig are, they had to see this coming, right? Couldn't you be very sure that Ortiz and Westburg were ready or at least very, very close to ready? I can't understand why one of Ortiz/Westburg isn't up and playing everyday along with Cowser. I'm also baffled about why a left handed hitter at 2B was so important. But if it's balancing the lineup, we now have a left handed hitting first baseman so maybe Ortiz/Westburg/Urias at second works now? Adding Cowser should make balancing even easier. I'm a big fan of Elias and Sig but running Mateo and Frazier every day and not giving playing time to Ortiz/Westburg and Cowser is baffling to me. And if you're not going to play "too many rookies" this year, what happens next year with Kjerstad, Mayo, Holliday, Fabian, etc?

He did that before an extended stint in MLB. Has his experience changed his mind? I doubt it has although it certainly should. I think "he is who he is" is accurate.

Is there a better time to bring them up? Do you think next year would be better?

I tend to think this is right. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the plan all along was for Elias to build the farm, and then start adding targeted FA's here and there. All was proceeding on target, then we hear the "lift off" statement, and shortly after that, the purse strings got tightened significantly. It doesn't seem believable that an owner of a sports franchise would do that. But it doesn't seem believable that an owner would say "I'll open up all the books" and then never do so.

Not to rain on your post but I don't see Elias trading value for a rental. I'm guessing he'll look for something more like one of Mateo / Ortiz / Urias plus one of Stowers / Prieto to MIA for Trevor Rogers and Steven Okert. That gives him his rotation guy and BP help. Both are '27 FA's. Okert is running a 39% K rate right now.

I have a lot more belief that we'll add 1-2 bullpen guys over the next 6 weeks than I do that we add a TOR or middle of the order bat.

This is what I would like to see. That plus a lot less of Mateo and more of Urias and I think those 2 changes could make a big difference.

I agree. But some part of the process will change and I don't see how just yet. I'm confused about Mountcastle and Mateo continuing to play unless the idea is to try to prop up their value for a trade. If there is an aversion to playing 2 rookies at once, that's a long term problem because it's not just Cowser and Kjerstad and Stowers (as you mentioned). It's also Westburg and Ortiz and Norby, and then the next wave will be Mayo and Fabian and Holliday and I'm a believer in Beavers. I don't think those are names that are traded unless it's Norby because of defensive limits. Hopefully Cowser and Westburg are up within 10-12 days and finish the year great. Then Kjerstad and Ortiz establish themselves early next year. But that's a whole lot of young hitters in a very short time.

I don't think the O's sign any of Santander, Mullins or Hays long term. I'd be surprised to see Elias start 2 rookie outfielders at once. On the verge of playoff contention, the O's traded the renowned 99 mph sinkerballer but I don't see them trading one of these 3 this year at the deadline which means a winter transaction. But I doubt 2 go at once. Santander is a '25 FA, Hays and Mullins '26 FA's. If Cowser comes up in a few weeks and finishes the year well, maybe that speeds trades up by a year.

I've seen June 14 to June 21 speculated.

Thanks for your post and let me clarify. I don't know anything at all. I'm just trying to guess what Elias will do. I agree that any move he makes will be what he views as an impact move. Where I differ is I think most would say "impact" = TOR established pitcher now. I don't think Elias is hyper focused on this year. I think he's focused on building for years and years to come. Is Seth Johnson or Cade Povich an impact player? Certainly not this year but either may be moving forward. That's why I gravitate back to Willy Adames for Feyereisen and Rasmussen. Rasmussen is clearly an impact guy now. We see what Elias values with players. He wants guys that control the strike zone. That was a huge emphasis in Houston as well but I can't see Mountcastle here long term with his approach. Or Mateo notwithstanding the recent comment by Elias about him being a core piece. If expiring Trey Mancini nets Seth Johnson, what could Mountcastle fetch? To me, Haskins and Prieto don't fit the mold so I think they'll be dealt. I'd guess some organization believes in DL Hall very highly so while I'm not convinced he'll be dealt, I wouldn't be surprised at all if he is. Once Cowser has 2 weeks under his belt, I would think he's called up. What makes sense to me is play Santander at 1B or DH and give Cowser plenty of run to see if he settles in. That would cut into Mountcastle at bats. But I don't think it would diminish his trade value prior to the trade deadline. Just my rambling thoughts.

I believe, like you do, that ownership is the issue. Elias is so measured with his words that I cannot believe "lift off" meant Gibson and Frazier. I think his ability to add was lessened after he made those comments. And I believe that when he made those comments, he had every reason to believe he could add. But then he couldn't. Maybe that's nothing more than speculation but it seems pretty clear to me.

As much as I enjoy trying to figure out what Elias will do based on what happened with the Astros, or what the Rays have and are doing, I think there are very different circumstances here. One, Luhnow was very aggressive in everything he did. I don't see what that trade tells us about an Elias preference. Two, it's been said that Sig was very much against trading prospects for established players and three, the Astros had intentions of paying big money to retain established guys. Trying to read tea leaves, or take wild guesses, I'd say something like the Rays trading Willy Adames for JP Feyereisen and Drew Rasumssen fits more what Elias will try to do. Or a different approach like a Hernaiz type for someone like Jordan Montgomery. Not trying to argue with your post, just my thoughts, I can't see Elias trading top 10 prospects for veterans but I could see him trading a top 10 player for someone he considers a top 10 prospect pitcher, regardless of the guys actual ranking with his organization.

Mitch Keller seems like the guy you build a young team around. I'd be very surprised if PITT would trade him.

I try to sound out the big words but I got all of these on the first try.

They are definitely teaching that and Gunnar is one of the poster boys for it. I guess the question becomes should he alter his approach with 2 strikes. Personally I think he's fine and just adjusting to the league.

There would have been but we traded a guy with a 99 mph sinker. Who wants to tailgate after trading a guy with a 99 mph sinker?

Feels to me like we're ambling toward Westburg plus 1-2 for Trevor Rogers.

Too soon. Allow proper time for mourning.

To me, Quintana is the shopping aisle Elias will be in. Or Tyler Anderson, Chris Bassitt, Corey Kluber. Merrill Kelly had a very good year and is getting a bit pricy for Ariz. He might be a reasonable trade target.

Cody Asche has had a rapid ascent. Played briefly with the Phillies and White Sox, and was still playing in '19, albeit in AA. His coaching career must be going well. I watched him before he went to Nebraska.