My comment was about losing their depth by dropping the players on a whim. As backup/utility players with a total of 2.6 bwar in 2023, you do not just drop veteran experience with good defense to play a bunch of rookie prospects. It’s a bad idea!
I agree there is a transition going on, but ME, which I agree with, has a floor. Mateo and Urias are a good floor to have. Sometimes you need to gamble, but I believe the floor will only increase. For 2024, they are a good floor to have so far.
Okay, but you are expecting above level replacement level on their prospects during WS aspirations. Both are above replacement and make the Orioles pitchers look good.
This would be a horrible move from a depth perspective. Both players have MLB success defensively and have shown impact bats, at times. You don’t give that depth up on a whim.
Best guess is the Orioles want to nail down at least a key acquisition early on. The payroll has flexibility the next several years and I expect the potential to trade one veteran and sign a key contributor to keep the payroll reasonable, while adding to pitching.
I find it interesting that the O’s are getting press for showing interest in RP these last few hours/days. Normally we find news when something actually happens (after the fact).
This could be a good sign, if Agents are putting the news out there to draw more contract interest in the players they serve, since we know how tight-lipped ME and company can be.
The flip side is that the O’s get priced out on good acquisitions!
this should be an interesting offseason, more so than the last 5+ years.
That kind of depth puts the team in a much better situation down the road for trades/signings. Hope ME and company looks into these types of moves this offseason+
https://www.si.com/mlb/orioles/news/baltimore-orioles-linked-seattle-mariners-logan-gilbert-trade-possibility-matt9
SI loves to speculate on the Orioles this offseason. Gilbert would cost a lot!
I could see Mountcastle, Westburg/Ortiz being the headliners to get Gilbert
It is embarrassing. Was at the Sunday playoff game against the Rangers and none of the tv displays were working on the upper deck. A little bit of investment goes a long way for next season and beyond.
Was way off on this projection! I usually follow the minors thread much more during the season, but the 2023 mlb club was too good a distraction.
looking forward to 2024 and congratulations to Basallo!
Thank you Tony for all of this good analysis and information!
You are taking his highest level CY SO rate. take the best and worst years out of the equation and you get a MOR+
Quite an impressive career compared to Santander. The floor is set, if the arm passes the test.
one thing we have yet to consider is Santander having his career year with the Orioles! Not trying to trade this wonderful player, but Bieber is part of this high upside equation.
The team puts $20m from this years profits in escrow to spend on WS impact talent for the coming season’s. That is what I would do with the current window now open!